Interview with Lori Foster

Added April 2002

Cyn: From Little Miss Innocent to Wild, Lori Foster has shown the world over that she is one of the top romance writers in her field. Lori is known for her steamy hot sensual romances that titillate the senses. She has romances out with Harlequin, Berkeley and Kensington publishing houses.

Lori, first off, thank you so much for letting ushave this opportunity to interview you. Let's jump into the questions and see what happens. First the time honored one that always has to be asked. You know the question every author dreads being asked. How do you find your ideas? Do they come from any particular source?

Lori: Ideas come from everywhere. From the movies at the theatre, other books, conversations with friends and family, the news, the paper. I hear one little thing and my mind starts twisting it around wondering "What if". More romance novels are based on the "what if" query than any other. *g* Everyone asks me where I get ideas. I keep thinking I need to start a 1-800 number for ideas, because I literally have too many to get them all written.

Cyn: You mention that you read books when you have that precious time. What books do you read? Do you read in genres that you currently don't write?

Lori: I'm a die-hard romance reader. That's it for me. I feel like I should read other genres, but they just don't interest me. It's strange because I love horror and suspense movies, but I don't enjoy reading them.

Cyn: Who are some of your favorite authors?

Lori: Oh boy, there are so many! Let's see,Linda Howard, Jayne Ann Krentz, Julie Garwood and Johanna Lindsey. I recently read an advance copy of a book by Shannon McKenna and I know she's going to become a fave, based on the incredible hero she created. Oh, and Christine Feehan has these awesome Carpathians. I also like Virginia Kantra's stories. They're very sophisticated. I'm sure there are more, but at the moment I can't think of them!

Cyn: I notice that some of the authors mentioned are in other sub-genres. Do you ever see yourself trying to write in another genre of romantic fiction such as paranormal, historical, or intrigue, etc?

Lori: I would LOVE to do a time travel and a paranormal. I have these great stories in my head just waiting for the right opportunity. I wish I could write historicals, because they're one of my favorite escapes. Unfortunately, I have no talent there. I'd also love to write a horror story some day. I love everything scary.

Cyn: I'll have to remember that, Lori. Talking about the unusual, do you have a superstitious thing you do when you write? You know do you have a favorite mug, or shirt you have to have when you write certain parts of your book?

Lori: No, nothing superstitious. But I do like to listen to music (rock!), light candles, and sit facing a window while I write. I find I need something other than quiet to keep from getting too antsy.

Cyn: You know you just made my day. I can't have quiet while I write either. Thanks for letting me know I'm not abnormal anymore. Regarding the stories and how you come up with them, do you know when you come up with the story where it'll be targeted?

Lori: I don't actually target stories at all. If I have a contract with Brava, then I know going in that the book will need to be a certain length. My brain just sort of takes over and plots in that length. If it's a novella, I'll naturally think in simpler terms, usually with a couple who know each other so that we don't need the physical pages to get them acquainted. Personally, I think this is just a natural thing for a writer, to think in terms of what the word count will allow.

Cyn: In reading your books, I've noticed that you do write from the hero's perspective many times. I know for romance readers find this unusual but also very appealing. How do you get yourself into the mindset to write that way?

Lori: Well, first you marry a guy like my husband so you can respect, admire, and genuinely appreciate the differences between men and women. Then you have three very admirable sons. *g* My house is overflowing with testosterone- in a good way. Men are so complex, and far more intelligent, serious, sensitive and honorable than modern society credits them. Sure they're different from us, but I think that's wonderful! It bugs me no end that many romances tend to poke fun at men, or portray them as less sensitive than women. This is probably why I like stories by Linda Howard, Krentz, Feehan, and Garwood- they write real men who are wonderful.

Cyn: You mentioned your family. I know your family is very important to you. How does your family react to your writing romance novels? I know sometimes family can not be as supportive as they could be.

Lori: My husband and my three sons are incredibly supportive. Not once have they ever been embarrassed - in fact, they tend to brag. They think it's fun that I write romance and they take any ribbing with a grin. They also understand when I have stuff to do. Around here, everyone pitches in and stays busy. No one, not even my youngest son, considers any particular chore exclusively mine. If something needs to be done and I'm in the middle of writing, someone does it. I have a wonderful family.

Cyn: Sounds like they're terrific. Give them a hug from us as well. I know you write for Harlequin Temptations as well as for Brava. When you began writing the steamier, more sensual books, were you afraid of losing your established readers? Personally, I know I moved right along with you in happiness.

Lori: Thanks. You know, I don't ever even think about it. I don't consciously write steamy, it's just that some books, some characters, are naturally hotter than others. That just happens, I don't plan it that way. Often the books I consider steamier are not the ones that readers would choose. It's like the "eye of the beholder" thing, I suppose. Your perspective comes into play. Like humor, sexiness is subjective and individual.

Cyn: Let's talk about writing and the business of writing now. I know you often give advice on the eHarlequin.com boards. In fact, you and I get into some great discussions there about the craft of writing. What advice do you want to share with upcoming writers? What piece of advice did someone give you that made a difference for you?

Lori: I got tons of advice, and some of it was good, some of it wasn't. In particular, Stella Cameron and Linda Howard have been so generous in answering questions and giving me opinions when I asked. They're both unbelievably nice ladies. My advice? I'd say that each author needs to remember how individual this business is. An author once told me that no one could write six books a year unless the books were crap. She said that, totally serious, about a year before I had eight releases out. I don't think she realized she was insulting me, but she was insulting another author I like and respect. I'll always remember that comment because it was so narrow and based solely on her own writing practices. It takes her a long time to write, so she believed that it should take everyone else as long. I write fast, others write slow. I write by the seat of my pants, others write by a detailed outline. However YOU do it is the right way to do it. If it works, then that's all that matters.

Cyn: What is the hardest part of being in the writing business for you?

Lori: Hmmm. I hate being edited. Hate it. Luckily my editors have a very light hand and seldom change more than the typos - which occur no matter how hard I try to catch them all! I also get a little stressed when I have too many contracts lined up, and these days I always have a load of contracts lined up. I'm one of those people that tries to keep everything done, so even when a book isn't due for a year I KNOW it's there and waiting and it makes me nuts, wanting to get to it.

Cyn: One thing I've always remarked on is the fact that you're a wonderful sharing lady. You've always been kind and supportive of your fans and other authors. Is there anything you would like to tell them?

Lori: Thank you, from the bottom of my heart. I never knew I wanted to write, until I started writing. Now that I have I can't imagine NOT writing. Knowing that others read and enjoy my stories makes this job bliss.

Cyn: So, what's coming up for this year for you?

Lori: March will be my first full length Brava, Too Much Temptation. I love this book, so I hope the readers will too. June and August are the Harlequin reissues of the Buckhorn brothers, four books put into two volumes with new titles (so don't be fooled thinking they're new books!). August is also another Brava anthology. For those who read my novella in All Through the Night, this will be Becky's story. October is another Brava single title, the brother story related to Too Much Temptation. It's titled Never Too Much. Now is all that confusing enough? *g*

Cyn: *g* I think I got it. One thing I did notice is about the Buckhorn brothers. I see that Casey's book isn't being released this year. Are you planning more books on brothers? I'm asking because as you know, I adored Zane Winston in "Wild".

Lori: Well, Casey is slated for release in Jan 2003. Before that, Too Much Temptation in March and Never Too Much in October are about brothers. I'll be writing Joe Winston's story, but not sure when yet. I also have twin brothers planned for Brava - one is a preacher, one is a bounty hunter bad ass. I know those books are going to be fun!

Cyn: I wanted to end this interview on a smiling note. For your heroes do you prefer them in boxers, briefs, or naked beneath those jeans?

Lori: *g* You know those snug boxers that are popular now? They are sooooo sexy. Not the baggy kind (which can be cute too) but the soft cotton ones that almost look like very thin shorts and hug everything of importance? I love those. Briefs are just plain icky.

Cyn: Lori, thanks again for agreeing to this interview. I know how busy you've been lately, I really appreciate you taking the time to do this interview with me. I know you're fans are eagerly awaiting your next release in March, Too Much Temptation by Brava. You can find out more about Lori's releases at Lori's website: www.lorifoster.com.

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