by Heidi Rice, author of Public Affair, Secretly Expecting (Harlequin Presents, March 2010)
Hands up every author here who’s been asked the question ‘where do you get your ideas from?’ Yup, can see a lot of hands there.
Well, for me, the original idea for a story usually kicks off when a very vivid opening scene pops into my head. The pivotal moment in my characters’ lives which throws them together:
An editorial assistant hiding in the Ritz hotel bathroom of a reclusive best-selling author.
A market-stall holder climbing into the garden of her unknown new neighbour’s house to find her landlady’s missing cat.
The manager of a struggling pub theatre performing a singing telegram in a posh Mayfair gentlemen’s club and getting mistaken for a stripper.
The opening hook’s the thing that gets my creative juices flowing — and the characters and their conflict will build and evolve from there. They’ve got themselves into this predicament, but why did that editorial assistant end up in that bathroom? And what kind of person would risk getting arrested to find a missing cat?
But for the very first time when writing my sixth book, Public Affair, Secretly Expecting, that’s not how it happened. My hero and heroine were already fully formed before I started the story — which left me in the unenviable position of having to shove them together even when they were both begging me not to.
Could I be that Machiavellian? Could I really harden my heart against characters I’d come to love and put them into a situation they could end up hating me for? Because I’m ordinarily a very nice person you know. Honest.
Hmm? Well, let’s see what happened…
It all started when Juno Delamare appeared while I was writing her best mate Daisy’s story in Hot-Shot Tycoon, Indecent Proposal.
At the time, Juno didn’t even have a second name. She was just Daisy’s cautious, earnest, tomboy friend. Juno had been hurt badly at as teenager and it had made her prickly and pessimistic and extremely wary of good-looking men, but her honesty, her fortitude and her emotional integrity instantly engaged me. I really liked Juno, she had guts and a tender heart and she deserved her own happy ever after. So, as Daisy’s story unfolded, I began to realise I would have to find Juno a man of her own who could coax her out of her cocoon.
So far, so good. Everything was looking sweet and sunny and me and Juno were in perfect accord.
Then lo and behold, Connor Brody, Daisy’s gorgeous Irish hero, mentioned he had a long-lost brother who he hadn’t seen since their miserable childhood, but who was now a famous actor. Now, while at first this seemed a remarkably lucky coincidence, I quickly realised neither Juno or I had had a man as dangerous as Mac Brody in mind when we set out to find her one true love. How would Juno cope with this brooding Irish bad boy-turned-Hollywood star who had sealed off his heart at an early age and seduced women only to discard them the instant things got serious?
And that’s when things got messy.
Because there was Juno, accusation sharpening her wide emerald eyes, yelling: ‘You cannot be serious? Haven’t I suffered enough? No way. He’s not the one. He can’t possibly be.’ At which point I had to close my ears to Juno’s pleas — and give her a nice hefty shove into the deep end.
Mac for his part wasn’t too pleased with me either. In fact he was silently horrified. But being a guy — and a fairly arrogant one at that — he didn’t make too much of a fuss (at first), probably because he figured he could seduce Juno and then walk away from her, as he had from all the other people in his life who had ever cared for him. And by the time he realised it wasn’t going to be that easy, he was up to his neck too — and sinking fast.
But you know what? Once I’d done the dirty deed, I really started to enjoy myself. Despite all their misgivings these two were meant to be together. I was being cruel to be kind. And if I got a kick out of watching them struggle to survive the emotional tidal wave that promptly knocked them both flat, that was just a fringe benefit.
So there you have it. Juno and Mac had to wade through hell and high-water to get their happy ever after — but they got their in the end. And Heidi Rice discovered she’s not that nice a person after all. In fact she can be quite horrid…
But only when absolutely necessary, you understand!
Heidi, I loved this book, Juno and Mac and both so stubborn but soooo meant for each other..! And it was great to see Daisy and Connor again too. And I still think that Juno and Mac’s love scene is still the hottest I’ve read in a long time. Muy Caliente!!
x Abby
Cheers Ms Green… And thanks again for your help in making sure Mac sounded like a real Irish guy, instead of a fake one!!
To echo Abby, I too loved this book, Heidi! And I particularly liked it because they seemed so wrong for each other and yet ended up being so right. Go torturing one’s characters, I say! It’s one of my favourite pastimes…
Oooh sounds so good Heidi! I love the idea of you snickering at your desk as you dole out some impossible obstacle. Just a few more days–I can’t wait.
I can see you rubbing your hands together in glee, Heidi, thinking ‘hmm…how can I torture these characters next?’
The result? You write fabulous books!
Hi Mira and Nic,
Did I sound like I enjoyed it too much??
Brawhahahaha!
Y’all may not not know this, but Heidi Rice can be Eee-vil…
Once upon a time, Heidi sent me the UK version of this book, knowing good and well that I was hunkered down trying to make a deadline. I managed to resist the temptation for almost 24 hours. When I just couldn’t hold out any longer, I spent the evening devouring it instead of writing my own book! Then, of course, *my* book paled in comparison to Juno and Mac’s story. It sent me into a depression, you know. Evil, I tell you!
Still love the book, though! And Heidi, too…
Ah yes, Heidi! That’s right. Make ‘em suffer! The tougher the journey, the better the final rewards.
Can’t wait to read this one. I can see the sparks flying from here!
Robbie
I love it when characters I’ve known in one book pop up again in another one. It gives them life ongoing and makes you realise you were right to enjoy them in the first book, because they’re real and have eternal life!
So I’m sure I’ll love this one too Heidi, as I have all your others, especially that one with Daisy and Connor!
Ha – make me laugh Heidi – it is hard to be horrible to them sometimes isn’t it?! Poor little darlings… they don’t know they’re gonna get the happy ever bit… then again, sometimes when reading a great story I too think HOW are they doing to get there… and those make for the best books!
Evil or not – I loved both Daisy & Connor’s and Juno & Mac’s stories. And I don’t see anything wrong with a little bit of pushing – makes for a very firey story!
I loved, loved, loved Daisy and Connor’s story! But, as you know, Juno and Mac have had to be locked away (literally, I actually gave someone else the key) because I know they’ll be a wonderful distraction after I’ve had surgery
. Still, I’ll admit that I’m weak, and every now and then I try to trick a certain person into giving me back the key…
It’s Mac’s fault for being Irish
I love that you’ve had to be cruel to be kind. All’s fair in love and war after all…
I’m soooooooooooooooo glad that Heidi has a mean streak!! Because Juno and Mac’s story was pure gold from start to finish and its definitely sitting on my keeper shelf now.
Like you Heidi, I generally start with a very clear opening scene and go from there
I looooovd Juno & Mac’s story, not only was it hot but some of the scenes had me chuckling
Ha Kim, and of course you got me right back when I was in the revisions from Hell with my last book, picked up Magnate’s Mistress, Accidentally Pregnant for a quick browse of the opening chapter and ended up reading two thirds of the book in one sitting and then thinking, uh-oh I’m in more trouble than I thought with my story!! So there, I don’t feel a bit guilty any more!
Oh yes, Robbie, see I’m really getting into this ‘make them suffer’ thing now.
Anna, so glad you liked Daisy and Connor’s story, that was one of my magic books that almost wrote itself. Mac and Juno wasn’t as easy, but I think it’s partly because Mac and Juno put up much more of a fight, which can be a good thing sometimes.
Nat, see you’re a nice person, like I used to be, but I have to admit I’m finding it easier and easier to be tough on my characters. Definitely makes for more fireworks, both at my desk and in the book!
Janette, sounds like we agree on the pushing then. LOL. Glad you liked the Brody books.
Gosh Lacey, locked away eh!! Hope the story lives up to your expectations. And sees you through your recuperation, good luck with your op.
Rachael, great to know someone else appreciates my mean streak too (can’t say my sons would agree with us!!). And yeah, that thinking up the opening scene thing first usually works really well for me…
Joanne, fantastic to hear the story ticked two essential boxes – we aim to please at Modern Heat – and hot and funny should be my motto I think…
Horrid? Nah. Not the Heidi I’ve drunk coffee with. You’re a pussycat.
Mind you, I always think of you as looking like a Fifties’ film star (you and Sharon Kendrick are definitely two of the most glam Presents authors!). Now I have this vision of you as a cross between Cruella de Vil and a James Bond villainess!
Wasn’t it Jenny Crusie who said that you needed to put your hero and heroine in a hole and then throw rocks at them? So ur doin’ it rite, then!
Oh now I loved this book! In fact, I loved it so much that I hated it because I really should not have been taking so much damned time out to read it last week given the state of my current wip, but there are some things there’s just no point in resisting! (as Juno would no doubt agree…)
I really, really loved the settings – the wedding in the sumptuous chateau, Mac’s beach house, the Hollywood party – but even all that glamour wouldn’t have made this book the keeper it is if it hadn’t been for the fabulous, real and totally lovable characters. I believed in them from the first page and I SO wanted them to work it all out and get their happy ending. (And what a happy ending it was.. sniff sniff..)
Thanks for a great read, you wicked girl!
Aw Kate, you’re such a sweetheart saying I look like a 50s film star (so good to know all that money spent on hair, make-up and magic knickers is not wasted!!). And hey, I’ll take the James Bond villainess as long as I’m Barbara Bach and not Rosa Klegg!
Plus that Jennie Cruisie quote’s terrific. May have to borrow that one, especially as she’s one of my fav authors (and limber up my throwing arm even more!!).
And India, I’m chuffed to bits you liked the book, and it means a lot coming from the author of Powerful Italian, Penniless Housekeeper. I loved that story, and especially the risks you took with your hero and heroine. Lorenzo was totally gorgeous and Sarah with all her insecurities completely captured my heart so that I was rooting for her all the way through the book. A real gem.
Heidi, sounds like we’re all fans of this book. I loved Mac and Connor wasn’t too bad either!
Fabulous book. I loved Juno and Mac (gorgeous, sigh). Am all for torturing characters. Mine give me a hard enough time and fair’s fair, after all.
Marilyn, always great to get your thumbs up on a book you’re such a great supporter of Presents.
And Lucy, very good point, the amount of trouble my characters have giving me in the past (and present, sigh!), you’re absolutely right about seizing the opportunity to torture them back.
Sounds like I have another book to buy!!
Heidi, I love character torture. My process is always much like the one you just described, one character fully formed and walking around in my mind innocently keeping to themselves….and then I think…who could step in here and really make a mess of things?? (and ultimately an HEA, of course!!)
Maisey, clearly a writer after my own heart… It’s Machiavellian right, but someone’s gotta do it!
Ahh Heidi
You naughty wee thing. I haven’t read it yet, but if the love scene is as hot as the girls say it is, I am just about to press the ‘purchase’ button!
I’ve been a big fan since Pleasure, Pregnancy and a Proposition.
Love your voice and always recommend you to my critique group.
I love how your characters fought tooth and nail every step of the way. Wonderful.
Thank you for sharing.
Christine
Christine, you just made my day… Like all authors it’s a real thrill to hear from someone who loves your characters as much as you do – and then is right there with you when you decide to push them off the cliff!
Looks like we’re both a wee bit naughty!
LOL Heidi! Well done! If we don’t have a bit of that (and I do shudder at the term) sadist in us, our books are going to fall flat eventually, yes? But don’t you get cranky writing those really difficult bits, the ones where the heroine is begging you not to put her with Mr. Not-her-type? My kids (who are all grown now, but still very aware) know not to even approach real conversation with me in these times.
Hugs,
Lucy
Lucy, to be honest I get pretty cranky all the time when I’m writing, unless it’s going spectacularly well! Why is it my characters never seem to want to behave???
My boys seem to have developed a sixth sense, though, which means they stay well out of my way except when I’m on a roll and that’s when they always pop up with a request for new clothes or shoes or a Wii game and I never say no. Darn it!! So even when my characters are behaving it costs me. Ah the life of a writer eh?
Heidi x