I’m so excited to be able to sit down and chat with Heather C. Brown today. Heather, thank you for joining me today for a chat.

Heather, you write a few different genres, can you tell our readers a little about your writing?

My first published romance Betrothed to the Enemy is an Historical Erotic Romance set in 1067 after the Battle of Hastings in England. The second is a M/M Erotic Historical, Forbidden, is set in the same period. Although I love writing Historical Romance I find the time it takes to research the time period slows me down when I need to write. I have recently finished another, called Courage Under Lies set in 1666.

I write murder mystery, Murder by Design was published in March 09.

I write fantasy and I’m currently writing a paranormal shape shifter series. These I love as I have free range to build my world as I see fit and run with it.

How many hours a day do you write?

I don’t write every day and I know I should. However, when I start it’s usually four to six hours and longer if the story flows well.

How many drafts does it normally take you before you are happy with your novel?

Heaps… and heaps….I’m never really happy to be honest :)

Can you tell us about your writing process?

I always write an outline, this includes the names of all the characters. I don’t plot out the whole story as I personally find this too restricting and trying to write to a plot cramps my creativity. I draft the first couple of chapters and send them off to my CPs. They help a lot in this early stage mainly because when I start a new project I often put far too much back story into it without realizing. The feedback on the plot is essential and my CP’s don’t hold any punches. To have great CPs is essential and I take everything they say into consideration before proceeding with the manuscript.

I usually write for three days then spend a day editing a different m/s, this keeps me fresh. I always read through my current m/s at least once a week to ensure continuity. I don’t try to edit a whole m/s on one day or while I read. I highlight any passages I’m not happy with on a read through and deal with them on another day.

When I’ve polished as much as I can I print the m/s and read it and persuade whoever I can to read it as well, make notes on type o’s etc. Then I correct again re-print and repeat the process until I’m sure it’s correct. If I’m not sure of anything specific, I run it past my CPs. Then I put it away for a couple of weeks and read it again. I think I become word blind if I read m/s over and over again and then I miss things, so looking at it fresh helps. Then if I’m happy I submit a submission.

It’s not unusual for a scene to come into my mind that’s not related to any current m/s. I’m not sure why this happens but I usually jot it down and keep it in a separate file. When I’ve finished an m/s I’ll look over these random scenes and inevitably they lead to a new story.

Do your characters take on a life of their own? Or do you direct where you want them to go and what to do?

I think my characters live, I give them life on every page and I feel their loss when the story is finished. I do direct them but sometimes one pops up with a stubborn streak. Zandor in My Purrfect Alphas took the bit and ran; he became a real bad boy. I needed more conflict and Zandor stepped up to stir the pot nicely.

How did you get into writing fiction?

I woke up after an operation about ten or so years ago with a story in my head. While I convalesced I wrote it ……80,000 words later I had completed my first m/s. I couldn’t type (still can’t) and used a voice recognition program which when it didn’t understand a word, would put in the name of an American President. The hospital staff were in constant fits of laughter as they read the days work as it came off the printer. It was just as well I wasn’t writing erotica.

What are your goals as a writer?

To produce stories that people love to read and to have them published.

Do you do much research for your historical novels?

It takes months to do all the research needed before I put pen to paper. So much information is required and it must be accurate as readers are very wise and will pick up on the smallest incorrect detail. I wish I had a computer program that did this for me because the cross checking is tedious.

What’s a normal day for Heather Brown?

The usual mundane things but I try to walk on the beach every day for at least an hour. After lunch I usually do my emails, update my blog or website and write in the evenings. I enjoy painting and fit that in when I have time. If I’m not writing I’m reading, I read a great deal or listen to audio books usually three audio books a week.

Do you keep a journal?

No

What do you like to read?

So many authors. The past few months: - Diana Gabaldon, Terry Brooks, Carol Burg, Karen Robards, Nora Roberts. I’m reading Diana Gabaldon at present, now there’s an author who enriches her books with history. Carol Burg’s books are filled with ambience, her worlds are fantastic.

Do you write one novel at a time or do you move between works in progress?

I write three or more at a time, I find switching between different m/s keeps my mind fresh. I’m usually writing outlines as well as soon as a new story drifts into my mind. I often think of an idea for a story while I’m writing another. I have to stop and write an outline or I can’t get the story out of my head. For some reason I can keep tabs on all the story lines, I often read three books at once too so perhaps this is why.

Is there anything around the house that you hate doing?

Ironing and gardening.

Do you have comfort food if your writing isn’t working for you?

I drink endless cups of coffee while I write. A walk on the beach or beginning a new painting usually sorts things out. Critiquing my CPs m/s often chases away the cobwebs.

Heather can you tell us a little about your novel Betrothed to the Enemy?

I really enjoyed writing this mainly because I had been researching my family history. My links to a Norman knight that rode with William the Conqueror and the facts I discovered concerning the fate of many Saxon ladies led me to write this fictitious story. I only hope my ancestor was as gallant as Sir Damien de Anesi.

Betrothed to the Enemy is an erotic Historical Romance.

After her father’s death at the Battle of Hastings, Lady Angela of Parr is defenseless. Dragged from her father’s estate and taken to London, she finds herself at the mercy of a ruthless Norman king. William, the new king of England plans to repay his loyal knights by offering them marriage to the Saxon blueblood ladies. Angela has no love for the Normans and puts her reputation in jeopardy by secretly meeting a young Norman knight, Sir Damien de Anesi. Their love blossoms until King William betroths her to a depraved old man.

Will Sir Damien turn against his liege and risk all to save Lady Angela from a fate worse than death?

Betrothed to the Enemy

Is there anything you would like to share with us about upcoming releases?

Yes in September my very sexy historical Forbidden will be published by Noble Romance in a M/M anthology yet to be named. My big news is that my highly erotic shape shifter Pride Brother series is a go with Noble Romance, the first m/s has been approved and Purrfect Seduction will be released later this year followed, if approved, by My Purrfect Alphas (ménage, m/m, spanking and voyeurism). I have begun another two m/s in this series and I am thrilled to be working again with Jill Noble.

Heather thank you again for taking time to chat with me. If you would like to find out more about Heather and her writing visit her website or blog.

Thank you for having me :)

Interviewed by: Sandie