Do you love thrillers? Then you don’t want to miss this behind-the-book post on a brand new release set in Russia by the fabulous Nina Romano. Nina, welcome!

Thank you, Pat for allowing me to share space on your wonderful blog! It’s lovely to have this opportunity of giving a quick account of what inspirations were gifted to me when writing Dark Eyes.

Travelling is insightful and inspirational, especially for a writer. I was able to travel twice to Russia and became enthralled and enchanted with the city of St. Petersburg.

On my second trip, I had the good fortune to take a cruise on the Volga River from Moscow to St. Petersburg. On the boat, I met PH. D. Assistant Professor Vladimir Kalmykov of Dobrolyubov State Linguistic University, Nizhiny, Novogrod, Russia. I interviewed him and later discussed my plans and ideas for writing my novel, Dark Eyes, which I intended to set in St. Petersburg. I had never written a thriller before and what better place than setting one in Russia? My conversations with the Professor became a gift, encouraging me to dive right into formulating the story.

Upon returning home, I found that I’d written some pieces, a short story, and various scattered scenes of what I thought was going to be a strictly Russian historical novel. However, after meeting with Professor Kalmykov, I began to think of the aftermath of Stalin’s persecutions and the geopolitical situation in Soviet Russia after WWII. I decided the book could be both historical and suspenseful, and I could use the many things I’ve always wanted to research about the Russian culture as a backdrop.

Culture can be summed up in a single word: lifestyle, but it encompasses so much more. It comprises social mores, conduct, manners, dress, language, religion, rituals, customs, laws, dress, architecture, social standards, traditions, superstitions, religion, and art. Basically, culture incorporates all the modes in which societal boundaries are formed, a population’s beliefs and institutions that are passed from generation unto generation.

And then I was faced with writing the mystery part of plotting the novel. Mysteries move faster so pacing would be a big consideration. I don’t know and never studied the conventions for writing mystery, thriller, or suspense. I basically flew by the seat of my pants and did whatever I thought was necessary to complete the storyline. Being a “panster,” I never plan. The narrative develops as I write. The characters take on lives and personalities of their own—sometimes it’s difficult for this author to control them! I don’t make outlines and what’s of prime importance to me are the characters. Like a horse knowing its way, I give them full rein. They appear fully formed in my mind. Then, because I’m a poet first and foremost, images and scenes with action and dialogue play a great deal of importance in what I’m writing. I visualize the scenes as if I’m the cameraman merely filming what happens as the story develops.

BIO

Nina Romano earned a B.S. from Ithaca College, an M.A. from Adelphi University and a B.A. and an M.F.A. in Creative Writing from FIU. A world traveler and lover of history, she lived in Rome, Italy, for twenty years, and is fluent in Italian and Spanish. She has taught English and Literature as an Adjunct Professor at St. Thomas University, Miami, and has facilitated numerous Creative Writing and Poetry Workshops at Writing Conferences throughout the States.

Romano has authored a short story collection, The Other Side of the Gates, and has had five poetry collections and two poetry chapbooks published traditionally with independent publishers. She co-authored a nonfiction book: Writing in a Changing World, and she has been nominated twice for the Pushcart Prize in Poetry.

Her historical Wayfarer Trilogy has been published from Turner Publishing. The Secret Language of Women, Book #1, was a Foreword Reviews Book Award Finalist and Gold Medal winner of the Independent Publisher’s 2016 IPPY Book Award. Lemon Blossoms, Book #2, was a Foreword Reviews Book Award Finalist, and In America, Book #3, was a finalist in Chanticleer Media’s Chatelaine Book Awards.

Romano’s Western Historical Romance, The Girl Who Loved Cayo Bradley, was a semifinalist in the Laramie Book Awards, and has been published by Speaking Volumes, LLC. Her historical Russian thriller, Dark Eyes, releases February 24, 2023 from the same publisher.

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