Where I Get My Wicked Ideas...

At book signings and in fan emails I’m often asked – ‘where do you come up with your plots and characters?’ I’m always at a loss momentarily as to my answer, because anything can trigger the germ of an idea that will grow by itself, creating images in my mind somewhat like a movie. As the days go by one scene leads into two then more. I’m watching my characters meet and interact, the setting becomes clear, the conflict grows richer, the plot more intricate, all while I’m going about my daily life.

Sound easy? I wish. Because I can get several of these ideas in a day’s time, triggered by just about anything. Most have to be discarded because they’re unworkable in terms of plot, the characters are too blah, settings overdone. You get the picture. Only when the idea is right does the movie in my mind start playing. And like I said, anything can trigger it.

For my erotic novel Adored, it came into being while I was channel surfing and came across a TimeLife commercial for oldies but goodies music. The selections were flying by, I was ready to change channels again (I’m a demon with the remote) when a clip of Stevie Wonder came on with him singing For Once in My Life. For some reason, it held me that day. When he got to the lyrics about not letting sorrow hurt him anymore; that he had someone who wouldn’t desert him, I started thinking about women who’d been cheated on, women who wanted only one thing – a faithful guy.

That led to Danni, my heroine whose heart had been so bruised in the past, she’s just about given up on love, a once-in-a-lifetime chance to be adored. When Adam comes into the picture, he changes that.

With my erotic novel – Deep, Dark, Delicious – I came upon the idea for the plot while I was watching the Food Network. I’m no cook. My skills stop at opening a can of whatever and heating it on the stove. Again, I was channel surfing and stopped when I saw this incredibly virile guy – Italian or Latin – on the screen. I’d stumbled onto Iron Chef America and he was a contestant on that show. Gawd, he was hot. I sat mesmerized as he faced the judges’ table, wanting him to win because he was so damned sexy. And then I thought – what if he was the judge? What if the contestant was a young woman drooling over him in her mind? What if he had a sexy challenge for her she hadn’t expected but couldn’t resist? What if. . .?

Images began to click in my mind, the plot points fell into place, and Deep, Dark, Delicious was born.

One of my most recent novels, Seven Sensuous Days, Book Four in my Appointment with Pleasure series, came about because of a news article I read about a family's tragedy.

Another recent release, Stolen Desire, Book Four in my Outlawed Realm series, came to me while I was on a plane, winging from Palm Springs, where I live, to the Midwestern home office of my employer. Scenes just popped in my head. Why? Haven't a clue, except maybe it kept me from being bored to death. :) 

That's my story. So what’s your inspiration for romances?

Tina

Tina Donahue

“Heat with Heart”

ILLICIT INTENT (5 FLAMES - MY READING OBSESSION)  

ILLICIT DESIRE (4 STARS - ROMANTIC TIMES)

SENSUAL STRANGER (BOOK OF THE YEAR 2010)

DEEP, DARK, DELICIOUS (HOLT MEDALLION AWARD OF MERIT)

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Catch Me When I Fall

I was running around town last weekend doing my usual errands when A Moment Like This came on the radio. I was stopped at a red light when Kelly Clarkson came to the line: "I want to know that you will catch me when I fall."


Honestly, every time I hear those words, I tear up...and believe me, I'm not a sentimental person. Somehow, that one line always gets to me. It's what I want from a guy. It's what I demand of my heroes.


Sure, I love the proverbial Alpha male the same as everyone else.

However, for him to be brave, commanding, virile, whatever, isn't enough. I also want him to be cherishing. That to me is what makes for a great romance. The sex is certainly a bonus, but it's how he stands by the woman he loves, how he protects and treasures her that makes my heart sing.


In my erotic romance Deep, Dark, Delicious, Eden was afraid to commit to Rafe even though she knew she was falling in love with him. Past circumstances in Eden's life had led her to distrust intimacy and love. An Alpha male to his core, Rafe pursues her, catching Eden each time she fell emotionally, ensuring that they'll be together. Even at the end, when things were the bleakest between them, Rafe never gave up hope. He was determined to be there for her...to have her.


In Adored, my award-winning erotic romance, Danni loves Adam, but because other men have betrayed her, she's fearful he might do the same. When she learns what's been going on behind the scenes at their work, she's crushed that he kept the truth from her. It isn't until the very end that she learns Adam has been fighting for her all along, demanding that others not hurt her in any way. He put his career on the line for her. He was there to catch her each step of the way.


And finally, in my latest erotic romance In His Arms, RJ is there for Summer in a way she hadn't guessed and couldn't imagine. To him, it's all about her, from her safety to her happiness and finally her future. He's strong yet gentle, a true Alpha hero who risks everything for the woman he loves.


I don't know about anyone else, but that's what I want from a guy.


Someone who's there to comfort me after a horrible day.


Someone who stands at my side when the world gets unfair and mean.


Someone who catches me when I fall, who holds me in his strong, comforting embrace, who lets me know I'm not alone - not anymore - not ever again.