Patron Saints of Romance Collection Conversations

Violit Hour: Though we get glimpses through social media, fans rarely see enough to understand the day-to-day realities of being an independent author, or get insights into their favorite writer’s creative process. So first off, where do you write?

H.D. Carlton: Anywhere I’m comfortable! Typically my office, my couch, or my bed!

What are your must-have writing tools?

Music! It always gets me in a better mindset to write.

Do you have any specific snacks or beverages in the mix?

I’m a whore for water, so I always need that on hand. I don’t have any go-to snacks, I’m a moody eater just like I am a writer.

Do you listen to music while writing or editing?

Absolutely. It helps me concentrate on the story oddly enough.

Your books have been known to have a lingering impact on readers— I’ve found it difficult to re-enter the world after finishing one of your stories, and my thoughts drift to the story and characters for a significant period following. When you complete a book, do you find it challenging to withdraw from the character’s mindsets?

It depends on the characters honestly! Some are easier to set aside, while others tend to linger. Typically, I’m more plagued by all my future characters and books rather than my previous ones. Especially if I have a book planned just for them.

Do you have a ritual after completing a book to help you process and move on from the creative process of that story?

Usually I distract myself with a good TV show and do absolutely nothing. It’s glorious.

You’re revered for your incredible character development and the complex layers you peel back as the story unfolds. Beyond that, your descriptions of their unique physical characteristics often add depth or clues into the mystery of their lives. One element of your writing that’s always stuck out to me is the uncommon traits within and around your character’s eyes — take Zade’s scar and heterochromia or Molly’s facial scar and Sanpaku eyes. Is there a source of inspiration or fascination at the root of the intentional level of detail surrounding your character’s eyes?

I’ve always found eyes and scars to be the most interesting part of a face. Those two things stand out amongst anything else. You would typically notice those two features before someone’s nose or forehead. So those are two features that I try my best to highlight.

At what point within your character development do you get to these details — are they immediate when you envision the character, or do they slowly reveal themselves as you write?

It varies. Sometimes they come to me as is and I know instantly what they look like. Such as the case with Zade. With Molly, it took me a little while to reveal that she had such a prominent scar. Sometimes trauma like that is revealed more as the story unfolds, and features like that come along with it.

I’ve found that your characters often get referred to by their first names with little context, which is uncommon for the space — more specifically, nearly everyone knows who Zade and Addie are in bookish forums. I wouldn’t be able to get through a book with an MMC named Zade without immediately conjuring Zade Meadows. When within your process do you choose the names of your main characters and how?

This also varies! Zade, Addie, Sibby, they all came to me with their names. But sometimes there’s a name, such as one of Sibby’s (real) men for her books that I had to seek out. I went through four different names for him before I settled on one. It just had to click. It’s like knowing a friend by a specific name your entire life and then suddenly trying to call them a different name, it just doesn’t feel right.

You’ve been transparent about your struggles with Sibby’s duet due in part to the responsibility you feel to your readers to produce something that will live up to their love of her character, combined with the phenomena of being compelled to write another story when you’re on deadline to complete something else. Is it difficult to distinguish between distractions and creative epiphanies?

My true struggle with distraction stems from my ADHD. I struggle with it immensely, and it can be difficult writing when my brain doesn’t want to cooperate, but I’m pretty adept at understanding when my ADHD is giving me trouble. As for creative epiphanies, my brain is also extremely overactive. I have a million different scenes running through my head, and very vivid dreams that sometimes lead to book ideas. This can definitely cause my mind to wander when it shouldn’t, or focus on characters that I shouldn’t be.

How do you decide when to follow the urge to create a different story?

I have to have some self-control for sure. If I were to follow all of my urges, I’d be writing 10 different stories, and probably not be able to finish a single one. When it comes to the C&M universe, I have a very specific timeline for all my characters and how their lives unfold. So I write the book that needs to come next, rather than what I want to come next. I do allow myself passion projects between each of those, and that’s when it truly gets hard to choose. I tend to go with what I feel most passionate about.

Is there anything you want your readers to understand about the tension between the appreciation of their outspoken love for your work and the weight that love places on you?

I think the main reason that love begins to feel heavy is when it turns from “I can’t wait” to “You need to hurry up.” As much as I wish I could rush my writing, these stories wouldn’t be what they are if I did. But regardless, I am eternally grateful for each and every one of them. And I try my very best to meet their expectations while also respecting my own writing process and characters. 

You’ve spoken about passing on many publishing offers over your writing career to date. What advice do you have for indie authors newer to the space?

Do what’s best for you. There are many authors where trad publishing is the right fit for them, and that’s amazing. For me, it just wasn’t the case, and I knew that I would’ve been selling myself short if I had accepted those deals. Don’t ever sign a deal just because it’s what everyone else is doing. Sign it because they’re genuinely offering you something that will take your career to the next level.

Are you right or left-handed?

Right.

What color mermaid would you be?

Dark plum.

How often do you get recognized?

In public? I’m only recognized if I tell them who I am. Which happens more often than I’d expect. Otherwise, my name is more popular than my face!

Where is the best place for your fans to find and support you?

My facebook group is my main hub for all info, and my Instagram is a great place to get teasers. Those two are the best places to be.

We sincerely appreciate your contribution to this initiative to raise funds and awareness RAINN and the National Domestic Abuse Hotline! Can you share a bit about why you chose to support the project?

As a survivor of an abusive relationship, this project is near and dear to my heart. Shallow River was born from my trauma, and deals heavily with the vicious cycle of domestic violence, and many of the misconceptions about the ability to leave those situations. Awareness is one of the most valuable tools, and this cause deserves every bit of attention.

Titles by H.D. Carlton