# Please introduce yourself and your book(s)!
Hi all, I’m Lynette Eason and I write Romantic Suspense stories with strong female leads and the men who fall in love with them.
# What is/are the real-life story(ies) behind your book(s)?
I don’t really have any real-life stories behind the books. In general, my stories are completely made up, brainstormed with a group of Uber-talented folks that I do writing and life with.
# What inspires/inspired your creativity?
I’m always asking, “what if?” I may see a headline in the newspaper that sparks an idea. Or I may see something in a tv show or movie that sends my brain spinning with ways to this that idea into something of my own. There’s not just any one thing that inspires me, but rather it’s simply paying attention to the world and people around me that stir the creative juices. 🙂
# How do you deal with creative block?
I don’t really HAVE creative/writer’s block. If I get stuck on something, I’ll simply shoot off an email to my writing and brainstorming peeps and ask them for ideas. Within hours, sometimes minutes, I’ll know what direction I need to take the story.
# What are the biggest mistakes you can make in a book?
I would say the answer to that question depends on what you’re writing, but for me, I would say my biggest mistake would be a lack of research. I can’t just “wing” my stories. I have to know my stuff—or at least have someone I can go to and ask.
# Do you have tips on choosing titles and covers?
I like short, snappy titles. No more than three words. But that’s just a personal preference. As for covers, I like to have the heroine on it, and something gives the reader an idea about what’s inside.
# How do bad reviews and negative feedback affect you and how do you deal with them?
Eh…you can’t please everyone, right? All I can do is my best. That means, my best writing, my best research, etc. It means not hurrying my way through the story, but taking my time to make sure it’s right. If I get negative feedback or negative reviews, I let them roll off. As long as the majority are positive, then I don’t worry about it so much. If there are a BUNCH of negative, then I stop and take in what is said so that I can improve on the next story.
# How has your creation process improved over time?
I think it’s improved only in that I’ve gotten a little better at it. I’m not sure that makes sense, but I mean, over time, writers train their brains to see stories everywhere. Seriously, I’m at the point where EVERYTHING is a story. And I believe that’s helped me keep coming up with new ideas, new characters and unique stories.
# What were the best, worst and most surprising things you encountered during the entire process of completing your book(s)?
Deadlines. LOL. I ALWAYS think I’m going to miss a deadline. And I never do. But it’s still stressful. One of the best things is the encouragement from the readers. They’re always telling me how much they love the stories and that I need to write faster. 🙂 That’s a real blessing and motivation to get the stories done. Of course, the other part of the advance check that’s waiting is pretty nice, too.
# Do you tend towards personal satisfaction or aim to serve your readers? Do you balance the two and how?
Both. I want to give my readers the best possible story that I can. When I can do that, it gives me great personal satisfaction. 🙂
# What role do emotions play in creativity?
Emotions can play a vital role in creativity, I think. Although, to be honest, at this stage in the process—over twenty years of writing—I can say that even if I’m having a bad day or whatever, I can kind of compartmentalize, focus on what I need to get done and move on. MOST of the time. I had two people I love who died unexpectedly within weeks of each other. Needless to say, this threw me, but after a couple of days, I pulled my emotions together and stuffed them in a part of my brain for later and focused on getting the writing done. Not everyone can do that. But, for some reason, I have that ability. And I use it when necessary. Emotions are good, too, to pull from to ADD to your creativity. I KNOW what it feels like to lose someone to suicide. I KNOW what it feels like to attend an police officer’s funeral. All of those things, if I’m not afraid to pull them to the surface, make for great writing and will touch readers with the authenticity they’ll find in the words.
# Do you have any creativity tricks?
I work puzzles. LOL. Seriously, if I find myself struggling with a character or scene, I’ll work on a puzzle while I “puzzle” out the problem. Once I have it straight in my head, I’ll go write it.
# What are your plans for future books?
So many plans! 🙂 I have the rest of my current series to write and then one more four book series in the line up.
# Tell us some quirky facts about yourself.
I’m basically deaf (wear hearing aids) and know ASL. I’m also a speech reading pro, so yes, masks severely cut down on my communication ability. I hate to exercise even though I do it. I have a dog who knows how to whisper and I’m not a REAL writer because I don’t drink coffee. I hate the stuff. I think the only thing that redeems me is the fact that I adore chocolate.