Author Interview
When did you begin writing?
In high school, I wrote numerous articles for our school newspaper and became co-editor my junior and senior years. I started seriously writing (novel length) when my youngest son went to kindergarten. He was the baby of my four children and I figured I could finally squeeze a few quiet me moments into a day with no children around to ask a zillion questions and demand numerous mommy tasks. In a nutshell? This boils down to thirty years ago.
Why do you write?
I have always loved to read, write, and create things. Again, back in the good-old-days of high school, I discovered the passionate world of romance novels through an aunt who loved them and would pass them my way when she was finished. Knights in shining armor, pirates, highwaymen … oh, these dark, mysterious and always handsome heroes claimed my heart and set my imagination soaring into unbelievable heights. From that moment on, I set a goal to, one day, write my very own romance novel.
What have you written?
I’ve written a variety of different things throughout my life: five sensual romance novels (I am currently working on a sixth); poems, several articles, and a children’s story. I even attempted a screenplay of my first novel but gave that up after the first scene. With a screenplay, the rule is that if a camera can’t see it and a microphone can’t pick it up, a writer can’t put it in. I love showing my characters’ thoughts and inner feelings. To not be able to do so drove me crazy.
Which of the novels you’ve written are your favorite and why?
This is a tough question, as I’ve liked them all for different reasons. My first novel, With My Last Breath, is a paranormal historical romance and was probably the most exciting for the simple reason that it was my first. It’s set during the Salem Witchcraft trials’ final phase in America in 1693. I wrote it in six months, unaware there were “rules” to writing romance. It will receive a rewrite one day soon, all rules obeyed this time. Lol
My second novel, The Resurrection of Lord Drayton’s Heart, was another paranormal historical set in 1479 England. And I knew the rules this time! Lol Bringing a pushy ghost wife back from the grave to help her tormented husband get over her death by insisting he find another love, preferably her cousin, Isabell, was challenging. Juggling topics like rape, murder, revenge and tremendous loss and balancing that darkness with the light of life topics of forgiveness, hope, love and tremendous gain is a difficult walk for any writer. Using lighthearted humor and a cat that has his own hardships at least nine times, I created what I consider to be a beautiful love story where good overcomes evil and happily‑ever-after can actually be found. The novel will be released in late summer early fall of 2025.
My third novel, The Author and The Cover Model, is a romcom--romantic suspense contemporary and was the novel I had the most fun writing! It’s a parody on the romance genre that enters the world I love most in fiction … the world of writing romance. I put a lot of my own frustrations, hopes, dreams, and fantasies into this story. Through my heroine, the romance reader learns the ins and outs of the genre they love as much as I do. It is currently being modernized, receiving bonus content, and some revisions. I’m about to rerelease it (August of 2025) with all of these wonderful changes and a new cover created by my talented writer friend, Ashley Amy. I am so excited to present it to my fans!
My fourth novel, Lillian of the Valley, is a romcom--romantic suspense murder mystery, something I can assure you I did not set out to write! (Lol) It, too, has a lot of lighthearted moments and was really quite enjoyable to write. It involves a preacher’s daughter and the new owner of a legal house of ill repute, Shady Sadie’s, set in Clandestine, Nevada … a fictional setting. My hero takes over his mother’s business and goes undercover to find his mother’s murderer. My heroine wants Sadie’s closed down, as her friend was murdered inside the place too. To her it was simple. No whorehouse. No murders. So, she goes up against the hero every chance she gets and complicates his purpose. This serious, yet humorous novel was just released in June of 2025. Again, the gorgeous cover was created by Ashley Amy and is the opening scene of chapter one. I think my readers will love this steamy story of mine.
My fifth novel, The Table, is a paranormal, time-travel romance and is by far the novel of my heart. It is a fact-based work of fiction based on my family. My mother’s, aunt’s and uncle’s memories are written throughout the pages. And the Portuguese part of my heritage revealed. I wrote the story to tell the world about a horrendous tragedy that befell my great aunt in 1939. The guilty were never brought to justice. So, I felt that by finally telling her story, somehow, someway, it might bring her heavenly soul an earthly peace. I placed family pictures in the back of the novel so the reader could see what most of their beloved characters looked like in 1939. It is available now at Amazon. Mary Ann Cherry, another beautiful author friend of mine, designed and created the cover. She did an outstanding job!
My sixth novel, Read Me, is a romcom, paranormal, contemporary journey for my hero and heroine who seek help from people who are not who they think they are while investigating a haunting. It is over halfway complete, and I am hoping to finish it by the end of 2025 (beginning of 2026).
Who are your favorite authors?
This, too, is a tough question. There are so many wonderful writers out there! Needless to say: Linda Sandifer (who did this original interview), Karen Finnigan, and Sherry Roseberry are among my favorite romance authors and sweet friends from the Blue Sage Writers of Idaho. (Smile) Then there is Randy Peterson, Diana Bunitsky, Sue Anne Hodge, Mary Ann Cherry, Carol Stilz, the late and dearly missed, Becky Cook, my precious Maxine McCoy, Sara Ball, Ashley Amy, Jacqueline Hopkins, and Matt Hackman, also Blue Sage members, both old and new. However, they all write in different genres, some crossing over to standard romance on occasion. So, these are fourteen of my all‑time favorite authors and friends! (Huge Smile).
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Some of my old-time favorite Romance authors throughout my life were: Kathleen Woodiwiss, the older works of Jude Deveraux, Johanna Lindsey, and Rosemary Rogers. I also liked Karen Robards, Julie Garwood … man, but the list is endless!
Other than romance, what is your favorite genre to read?
Believe it or not, it is non-fiction. I truly believe ignorance is mankind’s greatest fault. When I talk about things, whether it is politics, religion, medical, whatever, I want to know what I’m talking about. I never believe everything I read, or hear, without researching it first. Today, social media can be a real snare for the younger generations, as some tend to think if they read it on Facebook, it must be the truth. Sad, really. Sometimes I think commonsense and critical thinking ‘have left the building.’ And with A.I.’s growing intelligence, deception is going to get even easier.
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Sorry, I got sidetracked for a moment. (Smile) My favorite non-fiction book of all time is the bible. I try to read it every night before I go to bed, knowing full well any talent I possess is a gift from my precious trio above. Even though I write sensual steamy romances, each of my books have an inspirational thread running through them. To some, this combination may sound odd. But to me, it’s beautiful and makes perfect sense.
What is your obligation to your readers?
To touch their hearts with both laughter and tears, and to take them on a memorable journey that they’ve never been on before.
What is your obligation to yourself as a writer?
To be the best storyteller I can be. And to realize I may not be the greatest writer in the world, but I’m also not the worst. I tend to be hard on myself as a writer and I need to lighten up and enjoy the works I create without being so darn critical. It is safe to say that I am my own worst critic.
Who is your favorite hero that you’ve created?
Well, I’ll have to put on my thinking cap to answer this one, as I absolutely LOVE all of my heroes! But if I have to pick just one I’d have to say it’s Zach Maronaro from The Author and The Cover Model. You’ll have to read the story to find out why. Lol
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Who is your favorite heroine that you’ve created?
Geez … all of my heroines are beautiful in heart and spirit and are capable of saving themselves if they must. But if I’m picking Zach then I must pick his counterpart, KaLoni Kalamaiia, from The Author and The Cover Model. These two characters are wonderful together and their enemies to friends to lovers’ journey was an absolute joy to create!
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A close 2nd would be a tie between Jayden and Lillian; Lord Drayton and Isabell; Abe and Shania; Timothy and Alexandria. Elliot and Paisley, too, once their journey is complete. Yep, you guessed it … all of the rest of my heroes and heroines. Lol
Do you have any advice for beginning writers?
Never give up! Perseverance is the key to finishing a novel, realizing your dreams, and living your life as a writer to the fullest of its potential. Believe me when I say us old-time writers need to live by this advice, too, as it is so easy to get discouraged during any phase of the novel-writing career. A little secret? … I wrote my first book over thirty years ago. Yet, here I am. (Soft smile) Also, be sure to do your research. Especially if writing in the historical romance category.
What was your easiest book to write?
The Author and The Cover Model. The words and scenes flowed like a steady stream from my fingertips to the keyboard. Of course, I loved Zach and KaLoni. Spending time with them was always a treat.
Which was the hardest?
Lillian of the Valley. I wrote my hero (Jayden) and heroine (Lillian) into such a conflict, it took me years to figure out how to get them out! (Smile)
What is the hardest part of the creative process for you?
Finding the time to write. And when you finally do find a moment, writing without interruption, especially in the middle of a big scene. Even though my children are grown now, with five grandchildren and two great-grandhildren nearby and aging parents needing more attention … even coming to live with me, life just seems to never slow down. My real daddy, Wilburn Winkle, came to live with me in 2006 and passed away in 2014. My mama and stepfather, who were married 52 ½ years, came to live with me in 2019. I still have my stepfather, Lawrence Mangini, as of this writing, but my beautiful mother passed away in 2022, taking a large piece of my heart with her.
Do you write by an outline?
Absolutely not. During all my school years, I absolutely hated writing outlines!
If not, what is your method?
I think up the title and the title creates my story. After I have the title, I then have an inkling of what I want to have happen in the story … some people call this a plot. (Smile) I choose my main characters next and, with the plot in mind, I develop their inner and outer conflict. After that, my characters write the story themselves.
Do you have set hours in the day to write?
When the kids were little, I’d write the moment they left the house for school until an hour before they came home, at which time I’d bust through the house and clean up. I did this about four days a week, adding some time in the wee hours of the morning if need be. Now, I find myself less organized and struggle to find that precious time. My heart wants to write every day; my reality refuses. Yet, again, here I am. Making a gallant comeback!
Writing is tough. What makes you keep coming back?
Honestly, I don’t really know the answer to this question. I tend to believe it all goes back to my initial desire to create. And I really do love to write! But there are times I think I must be totally insane to return to such a time-consuming, momentous task that can be downright brutal when it comes to trying to publish the final product with the big publishing houses. Reviews are often right there in the brutality department too. You have to have a tough hide, that’s for sure. Yet, you can find valuable information by what others say to correct plot points and help push your writing to the top. Though I’ve been greatly tempted to quit, even taken many years off, I simply can’t seem to do so.
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With the popularity of Self-Publishing now, it’s easier to see your work become a finished product. Still, it has to be good … no one wants those negative reviews. (Smile) I was one of the first pioneers in our writing group to dip my toes in the self-publishing pool. Thanks to my wonderful writing friend, Diana Bunitsky, and another member and dear friend, the late Sue Watkins, who dared to do it with me, I took the plunge!
Tell us a little about your venture into the self-publishing market.
In 2004, when it wasn’t as popular as it is today, I self-published my novel, The Author and The Cover Model, doing so as a favor to my friend, Diana, who wanted to become the liaison between an author and a self-publishing company and wanted to practice on me. So, I thought what the hell? Surprisingly, it was a blast! I learned a lot, especially patience. I thoroughly enjoyed having complete control over my entire novel, including the cover. And now it’s more affordable to self‑publish through Amazon.
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There were scenes in The Author and The Cover Model that I, for years, wanted to rewrite. Also, a huge flaw and a couple of missed opportunities for more character development. So, I recently told the publisher to cease and desist publishing it as I wanted to take the novel in a different direction. The new and improved version will be rereleased hopefully in August of 2025. Not only does it have bonus content, three new chapters, and several rewrites that make the story stronger, it’s been modernized. And my talented friend, Ashley Amy, also a wonderful author, created a fun new cover for it that I am excited for everyone to see.
Would you do so again?
In a heartbeat! As a matter of fact, I did, self-publishing my fifth novel, The Table, in 2014. The book still remains the closest to my heart, and because of self-publishing, I was able to take a lot of liberties with the content. Example: I could change the font if someone was reading a letter or a journal. Or since it is a fact‑based work of paranormal fiction, I was able to add family pictures to the end, giving my readers a chance to see some of the real people behind the story. It is definitely a steamy romance novel unlike any I’ve ever seen out there. Control, uniqueness, telling your story the way you feel it needs to be told is all possible because of self-publishing. Just remember that in Creative Writing you can break some of the rules if you know them first. But be careful … grammar is still vitally important! (Huge Smile)
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And, because of self-publishing I was able to give the novel to my mama for her to enjoy the last eight years of her life … another wonderful reason to get your works out there sooner rather than later.
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Anything else you’d like to say?
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Yes, I’d like to give a huge “thank you” to my Blue Sage Writers of Idaho friends and comrades in pen. Whether we are new or seasoned writers, we all need help and encouragement along the way. Thus, I just want you all to know, my extended family, that yours has been and always will be appreciated more than you’ll ever know!
--Charm O'Ryan has been a member of the Blue Sage Writers of Idaho (formally, the Southern Idaho Romance Writers of America) since 1996. She’s been a secretary and co-chair off and on throughout the years.