Ep 648: Second Chances and Seasoned Romance: Writing Love Stories for the Over-40 Crowd, Get this book for FREE (for a limited time only) Come As You Are: A Gen X Romance https://amzn.to/3J6ne6Y
Dive into my refreshing conversation with author Jess K. Hardy as she challenges the youth-centric world of romance fiction by championing love stories featuring characters over 40. Join us as we explore why midlife romance deserves more spotlight in contemporary and sci-fi fantasy genres.
Hardy passionately argues that life experience enriches romance storytelling, drawing from her own journey as both a writer and a woman embracing her prime years. Our discussion delves into the liberating world of indie publishing, where diverse stories can flourish beyond traditional constraints.
From navigating publishing challenges to balancing different formats (ebooks, audiobooks, and paperbacks), our conversation offers valuable insights into the modern author's journey. We share candid perspectives on writing processes, trope preferences, and the delicate art of crafting "spice" levels that resonate with readers.
Ready to challenge your perspectives on age in romance? Tune in to this episode for an inspiring discussion about love, creativity, and the power of second chances.
Enjoy the excerpt from the audiobook "Lips Like Sugar" at the end of the interview.
Timeline:
00:00:06 - Chatting with Author Jess K. Hardy
00:03:37 - Challenges of Writing Midlife Romance
00:05:26 - Indie Publishing and Diverse Voices
00:10:37 - Character-Driven Plot Dynamics
00:28:23 - Finding Errors Through Audiobook Narration
00:32:44 - Writing Inspirations and Challenges
00:40:54 - Struggles and Success in Storytelling
00:43:46 - AI in Writing: Public Awareness
00:46:31 - Challenges for New Authors
00:48:05 - Final Thoughts and Book Promotions
00:49:36 Excerpt from Lips Like Sugar
Key Takeaways:
• Midlife characters are increasingly central in contemporary and sci-fi fantasy romance, challenging stereotypes about aging and love.
• The discussion highlights the unexpected empowerment found in writing for older protagonists, promoting a narrative shift in the genre.
• The balance between digital and physical book formats is evolving, indicating a dynamic change in indie publishing practices and reader preferences.
Books: (affiliate links)
Bluebird Basin Series https://amzn.to/4ors6Uf
Come As You Are: A Gen X Romance https://amzn.to/3J6ne6Y
Lips Like Sugar https://amzn.to/45OxQ27
Audiobook https://amzn.to/4lpmOpJ
Wish You Were Here https://amzn.to/3J0EwlZ
Connect with Jess K Hardy:
Exclusives https://www.buzzsprout.com/1599808/subscribe
Newsletters https://subscribepage.io/ruanwillow
https://linktr.ee/RuanWillow
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BeeDee dating app https://beedee.app/?r=ohfuckyeah
The Fantasy Box DATE30 for $30 OFF 1st box https://thefantasybox.sjv.io/c/6250602/2141126/26423
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