So my question is, how does it interact? Like every writer, a romance author surely draws upon his or her own experience to craft stories, though probably not putting literal events from their own lives into the tale. But are there any romance writers who have rarely or never had bad relationships… or who are currently living a strong, loving, long-term relationship with good communication and no major hassles?

I suspect the answer is – both. I daresay both good and bad relationships teach us about relationships, and that’s what romance writing is largely about. Long may it wave.

We all know we have our own vices, our own pride, our own egos, our own flawed selves. We can sympathize with a main character who makes mistakes, not by accident, but because of issues they’re carrying around unnecessarily. Because we’re all that way too.

So don’t make your characters be who you wish they were. Get out of their way and let them be themselves.

The Food Timeline can help answer these questions! I hereby share this fun and helpful research site with you.

Your words need not be perfect… if you can get them down, you can revise them later. Even better, the next set of words you get down will be better. There’s no excuse not to write, if you’re a writer. Every word you write, on any subject and for any reason, will improve your work.

We have to get past the fear that it won’t be good enough. There’s no such thing as a word you shouldn’t have written. It’s on paper. It’s not carved in stone.

The first chapter is up for free as a sample! Check it out!

It’s going through my critique group now, and my own revision process, and will be offered to them soon! Stay tuned!