Heart Awards Winner Interview: Robin Lee Hatcher

Robin was a Heart Awards winner in 2024 in Category 7: Sweet/Sensual Romance Novella with her novella, To Enchant A Lady's Heart.

Ariel, Editor: Can you tell us a bit about your background and something unique about you?

Robin: "I'm an Idaho native and have made the state my home my entire life. I love Idaho from its mountains to its high deserts to its whitewater rivers to its crystal clear lakes. I'm a mom of two, grandmother of six, and great-grandmother of two.

My mom told me I said the word 'horse' before I said the word 'Mama.' I doubt it is true, but yes, I have always had a passion for horses. Regretfully, I haven't owned my own horse in many years, but both my daughters and my oldest granddaughter are avid horsewomen.”

What made you start writing? When did you know you wanted to write?

Robin: "I was a voracious reader from the time I learned to read in first grade, through my teens, and as a young mom in my twenties. In addition, I was born a storyteller. Eventually, those two passions melded, and I began to write my first novel in March 1981. Not quite three years later, it was published. I've been writing and publishing ever since."

Do you have an author role model? Any literary influences from growing up?

Robin: "I didn't attend my first major writing conference until my fifth novel was about to be published. But in the years since then, so many amazing writers have poured into my life, encouraging me, strengthening me. There are too many to mention, but I am grateful beyond measure for the friendships I have been given because of my career. As a teen, Little Women was my favorite novel, and my oldest daughter's middle name is Jo, in honor of my favorite character."

I make sure I'm inspired to write daily.

How do you deal with writing blocks?

Robin: I've experienced many difficult life situations over the course of my career: cancer, the death of my mom, and divorce, to name just a few. I've also experienced serious burnout, and like most writers, I battle impostor syndrome, especially whenever disappointments come. But I've kept on writing, because I am a writer. It is my job. When I was a bookkeeper, I kept books whether I felt like it. As a writer, I write whether I feel like it. I can't fix what I haven't written. Some famous writer (the exact person is disputed) said, 'I only write when inspiration strikes. Fortunately, it strikes at nine every morning.' I make sure I'm inspired to write daily."

Where do you write, and what does your writing process entail?

Robin: "Although I have a lovely office in my home with an iMac with two screens (and that's where I have written many of my books), in the past year, I usually find myself writing on my MacBook in the recliner in my living room. It seems to be less stressful on my back. I'm a morning person, and thanks to writing sprints with other writers, I usually find I've met my daily goal before 10:00 AM.

Once I have an idea that interests me, I try to brainstorm with other writers. Research is an on-going part of the process. I try to get to know my main characters, and then I begin to write my first draft. I'm a pantser. I am also a writer who is constantly tweaking what I've written so I don't actually know how many drafts I do because most of the revising happens before I've finished the first draft."

Please share with me what your funniest typo has been.

Robin: "My fingers can type the weirdest things. The funniest typo, discovered at the line edit stage: I meant to write, 'Releasing another sigh, she...' What I typed was 'Releasing another thigh...' It painted an entirely different image than the one I wanted. LOL!!"

How did you get published? Care to share the journey? 

Robin: "My journey happened so long ago that it is hardly relevant to today's publishing process. I wrote a manuscript. I queried 21 publishers with sample chapters. One contracted it, then went bankrupt. I sold the book again, along with its sequel, and they were both published (February and March 1984). My 92nd release came out in November 2024. Of the 93 I've written (the 93rd releases this year), six were indie published and 87 were/will be traditionally published."

Have you entered any writing contests?

Robin: "I have entered countless contests through the 40+ years I've been published, and I've been honored to final and win many. I have won the RITA Award, the Christy Award, the FHL Reader's Choice Award, the Carol Award, the National Reader's Choice Award, the HOLT Medallion, the Bookseller's Best Award, and many others. I've also been honored with Lifetime Achievement Awards from American Christian Fiction Writers and Romance Writers of America. I find it is always a surprise to win because there are so many wonderful books out there."

What are you currently reading? Have a fav romance sub-genre to read? Any authors on your auto-buy list?

Robin: "I'm just about to begin Richard Osman's new book, We Solve Murders. I loved his Thursday Murder Club books and can't wait to taste this new series.

Favorite sub-genre is Christian historical romance, although I'm a very eclectic reader. I read all types of books: biographies, histories, memoirs, historical and contemporary romance, mysteries, and suspense. As for an auto-buy, I have quite a few favorite authors, but Francine Rivers is at the very top."

My first tip is always the same: Read, read, read, and write, write, write.

Do you have any tips you would give to writers wishing to follow in your footsteps? 

Robin: "My first tip is always the same: Read, read, read, and write, write, write."

How do you think the scope of romance novels has changed since you began writing?

Robin: "Romance was the best-selling genre when I started in the 1980s, and it remains the best-selling genre today. But there are more subgenres now than there were when I began, which opens the genre to more readers."

Where can we find you online?

Facebook, Instagram, Goodreads, Bookbub