Sliding into Love: An Intriguing Peek Behind the Scenes with a Hockey Romance Author
- Stephanie Queen
- May 12
- 5 min read
When the NHL playoffs arrive and Arenas overflow into exciting cauldrons of ice-cold edgy action, there's nothing quite like the steamy spray of romance to warm the hearts of romance reading fans everywhere. This dynamic sport is filled with passion, teamwork, and—of course—the complications of romance.
But when a romantic writer like myself merges their love for the game with their penchant for steamy storytelling, a unique world is born. Welcome to the realm of hockey romance authors, where slap shots meet soft hearts. In this blog post, we’ll explore the dangerous and deep corners of a hockey romance writer’s life, delving into their inspirations, writing processes, and how we craft the swoon-worthy stories we love to write.
The Inspiration Behind the Pen
For many authors, inspiration comes from everyday life. For hockey romance writers, it could be the roar of fans at a live game or the palpable chemistry between players and fans, or players and those that are absolutely not a fan of the sport. Stories always include that special world of a hockey player, the demands and rewards and lifestyle of the sport on and off the ice. The thrill of hockey provides endless material for compelling stories with all sorts of problems to overcome on the way to answering Cupid's call.
Picture a bustling arena filled with enthusiastic fans. The air is thick with the smell of buttery popcorn, steamed hot dogs and copious amouonts of beer. As the action on the ice unfolds, a young woman's heart beat stutters as a player crashes the boards and a fight erupts.
Does she turn away in horror, or disgust? Does she jump from her seat and cheer with passionate bloodlust that drives her to admire that player into unreasonable desire?
Unexpected love stories unfold, hidden beneath competitive rivalries, injuries, winning and losing, the camaraderie among teammates and the unwritten rules about romantic interests that color the behavior of alpha male hockey players.
When I write, I engage deeply with the sport and its community, weaving real experiences and heartfelt moments into their narratives. For instance, the love story of a couple who meet during a charity hockey game can inspire an entire plot, highlighting not only the sport’s thrill and violence, but also its capacity to inspire generosity, kindness and bring people together.
Crafting Characters That Captivate
Creating unforgettable characters is crucial for any romance writer. Adding the intensity of hockey raises the stakes even higher. Consider a star captain: strong and skilled, yet hiding a soft heart that only a few know about. Or picture a fiercely independent woman player, or referee or owner, determined to prove her worth within a traditionally male-dominated arena.
Writing a hockey romance, like any good story, requires dedicating significant hours to researching for accuracy in order to developing these characters, ensuring they resonate with readers. I often pull from my own experience or those around me, such as my husband who played hockey for decades, to craft rich backstories filled with aspirations, insecurities, and emotional arcs that are filled with that special flavor of the hockey scene.
Character-driven plots breathe life into these narratives, making readers yearn for their beloved characters long after closing the book. For example, a high school player grappling with his identity and feelings for a rival team’s star athlete can create a relatable and uplifting storyline.
The Role of Research and Authenticity
For a hockey romance to resonate, authors must portray the sport authentically. How do I do this? How do I make my story feel the authenticity that will immerse the reader into the hockey culture? The answer is simple, I immerse myself into hockey culture, which isn't hard for me since I've been a fan since the days of Bobby Orr and I come from a hockey family, all fans and many players.
My father played for Boston University and then semi-pro when I was a kid. He coached high school hockey and was named Coach of the Year in his state. My brother and sister played in college and my sister still plays, having created a women's recreational league in California so that she could.
My husband played in high school and continued to play for decades, coaching my son who also played. That's such an abundance of immersion into the hockey culture that I'm almost ashamed I didn't play myself.
As for the connection to the pros, I've attended many games and long ago for a short time, I dated a pro hockey player. I've visited the insides of arenas watched documentaries and consult my personal expert (my husband) on the rules and quirks of the game. Understanding the dynamics of a team, the different roles players take on, and the pressures they face enhances both the story and its romance.
I go the extra mile for those readers who love hockey and will appreciate accuracy and authenticity. In fact, 80% of avid hockey fans surveyed express enjoyment in stories that accurately reflect the sport's realities. Are you one of them?
Connecting with Readers
The joy of being a hockey romance writer lies in connecting with readers who share a love for both romance stories and the sport. Online forums, book clubs, and social media offer avenues for authors to interact with fans, gather feedback, and cultivate a community around their books.
This connection not only enriches the writing journey but can also spark ideas for future stories. Authors often find inspiration in their readers’ experiences and suggestions, which guide them in crafting narratives that resonate deeply with their audience.
The Life of a Hockey Romance Author
At the root of writing hockey romance, for me, lies a thrilling blend of creativity and passion for hockey and sports in general, generated by the challenge of reconciling extreme competition with sizzling romantic connections.
What does that look like in real-time?
Picture a woman frequently staring off into space, lost in thought. I may likely resemble someone frozen or struck dumb or sleeping with my eyes open. This is when I'm in the kind of deep thought takes me out of reality as if I'm in a fugue state. This is what happens when I'm figuring out the plot and characters or trying to reconcile conflict problems.
Then for a large part of my time, I resembles a keyboard operator, madly tapping away as if I'm getting paid a million dollars a word. But let's be clear--I'm not!!
This is my favorite part, when I'm in theh writing zone and the story is flowing.
Lastly, for the rest of the time, I'm out in the world living my life. Though this is my so-called non-writing life, It is actually all 100% RESEARCH! Every last sentence I hear, every gesture, every activity and whatever I see, all observations and thoughts, are all completely game for inclusion in a story.
Because it's all in me and has to be part of what spills onto the page in some form or other.
But don't worry, everything I observe is adjusted with my own take and fictionalized. I don't plagerize or take liberties with personal information. The only sentences in my stories are my own and the only secrets revealed are those of my characters.
It's my hope that as hockey season heats up into the playoffs, readers eagerly await the next story that sweeps them off their feet, bringing them closer to the rink—and perhaps a little closer to love. Whether you are a die-hard hockey fan or someone who simply enjoys romance, I invite you to lace up your virtual skates and step into the intoxicating world of hockey romance. You will always find the romantic Happy-Ending waiting for you at the goal line---I mean ending. 💞
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