In today’s digital world of e-books and self-publishing, standing out in the crowd is difficult. I often hear that romance novels all sound the same or that they can be full of clichés. Readers have told me that they want a love story, but they want one that is unique.
I believe that uniqueness comes from the writer’s place of inspiration.
Growing up with a sibling with special needs caused me to be more aware of my surroundings, as well as more sensitive to others. My brother taught me that strength is not only physical. He taught me that simple words and messages carry the greatest weight, and that truly loving someone means opening your whole heart to them. I often feared we would lose my brother at an early age so I tried to enjoy and remember every minute I spent with him.
I believe that uniqueness comes from the writer’s place of inspiration.
Growing up with a sibling with special needs caused me to be more aware of my surroundings, as well as more sensitive to others. My brother taught me that strength is not only physical. He taught me that simple words and messages carry the greatest weight, and that truly loving someone means opening your whole heart to them. I often feared we would lose my brother at an early age so I tried to enjoy and remember every minute I spent with him.
When I decided to follow my dream and write romance novels, I promised myself that the worlds I created on paper would stay true to the world I grew up in and know to this day. That means that my books, while sexy, angsty, and full of drama, also include characters with special needs.
Writing these characters with disabilities that range from autism to Down syndrome has proven to be the most fulfilling part of my writing process. I molded together traits from my brother, his wife, and their friends. By the way, you read that correctly. My brother is married to a woman with Down syndrome! These secondary characters are not “placed” in my novels in a superficial role. These characters change the course of the story.
In my debut novel, NOT YET, the main character has a sister who was born with Down syndrome and their friendship is a central storyline. The other MC realizes the importance of his actions and his impact on others’ lives through interactions with a nonverbal character who is autistic.
My second novel, PAST HEAVEN, touches on the issue of institutionalization. The two main characters are working on a movie script about an advocate who lost his life fighting to end abusive conditions for people with disabilities.
THE PLEDGE, my most recent novel which I co-wrote with Christine Manzari, includes a character who befriends one of the MC’s and his simple, yet powerful, reminders allow her to move past her fears and follow her heart.
My inspiration in writing romance novels is to give readers a love story they will treasure and to introduce them to unique secondary characters they will never forget.
Writing these characters with disabilities that range from autism to Down syndrome has proven to be the most fulfilling part of my writing process. I molded together traits from my brother, his wife, and their friends. By the way, you read that correctly. My brother is married to a woman with Down syndrome! These secondary characters are not “placed” in my novels in a superficial role. These characters change the course of the story.
In my debut novel, NOT YET, the main character has a sister who was born with Down syndrome and their friendship is a central storyline. The other MC realizes the importance of his actions and his impact on others’ lives through interactions with a nonverbal character who is autistic.
My second novel, PAST HEAVEN, touches on the issue of institutionalization. The two main characters are working on a movie script about an advocate who lost his life fighting to end abusive conditions for people with disabilities.
THE PLEDGE, my most recent novel which I co-wrote with Christine Manzari, includes a character who befriends one of the MC’s and his simple, yet powerful, reminders allow her to move past her fears and follow her heart.
My inspiration in writing romance novels is to give readers a love story they will treasure and to introduce them to unique secondary characters they will never forget.