1. I write everything from flash fiction to novels in a variety of genres. Most of my short stories are science fiction or speculative fiction. Some are romance, western, fantasy and mystery. My full-length novel work is primarily science fiction, romance, and (naturally) science-fiction romance. I would not say that my reading choices reflect my writing choices—at least not on the largest scale. But I definitely pick up moods and details from the works I read. I’ve found every genre to have merit, and I don’t think there’s anything I would rule out as worth trying.
2. That’s a tough choice. But I think I like writing Heroines best. As a male romance writer in particular I find I learn the most by jumping into the head of my Heroines and working the world from their point of view. That isn’t to say I don’t also enjoy Heroes and Villains. Both are fun to write. But the Heroines come out on top for me.
3. The Hero in my stories come from the Heroine. The Heroes have to challenge the Heroine, be a match for the Heroine, and bring something to the equation that the Heroine does not have naturally. Depending on my Heroine’s personality, the Hero can be alpha or beta, strong and brave or smart and studious. Some of the characteristics will be similar to the heroines, but most will be polar opposite.
4. Heroines come from the story point. There is something in the world to be done, and there is a person to whom it will matter the most, and be the most difficult. That person is the Heroine of my stories. She must be interesting, strong in her way, and determined. But the challenge should be such that, for this person in particular, it’s not clear she can overcome.
5. Villains and antagonists have their own agenda. They are determined and they have, one way or another, the upper hand. I find them by considering the problem and the obstacles and searching for the personality that would embody those obstacles, a single person to be the focus of the adversity faced by the protagonists. These usually aren’t particularly against the Hero and Heroine in specifically, so much as interested in their own goal and opposed to those that interfere.
6. My latest novel release was Hearts in Ruin, last year. It’s a contemporary romance involving two archaeologists, Andrea and Daniel, who are working together although they do not see eye to eye on how or why things should be done. There is a nemesis and an antagonist. The nemesis, Professor Lassiter, is opposed to the dig the protagonists are on because it challenges some of the work upon which he has built his career. But the antagonist is the president of the university, and he is plotting to destroy the dig in order to develop the land for profit.
7. Right now I’m working on a science-fiction romance, Flight of the Minuend. It involves a woman, Sera, in the distant future who is fascinated with and learns everything about a man, Frances, in a relativistic trap who’s time passes so slowly that the universe will end before his life ends. But during her future time an imbalance is created that requires the destruction of Frances and his ship. She wants to find a way to save him, but that leads to meeting him in person, and things are never the same again.
8. I have a website, http://jcconway.com, and am on Facebook, http://www.facebook.com/J.C.Conway.Writer, Google+, Facebook , Google+ , https://plus.google.com/u/0/b/115404176161414180246/115404176161414180246/posts, Twitter, https://twitter.com/jcconwaywriter, Amazon Author Pages, http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B009HM7GS6, Goodreads, https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/8188641, and Blogger, http://john-part-two.blogspot.com/.
DAY TWO
HEARTS IN RUIN
Contemporary Romance Suspense
Andrea had one goal in life, a quiet career as a mainstream archaeologist—nothing more nothing less—and she's one ancient secret away. When she is teamed with maverick prodigy Daniel Fuchs at his controversial pre-Clovis dig on tribal land, she soon realizes his wild theories may sidetrack her career. Her smartest move is to expose him and that is exactly what she plans to do. Except…he’s hot, sexy, and there is a chance his theories may be right.
As the dig deepens and outside forces mount, Andrea and Daniel find their careers and their shaky relationship on the brink of ruin. Who can she trust? To survive professionally and emotionally, Andrea must decide between what is expected and what she believes, because time is running out and the developers' bulldozers are poised to level the site.
Delve into the mystery and excitement of an archaeological dig in the New Mexico desert and experience the drive, determination, and passion surrounding the quest to unlock the Paleolithic past in this contemporary, romantic suspense. Hearts In Ruin…no shovel required to join this adventure to discover an ancient truth!
As the dig deepens and outside forces mount, Andrea and Daniel find their careers and their shaky relationship on the brink of ruin. Who can she trust? To survive professionally and emotionally, Andrea must decide between what is expected and what she believes, because time is running out and the developers' bulldozers are poised to level the site.
Delve into the mystery and excitement of an archaeological dig in the New Mexico desert and experience the drive, determination, and passion surrounding the quest to unlock the Paleolithic past in this contemporary, romantic suspense. Hearts In Ruin…no shovel required to join this adventure to discover an ancient truth!
ANOTHER WRONG WORLD
Short Story Anthology
A collection of short stories by J. C. Conway. From asteroid bars to a child's front yard, from the eyes of a veteran star pilot to the paranoia of a city elf, nothing can be taken for granted. The only thing that can be relied upon is that J. C. Conway's worlds are far from certain. They are at times uplifting, puzzling, depressing or funny. But each offers a glimpse into some aspect of humanity, be it pleasant or otherwise. Most of the stories in this anthology are flash fiction--less than one-thousand words and good for a quick read. Several are a little longer, but worth the extra few minutes. Enjoy the spin around the universe.
GENTLE PUSH
Science Fiction Short Story
An alien scout from an ancient and advanced species encounters a human for the first time as Earth's colonies retreat from an advancing horde. It finds the human unusual, in its own way, and the encounter is not what it expects. But its first observation are only the beginning of its surprises.
First published in Mindflights Magazine, this quirky and uplifting short story by J. C. Conway explores human love, sacrifice, loyalty and perseverance in the face of crushing adversity.
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