Lisa Becker - Likeable Characters, Funny Banter, and Heart Swooning Moments

Posted on 8th of August, 2020 by Naomi Bolton

Lisa Becker is an award-winning romance writer who spends her time like she spends her money - on books and margaritas. As Lisa’s grandmother used to say, “For every chair, there’s a tush.” Lisa is now happily married to a wonderful man she met online and lives in Manhattan Beach, California with him and their two daughters. So, if it happened for her, there’s hope for anyone! As our Author of the Day, she tells us all about her book, The Subway Girl.

Please give us a short introduction to what The Subway Girl is about?

A hopeless romantic and cynical news producer set out to find a “missed connection” from a NY subway. When the Subway Girl is found, will the aspiring actress win Ryan’s heart? Will his ex-girlfriend worm her way back into his life? Or is there someone else he’s fated to be with?

Inspired by a real missed connection story, The Subway Girl combines witty humor, sizzling chemistry, likeable characters, funny banter, and heart swooning moments into a story of unexpected love and fate. According to one reviewer, “It’s part Serendipity meets Missed Connections, with the hustle and bustle of NYC and the warm fuzzies of a Hallmark Movie.”

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Why friends to lovers contemporary romance comedy? What drew you to the genre?

I love to read contemporary romance, so it was natural for me to write stories about my imaginary friends in the same genre. The friends to lovers trope gives hope to everyone out there that one day, that friend who perhaps you’ve secretly pined for, will realize you’re the love they’ve been waiting for.

Which of your characters was the most challenging to create?

Angie was the most challenging character’s story to tell. On one hand, she is a spitfire who speaks her mind and argues her point. On the flip side, she is completely intimidated by her sleazy boss Barry, which results in her making some questionable professional choices. On the relationship side, she is cynical about love having been the victim of infidelity, but her heart cracks open and grows three sizes when she meets Ryan and recognizes there are good guys out there. She deals with a range of emotions from reluctance to acceptance to jealousy to despair. Ultimately, it was about making her well rounded and flawed yet sympathetic. I hope readers will root for her to find her happily ever after.

Tell us more about Ryan Carlson. What makes him tick?

One reviewer said the following about Ryan: “He's loyal, funny, smart, and sweet but don't get it twisted he's a beast between the sheets!” While he’s described as a hopeless romantic, he’s also a hopeful romantic. Ryan loves the stability, comfort and connection of being in a relationship and believes the same fate that brought his parents together on the kindergarten playground will guide him toward his perfect match. When he gets caught up in the “reality television” world, he veers off track. But ultimately he recognizes what’s been in front of him all along.

Your book looks at how social media, timing, fate, and luck can bring strangers together. Do you think this happens often in real life?

I absolutely believe in fate. My husband and I met online 20 years ago and discovered that despite growing up hours apart we attended the same remote sleepaway camp (also hours away) as kids. When we were looking through his childhood photos from camp, he jokingly showed me some random girl in oversized glasses in the background of his photo staring at the camera. He joked that could be me. It was! He had a picture of me. We were meant to be!

Besides writing, what other secret skills do you have?

I make the world’s most amazing jalapeno artichoke dip. I never give the recipe away. It’s my secret.

Is there an underlying message you wish to relay about basic human nature through your characters?

I’ve always said that my books are light and fun reads for anyone who’s ever been on a bad date, been in love, been dumped or is still searching for “the one.” My grandmother used to say, “For every chair, there’s a tush.” I agree and hope these stories give hope to everyone out there.

How do you force yourself to finish what you're doing before starting the next project when the new idea is nagging at you?

I’m definitely a mood writer, so when lightning strikes, I take advantage of inspiration and motivation and write what’s flowing. Sometimes that means my current work in progress is making progress. Other times, it means I’m doing work on something new…or old. (I have several projects that are just notes for future stories.) When I’m on a deadline and really need to meet a mark, I give myself little chocolate incentives to get things done.

What are you working on right now?

Last year, I released a rock star romance called Starfish about an ambitious PR executive and reluctant rock star who find love while on the road for a band tour. Since then, I shared a novella spin-off called Dear Future Self that follows the former band’s lead singer and his search for love. Up next is a spin-off called Joke’s On You about whether the band’s prankster keyboardist can get serious enough to find lasting love.