Short Interview with New South Wales Writers Centre

I did a short interview with the NSW Writers Centre in Sydney, in preparation for the Romancing the Page workshop I'm doing there, and thought I'd post it here as well. Please note that the workshop date has changed — it's now on May 4th 2014

How did you get into romance writing?
Initially I thought writing romance would be a quick and easy way to fund a more "literary career" -- I knew nothing about romance then, only the urban myths that abound about the genre. But once I started reading widely within the genre and saw the huge range of stories published, I realised I could write the stories that I wanted to write, that I didn't have to write "to formula" as I'd assumed.  I found that writing romance isn't easy, but it is a lot of fun. I've never looked back.

Sixteen books published! How do you stay inspired and find fresh stories?

It's easy. New story ideas come all the time, and the genre itself is constantly reinventing itself and expanding. But at the heart of every romance novel there are people, and people are endlessly fascinating and surprising. The difficulty isn't about staying inspired, it's finding the time to write all the things I want to write.

Do you consider yourself a hopeless romantic? 

I am in lots of ways. I do believe in the power of love to change people and inspire them  to change their lives. Its one of the most transforming things in our lives. I'm a "Love Actually" kind of romantic, though -- the sort that sees all kinds of love in all kinds of people. I've spent my life working in underprivileged areas and with people whose lives are often in crisis, so I'm not blind to the problems in society. But I still believe in love and I see it all around me.

Who is your favourite literary lover?

That's a hard one-- there are so many to choose from. I'm going to avoid all the literary lovers who ended up dead -- I like a happy ending, thank you. I'll go for Damerel, in Georgette Heyer's Venetia. He's a wicked funny, poetry-spouting, flirtatious bad boy, a nineteenth century rake who, when he falls for the lovely Venetia, tries to stay away from her for her own good. Of course she's a spirited heroine who gives as good as she gets, and she won't stand for such foolishness.

Anne Gracie's next book, The Winter Bride (Berkley USA and Penguin Australia) is on sale from March 26th.

Winter Writing Workshops, Trinity College, Melbourne Uni

I've been working on a new project, lately. Last year I attended the Summer Film School at Trinity College, Melbourne University, and enjoyed it so much I went back again this summer.

That first year I met Sharon Peers who runs it, and also a lecturer at Melb Uni, Bryony Cosgrave and we got talking about putting together a writing workshop for popular fiction.

I'm glad to say it's become a reality. The workshops will take place over the weekend of June 15-17, 2012, starting with a Friday evening session, and then all day Saturday and Sunday.

We've lined up some wonderful authors — crime writer, Shane Maloney, and fantasy, YA, children's writer and historical novelist Kate Forsyth. And of course, I'm taking some sessions, too. I think it's going to be a wonderful weekend.

If you've ever wanted to get started on a novel, or just hone your writing skills, all in the gorgeous surroundings of Melbourne University, this is your opportunity.

I've put together a website with the basic information — the details are on a downloadable pdf file.