#RomanceInAMonth Author Interview - Chicki Brown and Don't Stop #romance #writer

Chicki Brown is an enthusiastic early member of the first Romance In A Month class held during May-June 2014. She is a prolific author and originator of a series of HOT Stafford men. Her trope assignment was Forbidden Love and her story sizzles with forbidden desires. Chicki is here to tell us about her writing and inspire us with her stories.

Tell us about your writing. What types of stories do you like to write?

I write contemporary romance and women’s fiction, what I like to call “reality romance.” All of my books have a HEA, but they also deal with issues that real women face every day, including domestic abuse, cancer, infidelity, stalkers, single parenthood, and religious/cultural/age differences.

What stimulates you to write? How do you motivate yourself on days you don’t feel like writing?

I love to write, but there are those days when I’m really not feeling it, I look up at the wall of my office where I have this quote from Queen Nora Roberts. “If you need to believe in the muse, let’s say, fine and dandy. Whatever works for you. But don’t tell me you can’t work today because the muse has left you. Go track down that fickle slut, drag her back, chain her to your keyboard, and GET TO WORK. ”and" I don't believe in waiting for inspiration. It's my job to sit down and figure out what to write. I think if you wait for 'the muse' you may wait a very long time."

Before Romance in a Month, how involved were you with other authors? How long did it take you to write a first draft?

I am a member of several online author groups, a couple of which are very active. We share helpful information, listen to each other’s rants, and encourage the other members, especially the newbies. For the past several years I’ve also been a member of a local writer’s group. Spending time with other people who understand you is so important to the mental health of a writer. J

What made you sign up for Romance in a Month? What did you learn and enjoy the most about the class?

My goal was to come up with a detailed outline of the next book in my series. I’m a slow writer, and normally it takes me about six months from the first word, through subsequent drafts to the editing process and final draft. Getting a handle on my characters and knowing what the entire story would be in a month was a major accomplishment for me!

The two things I enjoyed most were: 1) meeting new author friends who are serious about their craft; and 2) doing the exercises Clare created to help us think about our characters/plot. They were so helpful in really getting to know my hero/heroine. 

Tell us about the story you wrote for the class. Was it something you would never have written without the class? What about the class made your story different from how you would usually write?

DON’T STOP TILL YOU GET ENOUGH is Book Three in my Stafford Brothers series about a tightly-knit family with six sons, three of whom are doctors, three of whom have chosen other professions. Each book features one brother’s story with a glimpse into the next book.

Greg Stafford is an on-air television personality in New York City. He is different from his brothers. He has a secret that none of the family knows about until he is arrested and charged. A scandal ensues, and he is suspended from his job for breaking the morality clause in his contract. In order to keep his position, he is ordered to submit to therapy. Little does he know that the woman who will become his counselor will also become the most important person in the world to him.

I don’t know if the story is different from how I usually write, but doing the exercises gave me a deeper insight into Greg’s and Rhani’s personalities, which I believe will show in the finished product.

What do you do differently now that you’ve written a story with the class? What was something you liked most about the class?

Since I’m still writing the book, it’s hard for me to say, but I printed out every exercise and intend to use them for my next book.

One of my favorite parts was seeing the visual character ideas from the other members of the group. 

More about Chicki:

Shades of Romance Magazine 2011 Author of the Year, Chicki Brown has published nine novels and one novella, all of which have made different Kindle bestseller lists. A voracious reader since she was a child, Chicki grew up in New Jersey reading everything she could get her hands on. Now she concentrates on reading romance, women’s fiction and suspense. When she is not writing or reading, Brown devotes her time to helping aspiring authors.

Mother of two and grandmother of five, Chicki was born and raised in New Jersey and now calls suburban Atlanta, Georgia home.

She can be found at any of the following sites:

Blog: http://sisterscribbler.blogspot.com
Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/chicki663/

Twitter: http://twitter.com/@Chicki663
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/chicki.brown

From Sept 1 to Oct 15, 2014, we're opening up the Romance In A Month group. There is no cost for the class. If you're interested in writing along with a group of friendly, fun, and slightly crazy romance authors, please contact me (Rachelle) at my Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/RachelleAyalaWriter.

The Romance In A Month textbook is available now on Amazon. It contains all of the lessons and slides [in bullet form], as well as resources for brainstorming, and a reading list. I hope you'll join us and share our adventure in writing a Romance In a Month [and every month after that].

Watch my blog for more author interviews and exciting news from the RomanceInAMonth authors or RIAMers - because writing romances is addictive.