Q: Who is your favorite character that you’ve written out of all your books? (Becky Richard B.)
A: Oh gosh that is soooo hard to answer. In recent memory I have enjoyed writing Owen from All the Way because of his emotional growth, Grant in Wild for You because he was so broken, and Jordie in Taking His Shot (he was funny). I looooved Sophie and Colton in Filthy Beautiful Lies. Right now I’m starting to flesh out some characters for a new series and I am having a ton of fun with them too. The Frisky Business series will be about a group of male friends who co-own a sexy toy company. Hayes and Maren are first and then Wolfie and Penelope. I can tell these characters will keep me on my toes!!
Q: How is your creative process? (Ana Paula M.)
A: Well… I’m a plotter, so I work out the whole story before I start writing. I’ll usually have a 5-10 page outline for the book with details about the main characters, their personalities, appearance, struggles, etc. as well as the main events that take place in the story. Once I do start writing the book, I aim to write at least 1-2 chapters a week.
Q: Who is your favorite couple that you’ve written about? (Breana B.)
A: I really enjoyed writing about Alexei and Ryleigh in Finding Alexei. And Becca and Owen in All the Way. And Justin and Elise in Playing for Keeps. Slate and Keaton in Love Machine have a soft place in my heart. Oh, and Hale in The Gentleman Mentor is great!
Q: How do you start a book? (Hannah L.)
A: I begin with an idea and then I spend some time outlining the entire story, chapter by chapter. I need to be tucked away someplace quiet with no distractions, which usually means hiding from my kids. Outlining takes anywhere from 1 intense day (if it’s flowing) to a couple of weeks. Then I start writing chapter 1 and go in order from there.
Q: What is your writing schedule like?! You release so many books every year! (Casey P.)
A: That is a great question! *sighs* I’m tired a lot. It takes me about 8-10 weeks to write a book and I work pretty far ahead. I usually work on more than 1 book at a time. Generally like 2-3 that are in various stages of plotting, actively writing, and editing.
Q: How do you organize your projects to come out with so many books a year? / How long does it take you to write a book? (Teralyn M.)
A: I organize myself with a production schedule. I work backwards from release day … (after I pick said release day) I account for time to write the book, give myself at least 10 weeks though sometimes I don’t need it all. A couple of weeks for editing and also for audio production. I work backwards from there and see when I need to start the book in order to hit that release date. I’m generally working on books that don’t release for 6 or more months.
Q: Do you write more then one book at a time? (Shari S. P.)
A: Yes I sure do! Two to three usually. But they are at different stages.
Q: What character would you like to play if one of your books were turned into a movie?? (Judy P.)
A: Great question, Judy! And one I get asked frequently. That said, I have no idea! The hero would have to be totally hunky and there would need to be crazy chemistry between the two leads. Those are my only requirements. Casting would be fun!
Q: Will you be writing any more books under Lola Leighton, Bedfellows was so 🔥🔥 (Bren B.)
A: I would like to! I have one MM all plotted out. Just haven’t had time to write it.
Q: Does certain music influence your writing or does your writing influence the music you listen to? (Veronica D.)
A: I wouldn’t say it influences it, but I do listen to music while writing. It has to be really mellow and songs I don’t know the lyrics too otherwise I start singing along in my head and forget what I’m writing. I like to listen to The Xx and Broken Bells when I’m writing.
Q: Can you promise to never stop writing books? (Justine M.)
A: That’s a lot of pressure, Justine! I can’t promise that … but it’s a firm maybe. 😉
Q: Who did you want to keep writing about…… also what is the one story you wanted to write but haven’t yet (Crystal S.)
A: I have several stories I have wanted to write but haven’t had the chance to yet / or they aren’t fully talking to me yet. Lots of chapter one’s and random half-outlines on my computer, probably like most writers.
Q: What’s your favorite book (that you’ve written, and that you’ve read), what kind of environment do you prefer to write in? (Jordan J. F.)
A: I answered the first part of this above, and as far as my writing environment, I have an office at the front of my house. It’s suppppper messy, but it’s cozy and bright. This is where I write. Preferably with no one at home because my family is very loud. (all boys)
Q: What did your husband really think when you interrupted his meeting the other day? (Lacey T.)
A: Ha! This question is in relation to a Zoom call I accidentally interrupted in my pajamas the other day while my husband was presenting to his team. I was mortified. He came out of the office and I apologized and asked if that was bad, and he was like what? No. You’re fine. (didn’t even care, but not much bugs him)
Q: Does your husband read your books and what does he think of them if he does?? (Heidi W.)
A: Yes! He has read several of them. I joke that I write them faster than he can read them. He’s a slow reader and usually opts for reading material on global economics, so yeahhh. Quite different! That said, yes he’s read many of my books. Most recently he read Playing for Keeps and really enjoyed it! It definitely kept his interest and he read it over a few days. I just asked him again because he’s sitting right beside me working. I asked how he’d describe my books. He looked up and smiled, and said they’re fun and they flow really well. Haha.
Q: I know this is so random, but how do you like Texas compared to Minneapolis? We are relocating from the Twin Cities to Ft Worth in July!!! Also, will you be writing more sports series? (Kelli Roach U.)
A: Hey Kelli! You’re going to love it here. There are a lot of similarities in terms of people being polite and friendly. Good place to raise a family. Low cost of living. Honestly, it’s great here, we’re very happy with our decision to move. Plus, helllloooo yummy Tex-Mex! I would love to write another hockey series in the future!
Q: Does your husband read your books? What are some of his favorites? Any reason why he likes those books specifically? Anything he’d like to see you write about, such as certain tropes? What’s his idea of a great date night? (Brandi S.S.)
A: The first part I answered above, as far as a date night, he’s very low key. Usually we do dinner and then something else relaxing. Like go to a bookstore and browse, or go to get a couple’s massage. One time we got foot reflexology (I wrote that scene into All the Way) and one time we did acupuncture which was scary because I hate needles! But my husband told me it was relaxing, and it was.
Q: I love the hockey series, but my favorite books of yours are the darker ones. Are you planning more hockey books or will you go to a different series? I LOVE Gavin and Hale! (Regina H.)
A: Thank you, Regina! I love them too! Ahh.. Hale. I miss him! I do have some ideas. And in the meantime, make sure you also read the Filthy Beautiful Lies series and Wednesday. Those are similar in tone. If you haven’t met Colton Drake in Filthy Beautiful Lies, go get that one ASAP! xoxo
Q: Have you ever written a book with another author. You write about hot sexy men, what do you find sexy in a man. You have children, would/ could you ever write a children’s book. (Anita V.F.)
A: I would love to co-write in the future with another author. The qualities I find sexy in a man are confidence, intelligence, someone humble, funny and kind. I also find height attractive! To answer the next part of your question, I am working on a children’s book now for my kids. It will probably not be something I promote or advertise, but it’s just something I want to do for them.
Q: Will you write another series? let say about firefighters for example 😘 (Annika N.)
A: I will definitely write another series, I’ve begun working on a series called Frisky Business now. Book 1 is The Boyfriend Effect and book 2 is My Brother’s Roommate. I really enjoyed the bromance between all the guys in the Hot Jocks series so I wanted a set up to be able to do that again – writing about a big group of friends was a blast. In the new series, the guys all own a sex toy company together. I have 1 book I wrote about a firefighter called Make Me Yours. 🙂
Q: Do you usually know the full story or change while writing it? (Theresa S. N.)
A: I know the full story! I don’t change it while writing unless I get really stuck or something doesn’t work, but this rarely happens. The last time I can recall that happening where I had to re-work a story was in xo, Zach. When I first started writing the early chapters, Poppy did not have a child. I found I needed more conflict and a better reason to keep the hero/heroine apart for longer. I added that layer once I was already a few chapters in.
Q: Any more hockey series in the works? How do you decide on names for your characters? (Jenn P.)
A: Hi Jenn! Yes I plan to write another hockey series in the future. Maybe in 2021 or 2022. I keep a long list of character names I like and the ones I have already used. And anytime I hear another name I like, I add it to the list!
Q: How do you get inspired to write what you do? Do you ever want to revisit stories once you have gotten to the end of a series? (Annette R.)
A: I am not sure how I get my ideas, I get asked this question a lot and I never know how to answer. They just come to me and sort pop into my head and then I daydream and develop them from there. I don’t usually get the desire to revisit, meaning write more about a couple once the story is done because if they’ve got their HEA, there’s nothing more for me to write. But sometimes I do go back and re-read parts of my stories from time to time to sort of “visit” with those characters which is nice.