I was talking with a friend the other day about the pieces of me I put into my main characters. And even though when I’m writing a character, it really is just that — a made up person — each of my heroines inevitably get some parts  of my personality.

Sunny was a manifestation of the anxious and socially broken parts of myself, Lauren of my over-controlling tendencies. Julep got my strong connection with my family. Rainy definitely got my stubbornness, my unwillingness to let go even when the facts are looking you right in the face. And Honey, the character in my newest release, embodies my inability to say no, even when I really should.

Authors write what they know best. So even though the women may be very different from me in certain ways, there are always those parts of me that show up.

The same has to be said about my amazing husband. I find that each of the guys in my books has a part of him in them, too. Brian had his kind heart and unfailing willingness to look past what I don’t say and find what I really mean. Adam had his never-stop-trying attitude when it comes to our relationship. Carter got his compassion for others, especially for his family and friends. In my upcoming release, The Beauty of Perhaps, that leading man got his laid back, calm attitude from my main squeeze, not to mention his love of adventure.

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I think it’s ultimately what makes me love writing love stories. I feel like each one lets me fall in love with pieces of him over and over again.