All writers have their quirks. If we didn’t we wouldn’t be human, right? I don’t normally spend a lot of time analyzing why I do things the way I do; what does my writing process look like? Why do I write across so many sub-genres?
After I signed my second publishing contract I received a form from the publisher with a questionnaire of sorts about the novel to help with the creation of a cover. One of the questions caught me by surprise. They asked me what symbols I had used in my narrative and their meanings. My first instinct was to say I didn’t have any, but the more I thought the more symbolism I found in my own writing. It was a real eye-opener. Sort of like getting to know your first love all over again.
I learned that I am a much deeper writer than I gave myself credit for. I couldn’t believe the meaning behind my choices for that particular novel. It inspired me to think about my writing process and the reason why I do things the way I do.
I realized, for instance, that I have been challenging myself with each novel I write. Since my first book was published, I have written two more romances and am in the process of writing a third. They are all different, the only common thread being the focus on love as the force that always saves the day.
For the We Will Always Have the Closet I wrote in two POVs and challenged myself to write a mystery with a surprise or two in store. I was not sure I could pull it off, but I did.
Then, Desert Jewel took over my world with its luscious jungles, magical deities, and flying lizards. Here the challenge was to write a magical romantic fantasy that managed to feel real and able to pull at your heart strings. I also wanted a diverse cast. Check!
My third one (in its last edits), Loved You Always, is a romantic comedy (with a healthy dose of suspense). I wanted to challenge myself to write in the first person POV which had always been hard for me. Imagine my surprise when I discovered I love it and can’t wait to do it again. Diverse cast? Check!
Finally my current project, Heart’s Prey, a dystopian romance. Yes, you heard it correctly. I’m not even sure that’s a real subgenre. Challenge? Three different POVs, a dying world comprised of a society based on castes and, yes you guessed it, a diverse cast.
What’s next? I have an idea dancing around in my head, but you can be sure of one thing; I will challenge myself to write something new to me and hopefully to my readers. And I will fall in love all over again.
Author Natalina Reis 