1.  Welcome to Roundtable Reviews.  Can you tell readers a little more about what led to your writing career?

A) Tracy, thank you for inviting me. I started writing six years ago, after being a romance reader since the mid 80’s. The why of it all, I can’t really say, except that after years of working to capture the American dream, I finally decided to go after my own dream. One Sunday afternoon I sat down at the computer and started writing, that was in the fall of 1998. In the spring of 1999, I sold my first book, and I’ve been writing ever since.

 2.  You've written historicals and futuristics.  Do you prefer one over the other?  Are there other genres that you are tempted to try your hand at in the future?

 A) I have to say that historicals are my first love. It was an historical that hooked me on romance (Heather Graham, SWEET SAVAGE EDEN), and although I read everything I can, in all genres, a good historical is still my favorite. When I wrote THE ALLIANCE, my first futuristic, I couldn’t keep my historical voice from coming through, which is why several reviewers referred to it as a Space Age Regency.

I would like to do more futuristics. I’m working on an idea for a series. As for other genres, I love fantasies and westerns. I’d love to write a good, old-fashioned western one day. I grew up reading my father’s Zane Grey westerns, and nothing pleases me better than a good western movie. In fact, my husband and I just got finished watching Open Range with Kevin Costner and Robert Duvall.

3.  Humor certainly has its place in your books.  What key issues do you feel every romance story needs to make it shine? 

A) I think romance should mirror life, and life is filled with anticipation, and worries, and daydreams, secret hopes and private desires. Not everyone’s life is filled with tragedy so I don’t always write a tragic plotline.  Falling in love should be fun. If it doesn’t bring joy to the heart of your characters and your readers, then something is missing.

4.  I was reading an interview with you where you mentioned you are a "hero driven" writer.  In this month's release, HE SAID NO, Catherine is an amazingly strong character.  Was she still a struggle for you?  She certainly didn't seem it!

A) I do think of myself as a hero driver writer. The male character is always the clearest character in my mind when I sit down to plot out a story. The struggle is finding a female character that does him justice. HE SAID NO was fun to write, and Catherine, once I finished the first scene with her and Lady Felicity Forbes-Hammond, was molded and ready to meet Granby head-on, which is exactly what she does.

5.  I loved the twist in HE SAID NO that had the pair both scared of marriage, but it was Granby that started to come around first.  That made the book all the more of a delight.  Why pick that route?  Was it because you are more hero driven?

 A)  I have to admit that while I do my best to plot the story with a destination scene in mind, I frequently let the characters lead me. Granby was so sure of himself at the beginning of the book, the thought popped into my mind  somewhere along the way, “the bigger they are, they harder they fall,” so I had him fall first.

6.  Other men from HE SAID NO will be getting their own stories.  I am dying to see Viscount Rathbone teamed up with a very strong willed heroine.  What's in store for him?

 A) I’m working on Rathbone’s book now. Only two chapters to go, and HE SAID NEVER, will be ready for my editor. Rathbone is my rascal, and I’ve given him a woman who very quickly turns the tables on him. Love hits Granby over the head in HE SAID NO, but it sneaks up on Rathbone and catches him completely unaware. The book will release this November. 

7.  And how about Fitch?

A) Fitch is referred to as the serious-minded one. His book, HE SAID NOW, is coming out in June, and is probably the most dramatic of the series. In retrospect, his character was the most difficult to match up with a heroine. When I finally pictured her in my head, I knew I had to start the book with her storming onto the scene on page one. Before the first chapter is over, Fitch knows his life will never be the same. 

8.  Are you going to be writing more futuristics in the future?

 A) As I mentioned, I am working on an idea for a futuristic series. As soon as I have Rathbone tucked into bed, happily –ever-after, of course, I’m going to get to work on the proposal.

9.  I know that you are an accountant, too.  If you still are working full-time, how do you manage to fit in a full-time job and write so prolifically?

 A) I work full-time during tax season, January through mid-April, and part-time for the balance of the year. During tax season, I dedicate 4 hrs. every night to writing, which means I’m at the computer by 8PM and I rarely get to bed before midnight. I don’t have any children at home, and my husband is very supportive.  I’m also an admitted workaholic, which helps when it comes to getting a story told. Once I start it, I have to finish it.

 Thank you for the opportunity to be a part of Roundtable Reviews. My readers can email me at P.A.Waddell@att.net or visit my webpage www.patriciawaddell.com.