Valerie Pepper Writes Romance That Heals Hearts

Romantic Comedies With Heart And Optimism

Valerie Pepper shares her writing journey, creative process, and heartfelt belief in second chances and love. Discover the inspiration and passion behind her award-winning romantic comedies and happily-ever-afters.

V  alerie Pepper is a shining star in the world of contemporary romance, a storyteller with the rare ability to weave tales that captivate both the heart and the imagination. With an infectious optimism and deeply held belief in love’s transformative power, she brings to life narratives that celebrate the beauty and complexity of relationships. Whether it’s the journey of the girl getting the guy, the guy getting the girl, or any form of love in between, Valerie’s stories promise the one thing we all long for—a happily ever after.

A multifaceted talent, Valerie’s work has already earned her the prestigious Contemporary Romance Writer’s 2021 Stiletto Award, a well-deserved recognition for her brilliance and commitment to her craft. Her romantic comedies, including the enchanting The Widow’s Guide to Second Chances, perfectly blend laughter, heartache, and joy. Drawing from real-life inspiration, her storytelling offers readers a safe haven where love triumphs, healing happens, and characters find their second chances, no matter how messy or unconventional the road may be.

Behind the scenes, Valerie is just as impressive. Balancing her life as an indie author with a demanding role as Chief of Staff at a law firm, she begins her writing days at the crack of dawn, fuelled by an unstoppable passion for storytelling. From meticulously crafting detailed plots to fast-drafting with abandon, her disciplined approach and sheer dedication are as heartening as the stories she tells. And though she has dabbled in other genres, romantic comedy is the undeniable home of her heart.

Valerie Pepper brings hope, laughter, and love into her readers’ lives through relatable characters, unforgettable stories, and heartfelt optimism.

In this issue of Reader’s House, we have the privilege of speaking with Valerie about her journey as an author, her creative process, and the inspiration behind her heartwarming stories. Prepare to fall in love with her infectious enthusiasm for love, laughter, and the promise of second chances. Never shy about finding joy in the beautiful chaos of everyday life, Valerie’s words will undoubtedly inspire readers to see the brighter side of love and life.

Highlights

• Valerie’s passion for creating stories of love and resilience.
• Her award-winning romantic comedy The Widow’s Guide To Second Chances.
• Insights into a disciplined writing process: plotting, fast-drafting, and editing.
• How real-life inspiration shaped her celebrated novel.
• Valerie’s belief in romance as a tool for healing and empowerment.
• Balancing a full-time job with her creative pursuits.
• Winning the prestigious Contemporary Romance Writer’s 2021 Stiletto Award.

Do you write full time or do you also work another job? 

My goal is to make a living solely off my writing, but until then, I have a full-time job that I genuinely love, as the Chief of Staff at a large law firm in the United States. I get to tackle challenges and be creative every day with people I enjoy working with. But the second I’m able to make the jump, I’m jumping!

As an indie author, many if not all tasks of publishing a book falls to you. How does your typical day look? 

On weekdays, I wake up at 4:45 and write until 6:15, before beginning my regular day. I’ll check my author social media briefly during my workday, and after dinner, I turn more to the “business side” of authoring. The weekends are when a lot of writing gets done, along with more business-y work.

Readers love learning about an author’s actual process of writing their books. What does your process look like? 

The process has changed over time, but I definitely write faster and with more confidence with each passing book. These days I write a fairly robust plot first, around 10,000 – 12,000 words, then pull out my FreeWrite and “fast draft” the book, by which I mean I write as quickly as possible, without editing or even looking back at what I’ve written, and I stick to the plot I’ve laid out. Once I’ve got my “messy first draft,” I go back and edit, tightening up the plot, fleshing out the characters, and so on. After that, it’s off to my editor. When she sends it back, I go through one last time, and then it’s done!

“I’m a firm believer in the romance genre being one
that can actively heal people from past traumas.”
– Valerie Pepper

With so many genres in the romance category these days, what made you choose to write romantic comedies? 

Our world can be so complicated and dark, and social media can often make it worse. My goal with romantic comedies is to provide the reader with a few hours of escape. To show them that people can endure whatever it is that I’m putting them through and still come out on the other side. I’m a firm believer in the romance genre being one that can actively heal people from past traumas, and I’m overjoyed to contribute to someone’s emotional well-being. And honestly, I love love! I’ve written historical fiction, middle grade fiction, contemporary romance, and literary fiction, but romantic comedy is where my heart—and passion—lies. It was insta-love at first sight.

“Persistence—or stubbornness, however you want to classify it!
—has always been critical to my journey as a writer.”
– Valerie Pepper

What inspired you to write “The Widow’s Guide to Second Chances,” and how does your personal belief in happily ever afters influence your storytelling?

I’d started writing a different book, a contemporary romance. It was a slog, and I was having a terrible time of it. Then a friend of mine brought me up to speed on a shared acquaintance of ours. The woman had been widowed in her mid-twenties, traveled the United States in the aftermath, and ultimately came home and started dating a paramedic who’d crushed on her for years without her knowing. And she broke her jaw right after she reconnected with him! (A broken jaw is a key part of the book.) Her story was so incredible and hopeful that I called her up and asked if I could use it as the base for a book. She said yes, and I was off to the races. The book is entirely made up, but her and her now-husband loved reading it.

As to my belief in happily ever afters, I sincerely believe that we all want them. Across humanity, no matter our differences, we all crave acceptance and love from those we cherish. We all want the ability to curl up with our loved ones, no matter our battle scars. As a romance author, I actively seek out that yearning and desire, and tap into it for writing.

Can you share more about your experience winning the Contemporary Romance Writer’s 2021 Stiletto Award and how it has impacted your writing career?

It was a delightful surprise when it happened, and it gave the boost of confidence that I really needed to keep going. I’ve been writing for thirty years and have faced an absolute mountain of rejection. Persistence—or stubbornness, however you want to classify it!—has always been critical, but getting that outside validation cemented for me that I was finally in the right place, writing exactly what I was supposed to be writing.