tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3705664943368006907.post6494002953291705904..comments2023-10-07T06:40:54.482-07:00Comments on The Romance Room: Write About What You KnowCheri Valmonthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01012627956684091778noreply@blogger.comBlogger13125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3705664943368006907.post-20057059078130444992015-01-11T14:42:22.686-08:002015-01-11T14:42:22.686-08:00And the winner is... Jenna Hines! I'll contac...And the winner is... Jenna Hines! I'll contact you via Facebook, Jenna!<br />Thank you all for your comments, and a special thank you to Sarah for having me as her guest here. Paula Martinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10040623635956769807noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3705664943368006907.post-37024083538318952672015-01-06T13:13:30.348-08:002015-01-06T13:13:30.348-08:00Hi Celia - oddly enough, I've never set any of...Hi Celia - oddly enough, I've never set any of my stories where I actually live i.e. near Manchester in NW England, but I have used places I know well, like the Lake District, London, Paris, Ireland, and even Egypt, although I was only there for 2 weeks. The only exception was when my hero went off to Iceland, which I've never visited. I had to do a lot of research and look at masses of photos for that! Paula Martinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10040623635956769807noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3705664943368006907.post-50276454667916394072015-01-06T11:13:05.871-08:002015-01-06T11:13:05.871-08:00Hey, Paula! You give good advice, something I have...Hey, Paula! You give good advice, something I have followed during my writing life. Texas, all Texas, even though one couple made a foray into New Mexico, but I took them into the mountains where my family and I lived one year. Because of that, I created a valley and a river and a ranch that exactly fit the story. So, I've been asked--why do you write all Texas stories? My answer? Why not--I'd need to do much more research than I do now if I chose Baltimore, or Miami, or San Francisco. <br />Congratulations on all your writing successes. <br />Remember I have read His Leading Lady, so you don't need to put my name in the pot. The winner will surely enjoy this story.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16272417114895975742noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3705664943368006907.post-15559429972532867592015-01-06T08:11:04.608-08:002015-01-06T08:11:04.608-08:00Thanks, Carol! Even with places I know, I still ha...Thanks, Carol! Even with places I know, I still have to do some research, but I find it much easier to describe places I've visited and can picture in my mind. Paula Martinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10040623635956769807noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3705664943368006907.post-87473773264690672402015-01-06T02:26:39.102-08:002015-01-06T02:26:39.102-08:00A great post again. It is probably easier and bet...A great post again. It is probably easier and better to write what you know but at least these days there is so much research can be done online. I hope so because my book is set in USA and I've never lived there! :(<br />You bring such wonderful evocative scenes when you describe the places you love ie Ireland.<br />CarolAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3705664943368006907.post-75657741204399817582015-01-05T13:40:38.894-08:002015-01-05T13:40:38.894-08:00Thanks, Margaret. I think you already know how anx...Thanks, Margaret. I think you already know how anxious I am to make sure everything is factually correct in my novels. <br />I agree about the amateurs too - especially the chorus members who over-act LOL! Paula Martinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10040623635956769807noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3705664943368006907.post-89486339729467976982015-01-05T13:38:00.972-08:002015-01-05T13:38:00.972-08:00Jenna, I still find I have to research details eve...Jenna, I still find I have to research details even when I'm writing about places I know well! That's when Google maps and street view often come in useful. Many thanks for visiting :-)Paula Martinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10040623635956769807noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3705664943368006907.post-20435947945224490782015-01-05T13:35:15.251-08:002015-01-05T13:35:15.251-08:00Suzie, I agree about the authenticity - and about ...Suzie, I agree about the authenticity - and about the enthusiasm too! Thanks for visiting :-)Paula Martinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10040623635956769807noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3705664943368006907.post-45876664268061605062015-01-05T07:52:32.652-08:002015-01-05T07:52:32.652-08:00Loved the excerpt, Paula. So exciting and tantaliz...Loved the excerpt, Paula. So exciting and tantalizing.<br />You are right about writing about what you know. You don't have to have experienced it but you can carry out quality research to make sure everything is correct.<br />I do agree about Amateurs and Professionals in the business. Although I always found the Amateurs to be a tad more theatrical, ha ha. Best of luck.margaret blakehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04994723897446758457noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3705664943368006907.post-9440186776719559072015-01-05T07:52:11.674-08:002015-01-05T07:52:11.674-08:00Hi Paula,
This is my first time here. It looks i...Hi Paula, <br /><br />This is my first time here. It looks interesting. 'Write what you know' is such good advice, it is much easier to write about things, places people that you do know rather than writing about anything you don't! Best, JennaJenna Hinesnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3705664943368006907.post-56281956427071604622015-01-05T07:36:22.661-08:002015-01-05T07:36:22.661-08:00I think writing about what we know brings an authe...I think writing about what we know brings an authenticity to our work. And like Sarah says, if we love what we know or feel strongly about it, even better. We can bring an enthusiasm and passion to what we write x Suzie Tulletthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00159636843517813033noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3705664943368006907.post-57601807743542288742015-01-05T06:52:30.014-08:002015-01-05T06:52:30.014-08:00Many thanks, Sarah. I must admit I prefer to set m...Many thanks, Sarah. I must admit I prefer to set my books in places I know. Although I've been to the USA several times, I've never lived there, so I'd be worried about getting things wrong, or missing some important celebration like the 4th of July! Paula Martinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10040623635956769807noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3705664943368006907.post-66819648896201805602015-01-05T05:25:35.569-08:002015-01-05T05:25:35.569-08:00You certainly know about England, so just having t...You certainly know about England, so just having to research part of it isn't so bad. <br />Maybe I should tweak the "write what you know" line to say, "write what you love." If you love something, you've probably already researched it thoroughly. Enthusiasm can drive you to dig into a subject and glean all the goodies out of it. <br />Of course, if you can't write what you know or love, you can always just make the whole thing up like building a world and a society in a science fiction or paranormal tale. Sci-Fi still requires a working knowledge of science and where the possibilities lie for the future. (There's the main reason I don't write science fiction.)<br />I love to read books about things I don't know. I sure don't know about the United Kingdom and that's one of the reasons stories about the UK fascinate me. His Leading Lady really peaks my interest. I love live theater, too. Frank Lloyd Weber is one of my favorites. <br />All the very best to you, Paula, in the coming year. I enjoyed reading your blog and getting a glimpse into your book, His Leading Lady.Sarah J. McNealhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17749991094677728042noreply@blogger.com