My name is Rowena Cherry.
I write Chess-inspired ("mating") titles. Gods from outer space. Sexy SFR. Poking fun, (pun intended). Shameless word-play.

I love to research, and to write. And chatting with long distance friends is one of my greatest inspirations. For instance, take my debut novel FORCED MATE (it is a chess term... all...more »

My name is Rowena Cherry.
I write Chess-inspired ("mating") titles. Gods from outer space. Sexy SFR. Poking fun, (pun intended). Shameless word-play.

I love to research, and to write. And chatting with long distance friends is one of my greatest inspirations. For instance, take my debut novel FORCED MATE (it is a chess term... all my titles are chess titles... and it seemed a perfect play on words for a cosmic love-triangle/alien abduction romance) . FORCED MATE was a futuristic take on the abduction of Persephone by the dark god of the underworld.

At the conclusion of FORCED MATE, the guy who lost the girl is left with a smashed jaw and a broken thigh, and my editor wanted a sequel. I started some exploratory chatting about broken jaws.

"Oh, a broken jaw is terrible. You cannot possibly have a hero with a broken JAW," my helpful correspondents told me. They went on to share all the romantic things that a guy with a broken jaw can NOT do, and all the unromantic, unattractive, and painful things he'd have to endure.

Fabulous! I love a literary challenge. They gave me a lot I could use, and the military guy who broke his jaw twice (!!!!) really gave my hero something valid to worry about, and a reason to be nervous of the heroine.

Anyway, the broken jaw was set in stone... to mix metaphors.

Next, my friends on the FFandP loop discussed wild issues such as body odor on a deserted island, and what to do about it. Also, various ways of depiliation (shaving). My own research on a beach with a broken shell told me that a so-called "razor" shell simply does not work.

Yes! I take great pride in my research, and will go as far as is legal and safe to make sure I get my fact right. Sharp shells will take off your skin, but they won't do much for your armpit or leg hair. Now, obsessive daily rubbing with a pumice-like stone will discourage hair regrowth, but all in all, it's better to genetically modify your alien heroines so they don't have underarm hair.

The book that came of it --and other irresistible challenges, such as "Oh, you CANNOT write a romance set on a deserted island. After two chapters, it will be soooo boring!" -- is INSUFFICIENT MATING MATERIAL.

Now, I'm working on the next chess titled romance, KNIGHT'S FORK. It's a futuristic take on the Greek quest of Perseus to find the Medusa's head. « less