Law student Brooke Sherman leads an enviable life, with an impressive education, a prestigious internship, and an ambitious boyfriend who any girl on campus would love to date. But one phone call shatters everything: her father, the optimistic man who insists on buying lottery tickets and dreaming big, has terminal cancer. Desperate to get home and predictably unable to rely on her boyfriend, Brooke finds an unlikely hero in the form of her classmate.
Life Is What It's Called - Why did you decide to write a new contemporary romance novel vs. another action/spy thriller?
Traci Hunter Abramson - When I first started writing, contemporary romance was what I read the most. This particular story has been floating around in my head for literally decades, and it finally took shape a couple years ago.
The first contemporary romance I wrote, Chances Are, was a complete accident. Every time I tried to write a suspense scene, my sense of humor got in the way, and it turned into a romance. At that time I discovered a secret. When I need a fun break from suspense, or when I need to get a book out quickly without dealing with the CIA’s review process, writing a romance is a refreshing change.
Life Is What It's Called - How does the writing process of contemporary romance vs. action/spy thriller differ?
Traci Hunter Abramson - The biggest differences are the pacing and the complexity of the plot. The pacing for a romance develops so much slower that I often have to rewrite my romances to get the timing down right. I also love that in a romance, I don’t have to juggle so many complex subplots as I do in my thrillers. Instead, I’m able to enjoy the characters without worrying someone may try to kill them.
Life Is What It's Called - What have you pulled into this story from your own life?
Traci Hunter Abramson - The idea for a A Change of Fortune stems from spending my teenage years living with my dad after my parents split up. My father started buying a lottery ticket every week, and he would talk about all the things he would do when he won. Eight years ago, he passed away after a short battle with cancer, so I drew from my emotions from that experience, as well as from my dad’s earlier dreams, to create the main character’s father. Their small farm is also reminiscent of the little farm I lived on when I was a teenager, only I lived in small town Arizona rather than Delaware.
Paul, the godfather in the story, is based on my real godfather, who is also named Paul. A lot of my Uncle Sam’s wisdom and life lessons have also seeped into this book, right down to the Mickey Mouse watch my uncle wore to remind him not to let life get too serious.
Life Is What It's Called - Are there more contemporary romances in your future?
Traci Hunter Abramson - Absolutely. I have one which has already been accepted for publication next year, as well as a novella that will come out in the spring of 2021. I expect going forward, I will write two suspense/thrillers each year and one contemporary romance.
Life Is What It's Called - What do you hope fans will gain from this story?
Traci Hunter Abramson - I hope people will enjoy riding along with me as they explore some of the life lessons and values that the important people in my life have shared with me over the years. Helping others, working hard to make your dreams come true, and always being true to yourself top the list.
Life Is What It's Called - How long does it take for you to write a book?
Traci Hunter Abramson - That’s a loaded question. It can take me anywhere from a month to six months to write a book depending on how many projects I’m working on at the same time. My average is around two to three months.
Life Is What It's Called - What was your favorite scene from this book to write?
Traci Hunter Abramson - I think my favorite scene to write was actually the one when Jason comes home to his apartment and finds his roommate packing. It was a simple glimpse of college/graduate school life, and it was the scene where I discovered who Jason was and what he wanted in life.
When I first started writing, contemporary romance was what I read the most. This particular story has been floating around in my head for literally decades, and it finally took shape a couple years ago.
The first contemporary romance I wrote, Chances Are, was a complete accident. Every time I tried to write a suspense scene, my sense of humor got in the way, and it turned into a romance. At that time I discovered a secret. When I need a fun break from suspense, or when I need to get a book out quickly without dealing with the CIA’s review process, writing a romance is a refreshing change.
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