Meet award winning, Harlequin romance author Brenda Novak. I'm sure most readers will find her life and work both admirable and inspiring.
Interview by Mayra Calvani
Although writing is a skill that can be learned, I believe some people are born writers. Do you consider yourself a born writer?
Tough question and right off the bat. LOL I believe that I've learned and improved a great deal. But I also believe I was born with a certain measure of talent. Some days I feel more talented than others. ;-)
What type of fiction do you write? Any themes which obsess you?
I write relationship novels and romantic suspense. I've found that there are themes that seem to attract me more than others, mostly redemption/forgiveness themes. I like putting my characters in situations where they face difficult moral dilemmas.
How many books have you written? Have they all been published by the same publisher?
I've written 20 books so far, all but one published by Harlequin. My first book was a historical romance published by HarperCollins.
Describe to us a regular day in Brenda Novak's life.
My life is very hectic right now because I'm writing three books a year, raising five children (the youngest of which has sugar diabetes), promoting my work by travelling and speaking, and doing fundraising for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. A regular day begins with an hour of exercise. I ride a stationary bike while editing my work, critiquing for friends, judging contests, or returning e-mail (my husband has rigged a computer station at the Exercycle). After that, I shower up and spend a couple of hours answering e-mail and taking care of the business side of my job. Then I start writing with a goal to finish ten pages. My breaks come when my children need me or want my attention. I have an "open door" policy, so that my work doesn't take me away from them. They're welcome to come in to chat or get help at any time. I finish up around dinner time, when I go to watch my children play sports. Four of the five are heavily involved in soccer, baseball, softball and basketball.
For a somewhat humorous view of A Day in the Life of Brenda Novak, see my website. On the About Brenda page is a very detailed account.
Do you follow a disciplined writing schedule? Do you set yourself a minimum amount of pages per day? Per week?
I am quite disciplined. Because I have so many children, procrastination would spell failure. I set a measured pace and consistently work toward my goal. I shoot for 10 pages/day but generally end up turning out 30 pages/week. The business side of my job seems to be taking more and more of my time.
Since your first publication in 1998, you have written more than a dozen books. What is the secret to such productivity? Or is it simply the deadlines on your multiple book contracts what keeps you on the edge?
My drive to take advantage of every opportunity is the secret to my productivity. Harlequin has given me the opportunity to get my work into the marketplace on a frequent basis, and I'm trying to capitalize on that. To me, the worst thing in the world is regret. I try to make the most of whatever comes my way so I won't regret not doing so later.
Some writers listen to music or go for a walk when they feel particularly dry for ideas. Is there anything you do to spark your creativity?
Travel always works well for me. I've gotten my best ideas while away from home. Getting out of my element, looking at new place and things really stimulates my creativity. I think it's because I can't do what I normally do, which is push hard toward whatever goal I'm facing for the day. It lets me slow down enough to start daydreaming again. Getting enough sleep helps, too.
How important are conferences and book signings for an author? Do you regularly take part in these?
I do--for two reasons. One, I really enjoy them. They are the "fun" part of being a writer. Two, a readership is built book by book and reader by reader. I think having the opportunity to make a good impression is invaluable.
Your books have won numerous awards. To what extend do you think awards "open doors" to writers? Any particular competitions you would recommend beginning romance writers to participate in?
I've been very fortunate in the contest arena. I like entering because I enjoy the positive feedback. It gives me validation for those days when I wonder if I can write another word. As far as "opening doors," I think they help establish credibility. I use them as a way to set my work apart and, hopefully, attract new readers.
Did you find an agent for your first book or you found a publisher on your own? Can you tell us a bit about the agent/publisher searching process?
I got the Writer's Market and started targeting agents simply by what I read in there. I decided I'd send out fifteen letters, then wait to see what kind of response I got. If it was mostly positive, I'd know I had a good query letter. If not, I'd adjust my query letter. I think Pamela Ahearn was in that first batch. She responded that she'd like to see a proposal. I sent the opening chapters to her. She initially rejected me because she wanted to see a few changes. I told her I could do what she wanted, so then she asked to see the rest. After that, we met for drinks at RWA national, and she told me she wanted to take me on.
I decided to get an agent before approaching editors because there are only so many doors on which to knock when it comes to publishing in the national market. I wanted to go in with my best foot forward and felt having an agent would lend me more credibility than not having one. The year I joined RWA, I entered the Golden Heart for Unpublished Writers and ended up finaling, which lent me some credibility in the agent search. I finaled in the same contest the very next year, while my agent was shopping my manuscript, and I sold it right after to HarperCollins. I think both the contest and the agent helped validate the editor's interest and excitement about my work.
What exasperates you the most about the publishing world?
Nothing really exasperates me, but there are plenty of things that can be frustrating. The most frustrating thing is how difficult it is to get noticed or to rise above the "media noise." There are so many people out there doing the same thing I am that it's tough for a newcomer to build a name in this business.
Do you write detailed outlines of your books before the actual writing, or do you simply "listen" to your consciousness as you write? Both?
I don't write detailed outlines. It just doesn't work for me. For some reason, if I plot out where my story is going before I actually write it, I end up with flat, uninteresting characters. I have to let the plot grow out of the characters, let the story develop as I go along, so that it's still new and exciting to me. Of course, if I get blocked, it sometimes helps to do some brainstorming on where the plot could go. Once I get unstuck, I start rolling again and try to be flexible.
What are the most important points to keep in mind when writing romantic suspense?
Romantic suspense is a tough genre because you have to achieve a good mix of plot and characterization. The relationship has to be as riveting as the suspenseful plot and vice versa. Keeping the right balance is part of the trick and makes the difference between good romantic suspense and really great romantic suspense.
In one of your latest releases, Every Waking Moment, which I had the pleasure to review, what really stands out is the genuine, compelling characterization. What is the first thing you keep in mind when developing characters? Is it a planned, conscious process or an innate talent which simply flows naturally from you?
I'd have to say that what I do as far as characterization is innate. I don't understand the archetypes or how to use them in my writing, and I've never read a book on how to write. I have attended workshops and found some really valuable gems of wisdom, and I've done a little research on my own, through my reading. I've found that I really like multi-layered characters, not characters who are always nice or always mean. The only "tool" I use for characterization would have to be the knowledge that every strength has an accompanying weakness. How I play on that determines who the hero it and who the villain is.
One of your secondary characters in this novel, a child, suffers from diabetes. As I understand, your son also has this terrible disease. I'm a strong believer in the healing power of writing. Was writing this book healing for you?
In many ways, it was. As others become more aware of what is required to raise a diabetic child--and what the child suffers--I think they will be more sympathetic and supportive. Writing this book made me feel as though I was fighting back against the disease threatening my son by raising awareness in others.
Please tell our readers your involvement with Juvenile Diabetes and what people can do to help.
