Interview Christine Poe

by

William J. Calabrese

You describe your latest novel, Heroes and Hunks, as a romantic comedy. Can you tell us a little about the book and its characters?

Sure! Twyla Twitt is desperate. She has to save the family newspaper her deceased father worked so hard to create. All previous attempts have failed and she has a short deadline. Her newest scheme will work, if she can find a first class photographer to get her new women’s magazine about men off to a grand debut. Having been dumped at the altar by a lousy cowboy in the past, Twyla is disturbed that the only person to apply for the job is a down-on-his-luck cowboy. He’s handsome, he’s sexy and he could fit anywhere in her new magazine as a fantastic hunk of masculinity. But even though her sensual side is attracted to him, her heart says—whoa!

Brad is an ex-rodeo rider working as a professional photographer. He’ll do just about anything to buy back his grandfather’s ranch. When his lawyer brother asks him to spy on a certain young lady for one of his clients, Brad accepts. He can use the money and using his photography skills is enjoyable, until he meets Twyla. She’s nothing like his brother said she was and worse yet, she’s everything desirable in a female. She takes control of his life like a little general out to conquer the world. One thing for sure...she’s conquered his heart and this will be the roughest ride of his career.

Sparks fly when Twyla meets Brad. Regardless of her reaction to him, she hires him; she has to or lose an important bet with her sister. On the road in his pickup truck, they argue over everything from road directions to photography, while denying the gravitational pull toward each other. As Twyla’s deadline approaches, fate intervenes and a missing roll of film causes a blow up between them. Then Brad discovers his brother’s little secret...

When you begin a book, what comes first, the situation or the main character? Do you have to have an idea of how the story will end in order to begin it?

Sometimes both. Lots of times, I can see someone who inspires a character; other times, a situation will arise in the family, newspaper or magazine, and the old “what if” tickles my imagination. Most times, the beginning of a story pops into my mind and won’t leave me alone until I jot it down. I have tons of beginnings, but when the story is right it takes off on its own. I never write an outline until the book is done, then I do a synopsis.

Do you write through from start to finish or do you jump around from scene to scene?

I jump around from story to story when I get bored, but never from scene to scene within a story. Hence, my writing covers many different genres. Just like my reading tastes, I like variety and when I get bored with one genre I skip to another. Over all, I love romantic comedies and time travels. I also like sweet ghost stories, the kind that leaves you with a smile. But, occasionally, I like a good romantic suspense. Ah, variety...the spice of life!

I understand that you are also a poet. Do you find that your poetry influences your prose in any way?

I have been accused of writing too flowery! I love words and used to read the dictionary just for fun. I also love poetry in any form. My best poems were written when I was very emotional, good or bad. So, when I am really into writing a story, my emotions get caught up and sometimes my love of words comes out. But I try to stress simplicity for those who don’t enjoy the more complicated words and their meanings...like my husband...*giggle*.

I also understand that you write children’s stories. Do you find it is easier writing for children, or harder?

I haven’t written a children’s story for years, but then all my children are grown now. I wrote mostly to entertain my little sister, my nieces and nephews, or later my own children. It isn’t hard to write children’s stories, if you really love children and relate to their likes and dislikes, their fears and moods, and always keep in mind the age you are targeting so they can comprehend the tale. I especially liked writing children’s stories with morals. If I could have found a good illustrator to work with back then, I would be published in children’s books too!

You have another book scheduled for publication by Wings ePress in February 2003. Tell us a bit about that one.

Quixotic Fantasy is a heartwarming story of two people finding love...the second time around. Etta Jones is a widow with three teenagers to raise and a busy career as a romance writer. But lately, her writing is lacking that certain “sparkle.” Talent isn’t the only thing missing in her life and she knows it, but her stubborn heart refuses to admit she needs a man. She has all the heroes she could ever want in her books.

Her best friend, Patty, is a matchmaker of the worst kind. She’s successful at persuasion and good at matching personalities. When approached by a handsome stranger, who wants to meet Etta, Patty cannot resist and promptly sets the scene. After all, Etta should have a man to help raise her two sons and watch over her pretty young daughter, not to mention Etta’s personal needs.

Colt Ryder is a country music star whose love life went down the tubes when his wife divorced him for a younger man. He searches his soul for the meaning of love and decides to use Cervantes character, Don Quixote, as an example of the true romantic male. A chance reading of one of Etta’s books sets him on a quest, and this time he will be successful in conquering the windmills of love.

Looking beyond February what can we expect to see next from the word processor of Christine Poe?

Right now, I’m working on a romantic suspense; a romantic comedy and another time travel. Who knows which one will be done first? Or maybe I’ll finish the ghost story that begs to be told about a four hundred year old ghost seeking revenge for his untimely death and luring a modern day woman into solving the mystery he left behind, then falling in love with her and sealing both their fates. One thing is for sure...I will never stop writing!