One of the best romance authors of our day Becky Wade agreed to an email interview upon the release of her new novel True to You. Read Becky's thoughtful answers to my questions and participate in her giveaway by leaving a comment.
"Former Navy SEAL John Lawson hires genealogist Nora Bradford to help him to uncover the identity of his birth mother. As they work side-by-side, this pair of opposites begins to suspect that they just might be a perfect match."
Questions for Becky Wade
1. Becky, is there a singular moment or event in your life that defined the importance of romance to you?
Yes! That singular moment was the moment when I discovered romance novels. I was in middle school and had checked out a slim 1980’s YA book about teens falling in love from the library. That did it! I realized immediately that stories about love were my cup of tea. I’ve been a loyal reader of them ever since. I’m a hopeless romantic, so I also enjoy romantic TV shows, movies, and songs.
2. You’ve mentioned that you’d always wanted to write a story using the journalistic or letters approach. In your latest novella Then Came You this method is very well done. What attracted you to using this?
I wanted to try an “epistolary” story because I’d read a few that I’d thoroughly enjoyed. (Daddy Long Legs, The Josephine Bonaparte Collection,The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society, Dear Mr. Knightley) I was intrigued by the format and I wondered, If I were to write an epistolary, how would I do it? What story would I tell? It was a fun creative challenge!
3. Although I write love stories, I read very few of them for various reasons. From the general market there is too much graphic sex. From the Christian market there is not enough of the sexual attraction issues to be realistic – in my opinion. My favorite novel so far of your very good ones is My Stubborn Heart in which the characters stood out as being real and genuine – which is the case in your work – and I particularly appreciated how you handled the sexual tension. Any thoughts on this topic since, if I’ve gotten my facts straight, you used to write for the general market?
Yes, I published three general market historical romances in 1999, 2000 and 2001. What I’ve realized as I’ve matured — both in years and in my faith — is that sexual tension is far more wonderful to read than an actual sex scene. For me, the sizzle is in the wanting (both emotional and physical) that the hero and heroine feel for one another. A romance novel without tension and sexual attraction can easily read as dry, boring, and unrealistic because when two people are falling in love, desire IS something they experience. It’s a powerful piece of the puzzle. It’s real and authentic. I’ve never felt led to write sanitized novels. I feel led to write about characters who are imperfect, who deal with genuine temptations, and who are nonetheless loved and forgiven by a perfect God.
4. What kind of fiction do you usually read?
Christian and general market contemporary and historical romance.
5. Do you have any particular authors who inspire you?
Australian women’s fiction author Liane Moriarty inspires the socks off of me. I think she’s brilliant!
6. Have you ever considered expanding your writing to include another genre(s)?
Actually, contemporary inspirational romance is the genre I expanded into from historical general market romance. As soon as I began writing My Stubborn Heart, I knew that I’d found my niche. I love writing what I’m writing. The contemporary setting suits my voice and sense of humor. Also, I have no desire to write secular fiction ever again. I treasure the fact that my work is my ministry. So no, I haven’t considered expanding further into other genres.
7. Do you prefer to write your series work or standalones?
At the moment, I prefer writing books that tie into a series. It’s delightful to take a deep dive into a family and a setting over the course of numerous books.
8. This is a difficult question for some traditionally published Christian authors, but I’m going to ask it anyway. If you could change anything or some things about the overall Christian Fiction genre publishing, the market, or anything at all, what would those things be?
I wish that contemporary romance was more popular within the Christian market! 🙂 It never has caught on in this market like it has in the general market. I wish traditionally published authors earned a higher royalty. I wish we had a bigger seat at the table concerning: our covers, the pricing of our novels, audio book rights, reversion of rights.
9. Do you write better or more focused under a deadline or do you prefer to freewheel in your writing?
I’m not a fan of deadline pressure! I’m someone who enjoys having plenty of “margin” in my life. Thus, I work steadily, slowly, and at a measured pace toward my deadline all year long.
10. What is your desired word count for writing a novel? Do you like to read longer or shorter novels? Write longer or shorter novels?
Ideally, I’d like to write books in the 90-100K range. However, I almost always over-shoot that mark. As a reader, if a book is good, then I’m delighted if it’s also long.
11. Favorite place to write?
In nice weather, I “write” by walking around my neighborhood dictating scenes into my phone. It’s a treat to enjoy exercise and sunshine while working on my book.
12. Do you see any recent changes in the Christian Fiction market? Any in the romance genre?
A few Christian contemporary romances coming out this year, Jane of Austin by Hillary Manton Lodge and The Secret Life of Sarah Hollenbeck by Bethany Turner are both written in first person. This echoes a trend we’ve been seeing in recent years in the general market.
13. Tell us about your upcoming series for which your new novella Then Came You was the prequel.
I’m one of three sisters, so I decided to write a series about three sisters! The Bradford Sisters Romance series is set in a small town in the lush and beautiful Pacific Northwest. Each story will be full of romance and faith and will feature a plot in which the hero and heroine work together to unearth secrets.
14. Do you work via seat-of-the-pants, outlines, written notes, pictures, storyboards?
I’m a hybrid between a seat-of-the-pants writer and a plotter. Before I begin writing, I do character work and research. Then I jot down a list of all the scenes I can imagine happening in the story. Then I open a Word document and start writing.
15. Do you hold yourself to write a particular number of novels per year? One? Two? Three?
I’m a wife, the mom of three kids (ages 16, 13, 8) and someone who has to keep up daily with cleaning/laundry/groceries or risk being buried in housework. In this season of my life, one novel per year (plus, an occasional novella or short story) is my top speed.
Thank you for inviting me to visit your blog, Nicole! It’s been a treat to chat with you. I’d be happy to offer a signed copy of True to You and a few goodies to go with it.
Becky has been gracious enough to offer these treasures to one of the commenters here. I will conduct a random drawing and the winner will be announced on Tuesday, May 9th.
Thank you, Becky, for being accessible, honest, and generous. You're the best!
Father, you know Becky's heart and soul. You've blessed her in her career and family. I pray you would continue to pour out your Spirit upon her life, keep her inspiration coming, and watch over her as she does as you ask of her. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.
Into the Fire 
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