The World of Romance - from the mind of a man!
Interview with Devon Vaughn Archer
As
a man, what you think you bring to your romance novels that female writers
can’t?
Very good question. I believe that as a male romance novelist I bring an intrinsic understanding of how men truly think in terms of romance, passion, intimacy, and love. As most romance novels are written by women, their interpretations of the male psyche sometimes misses the mark, but are presumed to be right on target by most readers. I try to give some balance to this by making the male protagonists more plausible. At the same time, I feel that in reverse, I have a pretty good understanding of how women think insofar as the dynamics of romance and am able to portray this accordingly. Most of my fans seem to agree that I am able to pull this off successfully while giving them real men to fantasize about.
In what ways do you think you’re no different from a female writer?
Another good question. I suppose I am no different from female romance novelists in the sense that I am a writer first and foremost, who just happens to be male. As such, good writing can come irrespective of gender. If you have your finger on the pulse of what romance novels are truly all about and can effectively convey this, then you should be able to write them successfully as a male or female writer.
What
kind of reactions do you get when you tell people you’re a romance writer?
You are asking some great questions, friend. Overall I have received very positive feedback from largely female readers as a male romance writer. Most have indicated that they are delighted to finally be able to read romance fiction from the male point of view. Many have told me that female written romances too often tend to portray their heroes as either overly sensitive or too insensitive, or unrealistic in their personalities or sexuality.
I do hear from male readers too and other males who buy my romances for their wives and girlfriends. They have applauded my compelling love stories and hot love scenes, encouraging to keep up the good work.
As the first male to write a romance for Harlequin’s Arabesque line with LOVE ONCE AGAIN, I am very proud of this achievement. That said, I am actually following in the footsteps of other males to successfully write romance fiction, such as Nicholas, Sparks, Eric Dickey, Richard Paul Evans, and Carl Weber, to name a few.
However, I continue to leave my own mark on this genre as a unique talent and quintessential romantic.
What was your greatest writing moment?
I love this question, too. My greatest writing moment was probably the day I received copies of my first published book in the mail. I must have flipped through the pages for half and hour and called everyone I knew to share the news.
Another great writing moment was when I had my first book signing. It was at a Barnes and Noble. They had stacks of my books in different parts of store and several posters that featured the book cover and my photograph. It was really exciting, especially when the fans turned out in droves and I got to sign copies for them.
What other genre are you dying to try?
Actually you happen to be talking to an author who has written successfully in other genres. With degrees in criminology, I have written several published mystery/thriller novels and true crime books. My thriller, JUSTICE SERVED, was a finalist in the 2005 Romantic Times Reviewers’ Choice Awards.
I have also written a young adult romance that I am currently trying to sell. I would love to someday write a mainstream novel and a romantic saga to add to my repertoire.
Tell us about your best, worst, weirdest experience with a fan.
My best experience with a fan was probably when one woman bought thirty copies of one of my books at a book signing and asked me to sign and pass out to anyone I wished. I was, of course, stunned, as was the very happy store manager.
My weirdest encounter with a fan was when one sent me a handwritten manuscript and hoped I could edit, send to my publisher, and sell, splitting the profits. I kindly told her it doesn’t work that way and returned the manuscript unread.
I have not had any really bad experiences with fans, I am happy to say and hope that continues. I do recall one instance where a fan gained more than a passing interest in me in somehow deciding I was as available as the heroes in my novels initially. I had to make it perfectly clear that I am a very happily married man and have no desire to look elsewhere.
Your hero, Richard Lowrey, of Love Once Again, was once voted one of the most desirable men in romance. What is it about him that makes him such a catch?
Yes, Richard Lowrey was once voted number 3 of the Top Ten Heroes We Want to Marry. I was proud of that moment. What makes Richard such a catch is that he embodies all the qualities most men should ideally: romantic, charming, sexy, good looking, physically fit, successful, attentive, intellectual, a great lover, good with children and animals, and able to admit his weaknesses while willing to follow his heart at the end of the day.
Richard Lowrey has been a tough act to follow for my heroes, but I have managed to do so successfully, including my latest romance novel, KISSING THE MAN NEXT DOOR (May 2009), with radio personality, Ian Kelly.
What are you working on now?
Aside from the above contemporary romance, I have just completed my next romance novel. It is a holiday love story, entitled, CHRISTMAS DIAMONDS.
In it, Jeweler Chase McCord lost his wife, Rochelle, two years ago after a long battle with heart problems. He had pretty much given up on ever finding love again and someone to share his bed and zest for living-till he meets Paula Devine, an interior decorator, who's hired to do the Great Room of his home in Silver Moon, Washington.
Not only does Paula captivate Chase with her beauty and skills, she seems to get him as few people have since his wife died. He wants to pursue things with her and see how they go, though still on the back of his mind is the fear of love and lost again.
One thing Chase knows for certain, and that is he would go to the end of the earth and back if that's what it took to find true love again. He had no desire to settle for anything less as the end of the day.
Paula Devine has dreamt of being given a diamond engagement ring for Christmas ever since she was a little girl and listened to stories from the grandmother, who raised her. She came to America from South Africa as a young woman and got engaged on Christmas Day, with her boyfriend presenting with a diamond ring. Alas, the marriage lasted less than a year as Paula's grandfather was killed during the war. Her grandmother was devastated but has held onto wonderful memories about the romance and ring.
Paula had hoped to one day find her own knight in shining armor and experience a similar thrill at with a Christmastime diamond ring engagement and a summertime wedding. Coming off a bad relationship with a former client, Paula had begun to think it simply wasn't in the cards. But after going to work to redecorate the Great Room of her latest client, Chase McCord, followed by the master suite and falling for him in the process, Paula begins to believe for the first time there is real hope that she might be able to follow in her grandmother's footsteps--only the love and marriage would live on for decades. But first she must pass muster as an interior decorator, always taking her work very seriously, even if a few missteps along the way.
When Paula’s vindictive ex beau confronts Chase at a party, alleging that she has a habit of loving and leaving men she worked for, Chase begins to question whether what they have is real or a façade. The last thing he wants is to give his love to someone and find it is only one sided at the end of the day.
Paula tries to convince Chase what she feels for him is real, even as she begins to ponder if she has once again reached a dead end where it concerns love and a diamond ring for Christmas.
Now if only Paula and Chase can each get past their insecurities and histories, they can focus on a future that promises to be everything each could have asked for at Christmastime and well beyond.
CHRISTMAS DIAMONDS represents my second Christmas themed romance, following bestseller, CHRISMAS HEAT (Kimani, 2007).
I have also recently served as editor of the American Crime Writers League first mystery anthology, MURDER PAST, MURDER PRESENT, which will be published by Twilight Times in the summer of 2009.
I have also written a noir mystery tale, “The Wrong End of a Gun,” that will appear in SEATTLE NOIR (Akashic Books, June 2009).
If there’s a question you wish I had asked you, please feel free to answer it now.
A question I have often been asked is if I could be anything other than a writer, what would it be?
I love writing, which I do fulltime, fortunately. If I couldn’t do this, I would love to teach at the college level or be a consultant in passing on my wisdom to others. My fantasy professions are an actor, singer, artist, or scientist.
You can learn more about my writings and upcoming projects on my websites and MySpace as follows:
http://www.rbarriflowers.com/DevonVaughnArcher.html
http://www.myspace.com/devonvaughnarcher
http://www.myspace.com/crimewriter_rbarriflowers
