I had no choice...

...but to become a romance author! The cause might come as a surprise. Books certainly influenced me in a big way, but if I had to narrow down why I write in the romance genre, I'd have to say, hands down, it was music.

     Did I mention I can't sing a note without it sounding like something  got caught in the garbage disposal? And since I once wrote lyrics and sent them off to a popular singer - who will remained unnamed - (okay, I bend like a straw...it was John Mellencamp) like he or his people would snatch them up and put them to music, but it didn't happen, my only real option was to take all that romantic sentiment and put it in story form.    
    
      Growing up, the radio or record player was always on. Surrounded by six sisters, two brothers and a mom who loved music -- both pop music and country and western (we called country music 'crying in your beer music' at the time. Sorry, Mom! haha! We loved it but couldn't resist teasing) -- all those great lyrics set my soul on fire! How could they not?

     With such great songs like:

THIS MAGIC MOMENT

By: Jay and the Americans

via YouTube

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WpePWo56zm4

(This song was all about love at first sight)

COME A LITTLE BIT CLOSER

By: Jay and the Americans

via YouTube

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0d2b4XuAa80

(This song was about attraction despite danger)

OVER YOU

By: Gary Puckett and The Union Gap

via YouTube

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QPDEV13DlIs

(This song was about how strong love can be even though the other person didn't love you back)

TOO LATE TO TURN BACK NOW

By: Cornelius Brothers and Sister Rose

via YouTube

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mfYkhQblYjY

(This song was about falling in love despite the warnings not to)

LAUGHTER IN THE RAIN

By: Neil Sedaka

via YouTube

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SsYIiY2wnyU

(This song was about being so much in love that you found joy even in the rain)

     If you're in a down mood or in a rut with your writing, let music set your soul on fire! Let it brighten your day and ignite your creativity!

     I thank all the wonderful writers of music and the singers who turn their words into magic and who continue to influence the hopeless romantic in me!