Debut author Ann Christopher reveals why Scarlett loved Rhett, what a mother should never know, and the one thing that separates the women from the girls. Read on ...

MB: What inspired your novel?

AC: I just wrote about the genesis of the book in my blog, in an entry called "The Process." A letter I saw once in Dear Abby inspired "Trouble." Here's a link: http://annchristopher.livejournal.com/

MB: What do you like most about your novel?

AC: I like the chemistry between the hero and heroine, and the fact that for a long time the hero fights his strong attraction to her, which leads the heroine to think he hates her.

Also, I tried to make all the characters well rounded, which is how real people are. Dara, for example, is big-hearted, but a terrible judge of character. Mike is extremely loyal, but too judgmental.

MB: Who is the most heroic person you know?

AC: Hard (but good!) question. I think mothers are the most heroic people I know, but don't tell my mother I said so.

I'm a stay-at-home mother of two children, 6 and 8, and I love them, but, let's face it, they wear me out. There are many days when I don't know how I do it, and have no faith that I'm doing it right.

I know lots of mothers who work full-time outside the home, and I don't know how they do it. Sometimes I see mothers with two small children, say, 4 and 2 years old, and I remember how tough those days were, and wonder how they do it.

My grandmother worked full-time and raised four children, while getting hot, delicious -- and I mean delicious -- meals on the table every night. My mother worked full-time, went back to school to get an advanced degree, kept a clean house, cooked dinner, and raised two relatively sane women. Incredible.

MB: Who's your romance hero: dark, brooding bad boy or white knight in shining armor?

AC: Rhett Butler, of course. As I mention on my site, I really love the fact that he's as strong as Scarlett, and doesn't let her get away with any nonsense, although God knows she tries.

My ideal romance hero is a hybrid. Let's say 60 percent bad boy, and 40 percent white knight. He has to be edgy, moody, and a little bit of a wild card. He won't back down or give up on what he wants. Maybe he needs to learn a little about not running roughshod over everyone else. These qualities make him interesting.

Think about it. Would you rather read a romance story with Cliff Huxtable or Indiana Jones?

But he needs to have a lot of Cliff Huxtable in him, too, because we want to know the heroine can depend on him. We don't want him taking off to find the Temple of Doom when the babies come and there are diapers to be changed, do we?

MB: Answer the question you wish an interviewer would ask.

AC: What advice would you give aspiring authors?

Good question. I'm glad you asked.

First, buy yourself a cheap laser printer. It'll save your life, and save you tons of money on ink. Trust me. You'll see.

Second, and you've heard this before, just do it.

If you want to write, write. Don't talk about writing. Don't plan to write. Write. And finish.

One thing that separates the women from the girls right away is that the women finish their manuscripts. You can do it. Don't give up.