Dawn Brower - Romance and Second Chances
Dawn Brower is an avid reader and always has stories in her head, which she sometimes needs to suppress in order to get her latest book done. Her books also have a way to take a direction of their own, which just makes the whole writing process all the more exciting. Today, Brower chats with us about her latest book, One Heart to Give, her childhood years as the only girl out of six children and how hard it is to write love scenes.
How would you describe your book to someone who has not read any of your previous novels?
This is a brand new contemporary series with a side of suspense thrown in. One Heart to Give launches the series and when I’m done there will be a total of four books. It can be read as a standalone.
What inspired you to write One Heart to Give?
Daniella and Rendall is what you consider a second chance love. They missed their first chance in high school and a decade later they find each other again. I like the idea of a second chance at love and wanted to explore that idea. There are a lot of us that look back and wonder what might have been with someone. I’m no exception in that regard. We all have that one that go away.
How do you feel about writing love scenes? And does your heart break when you write about one-sided love stories?
I hate writing love scenes. That sounds crazy I know, but I feel like a voyeur. I write them with almost a haze. The more I think about them the more I cringe. Sometimes I wonder how they get written.
One-sided love is painful to watch, read, and live through. I do have a story where a female is in love—or thinks she is—with a man who can’t love her back. She had to have her own story and find love in another book to make up for the pain that was caused to her. I don’t like to leave any of my characters sitting in heartbreak.
Daniella and Rendall used to be best friends. Why do you think is it important for romantic partners to also be friends?
Some of the best love stories start with friendship. You learn all the little quirks about a person and love them not in spite of them, but because of them. A friend accepts your imperfections and loves who you are. If you go into a relationship with blinders on you will end up being disappointed in some way.
Daniella is slow to trust and connect with people because of her past. What appeals to you about using a "flawed" heroine?
Everyone is flawed. That is a fact of life. So it is more realistic to write about someone with hang-ups and it adds a little depth to the character. Dani has to work through some of her own insecurities long enough to realize she could be happy. It takes a lot for her to realize she can have a relationship with the man she loves.
When working on a new book, what’s the first thing you do?
I write a rough outline of what I think might happen in the book and how many chapters that will take… That doesn’t always work. Actually it never does, but it gives me a launching off place. I re-read my outline for One Heart to Give and laughed. It changed dramatically as their story unfolded. Anyone who got my notes beforehand wouldn’t be able to tell what I’m doing from one moment to the next.
What is the best writing advice someone has ever given to you?
Don’t over think it. Write your story flaws and all, that is what editing and proofreading is for. We can fix something that is written, but a blank page will always be blank. Mistakes happen in writing, that is a given. They even sometimes slip into what is believed to be a polished manuscript. Despite what readers think, even an edited book will still have some flaws, so don’t be a perfectionist.
You are the only girl out of six children - what was the experience like growing up?
Well…I was a tom boy. I played baseball; I got dirty, and had no trouble baiting my own hook to fish. My playmates for the most part were boys so I learned to take care of myself. It gave me strength and independence. That doesn’t mean I don’t have a girly side and love all that goes with it. Not only am I the only girl, I am also now the oldest. I had one older brother, but he passed away in a car accident twenty years ago. A lot of responsibility was thrown at me, and I have become the one everyone leans on.
What do you do when you are still busy writing one book but the idea for the next is already nagging at the back of your mind?
Push it away. I can compartmentalize when necessary. Otherwise I’d never stay on schedule. These characters can be demanding.
What are you working on right now?
I am rotating books in a series. The third book in my Linked Across Time series was just wrapped up and sent to a beta reader. It is scheduled to go to my editor on July 18th. The next project is An Unveiled Heart the second Heart’s intent book. I only have one chapter written and it’s time to finish it.
Where can our readers find more of your work or interact with you?
My website: http://www.authordawnbrower.com/ is the best place to find anything about me. There are convenient links to all of my social media at the top of the main page. I am on Facebook, twitter, and googleplus. I love hearing from readers so feel free to send me a message.
