Interview Of Cheryl Norman

by Joanna Hollier

1. How did you get started?

When I was 13 years old, I started writing a series of young adult mysteries just for my friends to read. My heroine, Roxy Randall, was suspiciously similar to Trixie Belden, my favorite series at the time. I later moved on to Nancy Drew, dating, marriage, career...until my husband suggested I finally get around to writing that novel I'd always planned. Even with years of nonfiction writing credits and an English Degree, I had to learn to write fiction from the ground up.

2. What authors have influenced you?

Oh, so many! There are a couple of Harlequin Intrigue authors who have mentored me at one time or another, and have asked to remain anonymous. I guess the author I'd admire most as a great romantic storyteller is Louis L'amour. But Dean Koontz is wonderful, too. He wrote romantic suspense under the name Leigh Nichols and it was terrific stuff.

3. What's the best advice you ever received?

Two things: 1. You only have one life so make it count. 2. Always tell the truth. You don't have to remember it to keep yourself straight.

4. What sparks a story?

"What ifs" from real life. My latest book STORMS OF THE HEART is a good example. First, I was watching a story on "America's Most Wanted" about a black widower. I thought, what if it was my wedding night when this story aired and I was watching it while my new husband showered, and I recognized HIS picture as the killer? "What ifs.".

5. What was it about your genre that interested you enough to choose to write in it and not in another genre?

I always thought I'd write straight fiction, which I do enjoy. But I want happy endings, stories that uplift and satisfy. Romantic suspense gives me the happy ending, with a scary ride along the way. .

6. Have you seen an evolution in your writing? What steps did it take?

Definitely! I started out writing stilted and grammatically correct prose. No one could fault my mechanics. Like music, I needed dynamics..

7. What have you always dreamed of writing, but haven't yet?

A time-travel intrigue that is also alternative history. I've had it roughly plotted for years. With my husband's help, we'll have it ready someday....

8. What one thing do you like most about writing? Least?

I love revising and I hate charging people for my books. It's irrational, emotional and, I hope, more a reflection of my generosity than my self-esteem!

9. What is your next project?

I'm half-way finished with my romantic mystery, FULL MOON LULLABY, the follow-up to FULL MOON HONEYMOON. I proposed a Debbie and Noel Carpenter amateur sleuth mystery series to my editor and she's interested. I always have yet another in mind..

10 What advice would you pass along at this point in your career?

Two things: Never give up. If you're really serious about this business, you will keep writing and submitting, no matter how many rejections you get. Help others, what goes around, comes around.