Get ready to learn more about the book Love’s No Joke in this discussion with sapphic author Cheri Ritz.
Join us for an exclusive peek behind the scenes as we quiz Cheri Ritz about Love’s No Joke, writing, reading, and more.
This book is part of the Fake Romance category in the 2024 IHS Reading Challenge.
Why did you write Love’s No Joke?
I wanted to write a story about a woman who considered herself a “player” and would never settle down–but then suddenly she meets someone who flips her world on its head and she realizes she can live without her. Additionally, my wife has an excellent sense of humor, there’s no one I love to laugh with more. So a funny lady as a main character felt perfect to me.
Who is your favorite character in the book?
My favorite character is Mara Antonini–she’s just so bold and loud, and I love her relationship with her mom. Oh! And she has the best circle of friends–I love that feeling of having people you can count on no matter what, people who are there for you in the good times and bad. I’m not as bold and loud as Mara, but I have been blessed with the same kind of friendships that she has.
What inspired the idea for Love’s No Joke?
Love’s No Joke was the second book that I wrote set in Las Vegas with this group of friends. I wanted to capture the dynamic between someone who had family deeply rooted in the community (Victoria’s family has owned a casino for generations, although she has distanced herself from it) and somebody who is somewhat of an outsider, but who depends on that community for her lively hood (Mara is a comedian at a rival casino). Putting the two of them in a fake romance situation seemed like a way to push that dynamic even further.
What part of Love’s No Joke was the most fun to write?
The interactions between the friends are always my favorite scenes to write, and there was a lot of that in this book. The scene where Mara introduces Victoria to the friend group during a birthday party at the lesbian bar was probably my favorite. The friends are celebrating, and surprised to learn that Mara is dating someone, and it’s a real “worlds colliding” moment.
How did you come up with the title for your book?
It was my wife’s idea. She’s titled many of my books. She’s clever like that! (Now if I could only get her to write my blurbs…)
Where do you usually write, and what do you need in your writing space to help you stay focused?
I usually write while sitting on the couch in my living room. I have an office and a desk, but for some reason being curled up with a cozy blanket helps the words roll out. I always write my stories out longhand first, then type them up, so I always have plenty of notebooks and pens handy. And there’s also always stickers involved to dress up those notebooks.
How do you celebrate when you finish your book?
I love an IPA, so a favorite way to celebrate is with a trip to a local brewery to try a new craft beer. The last one I tried was a miilkshake IPA which didn’t look thick like a milkshake, but somehow still had a thick mouthfeel. Totally surprising and definitely celebratory!
Is there a particular genre you would love to write but only under a pseudonym?
I have a few ideas for young adult novels (and possibly a couple completed novels stashed away in a drawer somewhere) and I would love to have them see the light of day, but I would only do so under a pseudonym. The tone would just be too different from my contemporary romances–a pseudonym would help to keep that clear.
Do you have a pet who helps/hinders your typing?
I have two “kitteens” – older than kittens, not quite adults. Their names are Mordecai and Rigby and they are busy, playful, super-cute guys, and they will be a year old in about a month. They’re super nebby and love to be involved in everything we do in this house–including climbing across my laptop while I’m typing. I’m sure they think they’re helping.
If you could be mentored by a famous author (living or not), who would it be?
Fannie Flagg. I love the quirky characters in her stories, and her humor and wit. I’d really like the chance to pick her brain about how she makes all the characters in her books so different while still being so connected–they really feel like people you would meet in your hometown.
Have you ever cried when writing an emotional scene?
Maybe not while writing the scene, but when I’ve gone back and read the scene once it’s been worked through and edited–I’ve definitely shed tears. It’s usually happy tears–when the characters finally get together and we know they’re going to have their happily ever after.
What books did you grow up reading?
I was a reader from the time I was little. I loved Paddington Bear, Encyclopedia Brown, and the Choose Your Own Adventure books. Eventually I moved on to Nancy Drew, Sweet Valley High and the Sisters series. I was in college when I read Little Women for the first time, and that was the book that inspired me to try to get a story of my own published. It was a little bit of wanting to be like Jo, and a little bit of joy in finding the stories in everyday life. It made me feel like I could do it if only I put pen to paper and gave it a good try!
What books have you read more than once in your life?
I am a re-reader. If I really enjoy a book I’m likely to read it again. I’ve read Little Women numerous times. Same with Fannie Flagg’s books–I’ve read them all more than once. I think a good story can be a comfort item–something that feels familiar and cozy that you turn to again and again.
