Award-winning
author of “The Daughters of Boston” and “Winds of Change” series, Julie Lessman
was American Christian Fiction Writers 2009 Debut Author of the Year and voted
#1 Romance Author of the year in Family Fiction magazine’s 2012 and 2011
Readers Choice Awards. She has also garnered 17 RWA awards and made Booklist’s
2010 Top 10 Inspirational Fiction. Her book A Light in the Window is an
International Digital Awards winner, a 2013 Readers' Crown Award winner, and a
2013 Book Buyers Best Award winner.
GIVEAWAY! Leave a comment to be
entered for your choice of any of my books, and if you mention posting this
interview link on FB and/or tweeting it, you’ll get one extra point for each.
The winner will be announced on Novel
Rocket's Facebook page, so be sure to come Like it.
Julie, you write wonderful romance
and historical romance novels. How did you learn to write the romantic scenes
like you do?
The
answer to that lies in four life-altering words: Gone With the Wind. When I read that novel at the age of twelve, I
was swept away into the world of romance for the very first time. It captured
me like no other book had done, and I immediately set out to write (along with
thousands of other love-struck young girls, I’m sure), what I hoped would be
“the great American novel.”
Obviously
my dreams of grandeur didn’t go anywhere, but I did write 150 single-spaced
pages of a story that became the basis (some forty years later!) for my debut
novel, A Passion Most Pure. Today, I
like to think that not only are Margaret Mitchell’s fingerprints are
all over me in my religious devotion to passion, but God’s as well—merging my
passion for romance with my passion for Him.
What made you decide to write a
non-fiction?
It was
out of necessity, because I was slated to co-teach a workshop at ACFW last year
with my agent and editor on the merging of traditional publishing and indie
publishing to create the hybrid author.
A few
years back, Ruth Axtell and I taught a workshop at ACFW called A Kiss is Not Just a Kiss, which
actually drew the largest crowd that year for a workshop, so I knew it was a
popular subject. Then after I did a Seeker blog on it and a reader suggested I
put it in a book, I thought—mmm, why not? So I did. The experience, I have to
say, has been a lot of fun. Especially designing the cover with my hubby using
my daughter’s marriage-proposal picture on the front.
Why this particular subject?
Well, I’ve
been nicknamed the “Queen of Romance,” a phrase coined by Laura Frantz, I guess
because my romance scenes are a wee bit more passionate than most. And I
suppose it’s true simply because romance is very
important to me. Blame it on being stunted in my teens, a gangly young girl
craving love because I grew up in a family where it was pretty scarce. Whatever
the reason, after God and family, romance is one of my greatest loves,
especially being able to convey in my books—to an amoral society that has
shifted to shades of gray—that romance with God at the center is the only kind
that really satisfies.
What can writers expect to gain
from it?
I’ll be
the first to admit, it’s not a long book, but it’s everything I’ve learned
about writing romantic tension over the last six years. What I did was study
how I ramp up romantic tension in my own books and impart that in a humorous
style using scenes from my own novels in a before-and-after format. There are a
couple of bonuses in this book over and above my writing tips that are worth
the price of the book … especially when it’s on free download like it will be
next week!
How can our readers get it?
I'm
running a five-day FREE
DOWNLOAD sale on the e-book
before and during Valentine’s Day. I hope your readers will mark their
calendars so they don’t miss it. Here’s the link for both the paperback and e-book
on Amazon (which is the only place Romance-ology
101 is available) but it’s only the e-book that will be free. Romance-ology
101: Writing Romantic Tension for the Inspirational and Sweet Markets.
How can our readers contact you?
I love to hear from readers. They can contact me
through my website,
either by sending an e-mail via my site or by signing up for my newsletter. Or
through Facebook, Twitter, Google
Plus, or Pinterest.
Also, I have a cool blog feature on my website called “Journal Jots” which is a
very laid-back Friday journal to my reader friends that will give your readers
an idea as to my relaxed style of writing. I can be found daily at The Seekers blog.
Finally, here are some other freebies/giveaways for your readers
going on right now.
FEBRUARY 14-28, 2014:
Join me for an
interview/giveaway of your choice of my books including my newest release, Dare to Love Again, at the Remain
in His Love blog. Hope to
see you there! FREE DOWNLOAD OF A
Passion Most Pure! American Christian
Fiction Writers 2009 Debut Book of the Year with over 341 five-star reviews on
Amazon. Here are the links:
A
Kiss Is Not Just a Kiss . . . Nor is a Sigh Just a Sigh.
In ROMANCE-ology
101, Award-winning “Passion Most Pure” expert Julie Lessman tackles the
subject of romantic tension in today’s inspirational/sweet markets with humor
and heart. Offering tips for ramping up the WOW factor with romance that is
both sweet and swoon-worthy, Lessman offers tried-and-true methods with
before-and-after examples to illustrate the following points:
Getting inside the Hero’s Head
with Internal Monologue
Maximizing Use of Beats in
Dialogue
Effectively Using Dialogue to
Escalate Tension
Utilizing Dual Point of View
Escalating Romantic Tension with
Anger
Using All Five Senses for
Heightened Effect
Cashing In on the Kid and Pet
Factor
Enhancing
Mood with Emotionally Charged Words/Verbs
Capitalizing on the Element of
Surprise
Exposing Desire in an Unwilling
Character
Immediate Hero/Heroine
Confrontation
Making the Most of Touch and
Response
Implementing the Concept of
Forbidden Fruit
Words with a Hint of Taboo
Appropriate “Bleep” Words for
Inspirational Romance
KISS-ology 101: The Many Faces
of a Kiss
“Julie Lessman
writing a book on romantic tension is a perfect fit. This is a writing
book that needs to be on the shelf of every author because nobody does
romantic tension better.” — Mary Connealy, bestselling author of The
Kincaid Bride and Trouble in Texas series.
Great interview. I don't write romance, but I always include a romance thread in my mystery and suspense novels (and now a post-apcoalyptic sort of thing). Every author knows tension moves the story, so why not incluce the most obvious source of it? I'll have to grab your book. I really think you can market it toward the non-romance writer.
ReplyDeleteHey, Ron, thank you! And smart guy to include a thread of romance in your novels, especially since romance is the top-performing category on the best-seller lists in 2012 (across the NYT, USA Today, and PW best-seller lists) and the largest share of the U.S. consumer market in 2012 at 16.7 percent according to RWA. ;)
DeleteYou know, I never thought of marketing to the non-romance writer, but that's a really good idea -- thank you!!
If you enjoy the book (it's a short read), I would greatly appreciate a short review if you have the time because as an author, you know all too well just how important those reviews are! :)
Thanks again for your kind comment and for coming by!
Julie
thanks for the interview and I tweeted the link
ReplyDeleteThanks, CE2, and GOOD LUCK!!
DeleteHugs,
Julie
Julie, you had me at Gone with the Wind! My parents let me join the Doubleday Book Club when I was in the 7th grade and I chose GWTW as one of the books in my introductory package. I was hooked!
ReplyDeleteGreat interview and I wish you continued success!
LOL, CONNIE ... another GWTW freak ... YAY!!! Middle school must have been the year that most of us got hooked, but WOW, what a hook! :)
DeleteThanks for coming by and GOOD LUCK in the contest!
Hugs,
Julie
Thank you for the interview. I love to read Julie's books. I tweeted and posted your link on my Facebook!
ReplyDeleteTonja S.
Hey, TONJA, thanks SO much for your sweet comment and for coming by/tweeting/posting! Here's to a win!
DeleteHugs,
Julie
Would love to win a copy of Dare to love Again! I also shared this on facebook.
ReplyDeletehappygurl1807(at)yahoo(dot)com
YAY, KAYLA ... good girl for sharing, and here's hoping it nets you a win, okay?
DeleteGOOD LUCK!!
Hugs,
Julie
WHOO-HOO, SHARON ... SO glad you enjoyed APMP!! Let me know if you post a review so I can give you points in my contest, okay?
ReplyDeleteAnd I know you probably hate Charity about now (some readers actually wrote me to ask if I would "slap Charity for them" or wanted to see her "killed or maimed"). She definitely evokes a strong response, but I promise that before the 3rd book in this family saga is done, you will LOVE her, and by the 5th book, she will have you laughing in almost every scene because she is SUCH a hoot and the character in this saga who grows more than anyone else. :)
Fingers crossed that I can send you a signed copy, okay?
Hugs,
Julie
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the chance to win one of Julie's books! I would love to have a copy of Dare to Love Again!
ReplyDeleteI liked your Facebook page and shared the link on there. :)
Blessings,
~Sarah
Thanks, SARAH, for coming by, and here's hoping it nets you a win!!
DeleteHugs and GOOD LUCK!
Julie
Well Jules you know that my kindle is loaded with every Julie book there is so far...smile I am going to share on FB and on Twitter Dear Friend... Enter me as my new goal is to own all your books in paperback , so I can hold them and read them...All of them...smile Yes I have 101 also as it will help me to write better in the near future. Love you Much, Linda faithfulacresbooks@gmail.com
ReplyDeleteLOL ... noble goal, my friend, if I must say so myself! ;) Here's to a win!
DeleteHugs,
Julie
WoooooHoooooo !!!!!! Jules, I won !!!! I cannot believe it.... Could you hear me all the way from NY....Thank you and Thank you Novel Rocket...Precious, Just Precious !!!!
DeleteHugs and Blessings
Linda
Romantic tension is the best kind to read! ;)
ReplyDeleteAgreed, LADYSAOTOME!! And I guarantee you that's exactly how I write, so here's hoping you win and find out! :)
DeleteHugs,
Julie
I am so loving blog hopping with you Jules want to win all your books.
ReplyDeleteHugs Right now I only have A Love Surrendered... Need more then that on my shelf don't you know...
Linda Finn
LINDA ... only ALS in paperback??? Mmmm ... you DO need to remedy that, girl, so here's to a win!!
DeleteHugs,
Julie
So enjoy Julie's books. I would love too have the latest one. Always share with my daughter and mom. . We all enjoy her so much.
ReplyDeleteThanks, MARY, for making it a "family affair" ... MUCH appreciated!! And, hey, tell that family of yours that one tiny review posted on Amazon enters them in my random drawing to have a character named after them in my next book and a signed copy, okay? ;)
DeleteGOOD LUCK and hugs,
Julie
I liked your fb page!
ReplyDeleteI posted on twitter!
ReplyDeleteAnd I love Julies books!
ReplyDeleteLOL, MELODY ... you are a hoot, girl!! SO appreciate your support and here's to a win!
DeleteHugs,
Julie
Great interview. I'm all in on this one. Keeping my fingers crossed.
ReplyDeletemauback55 at gmail dot com
Hey, MEL ... I'll cross my fingers, too, sweetie! ;)
DeleteGood luck and Hugs,
Julie
Another inspiring interview, Julie!! I always learn at least one little tidbit in each of your interviews (LOL)!!
ReplyDeleteLOVE Ron's idea to market "Romance-ology 101" to the non-romance writer! Especially when even a non-writer, like myself, enjoyed it!!
I loved "getting in your head" and learning how you "weave your magic"!! I'd read the telephone book (so to speak) - if YOU wrote it!! LOVE you, and your books!!
bonnieroof60(at)yahoo(dot)com
(Not a tweeter, but DID post giveaway on FB)
LOL, Bonnie ... if I had ten more supporters like you, my friend, I would have a promotion campaign that would rock the charts, so THANK YOU for ALL of your support!!
DeleteHugs,
Julie
I'm not a writer but am an avid reader. I love Julie's books so may just take advantage of the free download of the Romance-ology book to get more insight into her writing. I really appreciate that Julie's books are passionate and romantic without being explicit.
ReplyDeletepmk56[at]sbcglobal[dot]net
Hey, Pam, DO take advantage of the free download of Romance-ology 101 because it's a short, fun read and a short review would be an extra point in my newsletter contest, right??
DeleteHugs!!
Julie
Would love to win a copy of Dare to Love again, so I have it in hard copy! Re-reading all your books now and you had me on the couch! Love them the second time through just as much! martha(at)lclink(dot)com
ReplyDeleteLOL ... I just LOVE you, Martha, my friend, you know that??? Thanks SO much for rereading AND for all your support. Sending that gently used copy of AHR to you in the mail this week, so keep your eyes peeled ... :)
DeleteHugs,
Julie
Great interview! I would LOVE to win a hard copy of Romane-ology 101. Thank you for the opportunity.
ReplyDeleteSmiles & Blessings,
Cindy W.
countrybear52 AT yahoo DOT com
Hey, Cindy, if you don't win here, my friend, check out my website calendar because I have a few more giveaways scheduled before it's all over, including SEEKERVILLE on Wed., 2/12, okay?
DeleteGOOD LUCK!!
Hugs,
Julie