I’d like to thank Robyn DeHart for spending this past week with us here at RI. We value her advice and encouragement. If you haven’t done so check out Robyn’s latest book A Study in Scandal now on sale. It’s “theme week” again at RI this time we the Inclined will interview each other. It’s time to share a little about us with you. Keep in mind that not even the interviewer has read the answers it’s all a surprise. First up, me! Haven is conducting the interview…

Haven~ Who are the H/H of your book and what are some of their characteristics?

Isabel ~My current WIP is set in Regency England. However, I’m still not sure when during the Regency era the will story happen. I’m in the middle of researching history for that era. Emily Lancaster is the determined and self-confident heroine of this untitled story.
She knows what she wants out of life (or so she thinks *g*). She wants to choose her future husband who would understand and agrees to let her live her life the way she sees fit. With a respectable dowry to her name she hopes to find a man who meets her standards.
Emily’s honorable and well-respected hero is Devon Pierson, a titled gentleman. He’s a tortured soul, he’s not ready to marry anyone, not now perhaps not ever. He might tell you he doesn’t care about anyone or anything but his actions say otherwise. He is instantly smitten with Emily and when he finds out who she is, his heart and soul are torn to pieces.

Haven ~ How did you get the idea for your plot that your working on now?

Isabel ~The idea for this story started developing in my head after I first listened to Howie Day’s “Collide” while at the theater waiting to see a movie sometime last September. The first scene that popped into my head was that of a duel at dawn. The results from this event alter my heroine’s life thus shaping her attitude and personality.

Haven~ Was there any published authors that inspired you to write? Who and How?

Isabel ~The first historical novel I’ve ever read was Whitney, My Love by Judith McNaught. I wanted to write my own story as soon as I finished the book. At the time it was a fantasy…I didn’t even say it out loud. I mean,, how could I possibly know where to start?! The storytelling, the lush descriptions of the H/H and the scenery were breathtaking. Ms. McNaught made me believe these people existed a long time ago.
I wanted to do the same one day…fast forward fifteen years later and I’m finally ready to write a story of my own, seriously. I hope to meet Ms. McNaught one day and thank her for inspiring me to write. To take a chance. Not that I’ll ever be like Ms. McNaught because all of us writers have a unique voice and must find our own way of making it ring true and clear.

Haven ~ When did you first realize you wanted to be a romance writer?

Isabel ~ Well right after reading Whitney, My Love, I “fantasized” about being a writer. Then in my late teens I started to write my ideas on paper and actually wrote several chapters from those ideas. My mother found them one day and although she didn’t tell me stop writing, she suggested I attempt to write “real” books. Mom was not the only one, who at the time thought I should write other kinds of books, my friends and cousins thought I should write more “serious” stuff. So I went back to reading only, and pushing aside ideas whenever they came up. I was feeling very discouraged at that time in my life.
The dream has been alive in me though, because I decided to give it serious thought a couple of years ago. If this is meant to be for me, then I believe more than ever before. I’ve met the most wonderful friends while on this writing journey and I’ve received advice and encouragement from published authors! Some of them whose books I’ve been reading for years. For me it’s definitely the journey I’m enjoying it. The destination? Well I’ll figure out my feelings then…when I get there

Haven ~ Who is your dream publishing house and why?

Isabel ~ Avon, because my favorite authors are currently writing or have written for that publishing house. It goes back to “write about what you know” so Avon is what I know. I’ve been reading their books for years. I’d like think that my stories will go right along with the books they’re publishing.

Haven ~ What so far has been the hardest thing to write?

Isabel ~ Descriptions. Describing a room for example. I can’t seem to put two words together when it comes to describing surroundings. I try though and I think part of the problem is not only how little I know of period houses and places but also lack of concentration on my part when writing a “description scene”. Currently my characters appear in an “empty” room setting sorta speak for all I know they could be in the middle of the supermarket if I don’t describe the places they’re in soon! LOL

Haven~ Which do you find more important, characters or plot?

Isabel ~ Hmmm, both. So far my stories are character driven. My H/H come to me with problems that help me come up with the plot.

Haven~ How does your family feel about your being an aspiring author?

Isabel ~ My mom doesn’t really mind what I write, as long as I follow my dream. She’d proud of me no matter what, her attitude toward romance novels has changed a lot during the last fifteen years. Not that she’s ever read any. The DH is happy for me as well, his advice? “If you’re going to write, write for Pete’s sake. Don’t keep telling me you’re going to do it one of these days!” In a nutshell, he’s trying to tell to just write, I guess

Haven ~ How will you celebrate when you get “the call”?

Isabel ~ For the record this is one of the many scenarios…I will contact my DH and my CPs via conference call that way I can share the news with them instantly. I will call other friends as well. Then I will go to my mom’s house with flowers and tell her in person. After I come down from cloud nine or actually maybe even “live and direct” from cloud nine I will announce it here at RI.

Haven ~ What is your favorite season and why?

Isabel ~Winter. And is not like we get snow or anything like that in this part of town. I like winter because of the holidays and all the wonderful food that is shared at that time of the year. I also look forward to wearing scarves, hats, turtlenecks and gloves. Although, to be honest we rarely see the sun where we live so I pretty much wear winter clothes year round.

Fellow writers and readers feel free to ask me any other question(s). This has been a lot fun

~Isabel