Q1. Hello, can you please introduce yourself? Readers would love to know more about you.
A1. My name is Esma Heart. I am a registered nurse by education but a contemporary romance author is my passion. I have always been a writer at heart. I started my college career as an English major with a minor in communications, but changed to nursing after a professor recommended me for the nursing program at school. I was an adult learner and needed to make money quickly to support my family so I went into the healthcare field. I have been a nurse for 20 years and I have 8 children and 5 grandchildren. My husband and I, along with our twin daughters, live on our sailboat. So I write in between nursing contracts and sailing adventures. Other than writing and sailing, my hobbies are reading, grooming my dogs, Blossom (Havanese) and Ember (Cockapoo), and watching movies
Q2. What were the key challenges you faced while writing your book “Love in Abstract”?
A2. Keeping the readers engaged in the storyline is always a challenge. I like to ensure that each of my books has more dialogue between each character versus monologues. While individual monologues help set the scenes at times, I find that it is important the characters interact with each other frequently. My hope is that the readers can visualize the characters acting out each scene as they read them.
Q3. What books or authors have most influenced your own writing?
A3. I have always been influenced by William Shakespeare. As current authors and readers like to have the happily ever after (HEA), there is something to be said for keeping the reader wanting more out of the characters. Also, I find that it is important that there is suspense and intrigue in each storyline. While it is also nice to have predictable endings, an unpredictable ending keeps the storyline going and gives some reality to the characters.
Q4. What’s your favourite spot to visit in your own country? And what makes it so special to you?
A4. My favorite spot to visit is Napa Valley, California. This is where my husband and I fell in love, but like in my books, we were unable to come together at that time. Our love has always had some suspense and intrigue because of life situations, but Napa is where it all began.
Q5. What inspired you to write the book ‘Love in Abstract’?
A5. My mother and father were both diagnosed with cancer in 2024. They have both been cancer free after their treatments. While this was a very stressful and scary time in all of our lives, it brought my parents closer together. So I wanted to write a book that incorporated overcoming a medical diagnosis by finding a new love.
Q6. How long did it take you to write your book ‘Love in Abstract’?
A6. Love in Abstract was written in about 6 weeks. From conception, outlining chapters, actual writing, editing, and re-writing.
Q7. On what platforms can readers buy your books?
A7. All of my books are available on Amazon.
Q8. Tell us about the process of coming up with the book cover and the title ‘Love in Abstract’?
A8. This is an interesting story. The first book cover was an original from my daughter who is in college for Graphic Design. She hand drew the painting in the background of the main character, Rachel. We then added the male character as an overlay on the cover. This did not draw in as many readers so we changed the cover completely to just have the male character on the front as the distressed, but sexy, artist. These sexy male characters sell more books.
Q9. When writing a book how do you keep things fresh, for both your readers and also yourself?
A9. When I am writing the outline I pull from some of my own experiences and melt in some of the fantasies that I wish I could have lived when I was a much younger single woman.
Q10. What is the most valuable piece of advice you’ve been given about writing?
A10. Be true to yourself. When trying to write, do not write about a topic that causes more stress than a passion for. In my opinion, writing stories should inspire something in readers and in yourself. Also, for me, it should not feel like a job. If it feels too much like a job and it is no longer fun, then it’s time to take a break. Come back with fresh eyes and try again.
Buy Love in Abstract on Amazon
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