Meet Marianne Rice
Marianne Rice writes contemporary romances set in small New England towns. Her heroes are big and strong, yet value family and humor, while her heroines her smart, sexy, sometimes a little bit sassy, and are often battling a strong internal conflict. Together, they deal with real life issues and always find everlasting love. When she's not writing, Marianne spends her time buying shoes, eating chocolate, chauffeuring her herd of children to their varying sporting events, and when there's time, relaxing with fancy drinks and a great read. She tries to make time for her husband too, but he often places behind her love affair with books.
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Why did you decide to write romance novels?
Well, I read. A lot. As in 150-200 books a year. Somehow I manage to work full-time, tend to my three kids and their busy schedules, and keep my husband fed and clothed and...happy. Reading romance is my escape from work and mommy life. With so many stories and hot heroes running through my head each week, they sort of morphed into new characters with their own sets of problems and goals. One day when I was home with my newborn son, and two and four year-old daughters I thought, ""Hey, I should start writing some of my stories down."" And so I did.
How much of your personality and life experiences are in your writing?
Oh lordy. If my books were autobiographical they'd be a genre of their own: comedic horror meets dramatic nut house. My husband likes to think the hero and romantic elements are based off him, but eh, no. I like to write about situations that could have happened, or that have happened to someone, somewhere. My characters have flaws and internal conflicts--who doesn't?--and I like to give them something we all want: Happily Ever After.
What genre do you write?
I write contemporary romance because it's what I like to read. I do read some historical romance, but researching the specifics of different time periods and cultures would discourage me from writing. I'd love to write a dystopian YA (my children love reading them), but I can't imagine crafting a whole world from scratch. Kudos to those who can!
What is your writing routine once you start a book?
I am a teacher and am blessed with summers off. Although sometimes being home with three kids is more work. I remind my husband that I'm not on ""vacation"", but I'm a stay-at-home mom, which is a crazy, busy job! Anyway, I spend much of my ""working"" months cooking up my stories, and during vacations and the summer I'm able to spit it all out rather quickly. It may not be pretty, but I get the first draft of a book written in two months and spend the next few months reading it when I can. I don't get bogged down with crafting the perfect sentence the first go-around. I think I would get discouraged. In the summer, it's all about word count. It's what works best for me.
Do you feel humor is important in fiction and why?
Oh, yes. I love humor. Most people are funny in some way, shape or form. Maybe not all the time, but life is full of quirky situations and one-liners. I like to incorporate them into my writing.
Who are some of your other favorite authors to read?
I love Kristan Higgins, Jill Shalvis, Carly Phillips, Susan Elizabeth Phillips, Belle Andre. Oh, hundreds more, but those are the names that first come to mind.
Tell us about your latest book. What motivated the story?
My hero in False Start is a retired NFL player. I've always loved the game and even married a football player. Naturally I had to have a quarterback in my first book!
Marianne Rice writes contemporary romances set in small New England towns. Her heroes are big and strong, yet value family and humor, while her heroines her smart, sexy, sometimes a little bit sassy, and are often battling a strong internal conflict. Together, they deal with real life issues and always find everlasting love. When she's not writing, Marianne spends her time buying shoes, eating chocolate, chauffeuring her herd of children to their varying sporting events, and when there's time, relaxing with fancy drinks and a great read. She tries to make time for her husband too, but he often places behind her love affair with books.
facebook | website | pinterest
Why did you decide to write romance novels?
Well, I read. A lot. As in 150-200 books a year. Somehow I manage to work full-time, tend to my three kids and their busy schedules, and keep my husband fed and clothed and...happy. Reading romance is my escape from work and mommy life. With so many stories and hot heroes running through my head each week, they sort of morphed into new characters with their own sets of problems and goals. One day when I was home with my newborn son, and two and four year-old daughters I thought, ""Hey, I should start writing some of my stories down."" And so I did.
How much of your personality and life experiences are in your writing?
Oh lordy. If my books were autobiographical they'd be a genre of their own: comedic horror meets dramatic nut house. My husband likes to think the hero and romantic elements are based off him, but eh, no. I like to write about situations that could have happened, or that have happened to someone, somewhere. My characters have flaws and internal conflicts--who doesn't?--and I like to give them something we all want: Happily Ever After.
What genre do you write?
I write contemporary romance because it's what I like to read. I do read some historical romance, but researching the specifics of different time periods and cultures would discourage me from writing. I'd love to write a dystopian YA (my children love reading them), but I can't imagine crafting a whole world from scratch. Kudos to those who can!
What is your writing routine once you start a book?
I am a teacher and am blessed with summers off. Although sometimes being home with three kids is more work. I remind my husband that I'm not on ""vacation"", but I'm a stay-at-home mom, which is a crazy, busy job! Anyway, I spend much of my ""working"" months cooking up my stories, and during vacations and the summer I'm able to spit it all out rather quickly. It may not be pretty, but I get the first draft of a book written in two months and spend the next few months reading it when I can. I don't get bogged down with crafting the perfect sentence the first go-around. I think I would get discouraged. In the summer, it's all about word count. It's what works best for me.
Do you feel humor is important in fiction and why?
Oh, yes. I love humor. Most people are funny in some way, shape or form. Maybe not all the time, but life is full of quirky situations and one-liners. I like to incorporate them into my writing.
Who are some of your other favorite authors to read?
I love Kristan Higgins, Jill Shalvis, Carly Phillips, Susan Elizabeth Phillips, Belle Andre. Oh, hundreds more, but those are the names that first come to mind.
Tell us about your latest book. What motivated the story?
My hero in False Start is a retired NFL player. I've always loved the game and even married a football player. Naturally I had to have a quarterback in my first book!
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