Romance Weekly

Yep, this week the challenge came from me, Leslie Hachtel…

What’s your favorite part of the writing process? Research, plotting? And what’s your least favorite part.

I have to say research with a capital “R” is my most favorite. Love it! It is time consuming and labor intensive, but I find it fascinating.  All the information I sift through takes me to different eras, different places, different circumstances. I get to see history as people, not simply as dates or events.

For “The Defiant Bride” I studied the transitional period between Henry VII and Henry VIII. I learned some of why Henry VIII was the way he was. And how the two kings affected my heroine and hero.

For “Captain’s Captive”, I had to learn about ships in the 1700’s, the dangerous ocean voyage to the colonies and how a kitchen worked aboard. I read about life in the new land: what it looked like, how people lived then.

“The Dream Dancer” took me to the court of James I of England (James VI of Scotland) and even deeper into my own imagination. That is another kind of research all its own.

For “Texas Summer” the research on the setting was minimal, since I’d lived in New Mexico and the environment is similar, but I had to explore the darker side of human behavior.

Most challenging of all: the soon to be released “Hannah’s War”. The facts of the Civil War had to be accurate and I spent countless hours making sure the references were right. Loved it!

What do I like the least? Can’t think of a thing except maybe the time between writing ‘The End’ and waiting for the book to be published. I even like editing. I know, I know, but I do. It makes the books better and I love that.

I’m finishing the sequel to “The Dream Dancer” called “Emma’s Dance” and then onto a romantic suspense. My research for the new one starts with a class with the local police. Did I mention I love being a writer!

Now let’s see what the incredibly talented A.S. Fenichel favors and doesn’t…..

http://asfenichel.com/blog