Welcome to Lori Devoti's guest blog!

Welcome Ms. Lori Devoti to Love Romances and More, thank you for joining us.

Did you always want to become a writer?

I don’t think so. I did some writing in high school and then considered trying to write a book a few times as a young adult, but never got further than three scenes of a Western romance. And even though I did those things, I never thought of myself as a writer. So, I can’t say I ever really wanted to become a writer. I think I always thought of it as something so many people said they did; I didn’t want people to laugh at me!


What is the most, and the least interesting fact about writing?

That it is hard? And I guess it is kind of addictive. It has to be or as hard as it is, I don’t think people would keep doing it. There is also a lot of misconception about money and writing romance—as in some people honestly believe we just fill in the blanks or something.


How did you celebrate your first release? What was it like to see your book in a bookstore? Do you have a special ritual for celebrating a book release?

I celebrated my first sale with two writing friends who happened to be coming over that afternoon. We kind of just stared at each other in shock. I hadn’t been writing that long; I wasn’t supposed to have sold yet. I don’t do anything special to celebrate a book release. I’m usually too caught up trying to write something new!


How did your family react to fact that you also write romance novels? Have your family read your books?

Most of the women in my family have read my books. My mother has read all of them. While none of them were really romance readers before, they weren’t romance haters either. And they like my books. The only person with a less than thrilled view of my books is my grandmother. She is a romance reader, but she likes sweet romances only. That doesn’t describe my books!


Most authors are also avid readers. Is this the case with you? If so, who are some of your favorites? Have any influenced your writing?

Yes, I’m always reading a book. I’m sure every book, just like TV, and life in general affects my writing, but I can’t really pin down how. I’ve been on a big urban fantasy kick for a while and recently found some YA books I really enjoyed, but I’m ready for my next new love. I tend to switch from genre to genre, sticking with whatever it is for a while then moving on for a bit.


Your characters come to life in your books. Do you feel each of your characters live with you as you write? Do their lives sometimes take over a part of your life? Can you name an example? Do you have living role models for your characters?

I don’t do character sheets or anything like that. I’ve tried, but it just doesn’t work for me. My characters just come into being as I write. Frequently their will be one character who I can’t quite peg until the book is 70% done. I don’t see my characters as real or anything; they just live in my brain while I’m writing or thinking about writing.


Where do you get the inspirations for your books? Especially your Unbound series has a quite unusual theme.

The Unbound world was built a bit like my characters, bit by bit as I wrote the books. So, the inspiration comes from a lot of places. I do actually research Norse myth though and take stories from it—I just twist them a bit to make them new and more modern.

You have written Paranormal romance, you have plans to give another genre a try?

I have an urban fantasy coming out at the end of May with Pocket Juno Books. I also have a YA paranormal that is being shopped with editors right now.

Do you find it difficult at times to write love scenes?

Yes.

What is your favorite book from the books that you have written so far? Who are your favorite hero and heroine, and why?

I liked Kol from Guardian’s Keep a lot. He was a bit of a smart ass. I liked Kelly too although I think she was also the heroine more readers had issues with.
So far as favorite book…I don’t think I have one.


Which book was the hardest to write and which the easiest?

My second book, Love is All You Need, was the easiest. It just flowed. My next Nocturne which will be out in March 2010 was the hardest. It almost killed me.

If you could change places with one character from your books, who would it be and why?

Kara from Unbound. She was a witch and her story got tied up pretty nicely. I see her as being pretty happy with the lot I gave her.

If you could travel through time to visit a special time period or famous person, what or who would it be and why?

George Washington Carver. I’ve been fascinated with him since childhood. I also was obsessed with Abraham Lincoln, but he had such a sad life. I wouldn’t want to witness it in person.

Do you listen to music while you are writing and if so what music is it?

Nope, dead silence—except whatever noise my dog is making.

If you could choose of your books for a movie, which one would it be and who would you as the cast?

Probably my urban fantasy, Amazon Ink. Angelina Jolie I would cast as Mel. I’m not sure on the others.

Are you working on anything right now, and can you tell us a teaser about these projects?

I’m getting ready to revise my 6th Nocturne. It is part of my Unbound series and features a dragon shifter hero and witch heroine. It is scheduled for August 2010.
Next I have my second urban fantasy, Amazon Queen, to write and a new Bite for Nocturne. I don’t have either of those plotted out yet!