We’re thrilled to have Harlequin Intrigue author Barb Han joining us. Sudden Setup, the first book in Crisis: Cattle Barge, her new mini-series, is available now. Read on as this USA TODAY bestselling author gives us the scoop on her new mini-series, her writing process and her advice for aspiring authors!
How did you get into writing?
I got into writing through my first love, reading. I used to devour books when I was little. I’d go outside in the summer, climb a tree and read. In winter, I’d curl up on the floor next to the heater and read. I loved getting lost in between the pages of a good book. Writing felt like a natural progression. It was going from living in and enjoying other people’s worlds to creating my own. And I still love to read.
What do you like most about writing romantic suspense/category romance?
What could be better than marrying a love story with danger? Nothing gets the blood pumping like a serial killer chasing one of the people in my books while they put their hearts on the line.
The first book in Crisis: Cattle Barge, your newest mini-series for Harlequin Intrigue, was just released. Can you tell us a little bit about this new series and what makes it special for you?
First of all, I love writing Texas. I’ve lived here most of my life and feel such a connection to my home state. The Cattle Barge series is special to me because the patriarch in this wealthy cattle ranch family was a renegade who lived on his own terms. He made mistakes in life, big time mistakes. So, I wanted to find redemption (if at all possible) for him and healing for his family.
What is your writing process?
This is a great question! I get a first draft on paper as soon as I can. I generally know how many words a day I need to get down, but I don’t set daily word goals. I write using my laptop and move around to find the best spot to get the most done. I can write anywhere (Starbucks, during my daughter’s dance class, on the couch at home or my favorite chair in the bedroom), and it seems like each story has it’s ‘spot’ where I seem to get a good writing groove going. Once I have a solid (and by solid, I mean the basic storyline is there) first draft, it’s time for my favorite part: revisions. I love going back the second time and shaping each scene, adding texture and finding the exact word or phrase to use. Then, I go back one more time to read big chunks at a time for flow and consistency.
How do you motivate yourself when you don’t feel like writing?
Another great question. Writing every day is habit for me. Are there days when the ‘wording’ is not happening? Sure. That’s when I give myself permission to write a crappy draft. The thing is, I can’t fix what I don’t get down on the page. So, I don’t worry about how I feel when I’m writing the first draft. If I’m having a bad day I remind myself that I’ll fix it during revisions.
What advice to you have for writers?
The best advice I ever received was to write. It sounds simple, but getting started and developing those writing muscles can be tricky (just like starting a new workout routine). So, write something every day. It can be as simple as journaling or doing morning pages (just let the words flow and be okay with them being bad) to writing a page every day in your manuscript. Build from there until you’ve developed a strong daily writing ritual.
Keep an eye out for Endangered Heiress, the next book in Barb Han’s Crisis: Cattle Barge series, which will be released in May!
USA TODAY bestselling author Barb Han lives in north Texas with her very own hero-worthy husband, three beautiful children, a spunky golden retriever/standard poodle mix and too many books in her to-read pile. In her downtime, she plays video games and spends much of her time on or around a basketball court. She loves interacting with readers and is grateful for their support. You can reach her at barbhan.com.
Photo credit: Kimberly Rocha
