One Inking Spirit Leads Romance From Darkness by Chrissy Hartmann

As one reads the title, it’s not what you think. Yes, I am a romance author, but what most don’t know at first look is that I am a blind romance author. In fact, a contemporary Western romance author.

Despite facing the challenges of blindness, I fearlessly embrace my passion for storytelling, defying all odds. My journey showcases the indomitable human spirit as I weave enchanting narratives that capture the heart and soul of the contemporary West.

What’s even more astounding is how I bring the vast landscape of the western frontier to life. My vivid descriptions of quaint small towns, rugged pastures, and even the local coffee shop or fishing spot by the creek transport readers to a whole new realm, which allows them to become fully engaged within the story.

The allure of crafting heartfelt love stories and weaving intricate emotions is a calling that captures the hearts of countless authors worldwide, and I can happily be lumped in with this group. I do, however, have one additional challenge that most don’t. I am a blind author. In fact, I write sweet contemporary Western romances.

For some writers, the process is easy; for others, not so much, but with myself, I’ve found that I need to let my imagination run free. And for me specifically, tenacity and grit play a huge part in it too.

Maybe this is why I chose contemporary western romances as my genre to write with the vast landscapes, simple lifestyle, and ruggedness of the heros I’ve created for the adventurous journey they each take.

Writing within the darkness is a journey most authors won’t ever have to do. But for me, it’s a daily concept. Some might think of it as a struggle, too difficult to imagine what to put down on paper. A blank screen is daunting to most, but if you dig deep, the story comes. Although I can no longer see the colors around me, it doesn’t mean I don’t know how to bring them out on paper. Through my fingertips, the keyboard becomes my paint, and the screen becomes my canvas for the world I create.

While the absence of sight might seem like a limitation, I wield a unique strength with heightened senses. As I navigate through the pages of my novel, I rely on the senses and visceral cues to
create vivid descriptions that immerse readers into the hearts of my characters. This emotional depth brings authenticity to my writing, as I feel the emotions in every keystroke, making each romantic encounter come alive on the page.

I’ll admit to writing, you must have a powerful imagination. And thank goodness, I can say that is one thing I have. Because visual cues aren’t available to me, I perceive the world through compassion and emotions. This enables me to craft relatable characters, authentic emotional arcs, and poignant love stories that I hope resonate with readers on a deep level.

Writing romance isn’t as easy as one thinks. And as a blind author, it’s not without its challenges either. The ideas come from my own experiences with some alterations to make them fit into the sentences I need them to be. I rely a lot on my talking screen reader programs, whether on my phone or the laptop. Technology allows for me to research the basic descriptions and facts that help me fill my pages when I get stuck. Even though I can no longer see colors, I do remember them, but for some reason, they just don’t seem to play a huge role in my settings. But at times, they are needed along with other

such intricacies that are needed to describe settings, facial expressions, and visual cues, and these can be daunting. When that happens, I do reach out for assistance. And there have been many times I’ve spent hours collaborating with other authors from writing groups, workshops, beta readers, and editors to ensure my plot is genuine and flavored with enough description to set the scene and emotion appropriately.

As a blind romance author, I try to contribute to the importance of representation and diversity in literature.
Through my own unique perspective, I try to bring fresh voices to the genre, presenting characters with various abilities, backgrounds, and experiences. This inclusivity enriches the romance genre, reflecting a world where love transcends physical boundaries. I, however, do not include such characters in the story because society dictates it. They only appear if their fit is natural to the scene and situation. One example is my character, Doc Masterson. But you’ll have to read Rescuing Whiskey’s Salvation to see if he fits.

I hope my own story of being a blind romance author inspires readers worldwide, demonstrating that love knows no limits. As I write my journey through the pages of my romance novels, I hope to touch the hearts of readers and aspiring writers alike. I want everyone to know that no matter what difficulty you may have with writing, with determination, courage, and some tenacity, the passion for storytelling can overcome any obstacle, no matter how daunting it may be.

Ultimately, I hope to show with my novels the power of human imagination and resilience. As I shine light onto my stories and pull them out of my darkness, I hope to show off my skill of weaving emotions, empathy, and connection in each love story I create. Because for this romance author, the true essence of love does not necessarily come from one’s ability to see. But instead, touching the heart makes for a true romance.

Love to find out more? Check me out at https://chrissyhartmann.com
My debut novel – RESCUING WHISKEY’S SALVATION, and my novella – CHERISHING WHISKEY’S SALVATION, can be found at all major bookstores… Apple, Amazon, Google Play, and Books2Read. Follow me on Facebook, Twitter (X), and Instagram under USAWriter355.
Thanks, and enjoy!

Written by Chrissy Hartmann

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