I write all sorts of things. Romance is my first writing love, although I didn't know right away. I started out writing a middle grade children's novel. I'm a teacher. I know what kids like to read. I figured I could come up with something fun to entertain them, so I wrote my first manuscript. It was about a girl who lived with her sea-faring uncle and met a dragon who took her on an adventure to save a race of aquatic people. I had a ball writing it.
Only one small problem. I was in love with the uncle.
I kept trying to focus on the girl's story, on her goals, motivation, and conflict, but Uncle Wolf just wouldn't let go of my heart. He was a dark-haired, bearded man who loved and cared for his niece. He had a sad tale about falling in love with a mermaid and then never seeing her again. I ached for him to be happy. It got to the point where every time I sat down to write, I ended up only writing scenes for him. I didn't give a crap about the niece, the supposed main character. This wasn't good.
Somewhere in the revision stages of this early manuscript, I realized that I needed to write about characters who fell in love. I didn't have the right writing voice for a children's book. No, I wanted to write about adults who could...ahem...you know...express their feelings in a more...cough, cough...ummm...physical manner. I wanted to write about soft caresses and passionate kisses and those moments when saying, "I love you," is the only thing to say.
I wanted to write romance novels.
And I have been. I started with a short novella, The Last Stallion, which won Grand Prize in a contest, and haven't stopped penning happily ever afters since. I've written contemporary, paranormal, historical, and romantic suspense for Whispers Publishing and The Wild Rose Press. I have new titles coming soon from both of these publishers. Speak Easy to Me, a 1920s historical novella, is coming out in late August, and Abra Cadaver, a dark paranormal, is coming soon.
Currently, I'm writing a contemporary romance about a corporate pilot and a graphic designer. I've left them in a sketchy situation right now, but hopefully it'll all work out in the end. We'll see.
When I'm not writing, I like gardening, home improvement projects, reading other people's romance novels (Kristan Higgins is my current favorite!), and exercising. I'm in danger of being labeled the neighborhood's "Crazy Cat Lady," although I'd rather be known as Catwoman. It's much sexier, and I'd get to kick some ass.
I hope you'll join all of the Roses of Prose each day to see what we're up to and what we have to say. You can visit my personal website at http://www.christinedepetrillo.weebly.com/ and I look forward to chatting with you.
In fact, let's start chatting now.
Topic: What are your favorite romantic movie lines?
Me first! One of my favorites is "I came here tonight because when you realize you want to spend the rest of your life with somebody, you want the rest of your life to start as soon as possible." Harry Burns in When Harry Met Sally. I love this movie!
Now you. Go.
Hugs and paper clips,
Chris (not Chrissy. I mean it!)
