SS: Today, Makenna Lee joins me to talk about her writing. Makenna is an award-winning romance author who lives in the Texas Hill Country with her real-life hero and their two children. Her oldest son has Down syndrome and taught her to appreciate the little things. He inspired her first Harlequin book A Sheriff’s Star. Her writing journey began when she mentioned all her story ideas and her husband asked why she wasn’t writing them down. The next day she bought a laptop, started her first book, and knew she’d found her passion. Makenna is often drinking coffee while writing, reading, or plotting a new story. She enjoys renaissance festivals, nature photography, studying herbal medicine, and usually listens to Celtic music while writing. She writes for Harlequin and Entangled Publishing and believes everyone deserves a happy ending. Her wish is to write books that touch your heart, making you feel, think, and dream. She and I met several years ago at a SARA (San Antonio Romance Writers) meeting, and learned much of our craft from the SARA in-person critique group. Tell us how you came to be a writer, Makenna.
Makenna Lee
ML: Although I was an avid reader with bookshelves everywhere, I didn’t start writing until I was in my mid-40s. Until then, I hadn’t even considered it. But one day I mentioned all the stories in my head, and my husband asked why I wasn’t writing them down. That simple question sparked what has become a career I love. I bought a laptop the next day, started reading craft books on writing, joined a local romance writers’ group, and wrote and wrote and wrote. I entered contests for feedback and continued to improve my skills. The hard work has paid off. My fourth published book releases this month, but I’ll always continue to learn and improve my craft.
SS: Writing is undoubtedly a lonely occupation. John Green (The Fault in Our Stars) says writing is a profession for introverts who want to tell you a story but don’t want to make eye contact while doing it. P. D. James (Cover Her Face) says it’s essential for writers to enjoy their own company. Do you see yourself along those lines? Are you a natural loner?
ML: I am a natural loner, and the older I get the more of a loner I become.
SS: I’ve discovered that same thing in my life. It doesn’t bother me at all to go for days with no company but my own. How has having a special needs child affected your writing?
ML: Having a son with Down syndrome has influenced every book I’ve written so far. And although we are thankfully seeing more diversity in books, I wasn’t seeing many stories about special needs children or adults, and I wanted to share my experiences and those of the other parents and children I’ve met. My first book’s hero, James from Her Second Chance Cowboy, starts a program for therapeutic horseback riding, and that was inspired by my son’s therapeutic riding.
The first book in my Harlequin series, A Sheriff’s Star, is about a single mother of a child with Down syndrome. Because it’s a romance, of course she finds her happily ever after with someone who loves her and her child unconditionally. Thankfully, I didn’t have to take this journey alone like the heroine, but the story is highly influenced by my own experiences.
The books I’ve written since then include other differently-abled children, and each one has stolen my heart.
SS: What was your first recognition/success as an author?
ML: Once I had some idea of what I was doing, I started entering writing contests. In 2016 I placed third in a contest followed by a second place then first and then a grand prize winner in 2018. That gave me the confidence to submit my book to publishers and great things have happened since then. My hard work has paid off, but I still write and learn every day.
SS: What are you working on at the moment?
ML: I am working on book number four of my Harlequin Home to Oak Hollow series. A Marriage of Benefits is a fake relationship/marriage of convenience story. Here is a glimpse into the story of Jake and Jessica: When Jessica Talbot leaves Hollywood for the Texas Hill Country, she plans to open a wildlife rescue in Oak Hollow, but the money she’d counted on is unavailable … unless she’s married. Officer Jake Carter’s teenage crush has returned to his small-town, and her suggestion of a marriage of convenience is a disaster waiting to happen. But … it could also be the answer to his problems.
SS: What is your most recent book? In twenty-five words or less, tell me why your book a reader should start your book next.
ML: My most recent release is In the Key of Family. Small-town officer, Luke Walker, and big-city musician, Alexandra Roth, clash from the moment they meet. Can a young, autistic boy help them make music together?
SS: Do you generally write in one genre? If so, what is it? And what can readers expect from one of your books?
ML: I write contemporary romance. A reader can expect a heartwarming story that gives you all the feels, ambitious, relatable characters, special children who will steal your heart, and a promise that every story will have a happy ending.
SS: Regardless of genre, what are the elements that you think make a great novel? Do you consciously ensure all of these are in place?
ML: I believe a good novel needs compelling characters who strike emotion in readers. I also believe you need strong conflict, lots of emotion, and consequences that compel change. I do try to make sure I have these elements in every story, and I hope to improve on this with every book.
SS: Are you looking to entertain or illuminate?
ML: I mostly strive to entertain, but because I write differently-abled characters, I also hope readers will find some illumination.
SS: Do you believe you write the kind of book you’d want to read?
ML: Yes, I do. They are also the stories that pop into my head and the characters that want their stories told.
SS: Khaled Hosseini (The Kite Runner) says that he feels he is discovering a story rather than creating it. Are you a plotter? Or do let the novel develop organically?
ML: I agree with Khaled Hosseini. I let the story and characters develop as I write. It’s hard for me to write a good book synopsis ahead of time because some of it is a guess. I find it’s more fun to be surprised as the story unfolds under my fingers. My characters drive the conflict and direction the story will go, and sometimes they surprise me.
SS: Who is the protagonist in your most recent work? Describe him/her in ten words or less.
ML: In my upcoming release, A Child’s Christmas Wish, Jenny Winslet is the heroine. Small-town girl, big dreams, discovers people not location brings happiness.
SS: Where is your book set? How did you decide on the setting? When is it set?
ML: My newest release, A Child’s Christmas Wish, is set in my fictional Texas Hill Country town of Oak Hollow. I created a modern-day small town that is at first glance historical and simple, but under the surface it is also quirky with unique residents from all walks of life and abilities. Setting my books in a small town seemed natural and fits the stories I write.
SS: Was your novel inspired by real events or characters? If so, how do you deal with the responsibility that comes with this?
ML: I’ve taken on what I consider important topics and characters. I take the responsibility very seriously because I have an adult son with Down syndrome. I don’t want anyone to feel that they aren’t represented in books. I have written characters on the autism spectrum, with cerebral palsy, and Down syndrome. There has been a special needs/differently abled child in every book I’ve written. In the future, I hope to write a book about a hero or heroine that is differently abled.
SS: Do you know the ending to your story when you put pen to paper? If so, have you ever changed the ending after you started to write?
ML: Being a Pantser, meaning writing by the seat of my pants and not doing much plotting ahead of time, I get to know my characters as I write. I have changed or somewhat altered the ending of a story more than once.
SS: How do you feel when you have finished writing a novel? Are there any particular characters that you have found it hard to let go of?
ML: I find it so hard to let go of all my characters that I’ve turned one book into a six-book series so they can make appearances in future books. Probably the hardest to let go of was Tess Harper from A Sheriff’s Star because she has a child with Down syndrome, and I put a lot of my own emotions and experiences into her.
SS: According to F. Scott Fitzgerald (The Great Gatsby), a novel is never really finished but only abandoned. How does this apply to your own work?
ML: I agree with Fitzgerald. I frequently think of new scenes or different ways a character should’ve handled a situation. I find myself wanting to tell more of their story and what happens after the happily ever after ending.
SS: You time-warp fifty years forward to find something you created has become a trope or buzz-word. Do you feel cheated of royalties, or vindicated as a genius?
ML: I would feel vindicated. Having something that lives on is so much more rewarding than money that was spent long ago and forgotten.
SS: Do the parts of your story that move your readers most, move you as well? Or does your special position as Creator give you a different ear for the highs and lows of the tale?
ML: If a scene doesn’t give me chills or make me teary or make me laugh, I rewrite until it does. If I can bring out these emotions and reactions in myself, there is a greater chance the reader will feel these as well.
SS: What advice would you give aspiring writers?
ML: My advice to new writers is to write, write and write some more. Also, learn to take critiques of your work. Sometimes it’s painful to hear what others have to say about the words you put your heart and soul into. It’s okay to take a moment to be upset and even shed a few tears, but then go back and look at the critiques with a fresh eye and see what makes sense, especially if multiple people are saying the same things. Another suggestion is to choose characters that will help build and add to the conflict. Whether it’s their jobs, lifestyles, or anything that makes you wonder how these two people can overcome whatever obstacle it is to find their happily ever after. Keep writing, and do not give up!
SS: Do you believe in real-life happily-ever-afters?
ML: Yes, I do believe in real-life happily-ever-afters. You might not always get it right the first time, but if you keep looking, there is still opportunity to find happiness.
LIGHTNING ROUND:
Describe your books in 3 words: Small-town inclusive romance
Favorite thing about your genre? The happily ever after
A genre that you would love to write: Paranormal
When writing, are you a night owl or morning person? Morning writer
Pantser or Plotter? Definitely a Pantser
Book you’re currently reading: The Memory Keeper by Jenny Hale
Your favorite guilty pleasure: Snacking while watching a movie
Number one book boyfriend or girlfriend is: Jamie Fraser from Outlander
Your favorite genre of romance: Contemporary
********************
A Child’s Christmas Wish is available through:
********************
An excerpt from A Child’s Christmas Wish:
This guy really needs me. But what am I getting myself into?
Tendrils of smoke, and the acrid scent of burned food drifted from the open kitchen door of Barton Estate. Jenny Winslet considered running back to the warmth of her car, but this single father obviously needed a nanny. When police chief Anson Curry had approached her about this job, she’d almost declined, but with the amount of money Eric McKnight was offering for only a couple of months, she’d finally have enough saved to begin fashion design school at the spring semester.
She continued across the red brick patio as a rich baritone voice mingled with the remains of smoke. The a cappella recording reminded her of her grandmother’s favorite singer, Frank Sinatra, and cemented her original prediction that the man who’d purchased Barton Estate would be a clean-cut gentleman in khakis and a button-up. Someone who attended the opera and drank fine bottles of wine.
But when she stood in the open doorway, it was not the radio or a recording. Wowzer. The voice was coming from the mountain of a man standing at the stove with a toddler on his hip. His rich, full voice was so big it drowned out the whirr of the vent fan and filled the space between them. He turned enough that she caught a view of his face.
Holy heart rush.
He was a Highland warrior with the voice of an angel, and Jenny was surprised he didn’t have a claymore strapped to his back. His brown hair reached his shoulders, the strands streaked with sun-bleached highlights. The kind one gets from working outdoors, not a bottle. He was Outlander’s Jamie, Aquaman, and Thor all rolled into one delicious treat for the eyes.
But he was s-o-o-o off limits.
Getting involved with the man who wrote her paycheck could risk the last step in securing her ten-year dream.
The adorable curly-headed toddler tipped her head and returned Jenny’s smile over the giant’s shoulder.
Maybe he wasn’t her prospective boss and wouldn’t be forbidden. Maybe he was…
A delicious figment of my imagination?
The tempting man stopped singing. “Lilly Bug, it looks like we’re having a can of soup tonight.”
Of course he has a dreamy speaking voice, too.
Jenny’s inner diva stood up and fluttered her lashes. Even her Pollyanna-good-girl side fanned her face. Why was she so attracted to guys who looked like bad boys, and usually had an equally bad effect on her heart?
The little girl’s tiny hand patted his flannel-covered shoulder. “Daddy, look see. Fairy girl.”
His broad chest lifted on inhale, eyes making a quick sweep of Jenny’s body before widening.
Suddenly breathless and overheated, she locked in on his gaze and couldn’t look away. Her grandmother would say they were gawking like a pair of lusty teens. And she’d be right. Resistance was going to be… Tough.
“You a fairy girl,” the toddler squealed, making her father wince and breaking the connection with Jenny.
She stepped over the threshold. “Hello there. You must be Lilly.”
After a delighted gasp, the cutie giggled behind her hand.
A happy child was always a good sign. This situation couldn’t be as dire as she’d first feared.
“Are you Jenny?” he asked, his voice a deep rumble, but with a noticeable coolness.
“Yes, sorry. I should’ve knocked and introduced myself.” She rushed forward with her hand extended but dropped it when his free hand fisted at his side. Brows that had been arched in surprise now drew together, and pale blue eyes with dark outer rings narrowed into a penetrating stare. She shivered, and it wasn’t from the cold November air coming in the open doorway. It was a shot of lust so strong she worried she’d blush to her toes.
Nope. Get control. Resist. All. Temptations.
********************
You can follow Makenna on social media here:
Website | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram
********************
This post contains Amazon Affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I may earn a small amount from qualifying purchases.
