Kicking conventions
Hi Nas! Thanks for having me here today!
The romance world is full of tropes: rags
to riches, marriage of convenience, beauty and the beast etc- and, as writers, we’re
often asked by our editors to kick the conventions a little, turn them on their
heads, surprise the reader.
So, in my new book, The Last Doctor She Should Ever
Date, I thought I’d try something a little different. Different for you
the reader, that is. For me, the setting and the hero’s job are very familiar.
Medical romances tend to be centred around
small town GP practices or large city hospitals- as a former nurse and the wife
of a doctor I’ve spent a lot of my life in both settings. But for The Last Doctor…I wanted to explore
another side of my life- that of the Sports Doctor.
There are three reasons for this. Firstly,
because when I introduced Zac in my very first book, One Month To Become a Mum
he was away at a sports med conference – hence the reason for heroine Jessie to
help out at his practice. When I wrote that book I never even thought about
writing Zac’s story- until my ed suggested it later. So I had to stay true to that when I started
his book.
Secondly, because my hubby has been a
GP/Sports doctor for so many different local and national teams in a variety of
sports that this is just my way of life- and sports medicine is a growing field
that has never been represented in medical romance, that I’m aware of. It
demands a unique set of skills and an ability (and a very understanding family)
to be able to travel anywhere at the drop of a hat.
Thirdly, and most importantly, because of
this:
PHEW!!!!! This happened in the first game
of the rugby world cup in 2011- I was there, in the stadium watching, and when
Sonny Bill took off his ripped shirt all the women in the crowd held their
collective breath. When the team doctor had to help him put his new one on she
was the most envied female in New Zealand!!!! I had to write about that kind of
action!
Dani, my heroine, is pretty unconventional
too. She’s a woman catapulted into a very male-dominated role and straight into
the glare of a huge media frenzy. All she craves is a quiet life, something
different from the ‘fairytale’ life she’s been brought in. She has to fight to be taken seriously and
fight for her privacy.
Do you prefer a conventional story or do
you like something a little different?
In The Last Doctor She Should Ever Date Zac
takes Dani on an unconventional date that is the furthest thing he could find
from a fairytale. What would your fairytale date be? A giveaway to one lucky commenter!
Poor guy. He's in pain and the women are all drooling over him. lol
ReplyDeleteHi Donna! I don't think he was in pain- really, his shirt had been ripped in a tackle, and he was struggling to get a replacement on. It certainly was a game stopper.
DeleteI definitely prefer something a little different. Twists on the tried and true make a story new (I just now made that up).
ReplyDeleteLiving in jock Colorado as I do, it's pretty obvious how sports med docs and physical therapists are in huge demand. Very smart of you to use that specialty in a romance, which is now on my TBR list.
Hi Helena! Way to go on the poetry! LOL! Hopefully I've tapped into a new sports market? Who knows?
DeleteI like something a little different, too. I think it's great that you're writing from your area of expertise, too. I love plots that FEEL realistic all the way down to the details.
ReplyDeleteI definitely like something that's a little different. This book sounds great!
ReplyDeleteHi Dana! So glad you're willing try reading things that are a bit different! Thanks for stopping by!
DeleteHi Shelly! Well they say you should write what you know! Hopefully I've captured a realistic feel to the story.
ReplyDeleteYep, I like something that's a little different. I like the surprise.
ReplyDeleteHi Lynda! I agree- I like things that aren't so predictable- and with romances you know how they're going to end, so an unpredictable journey is always a bonus!
DeleteI like something a little different, too. Your book sounds really good.
ReplyDeleteHi Sherry! Thanks for taking the time to read the blog!
DeleteI may come back to watch that video again!
ReplyDeleteGood luck with your book.
Hi, Nas :)
Hi Carol! LOL- every time I pop in to the blog to see if there's any new commenters I watch the video again- *just to check that it's working*
DeleteI've never thought too much about sports medicine, but I think it would be fantastic to explore that profession in a novel and read the pov of a sports doctor.
ReplyDeleteOh my stars.... I am weeping at the sight of this gorgeous man and his gorgeous body!! Love love love the slow motion too! LOL!! 'Scuse me while I replay...!! LOL! take care
ReplyDeletex
I agree, that. kind of action must be written about! :-)
ReplyDeleteSounds like fun! I love stories that turn conventions on their heads.
ReplyDeleteOH MY GOSH Louisa that video of SBW brings back the best memories for me. My friends and I were gathered in Milford (since you'll know where that is :) because they have a beautiful view over the harbour so we could watch the opening night fireworks... and my friends had just invested in MySky - when the shirt came off you can picture us... rewind... play... pause... rewind... play... pause. It was my favourite part of the RWC (after the win of course hehe).
ReplyDeleteANYWAY back to you - I loved loved loved The Last Dr... it was full of fun and really captured my imagination of what it must be like to be on the other side. Looking forward to your next story very much :)