Five Questions with Lori Devoti

by Julie Tetel Andresen | April 28, 2017 |

Five Questions Series

I’m having so much fun connecting with all the smart authors and bloggers I’ve met online. This is the latest entry in my series of conversations with other romance authors, who join us to share about their creative process, their habits, their inspiration, and more. Our guest today is Lori Devoti, a romance and fantasy writer. She also writes romantic comedies under Rae Davies.

1. When did you fall in love with the romance genre?

Lori Devoti: I started reading romance WAY back in the day when paranormal romance was just starting out and historical romance was the big “thing.” I loved both. In fact, I used to sneak off during work hours to read… shh…

2. What draws you to write paranormal romances?

Lori Devoti: Well, first, I loved paranormal romances from the beginning, but also I have always loved fantasy and sci-fi as well. When Harlequin started their dark paranormal romance line (Silhouette/Harlequin Nocturne) it seemed like a natural fit to me, even though at the time I was writing light romantic comedies!

3. Before you were an author, you wrote for newspapers. Has that experienced translated into novel writing? If so how has it helped?

Lori Devoti: Actually, I didn’t write for newspapers. I worked as an advertising manager and before that, I sold and, to some degree, designed advertising for clients. I have used the experience though as background for my Dusty Deals Mystery Series (under Rae Davies name). The main character of those books is an ex-reporter. And my degree and experience in marketing and advertising has certainly been a help in the business of being an author.

4. What has been the most surprising thing to you about the business of being a romance author?

Lori Devoti: It’s been a long journey, but initially, it was how professional romance writers are. More professional than “professionals” I had worked with before this and certainly more professional that a lot of other writers outside of the romance genre I met. Romance writers are obsessed with learning not just the craft, but the business of writing. Many of them are ex-professionals. I have a ton of friends who are ex-attorneys. It makes for a great group of enthusiastic, smart people (mainly women). A group that is hard to beat.

5. What advice would you give to new potential authors?

Lori Devoti: Do what’s right for you and be honest about what will make you feel successful. There are a ton of publishing options right now, each with its own benefits, risks, drawbacks and potential payoffs. It is really important that you do what will make you feel good about being a writer. Not what someone else thinks makes you a “writer.”

Special thanks to Lori Devoti for participating in this series! To find out more, visit her website or find her romantic comedies at Rae Davies. You can also follow her on Facebook under Lori or Rae. You can purchase her books on Amazon, Barnes and Nobel, Smashwords Kobo, and ibooks, and GooglePlay.