RomanceEverAfter

Romance Authors Corner

Katherine Greyle

You can visit Katherine at her web site www.greyle.com.

Also see Katherine Greyle/Borders regarding her booksigning at Borders Books & Music in Naperville, Illinois.

What do you find romantic?

Laughter. I know that sounds odd, but I think a man's sense of humor is the sexiest thing. The best times I have shared with my husband are when we're laughing together. It doesn't matter if we're laughing with a movie, our children, or together alone, when we laugh together, everything seems to sparkle. Then, of course, I want to jump him, so he's got incentive to develop a keen sense of humor.

Why do you like reading and writing romance?

In romance, the hero and heroine must overcome significant obstacles to their love. They have to change and grow before they can get that most wonderful of rewards: true love. That's what I like: the idea that people can change, can grow, and when they do, they discover and become the best, most wonderful parts of themselves. And they do it together because neither could accomplish it alone.

Kathy, you enjoy writing in several subgenres of romance, i.e., Regency, contemporary, fantasy and time travel. What is unique about "telling the story" in each category? Does the category influence how you can "tell the story?"

In general, the rules of telling a story are the same. The characters and their story are what draw the reader in whether the book's set in caveman days or on a spaceship. Fantasy does require a code of magic and justification for it. That means that I not only have to have thought of a magical set-up, but also be sure it's absolutely required in the story. If the story can be told just as easily without the magic, then lose the magic. It's not important enough to have it there.  

Historical romance requires that the author know not only the historical facts, but also be able to frame the story within it. That can be quite a challenge if you want the characters to be true to their time but also relevant to a modern audience. Still, these are minor points. What draws the reader to books are the characters and their story.

What three things do you enjoy about the Regency period?

I love the wit. Dialogue is one of my strengths, and the regency period encourages witty by-play. I also love the possibilities for intrigue with the Napoloeonic wars. And third, I love that in terms of marketing, the regency period has a loyal audience. No one fears that audiences will stop buying the regency period England. And with two daughters, I love the certain knowledge that I can (hopefully) always sell a regency.

What two things do you like about your heroine, Caroline, and hero, Geoffrey, in your release, Miss Woodley's Experiment?

What I love most about their story is how Geoffrey, despite the disasters that beset him from all sides, absolutely adores the unique way Caroline lives her life. He would not have her any other way. And for her part, Caroline at last has someone who understands her, who is not constantly trying to "fix" her, and who loves her despite a few teensy weensy mistakes. This, my friends, is what romance means to me: two people who love each other not in spite of their oddities, but because of them.  Clandestine kisses, underwater ships (sunken or otherwise), and even the chaos of a dozen relatives all cramming into a single room - these things create icing on the cake, the joyful by-product of a love story that defied even the formidable Aunt Winnifred!

Tell us about  Miss Woodley's Experiment. What gave you the idea to have Caroline climb a tree?

I needed a place in London that Caroline could escape to. It had to reflect her unique scientific (non-societal) view of life and be a place that she and Geoffrey could get together. Plus, I have often wanted to hide in a bower somewhere. In my mind, I have built this incredible treehouse that I escape to sometimes when life becomes too stressful. Some day, I'll actually build it! As for the novel itself, let me say that this book is my favorite of the trilogy. The humor comes naturally, and the ending builds and builds to this fabulous last line. If I had to pick one thing out of all my books that I am most proud of, it would be the last 100 pages of this book.

What are your three favorite bookmarks (web sites)?

I thought you meant real bookmarks! Actually, my favorite real bookmark is a metal one with this quote: "Life shrinks or expands in proportion to one's courage."  Anais Nin. I have it right beside my computer to remind me that writing is an act of courage. I've chosen this career, so I darn well better find the courage. But you were asking about web sites.

Unfortunately, I have to confess my favorite website is www.pogo.com. I play way too many computer games as a way to relax. It's what I do when I'm completely potato-brained. I also play a lot of racquetball and am the racquetball pro at my local fitness club, so I visit www.racquetballcentral.com. And then there are industry writer sites that I visit like www.rwanational.com and www.ninc.com.