10 Minute Writer

It’s an author meme! AHHHH!

I have been given a set of questions by author, Gina Conroy, regarding my writing life. I’m to answer them and then tag other authors so that they can play along too. 

What are you writing?

A realistic fantasy about four college students in 1986.

Two of whom are in a game to prove the existence of a soul. And they may or may not have super powers. And instead of a love triangle, there’s a love square, which will make sense over the scope of twenty years.

Where did the idea come from for Falling For Your Madness?

I was thinking about the type of guy that every girl wants — a gentleman. Then I asked myself what would motivate a man to be a gentleman, then, I had to add a little humor and then everything got really silly really fast. Over the course of a weekend, I had my story.

What actors would play your characters in a movie version?

First of all, Laura could be any 20 something young woman. I left her intentionally vague because I want all of my female readers to identify with her. As for David, there’s a bit of an argument in my household about which British actor would fit him best.

My teen girls say this guy:

I say this guy:

The three of us have far too many conversations about this. Sigh. I will stop now. I may embarrass myself.

Short Synopsis:

Eccentric literature professor David approaches Laura for an unconventional, rule-filled relationship filled with poetry, flowers and bottom-less cups of tea. He makes it very clear to her that they are just friends. If she wants to be more — if she wants to be sweethearts – then she is the only one that can move them forward. He will not do it. He will wait for her. Six weeks, six months or six years. There are other rules, like they can never be alone and she can never call him  and she always has control. Laura is smitten by his humor, his charm and his English accent (which turns out to be fake). In his company, she has never felt more beautiful or ladylike. David tells her that the reason he has these rules is because he is bound by the laws of chivalry, both body and soul. Is he eccentric or just mad? Then Laura finds out the reason — it is a confusing one involving ancient magic. Laura has complete control of this madman. Should she release him or tell him she wants more? Falling For Your Madness is not just a romantic comedy, but it also asks the question, who has the most power in a relationship, the lady or the gentleman?

How long did it take to write that first draft?

Everyone is going to hate me when they find out the truth about this: It only took me four weeks. It’s not supposed to go that fast. I had it in the hands of my beta readers in six weeks. I had a completed draft in eight. During that time, I wrote non-stop, barely taking breaks to eat, sleep and talk to my family. It was an obsession. I was also physically ill during the writing of it — I don’t know why. But this story had a hold of me like nothing I have ever written in my life. If I have to write like that again, it will likely kill me.

What other books in this genre compare?  

I don’t know about books — although it has been called the “antidote to Fifty Shades of Grey” and has also been compared to Nora Ephron romantic comedies. I find that extremely flattering. If this were written in the ‘90s, Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan could have been in it.

Who or what inspired the WIP?

After I got the original idea in my head, I borrowed heavily from my own courtship experience with my husband, which was unconventional and intentional. In fact the setting for FFYM is in the same neighborhood we fell in love. Also, though, the foundational principles that drive David to create and keep his rules came from my college years in a campus ministry. It was there that I was taught traditional roles of men and women and what courtship should look like when there is mutual respect and faith at the core of it.

So THAT”S THE END OF THE MEME!  It’s now time for me to get off the internet.