M: Yes! I think we could teach a class on cultural differences between a Russian and an American trying to write a romance together! It was a challenge to keep Maxim from sounding or acting too American sometimes. And of course, I had to write love scenes that were very different from what I’d written before. I wanted to be as authentic as possible, and getting inside the head of a gay man, Russian or not, was another challenge. But by the time the book was finished, David said, “I think you were a gay Russian in a former life.” I was so happy.
David, what did you learn writing this book?
D: As an author, about developing the characters. See, I like nice people in real life and I wanted all the character in the book to be perfectly good. But it just wasn’t real. Every coin has two sides, and I had to learn to accept and love both sides of our characters.
M: I’m butting in even though this question wasn’t for me. I loved that he realized this once we started writing. At first, he was reluctant to let Derek act like a jerk or Maxim say anything too defensive. Gradually he came to see that good characters can be nice people who make bad decisions. It creates good tension!
Melanie, were you nervous about branching out into M/M?
M: Not really. I know M/M isn’t every reader’s thing, and that’s fine. A lot of people like pineapple on pizza, and I think it’s the weirdest thing ever. Response in my fan group when we announced the project was so fantastic, I was even more excited to release something different. I want to write all kinds of love stories. They’re all beautiful to me! And I will definitely write M/M again.
D: How come you don’t love pineapple on pizza? It’s my favorite.
M: Fruit does not belong on pizza!
David, to what extent is STRONG ENOUGH autobiographical for you?
D: At least two thirds of the Russian character is based on me. I don’t have a wild imagination so most of the things I wrote were inspired by my own experiences in real life. It was fun to play with the facts, change a couple of details, shape it into an independent character and watch his life unfold before our eyes. I don’t use Russkiy words when I’m talking in English and I’m not as principled as Maxim, but we do have a lot in common. I do have a younger sister living back home, and when I moved to L.A. at Maxim’s age, I had a similar story at the airport—that was real.
Melanie, what was your favorite part of the book David wrote?
M: The first kiss scene in the kitchen--I love how that went down. And I love the Russian stuff! I cracked up when I read this line: “I forgot my entire English.” It was so perfect.
David, what was your favorite part of the book Melanie wrote?
D: The relationship between Derek and his sister, Ellen. I was laughing so hard every time they interacted. Melanie has a great sense of humor.
For both of you, which scene in the book is your very favorite and why?
M: Such a hard question! I guess if I had to choose, I love the scene where Maxim comes home and Derek says, “Fight me.” Maxim really stands up for himself, and Derek is so tortured--it was fun to write. I also loved the scene where they’re in the car and Derek is trying to help Maxim plan ahead and Maxim tells Derek about all the Russian superstitions. You can see how different they are, but how good they’d be together. And those superstitions kill me.
D: I love the Woody-Allen-turns in the book. Those make my heart beat faster. For example, when Derek accidentally runs into Carolyn. I love Carolyn’s character and I asked Melanie to have her in the story as much as we could, even though the book was not about her. The part where Derek and Maxim meet for the first time left me very happy, too.
Some of the scenes can get pretty steamy. Was there ever a time that you felt you needed to have a cigarette afterwards?
M: Hell. Yes. Those two together were hot.
D: I was on fire most of the book. I was pretty clear about what would happen in those scenes, but to describe them on paper was easier said than done. A couple of times, I had to send Melanie a literal outline of what they’d do, some pictures to illustrate it and said: “Please do it. I can’t.”
M: Totally true, he did. And I sympathized, because writing sex scenes is (for me) the hardest thing about writing a romance. But he made it easier by sending links to these unbelievably hot gifs. He’d be like “this, and then this, and then this.” I’d start fanning myself and then hammer out the scene.
When and where do you write? Do you play music?
M: I write at my desk in my office mostly, but I move around the house sometimes. If I’m stuck, often a change of venue will help me look at things differently! I write during school hours, generally 8:30 AM to 3:30 PM. And I can’t write with music--I need silence.
D: I feel like I’m doing the exact same thing, locked in the office with no music between the gym in the morning and my dog’s walk in the evening. Actually, I wrote a couple of chapters on my phone while traveling.
Melanie, how do you decide what to put on the cover of a book? Who chose the cover of STRONG ENOUGH?
M: I like to have my cover photo before I even write the book. It’s good inspiration! But that didn’t happen with STRONG ENOUGH. We actually didn’t have a cover until right before release! It took a while to find the perfect photo. We both wanted a couple and a certain mood. David found the photo, and I’m so happy he did!
David, how did you find the photo? What did you like about it?
D: Tumblr. I spent days looking for a photo that would be STRONG ENOUGH and reflect a feeling rather than being simply sexual. And out of all photographers in the world we both liked only one, Vitaly Dorokhov, who turned out to be Russian. Some things are meant to be.
M: Totally agree!
What did you learn about yourselves while writing this book?
M: I learned that I’m capable of collaboration! I definitely want to co-write again. Sierra Simone, Laurelin Paige, Kayti McGee, and Helena Hunting are at the top of my list.
D: For the first time since moving to the United States, I was able to look at myself from a different perspective and observe the differences between a Russian and an American. I deeply love both and it’s fascinating how distinct we are in the way we talk, act, think and even feel. I feel happy the readers of the book will learn the truth about what’s really in the heart of a seemingly cold Russian personality.
If you were given the opportunity to start your lives over, what’s one thing you would make sure you were strong enough to walk away from? What’s one thing you would make sure you were strong enough to hold on to?
M: I think all my experiences, even the mistakes, have led me to where I am today, so I don’t know that I’d change anything. But something I try to stay away from is engaging in negativity--sometimes that takes strength. And I always want to be strong enough to hold onto my family!
D: Every moment of my life I would hold onto things that in our world are often considered weaknesses: kindness and love. You must be really strong inside to act with kindness and from love. I believe evil and violence always come from a place of weakness.
Do you feel like you were destined to meet and become friends?
M: Absolutely. I think that all the time. And I know I never would have written this book without him. It’s one of my favorite stories I’ve ever written!
D: From the moment I first saw Melanie at the hotel in Chicago. She is the reflection of every single quality I adore and admire in people.
M: I’m going to weep. That is the sweetest thing ever. There is something I truly admire about David, too, and I not only felt it but see it over and over when he meets my readers. When he’s talking to you, he is fully focused on you. He sees you. He listens. He makes you feel like you are the most important person in the universe at that moment. I don’t even know how he does it! But it’s incredible. I tried to give Maxim that same quality.
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Also by Melanie Harlow
The Speak Easy Duet
Frenched
Yanked
Forked
Floored
The Tango Lesson (A Standalone Novella)
Some Sort of Happy
Some Sort of Crazy
Some Sort of Love
Man Candy
After We Fall
If You Were Mine
Strong Enough Page 23
