What Do I Write?
Absolutely everything. I love testing the waters with new ideas, possibly a little crazy at times. I don’t have a set genre that I write in, so although I have some solid readers who will read absolutely everything I write. I also have those who are more select in what genres they read.
What is My Favourite Trope?
Age gap, bad boy, and the forbidden. This takes me into an entire world of ideas.
And boy, do I have ideas!
I just have to look at a picture – normally a guy, and think he would make a great character. Then it snowballs from there.
What Do I Consider an Age Gap?
I’d usually consider anything with a 10 year + an age gap romance. I find reverse age gaps more questionable because of society. So for me, 8 years + is a suitable age gap.
Why Does Society Find It Harder for a Younger Guy to Be With an Older Woman?
People often depict men as studs with a younger woman on their arm. Or perhaps they are a sugar daddy. A man can still have a child with a younger woman when he is old. People may disapprove, but it’s becoming more acceptable.
So when it is the other way around, it is more of the shock factor. They get judged.
How can a young guy want to be with an older woman? She is too old to have kids? He is throwing his life away. All these tend to be the immediate questions, so I like to overcome these questionable facts when writing age gap romances.
Do I Aim to Create an Age Gap Romance?
Not one bit. When I come up with a story idea, it all unravels and, for some reason, it falls into the age gap trope.
I think it gives something more to a story, how much tension a story can hold. I love all the sneaking around that the main characters do. Then there are the conflicting desires, the betrayals, and hopefully, I give a suspenseful plot which keeps readers reading.
A great example is my story: Criminal Daddy.
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Axel King is 42 years old, the bad boy criminal of the town, and Mallory is a 22-year-old daughter of parents who despise the main lead male. And they have a right to do so, especially when our criminal daddy has a son the same age as Mallory. The conflicts between right and wrong pulls you in all directions.
Have I Done a Reverse Age Gap Romance?
Yes.
Have you checked out my ice hockey romance: Red on the Ice?
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This is also a powerful example of a woman trying to make a career as an ice hockey coach in a man’s game.
She takes over the Red Tornados, only to find her lead player leaves for a rival team. When a suspended player comes back into play, he is her last chance to make it. But meeting him, there is an instant attraction between them. It is an 8 year age gap. She is 34 years old, and he is 26. There is plenty of action with this one, on and off the ice.
What Makes a Story?
I try to make the romance believable. But we are in fiction here, so they usually fall fast and hard. In many of my stories, the romance hits early on in the first few chapters.
Like a chance meeting between a gang leader, 31-year-old Scar Bryson and 21-year-old Clara Clayton. Daughter of a billionaire. This is from my “Gangs and Billionaire Series.“
It spans over four books for this series, with two side stories planned.
Series or One Story – What Do I Prefer?
I never plan my stories, so when I write them, I don’t know if it is going to be more than one story. I have several single stories, but in some, when I’m writing them, I’ve added more ideas, so it snowballs into a series. Sometimes it will lead to different characters becoming part of the series.
I have created a list now of what stories I have planned to write, along with different series I have to finish because I’ve got sidetracked with new ideas. I blame Inkitt for all these contests they keep putting out. (LOL)
Oh, and I can’t forget my awesome readers who always want more.
Hit or Miss?
Yes, as a writer, you have to understand that not every story is for everyone.
Okay, dabbling into unfamiliar territory can be scary, but I find if you can give a fantastic storyline and characters, most readers will invest in the story. I put my heart and soul into each story I write, and hopefully, that shines through each time.
Want to Try Writing One? Here Are My Personal Tips for Aspiring Writers
Go for it. Work out what sort of age gap you want, and who the characters will be. A great one for starting out is a best friend’s dad. Maybe he recently divorced and is wallowing in his misery.
Example: The daughter comes home with her best friend and that’s when he looks at her differently?
- Being drunk usually gives a character more courage. ⇛
- Secretly, she has the hots for him. ⇛
- Writing in dual points of view can really get both sides of characters’ emotions and thoughts. ⇛
- Think about the build up between them. (As you would with any character.) This is my favorite part. I love the tension, the what ifs. Does he like me, and vice versa? ⇛
- The first kiss. And maybe more, depending on how brave you are. Oh my, that’s when readers get excited. ⇛
- Then we have the sneaking about behind everyone’s backs. How long can they keep it up without being found out? Close calls of discovery. Get those readers’ hearts pumping and rooting for the characters. ⇛
- What barriers can stop them from having a relationship? Best friend/ex wife. Will she lose her best friend because of it? Or will the ex wife do something horrible? ⇛
- Giving them a happy ending. — After all the characters have gone through, they deserve their happy ending.
Struggling?
Do you know other authors who you can reach out to for help? A solid reader?
I’ve been a soundboard for those who have gotten stuck. I love helping out where I can for others. So never be afraid to reach out. You are not alone.
Do I Get Stuck?
Not often. I have so many stories and ideas. I’ve always got about three stories on the go at once. But sometimes taking a break from writing helps. So I edit instead which can help fuel those ideas.
Thank You
Bad boy, forbidden, age gap is my favorite and I guess why I keep falling for them again and again? So, thank you to everyone for their support. It is what keeps me writing. I love what I do, so, keep reading, keep loving, and I’ll see you with my next story.
