Denise Hunter: On Writing Loveless Characters in Romance
Bestselling author Denise Hunter discusses the team effort behind her new contemporary romance novel, A Novel Proposal.
Denise Hunter is the internationally published, bestselling author of more than 40 books, three of which have been adapted into original Hallmark Channel movies. She has won the Holt Medallion Award, the Reader’s Choice Award, the Carol Award, the Foreword Book of the Year Award, and is a RITA finalist.
When Denise isn’t orchestrating love lives on the written page, she enjoys traveling with her family, drinking chai lattes, and playing drums. Denise makes her home in Indiana, where she and her husband raised three boys and are now enjoying an empty nest and two beautiful granddaughters.
Learn more at DeniseHunterBooks.com, and find her on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook.
In this post, Denise discusses the team effort behind her new contemporary romance novel, A Novel Proposal, her hope for readers, and more!
Name: Denise Hunter
Literary agent: Karen Solem, Spencerhill Associates
Book title: A Novel Proposal
Publisher: Thomas Nelson
Release date: March 21, 2023
Genre/category: Contemporary Romance
Previous titles: Riverbend Gap, Mulberry Hollow, Harvest Moon, Bookshop by the Sea
Elevator pitch for the book: When novelist Sadie Goodwin is forced to stop writing westerns and charged with penning a contemporary romance novel to rescue her lackluster sales, there’s only one tiny problem: She’s never been in love. Things take an unexpected turn when Sadie finds a mysterious engagement ring in a secret compartment and questions begin to arise: Will Sadie find the ring’s rightful owner, and will she manage to pen a career-saving romance novel by summer’s end?
What prompted you to write this book?
For years I’ve wanted to write a book about an author who’s charged with writing a romance novel but who’s never been in love. How can she properly convey the falling-in-love journey when she’s never experienced it herself? When I started brainstorming this beach-set book, I realized the idea’s time had finally come.
To get into a romantic frame of mind, Sadie immerses herself in all things romance. It was fun to write about an author who’s challenged not only by a lack of life experience but also by a switch in genres. Not to mention the handsome/grumpy next-door neighbor who might just make the perfect alpha hero.
I added epigraphs at the start of each chapter—excerpts from a fictional book called Romance Writing 101. The tips on writing romance give the reader a hint about how the hero and heroine’s romance will develop during the coming chapter.
How long did it take to go from idea to publication? And did the idea change during the process?
It took about a year and half from idea to publication. I do a little planning before I start a book (goal, motivation, conflict), but mostly I write by the seat of my pants. So much of the story evolves as I write it.
I knew before I started writing that Sadie would erect a Little Free Library on the beach—one of the many ways in which she procrastinates writing her novel—and I knew she would find something in the library that would lead her on a literary quest with the hero. I just didn’t know what that something was.
So, I put out a call out to my Facebook readers and asked for ideas. One of them (Janine Rosche, also an author) came up with the idea of a hidden compartment inside a book that housed an engagement ring, and I knew right away that was the answer. Sadie was going on a quest to find that ring’s owner—and she was taking her grumpy neighbor along for the ride.
Were there any surprises or learning moments in the publishing process for this title?
This is my 43rd novel and my 34th with my current publisher so I’m pretty used to the way publishing works. I will say that each book only serves to remind me how publishing is very much a team effort. Without excellent and substantive line editors my stories wouldn’t live up to their potential.
The people who design my covers are the reason readers reach for my books. The marketing team makes sure people are aware of my novels. And the sales team makes sure the books find their way onto bookstore shelves.
There are so many things that go on behind the scenes of every book and so many people involved in the process. I’m grateful to have a wonderful team by my side.
Were there any surprises in the writing process for this book?
The book previous to this one (Mulberry Hollow) was a heavier story, dealing with a reunited marriage. Since A Novel Proposal was a beach read, I was aiming for a feel-good escape, and I was surprised how easily the lighter tone came to me. I enjoyed writing the banter between the hero and heroine and giving Sadie some fun quirks. Writing this novel felt like a breath of fresh air.
What do you hope readers will get out of your book?
Mostly I just want readers to immerse themselves in Sadie’s story and get a little break from whatever difficulties they might be facing. Maybe have a laugh or even a little cry (the happy kind).
My stories are always hopeful with a positive message. In this particular story, Sadie comes to believe that while love can sometimes be scary, it is also a risk worth taking.
If you could share one piece of advice with other writers, what would it be?
Figure out how and when you work best.
For me, it’s all about routine. My life and responsibilities have evolved a lot over the 26 years I’ve been writing. I had small children when I started, so I wrote every day during their naptimes. When they were older I wrote while they were in school, and in the summers my minivan became a mobile desk while they were at baseball, soccer, or football practice. Now that I’m an empty nester, I’m able to block out my writing time every day and get my pages done (mostly) without interruption.
Whatever your schedule is, find a chunk of time you can devote to writing and do it without fail.
Robert Lee Brewer is Senior Editor of Writer's Digest, which includes managing the content on WritersDigest.com and programming virtual conferences. He's the author of 40 Plot Twist Prompts for Writers: Writing Ideas for Bending Stories in New Directions, The Complete Guide of Poetic Forms: 100+ Poetic Form Definitions and Examples for Poets, Poem-a-Day: 365 Poetry Writing Prompts for a Year of Poeming, and more. Also, he's the editor of Writer's Market, Poet's Market, and Guide to Literary Agents. Follow him on Twitter @robertleebrewer.
