A reader asked...

I don't know if Willa Okati is reading this post, but I try anyway to ask her something more:

I imagine that one of the most difficult challenges for a female of romances author is dealing with the hero's sexuality and feelings. Can a woman really imagine what a man desires and feels ? I don't know... and in m/m romances this should be twice more difficult.

How can an author know that he hit the target and did it in a credible way? basing upon readers' reactions and comments, perhaps ?

My answer:

It can be very hard to get M/M romance "right". You have to "think like a man", but at the same time most of the readers are women, so there's a little more romance in there. Personally, I identify with men -- I've always had men as friends -- and I talk to them a lot. I also have several homosexual friends who are willing to read my work and tell me if I'm doing this right. Comments from others help a lot, too. Thank you for the question!

-- Willa