1. Let’s start simple. Who is Roseanne Beck in your own words? 

Someone who takes the random scenes from her brain and thinks it’s a good idea to figure out plot lines to support them.

2. You are a physician by day and a romantic comedy writer by night. How do these two sides of your life interact or inspire each other? 

I see them as complementary - the very serious/analytical side being balanced out by the absurd. 

3. You took a five-year break from publishing due to burnout. How did that experience shape your approach to writing now? 

It has definitely given me perspective. With previous books it was a rush to “get them out there.” Now, the books will get there when they get there. (I’m still Type A, though, so I have to remind myself of that constantly.) I am incredibly grateful to have the creative juices flowing again - I missed them!

4. Your first release in five years is Spirit of Love - Misty Meadow Matchmakers Book 1. What inspired this story? 

The random scenes in my head. I think this one started with a guy getting injured while running away from a goat, thinking a matchmaking ghostie would be a good meddling character, and finding the plot points to support them.

5. Your stories often feature strong, flawed women and injured men. Why do you enjoy writing this kind of dynamic? 

It’s what interests me as a reader. I love love, but I don’t love the woman-who-needs-saving love stories. I enjoy flipping it on its head so the woman’s strong and the guy’s the one who needs help. Plus, injured guys are my Yum.

6. There’s a hint of the paranormal in your novels. How do you decide when and how to include it? 

My new series, Misty Meadow Matchmakers, is definitely on the heavier paranormal side. I had such fun creating the Major, my matchmaking ghost, and having him stir up trouble while trying to acclimate to the modern world. When I find a character that tickles my funny bone I go with it, and he definitely made me giggle.

7. Awkward moments are a hallmark of your style. Which scene in Spirit of Love made you laugh the most while writing it? 

For sure Davis (MMC) getting chased by Norma (goat). (And then Davis getting fish-slapped by Larry.) Poor Davis…

8. What character in Spirit of Love surprised you while writing, and how? 

I really enjoyed seeing how Maya’s BFF’s Liz and Gwen came into their own - one practical and love-averse, the other is a hopeless romantic to the Nth degree. (Of course they each get their own stories in books 2 and 3 of the series.)

9. How does humor help balance romance and tension in your writing?

 I love writing the humor so much that it always surprises me when a tender or emotional moment pops into a scene - “where’d those tears come from?” But hopefully it all comes together to move the story forward.

10. How do you find inspiration for ridiculous situations or characters? 

There’s a lot of ridiculousity in my brain at a baseline, so some of it’s just me. But I get a TON of inspiration from social media. I send stuff to my editor all the time noting possible inspirations for the townsfolk of Cloverfield (my fictional town). I think most recently it was the taxidermied stripper squirrels… 

⚡ Rapid Fire (Quick Vibes)

11. Coffee, tea, or something else keeping you going? Coffee

12. Writing early morning, late night, or stolen moments in between? Morning

13. Music, silence, or background noise while writing? Silence

14. Pantser, plotter, or somewhere in between? Plantser - I start with the Romancing the Beat plot points, and then things inevitably go off track…

15. One word you hope readers use to describe your books. Delightfully-unhinged (the hyphen makes it one word, right??)

💖 The Author Journey

16. What moment made you realize, “I am really doing this author thing”? 

After querying my first book (which definitely was no where near ready to be queried) and the agent nicely suggested I learn how to write, join critique groups, etc. I think that was the “Do I do it? Or do I give up?” fork in the road.

17. What has been the most surprising part of returning to publishing after a break?

 How easily the words come when they want to/when the brain and body aren’t in fight or flight any more.

18. What advice would you give to writers struggling with burnout or creative blocks? 

Give yourself some grace. It’s okay to take time away from writing - it doesn’t make you any less of a writer. If it’s just a small block - get outside, take a walk, do something different with your brain. Oftentimes, those are the spaces in which I’ll find just the right fix for whatever issue the scene is having. If it’s a larger burnout problem, you’ve got to work on the underlying issue(s). For me it was changing my job, moving, connecting with a new community (but that’s an extreme - don’t follow my playbook!!) Also realize that we are all different - what helps one person through may not be what you need. And that’s okay!!!

19. How do you balance the pressure to write daily with the need to enjoy the process?

 I no longer pressure myself to write every day. I know when I work best and try to optimize those times. Since I have a day job, I know my books will come out slower than some other authors’. And I’m okay with that. Perhaps in the future I’ll do half-time writing and half-time day job, in which case I’ll revisit my schedule and goals.

20. Which character in Spirit of Love do you hope readers fall in love with first and why? 

Maya - she’s my FMC so if they don’t connect with her, I’m in trouble!

💖 Just for Fun

21. If one of your characters could step out of the book, who would it be and what would they do first?

 Etta May - she’s got a Woodbooger to find, men to entertain, and mayhem to create!

22. Which scene in Spirit of Love was the most fun to write? 

The Singles Mingle cupcake handcuff scene.

23. If your book were adapted, would you prefer a movie or a series? 

Movie

24. What is one fun or unexpected fact about you that readers might be surprised to learn? 

As with all great writers, my journey began with Supernatural Fanfic.

25. When readers finish Spirit of Love, what feeling or takeaway do you hope stays with them the longest?

 Even flawed and ridiculous people deserve love (in whatever form that may take - romantic, self, friendship, etc).