Romance Legend: Meet Francis Ray

One Night with You by Francis Ray
New York Times bestselling author Francis Ray continues her captivating series about the Grayson family and their circle of friends with One Night With You, as two people with no plans for romance find themselves blindsided by desire…


When you first started writing, did you think you would ever write as many books as you have and have such a loyal following?
Francis: I had no idea I would write this many book or have such a loyal following when I started writing. I simply keep trying to write the best book possible, and was blessed to find an editor who kept buying my books.


What has been the best and the worst experience you've had on your literary journey?
Francis: The best is after I sold my first book, I've never had a book that was rejected. The worst was walking away from one publisher and unsure if I'd find another publishing house that wanted my books. Scary. Scary.


How long does it take you to write a novel?
Francis: The time frame differs. I wrote ONE NIGHT WITH YOU, my November 03, release in 3 months. IT HAD TO BE YOU, Book #4 in the Grayson Friends series, and the last book I wrote took six weeks.

Have you always wanted to be a writer?
Francis: No, the writing bug didn't hit me until I read SHANNA by Katherine Woodewiss. By her third book I knew I wanted to write similar books. The difference was I wanted people of color to take center stage.

How did you get started writing?
Francis: I joined my local chapter of Romance Writers of America, North Texas Romance Writers of America. I'm proud to say I won the first service award, The Yellow Rose. The friendships and mentors were invaluable. I can honestly say that without them I would not be published now.

Do you remember the very first story you ever wrote? What age were you when you wrote it? Was it romance even then?
Francis: I had no idea I wanted to write until Woodewiss' third book. The first story I wrote was Wife For Hire for Black Romance. I was an adult.

Since romance novels have a pretty set formula that they follow, how difficult do you find it to continue to write stories that will make loyal romance readers overlook that aspect of the book? Francis: The only set formula I can see is that hero and heroine are at odds, but by the end of the story they're in love and the writer has tested that love so the reader knows that whatever happens in their lives their love is strong enough to endure. I'd say the possibilities are endless. My plotting skills, not the parameters, is the challenge I face.

Several romance authors have ventured into writing in other genres such as mystery, etc. Have you ever considered taking that step also?
Francis: I wanted to write Christian fiction and was blessed to have been given that opportunity when Harlequin publishes, HOW SWEET THE SOUND. I've thought of writing young adult but I haven't gotten past three pages.

What is your favorite part of the writing process?
Francis: The actual writing is probably my favorite part. Starting a new book is always scary. I plot slow. And despite my best intention, I always have loads of research on my character's profession, the setting, even the cars they drive..

What is the hardest part of writing for you?
Francis: I guess the hardest part of writing is plotting. If I can't see it, no matter how wonderful the story might be, I can't write it.

What challenges have you faced in your literary journey? How did you overcome them?
Francis: Probably the biggest challenge in my literary journey was finding a publisher who wanted to publish African-American romances. Then, when I did find a publisher, distribution was spotty at best. If the book did make it to an outlet, the challenge was getting readers not to think the book was badly written because it was written by an African-American. I overcame the challenge by continuing to write and believing that I had a story to tell that people wanted to read.

What are your best and worst experiences as a writer?
Francis: The best is after I sold my first book I have never had a book that was rejected. The worst was walking away from one publisher and unsure if I'd find another publishing house that wanted my books. Scary. Scary.

What is the one thing that has surprised you the most during your writing career?
Francis: That people think all published authors are wealthy.

What authors influence your work?
Francis: Katherine Woodewiss, Elizabeth Lowell, Amanda Quick, and Nora Roberts.

What are you currently working on?
Francis: I'm working on BECAUSE OF YOU, Book # 6 in the Grayson Friends series.


How may we contact you online?
Website: www.francisray.com
Blogspot: www.francisrayblog.com
Myspace: myspace.com/francisray
Fanclub: readersoffrancisray@yahoogroups.com


Latest Release: One Night with You
November 03, 2009
Series: Grayson Friends Series
ISBN-13: 9780312365066
ISBN-10: 0312365063


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