Do you like to read romance novels? Wouldn’t you like to know more about your favorite authors? Well you came to the right place! Join the writers of Romance Weekly as we go behind the scenes of our books and tell all….. About our writing of course! Every week we’ll answer questions and after you’ve enjoyed the blog on this site we’ll direct you to another. So come back often for a thrilling ride!
If you found me via Elizabeth Janette’s wonderful blog, 
or you’re just starting your Romance Weekly journey here, welcome. Some probing questions and fun answers lie ahead as you make the rounds.
Jami Denise is the author of this week’s questions:
1. When writing your novel, do you know how it’s going to end before you write, or do you write from start to finish?
When I start a new story, I usually start with two characters and a scene in mind where they interact. It’s usually the opening scene, but not always. The first scene in Son of Thunder I envisioned was Jord and Meghan on the motorcycle, riding up the rainbow bridge to Asgaard. Everything flowed from there.
I let the characters lead me around for a while, with no real ending in sight. Eventually they find a direction and head toward it, and the ending becomes clear.
2. How do the people you know impact your writing? Are you influenced by friends and family for your characters?
I’m pretty sure bits and pieces of real life friends and acquaintances slip into my characters, but there are very few instances where I can point to a character and say “That is 100% so-and-so.” I do occasionally slip family members into my stories, just cause I love ‘em.
3. Describe the hero in your current WIP in three words.
Tough, caring, and brave.
I hear you out there. Yes, I have spies all over the interwebs. You’re wondering what the other authors of Romance Weekly answered. Start (or continue) the tour by visiting the wonderful Sarah Hegger at http://sarahhegger.wordpress.com/
A Writer's Haven 
It’s usually a scene for me that sparks the story for me as well.
Yup, that’s usually all it takes to let the characters take over.
Your writing style sounds similar to mine, Steve.
And here I thought you had it all together… 😉
Ditto for me. I write by the seat of my pants and the characters take over anyway.
It never pays for me to plan ahead. That’s not the way we’re going anyway…
Love that image for Son of Thunder, Steve.
Thanks Kim. I imagined that cover for a year before Soul Mate made it a reality.
Love that scene and congratulations, again, on your success
Thanks Sarah. It’s been an epic week.
I envy you pantsters. Seriously. I’d die without a map. Though the characters often throw me a curve ball.
Funny, I envy you plotters. Every once in a while it would be nice to know where I’m going.
Wow, SC! I admire someone who can sit down and just start writing!
Starting is no problem. Finishing? That’s something else.
S.C., I have this great image in my head now of your characters leading you around. Thanks!
That’s pretty much the way it goes, and as long as they’re leading me, I’m fine. It’s when they wonder off over the horizon, and I can’t find them, that I have problems.
What an interesting way of starting a book! To do it with a scene and characters and let it lead you where it will 🙂
Oh, my characters have so many more interesting stories to tell than I do.
My kids love that I’ve used their names as character names. They are always referring to ‘their’ story 🙂 Great answers!!!
At least the names are something I have complete control over
The characters lead me around too. Sometimes where I don’t want to go!
That is the challenge, Ronnie. You never know where they’re going until they get there.