Dear readers,
Welcome to the “Contemporary Writers of the Regency Period” page of The Regency Inkwell. In this page I hope to bring you information about new and not so new writers who have taken off where Jane Austen left with her wonderful stories of human nature and the social rules by which they were governed during the Regency period.
Please stay tuned as I bring you writers who have touched us with their stories as much as we have been touched by those written by Jane Austen and those who came after her.
Sincerely,
…Miguelina
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Sharon Lathan, Author of “Miss Darcy Falls in Love“
Ms. Lathan is a native Californian and resides in Hanford, California in the sunny San Joaquin Valley; with her own Mr. Darcy of 25 years and their two lovely grown children. By profession, she is a Registered Nurse in the Neonatal ICU and when not working you can find her busily typing away her latest story or when time permits reading or watching t.v.
SL: Thank you so much for having me on The Regency Inkwell, Miguelina. It is an honor to answer your questions and spend some time with your readers!
TRI: You are very welcome, but the honor is really mine. So, tell us about Sharon Lathan the woman and the writer.
SL: Sharon Lathan the Woman is reserved, a little bit shy even, completely a homebody who loves nothing more than curling up in her chair and watching TV with her family. She is not at all adventurous or overly exciting, believe me! She lives in an average residential area of a small town within the same state she has lived her entire life.
Sharon Lathan the Writer is a world traveler, both literally and figuratively. She gets to dress up and attend conferences where she meets exciting, famous people and interacts with strangers who know her name! She is creative in a bunch of ways, can express herself quite eloquently, serves as a mentor to others, and gets to cut loose from time to time. Her life is much more interesting than Sharon Lathan the Woman!
TRI: I wouldn’t mind hanging out with Sharon the Writer. I happen to do a lot of Sharon the Woman and I could use some excitement. So tell me, besides Jane Austen, can you name another author you favor? Why?
SL: I have many authors that are favorites. Historically I prefer the fantasy genre with my favorite authors JRR Tolkien, David Eddings, Raymond Feist, Stephen King, Terry Brooks, and Barbara Hambly to name but a few. I also love the works of Laura Ingalls Wilder, James Michener, John Jakes, and Taylor Caldwell, all of whom write such extraordinary family dramas. In the romance genre I am very fond of Karen Marie Moning, Sherrilyn Kenyon, Marie Force, Julia Quinn, Diana Gabaldon, Delilah Marvelle, Julie James…. I better stop or we will be here all day!
TRI: Wow! I think I have my own list. What is about Austen’s novels that compel you to write the story either by introducing new characters or providing your audience a different perspective from another character’s point of view?
SL: It isn’t a secret that I fell in love with Austen first via the 2005 Pride and Prejudice film with Keira Knightly. That was my introduction to her world, but of course it did not stop there! I honestly don’t know why these characters so touched me. I fell in love with the entire world Austen created – more so when I read the novels – and simply cannot get enough of them. Now they have evolved and are my own creations as I envision their lives, and in that respect I am not unlike any other author who falls in love with their characters and cannot let them go.
TRI:For me and others, I think it is great because I can then enjoy them. We know that the Regency period had a lot of exciting developments, such as the manners of its society, class structure, industrial developments, etc. What is it about that period that appeals to you as a woman? And as a writer?
SL: I am an old-fashioned person. I miss proper manners and respect, so it is wonderful to inhabit a world where those attitudes are the norm. I also love history, especially in regards to how it was evolving. Research is a passion for me. I get a thrill when I uncover some fact I never knew and will go to great lengths to incorporate that into my story. I think that I possess an educator’s heart in that I adore passing on what I learn to my readers.
TRI: I think that is what makes an author’s writing special. What role has Jane played in your writing?
SL: Jane Austen is the original creator and I never forget that. She laid the foundation and gave the characters their core personalities. When I began writing my sequel I turned to Pride and Prejudice at every turn for inspiration and to make sure I was on track. However, I soon realized that interpretations varied and that how I was seeing the characters, especially as they matured, was my vision. Ultimately I believe this would make Jane happy since every author wants their readers to enjoy their novels as it speaks to them.
TRI: From all of the books you have written, which one do you consider your masterpiece? Why?
SL: Oh my! I am not bold enough to consider any of my novels as a “masterpiece”! I am proud of each one, but do think my writing has improved as time has passed. The characters have become mine so writing them has become more fun, I suppose. I am very proud of the action and intrigue in The Trouble With Mr. Darcy, plus I love writing the children as I could in that one. I am very happy with Miss Darcy Falls in Love because it is a complete love story all on it’s own. And I adore Georgiana and Sebastian! I think my novella in A Darcy Christmas is excellent because it gives a glimpse of the Darcys as a family through 20+ years. In some ways I am most proud of that one, but it is a close contest!
TRI: I can’t wait to read Miss Darcy Falls in Love. I noticed that while writing The Vicar’s Deadly Sin, there were instances when I felt taken over by some unseen force and ended up with a fantastic scene or dialogue that I initially had not thought of. At what point during the writing process for Miss Darcy Falls in Love did this happen to you?
SL: Oh yes! This happens many times, doesn’t it? The muse hits and away we go! In Miss Darcy Falls in Love there is a scene where Georgiana and Sebastian have a fight. That ended up being much more powerful than I had initially envisioned. Then there is a scene where Sebastian is having a conversation with a friend named Gaston. This man who was only meant to lend a bit of advice ended up having a fabulous personality that completely took me by surprise! It is a small moment but I can’t tell you how many people have commented positively about Gaston!
TRI: Awesome! I am looking forward to reading “Miss Darcy Falls in Love.” Can you tell us a little about it without giving away any spoilers?
SL: How about the official blurb to state it for me—
Noble young ladies were expected to play an instrument, but Georgiana Darcy is an accomplished musician who hungers to pursue her talents. She embarks upon a tour of Europe, ending in Paris where two very different men will ignite her heart in entirely different ways and begin a bitter rivalry to win her. But only one holds the key to her happiness.
Set in post-Napoleonic Empire France, Miss Darcy Falls in Love is a riveting love story that enters a world of passion where gentlemen know exactly how to please and a young woman learns to direct her destiny and understand her heart.
TRI: Can’t wait! What are your feelings or thoughts on Miss Darcy? Why compelled to tell her story?
SL: For one thing, I am drawn to giving a personality to those who are not given much of one by Austen. Colonel Fitzwilliam, Anne de Bourgh, and Kitty Bennet all have a fleshed out role within my novels. Naturally I wanted to do the same with Georgiana. She grew on me while she literally grew as the years passed in my sequel. I began to see the future for her early on, but it was when I randomly introduced this man named Sebastian at a ball that I suddenly knew the whole tale. Instantly I recognized that it was worthy of an entire book rather than just a sub-plot in the series. Thankfully my editor agreed!
TRI: If you can go back in your writing career what would you do differently or wouldn’t?
SL: I know I would make a few different editing choices in my early books if I could. Nothing major, but just that I have grown as a writer and think I could apply that knowledge to making the first novel even better. From a career standpoint I would have gotten involved with other writer groups sooner than I did. The support from fellow authors is amazing and it helps so much.
TRI: As a writer do you feel you have come full circle, i.e., are you achieving your passion?
SL: I am achieving my passion, yes, but I don’t think a writer ever comes full circle. That would imply there are no more goals to strive for. I hope to always be searching for ways to improve and stretch myself.
TRI: Is there a character from one of your books that you molded after yourself?
SL: Not specifically, no. I have always said that Mr. Darcy is a lot like me, which is probably why I can relate to him. Same for Georgiana. I have no musical talent whatsoever, and of course I live in a liberated world where a woman having a profession is not a problem. But I am very like her in being shy, reserved, and desiring the simple things in life even while pursuing a career. It is a tough balance.
TRI: Any advice to new authors?
SL: Never give up! Keep writing and keep exploring all the options that are now available. It truly is an exciting time for authors with the opportunities myriad. Also, don’t be shy. Work hard and be savvy on what is possible and on what you need to do to be a success.
TRI: What are your thoughts on publishing the traditional way versus e-publishing?
SL: Both pathways have pros and cons. One is not “better” than the other nor is one way the only option. An author needs to look at the whole picture and decide what is best for them. I also don’t think it has to be one way or the other. An author can pursue both and I think they should. I love knowing that my novels are on a store shelf. It means a great deal to me, but as long as they are getting into the hands of readers who long for a happily-ever-after for the Darcys it does not matter to me what format it is in or how the reader finds it.
TRI: Thank you so much, Sharon for taking the time from your busy schedule to tell us about Sharon Lathan the Woman and the Writer.
SL: It was my pleasure.
Ms. Lathan is the best-selling author of The Darcy Saga sequel series to Jane Austen’s Pride & Prejudice. Her previously published novels are: Mr. and Mrs. Fitzwilliam Darcy: Two Shall Become One, Loving Mr. Darcy, My Dearest Mr. Darcy, In the Arms of Mr. Darcy, A Darcy Christmas, and The Trouble With Mr. Darcy. Miss Darcy Falls in Love is Georgiana’s tale of love and adventure while in France. Complete with a happy ending. To find out more about Ms. Lathan please visit her website at: www.sharonlathan.net and on Austen Authors, her group blog with 20 novelist of Austen literature at: www.austenauthors.com.
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Monica Fairview, Author of “The Other Mr. Darcy“
Ms. Fairview started her writing career as a professor of literature. She took great pleasure in teaching students the love of reading. But after years of postponing her creative calling, she finally realized one day that she could not ignore that calling any longer. Today she enjoys writing books about many of Jane Austen’s much loved characters and novels set in the Regency period.
After moving around extensively, she followed her true love across the Atlantic Ocean to settle down in Surrey, South of London, UK. She and her romantic husband have a lovely and super-active daughter. They are currently pet-less, but they have had a past-full of opinionated cats.
According to Ms. Fairview one of the advantages of living in England is that she can visit many fascinating properties managed by the National Trust, including famouse Austen film locations.
TRI: Thank you for being here.
MF: You are welcome. It is wonderful to be here on the Regency Inkwell. Many thanks for the invite.
TRI: The pleasure is all mine. I know you are very busy, so I appreciate the time you are taking awaying from your schedule to answer some questions. Tell us about Monica Fairview the woman and the writer.
MF: This could be treacherous waters – I could write a whole book about it! To be very brief: my claim to fame is that I started university when I was fifteen and got a Ph.D in comparative literature when I was 24. Between then and now, I wrote mainly academic papers, though I did write some poetry and started several novels. I finally got round to focusing on writing novels seriously around six years ago, and I haven’t stopped since then.
TRI: That is amazing. Besides Jane Austen, can you name another author you favor? Why?
MF: I have lots of favorite authors. They have changed over the years, of course. As far as the Regency Period is concerned, Georgette Heyer has to be my favorite. I love the world she created, the Regency slang she uses, and the humor. I also love her strong and unforgettable woman characters.
TRI: I agree. What is it about Austen’s novels that compel you to write the story either by introducing new characters or providing your audience a different perspective from another character’s point of view?
MF: Pride and Prejudice is very cleverly skewed to give us Elizabeth Bennet’s point of view, even though it seems like there is an omniscient narrator. Consciously or unconsciously, people want to see the novel from other perspectives, which is one of the reasons Austen sequels are so popular.
My impulse to write an Austen sequel was born from a sense of injustice. I thought it was very unfair for a villain like Wickham to get away with running off with a 15-year-old, while Caroline Bingley is presented as the real villain of P&P. So many people really dislike Caroline, but why? Yes, she is a bit catty, but her real sin is that she wanted Darcy to herself. Who can blame her? I thought was fascinating that Darcy was even associating with her. After all, she has a background of trade. So I wanted to give her perspective, as a kind of balance.
TRI: We know that the Regency period had a lot of exciting developments, such as the manners of its society, class structure, industrial developments, etc. What is it about that period that appeals to you as a woman? And as a writer?
MF: Well, the class structure was firmly in place – it was possibly the last hurrah for the aristocracy before the rise of the Middle Class. The shadow of the Guillotine hung over that generation, with fortunes and lives destroyed by the French Revolution. The English aristocracy was determined to make the best of it while they had the chance, which accounts for some of the excesses of the time. There was a sense of reckless freedom. Queen Victoria came in and clamped down on that very firmly.
The sense of reckless freedom translated into the much freer Regency fashions for women. Heavy wigs were disposed of, and many women cut their hair short. All the heavy brocades and layers of previous generations were tossed out of the window. Instead, you suddenly had young ladies dressed in thin gauze-like layers with only a couple of light layers underneath. What freedom!
TRI: What role has Jane played in your writing?
MF: Obviously she has inspired two of my novels. She was an amazing writer who was able, with the minimum of fuss, to create characters that speak to us even now, two hundred years later. She had to be genius, because she single-handedly created the romance as we know it, yet at the same time her writing was complex enough to be taught as literature.
TRI: From all of the books you have written, which one do you consider your masterpiece? Why?
MF: *Laughs.* I don’t think I can talk about masterpieces at this point. I’m still developing my craft as a writer. So far, every time I write something, I like it more than anything I’ve written before. As far as popularity goes, “The Other Mr. Darcy” has been my most popular novel.
TRI: I am looking forward to reading “The Other Mr. Darcy.” Can you tell us a little about it without giving away any spoilers?
MF: Miss Bingley is heartbroken about losing Mr. Darcy, and she has a meltdown at a very inappropriate moment (at Mr. Darcy’s wedding). Unfortunately, someone witnesses the meltdown – a Mr. Robert Darcy, an American cousin. She resents him because she’s afraid he’ll reveal her secret to society – but circumstances bring them together, so she has no choice but to deal with him. The rest is a clash of cultures and personalities…
TRI: As a writer do you feel you have come full circle, i.e., are you achieving your passion?
MF: I love writing – it’s a drive and need on many levels. I wouldn’t want to give it up. But I also feel I’m only just beginning. There is so much more still to explore. I’m writing different things, and I’m excited about all my new projects.
TRI: Is there a character from one of your books that you molded after yourself?
MF: Not really, but perhaps that’s because I’m writing Regency. There are bits of me in all the characters.
TRI: Any advice to new authors?
MF: Three things: 1) revise, revise, and revise some more. 2) join a critique group and develop the ability to take criticism. Not all criticism is valid, but you have to be able to listen to it with an open ear if you want to improve your writing to the point that it’s publishable. 3) remember that different people have different tastes in reading – including editors and agents. It’s not personal if they don’t like your work. Just keep trying (but only after you’ve done number 2)).
TRI: What are your thoughts on publishing the traditional way versus e-publishing?
MF: Initially, many Jane Austen sequels were self-published because the publishing industry was didn’t recognize the large market for sequels until Sourcebooks started to do it. There are many brilliant novelists that have tried for years to get published, but haven’t had a chance because they don’t fit in a specific genre acceptable to traditional publishers. For them, e-publishing is a great opportunity. It’s a way of by-passing all the traditional methods, particularly in a largely cautious industry that doesn’t have room for writing that doesn’t fit a genre. In some senses, the publishing industry is caught in a loop. Publishers only want to publish “what sells.” Yet how do we know what sells if we only publish the same things, over and over?
I’m definitely a strong advocate of e-publishing because it gives the author more control over her/his work.
But e-publishing can also become a way of by-passing some of the necessary stages needed for an author to develop. Let’s face it, very few people write first novels that people would want to read. Often the so-called first novels that make it into print traditionally are novels that have been written and rewritten for years. No one would assume that you can become a mechanic by taking up a spanner and opening the boot of a car. Yet you’d be surprised how many people assume that anyone can write a novel, that writing is easy. It takes a lot of trial and error to learn your craft, and there’s no substitute for rejection (or critique) to force you to go back to the drawing board to rethink what you’re doing and make it better. Even the most talented writers need to hone their skills. The danger of e-publishing is that the market will be flooded with novels that just aren’t ready yet. This will turn off readers eventually. There has to be a way of working out if a novel is ready to be published or not. I suspect there will be more and more editing services out there that will cater for people who are serious about getting a novel out.
It’s a new and wonderful world out there, but as with anything, there are pros and cons.
TRI: Thank you so much for being here. I have enjoyed talking to you and look forward to reading “The Other Mr. Darcy.”.
MF: My pleasure !
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Julie Klassen, Author of “The Girl in the Gatehouse“
Ms. Klassen worked in the publishing industry for sixteen years, first in advertising, then as a fiction editor. Currently she writes full time. Two of her books, The Girl in the Gatehouse and The Silent Governess won the Christy Award for Historical Romance.
The Girl in the Gatehouse also won the Midwest Book Award, while The Silent Governess was a finalist in Romance Writers of America’s RITA awards.
Ms. Klassen graduated from the University of Illinois and enjoys traveling, researching, watching BBC period dramas, long hikes, short naps, and coffee with her friends. She and her husband have two sons and live near St. Paul, Minnesota.
Please visit www.julieklassen.com for more information about Ms. Klassen and her books.
TRI: Tell us about Julie Klassen, the woman and the writer. i.e., where are you originally from, how did you get started in writing, etc.
JK: I am originally from Chicago, but spent most of my growing up years in rural, central Illinois. Lots of time alone in the country is good for the imagination! I have always wanted to be a writer, but it wasn’t until after I’d worked in first advertising, than as an editor that I finished my first novel. I learned so much working with other editors and authors, and I doubt I would be where I am today without that experience.
TRI: Do you have philosophy for your writing career or life?
JK: My philosophy is that a novel must first of all be a good story. I hope to entertain readers and to glorify God along the way.
TRI: I read you love everything Jane Austen and Jane Eyre, tell me more about this love. How does this person and novel inspire you?
JK: My sixth grade teacher read Jane Eyre aloud to our class over many weeks, with real emotion and even mascara-tears. That experience and that book no doubt piqued my early interest in all-things-British. Later Jane Austen’s books (and mini-series based on them), cemented that love and inspired me to write my own novels set in Regency England–when Austen’s novels were published.
TRI: Wow! Wish I had a sixth grade teacher like that. What drives you to write?
JK: Writing is my lifelong dream! I think I was wired this way from a young age. I’ve always liked to read and write stories, so it’s a real thrill to be published and to connect with readers who are enjoying the books.
TRI: Which of Jane Austen’s novels do you consider your favorite?
JK: If I had to pick one, I’d say Persuasion, and yet every time I read Pride and Prejudice I’m more impressed with Miss Austen’s wit.
TRI: Persuasion is my favorite, but you are right about P&P. Tell us about The Girl in the Gatehouse.
JK: The novel is about a young woman who has been sent away from her home after a scandal. She lives in an abandoned gatehouse on a distant relative’s estate, where she supports herself and her loyal servant by writing novels in secret. Her plan to live quietly is interrupted when a wealthy and ambitious naval captain leases the estate.
Fans of Jane Austen will recognize her influence in this book. There are nods to several of her characters, as well as to Jane’s own experience as a “secret” writer. But you don’t have to be familiar with Austen’s work to enjoy the book’s mysteries and romance.
TRI: We know that authors love all of their creations, but is there one of yours that is your ultimate favorite? Why?
JK: My first book, Lady of Milkweed Manor, will always be special to me, but if I had to pick one favorite I would say The Girl in the Gatehouse. I fell in love with so many of its characters. From wounded but hopeful Mariah, to one-handed curmudgeon Martin, to the strange old man who roams the poorhouse roof next door. I hope your readers will enjoy spending time with these characters—and learning their secrets—as much as I did.
TRI: I can’t wait to read The Girl in the Gatehouse. Tell us about discipline in your writing career?
JK: Discipline–what’s that?! Kidding aside, self discipline is something I’m working to strengthen in my own life. It is so important for writers since we are often our own bosses and have to consistently carve out time to write, whether we feel like it or not. Of course, deadlines help, too. Thankfully!
TRI: As a writer do you feel you have come full circle?
JK: I am constantly learning and certainly don’t feel like I’ve “arrived,” so I hesitate to say I’ve come full circle. But in one way I suppose I have. I am now writing the kinds of books I used to enjoy reading.
TRI: Any words of wisdom for newbies?
JK: Sure. Here’s my advice for aspiring writers: You’ve heard the saying, Write what you know? I say, Write what you love. What is the genre you most often read for pure enjoyment? That is probably the genre you should be writing. The hardest thing about writing is making yourself keep your derriere in the chair and tough it out until you write that first draft. Until you do, you will never know if you have what it takes—or would even truly want—to be a writer. I would also encourage new writers to study the basics (point of view, plotting, characterization, etc.) online or at a writer’s conference or local writer’s group. There is a lot to learn, but thankfully these days with so much information online, it’s easier than ever to get good information. Once you have written a first draft, have well-read friends or a critique group read the manuscript and revise it based on their feedback before submitting it to an agent or editor. Writing is a lot of work, but definitely worth the effort.
TRI: Great advice! What is it about historical romances that appeals to you?
JK: I love the chivalry of the Regency era, the men in tall boots and ladies in beautiful gowns, the balls and manners and restrained attraction. It was a romantic time–at least if you had money! And, even though I’m writing fiction, I love to do the research and anchor my stories on historical facts: customs and happenings of the time period.
TRI: If you could change genres what would your next one be and why?
I have several ideas for contemporary romance novels which I may write one day soon. But for now, I’m staying with the genre I love.
TRI: It is a great genre. Thank you for taking the time to meet with me.
JK: Thank you! Great questions; I enjoyed being here.
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Georgie Lee, Author of “Lady’s Wager”
A dedicated history and film buff, Ms. Georgie Lee loves combining her passion for Hollywood, history and storytelling through romantic fiction. She began writing professionally at a small TV station in San Diego before moving to Los Angeles to work in the interesting but strange world of the entertainment industry.
Her traditional Regency, Lady’s Wager and her contemporary novella Rock ‘n’ Roll Reunion are both available from Ellora’s Cave Blush. Labor Relations, a contemporary romance of Hollywood is currently available from Avalon Books. A Little Legal Luck, a contemporary novella is available from The Wild Rose Press. Look for her ancient Roman novella from Carina Press and her novel of love in the golden age of Hollywood from Avalon Books in 2012.
When not writing, Ms. Lee enjoys reading non-fiction history and watching any movie with a costume and an accent. Please visit www.georgie-lee.com for more information about Georgie and her novels. She can be followed on Facebook at: http://www.facebook.com/people/Georgie-Lee/1118655216 or through Twitter at: @GeorgieLeeBooks.
TRI: Tell us about Georgie Lee, the woman and then the writer. Also do you have a philosophy about how you live your life?
GL: I was born and raised in Southern California and I’ve always been a history buff, voracious reader, writer and a movie lover. I especially enjoy classic films because they have such witty dialogue. I grew up writing many different things, poetry, short stories, plays but my professional writing career began at a small cable TV station in San Diego where I wrote marketing videos and public service announcements. I dreamed of being a screenwriter so I moved to Los Angeles and earned my MA in screenwriting. I’d always enjoyed reading romance novels so one day I started writing one. It went on to become Lady’s Wager, my first published novel.
My philosophy is to always experience different things and to try and follow my dreams, even if they don’t work out. I moved to L.A. to be a screenwriter and though I never conquered Hollywood, at least I tried and I have some fun stories to tell about my time in the entertainment industry.
TRI: Wow! You are quite the Renaissance woman of film media. Who is your favorite author, and how does this person inspires you?
GL: I admire so many great authors, it’s hard to pick just one. I am going to go with a few classics, Oscar Wilde for sharp witty dialogue, W. Somerset Maugham for great insight into characters and D.H. Lawrence for well developed internal monologue.
TRI: On a personal level who inspires you most?
GL: My husband. He always encourages me to keep going, even when I’m having a hard time and he’s always ready to help me work through a story idea or a troubling plot point. He’s also calmer than I am so he’s better equipped to talk me off the ledge when things get a little intense in life.
TRI: That is awesome. It helps to have someone like that. What drives you to write?
GL: It’s always been something I’ve wanted to do and felt the need to do. My family is very artistic with lots of painters but I can’t paint or draw. Writing is my art.
TRI: I most definitely can relate to that. I would love to draw or paint but can’t. Tell us how you feel about Jane Austen and what makes her special in your eyes?
GL: I love Jane Austen because she captures the spirit of a very specific era with great insight, humor, wit and intelligence. Her characters are well-developed and with foibles, heartbreaks, challenges and triumphs that everyone can relate to. And, even after almost 200 years, Mr. Darcy is still very dishy.
TRI: I just read C. Allyn Pierson’s Mr. Darcy’s Little Sister and he was still very dishy. I just love sequels where he is shown to have changed dramatically, though still painful for him, because of the his love for Elizabeth Bennet. You consider yourself an Anglophile, what is it about British culture or history that you love.
GL: I love many eras from ancient Egypt to early America but I’ve always been drawn to British history. I think the sheer depth of historical influences from the Romans to the Angles and how they all shaped the culture are fascinating. Another interesting aspect to British history is how interconnected it is with American history. It is fun to see how Magna Carta, Henry VIII’s break with Rome, and George III’s mental problems helped shape early America.
Also, reading about royalty is one of my guilty pleasures and much less fattening than chocolate.
TRI: You wrote a novella about Roman times called Mask of the Gladiator, which by the way, I think is very interesting. The story involves a real historical figure, Caligula. How much of the novella will comprise facts? Especially since Caligula was driven insane by what some believe to have been epilepsy.
GL: The story is fictional, but I drew heavily from history to create a realistic ancient Roman background. I researched everything from Roman politics to the layout of Roman villas to help make the historical aspects of the story accurate and interesting. In regards to Caligula, I drew heavily from Josephus and other ancient historians to create his character. I used more of the debauched elements of his personality, as opposed to his insanity, to create a malicious, chilling character who presents a real threat to the hero and heroine.
TRI: I was originally thinking of reading it, but now after your further description, I will have to put it on my list. I studied ancient Rome in college, and discovered a passion for ancient history, which includes Rome, Greece and Egypt. You then wrote a Regency period romance, Lady’s Wager. What can you tell us about the story?
GL: Actually, Lady’s Wager was the first romance I wrote and published. It is the story of an independent heiress and a stubborn Viscount who stake their futures and their hearts on a wager. The heroine, Charlotte, is a headstrong heiress dedicated to charitable causes, who publicly disdains marriage while secretly pining for love. The hero, Edward, is a stubborn Viscount who feigns poverty in an effort to find a woman who loves him and not his inheritance. Sparks fly when these two intractable people meet. They cannot seem to let down their guards long enough to admit their love for one another. All seems hopeless until Edward challenges Charlotte to a wager. If he wins, he wins her hand in marriage. If he loses, then Charlotte is free of him. Now Charlotte must put aside her doubts about his intentions long enough to let Edward into her life and admit that he is the man of her dreams.
TRI: Looking forward to reading it. We know that authors love all of their creations, but is there one of yours that is your ultimate favorite?
GL: I don’t really have a favorite. I enjoy all of my characters and I love spending time and creating them, but by the end of the process, I’m always ready to meet some new people.
TRI: I noticed that while writing The Vicar’s Deadly Sin, there were instances when I felt taken over by some unseen force and ended up with a fantastic scene or dialogue that I initially had not thought of. At what point during the writing process for The Lady’s Wager did this happen to you?
GL: It wasn’t exactly one unforeseen scene, but the plot for The Lady’s Wager that actually laid itself out pretty easily. I did have to go back and do a lot of editing and polishing but it was one of the few times where I didn’t struggle with the plot. If only all my novels plotted so painlessly.
TRI: As a writer do you feel you have come full circle?
GL: In some ways I have but in others I have a lot to learn and a long way to go.
TRI: Any words of wisdom for newbies?
GL: Keep trying and don’t give up. There were many years where I was writing and nothing was being published and then all of a sudden, one day, all the hard work began to pay off. It’s a long term career so you can’t let setbacks make you give up.
TRI: Thanks for taking the time to meet with me.
GL: It was my pleasure.
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Cheryl Bolen, Author of “With His Lady’s Assistance“
Ms. Bolen graduated from the University of Texas (Austin) with a double major in English and journalism. She was an editor of the school’s “Daily Texan”. She married in her junior year of college and is still happily married to the same man, who is a college professor. They have two sons, one whom is an attorney, and the other a journalist, who loves to edit e-books on the side. Ms. Bolen earned money in journalism, both full and part time for more than 20 years while raising her family. She also obtained a master’s degree in education and worked as an English teacher for six-years. To find out more about Ms. Bolen, please visit her website.
TRI: Tell us about Cheryl Bolen, the woman and then the writer.
CB: After many years of being me, there’s a lot to tell. My first book “A Duke Deceived” sold in 1997. It was the seventh I’d written. The following year I earned the title Notable New Author. Since then, I’ve been publishing Regency-set historicals. One of them, “One Golden Ring“, won the Holt Medallion for Best Historical Novel in 2006.
In late May, I started e-publishing some of my older titles for which I’d gotten back my rights, and it’s been very exciting. For much of September and October I had as many eight books in the Top 20 Bestselling Regency/Historicals at Amazon. I also published three more titles that had not previously been published, and am now bringing out With His Lady’s Assistance.
My sweetie and I are both Anglophiles and travel to England whenever we can. We also love University of Texas athletics. I enjoy dabbling with my little antiques business titled Tuppence & Other Old Things which has evolved over its 18 years into more of a book shop. (It’s just a booth in an antiques mall; I don’t have to work at the place.)
TRI: Who is your favorite author, how does this person inspires you to write?
CB: No one even comes close to Jane Austen. I love the way she nails characters. Even though she wrote 200 years ago, characters haven’t changed.
Sadly, I don’t have any contemporary must-read authors. Much of my precious reading time now is research oriented. For several years I’ve done a monthly column for the Beau Monde’s newsletter. (Beau Monde is a chapter of Romance Writers of America especially for those who write books set in Regency England.) I review books that pertain to the Regency. Sometimes those books can number up to 2,000 pages! I read many, many diaries of those who lived in the Regency.
Authors whose books I drag out for a good comfort read are almost always British. I love Mary Stewart’s old romantic suspense books and Josephine Tey’s fabulous mid-century mysteries. Their writing is so brilliant.
TRI: I love Mary Stewart. My favorite “Nine Coaches Waiting” I read in high school. What drives you to write?
CB: I’m not so much a storyteller as I am one who loves to play with words. Having been a journalist for almost three decades, I’ve always been paid to write, and I enjoy the process. I have to say writing fiction is much, much harder than non-fiction. There’s that “blank page” thing at work. You’ve got to create something from nothing. What I enjoy most about writing fiction is crafting characters. I think one of my strengths is being able to tap into universal emotions.
TRI: I know that the Regency period had a lot of exciting developments, such as the manners of its society, class structure, industrial developments, etc. What is it about that period that appeals to you as a woman? And as a writer?
CB: The Georgian/Regency period was the epitome of the “good life” for aristocrats. Those are the characters I write about. My books are pure escapism. It was the era of the Grand Tour and the oh-so-fabulous country estates that wealthy, often titled, men built to house the Greek and Roman statuary and Renaissance paintings they brought back from their travels. Having visited England almost a dozen times, I’ve been to many of these estates built by Georgian aristocrats. It’s a lifestyle that can never be replicated. It’s fascinating.
In my more recent books, such as The Earl’s Bargain and the one I have coming out in 2012 “Marriage of Inconvenience“, I’ve gotten a bit more political. Now that I’ve learned so much about the thinkers of the era and the factors that contributed to England’s Reform Bill of 1832, I write more about civil liberties, which is a topic that I think is just as applicable today as it was 200 years ago. I happen to feel America in 2011 is stepping backward to a society of the Haves and the Have-Nots, much like Regency England. Personally, I like to live in a country that has eliminated poverty and provides a good quality of life for all its citizens.
TRI: Tell us how you feel about Jane Austen and what makes her special in your eyes?
CB: Jane Austen is a goddess! She could tap into human nature in such a subtle way. With her magic pen she could also make everyday life interesting.
TRI: I agree with you. In your passion for writing, what role has she played in it?
CB: Let me say that this past summer I visited the 200th anniversary of the regency exhibit at the Huntington in Los Angeles. I saw a first edition of Pride and Prejudice. It was published in three volumes! Whenever I sit at my computer and write, I think of how she had to write such relatively long books in longhand – and likely by the dim light of a candle!
Whenever I start a new book, I ask myself to create unique, memorable characters, such as Mr. Collins, but I know I fall short of my idol.
TRI: We know that authors love all of their creations, but is there one of yours that is your ultimate favorite?
CB: Absolutely! It’s Lady Daphne Chalmers, the heroine of my recent With “His Lady’s Assistance“. She’s almost a polar opposite of me. I’m what my husband calls “Prissy.” I’m too conscious of appearances and clothing and shoes! Definitely shoes. Lady Daphne could care less about appearances but is genial, intelligent, and extremely well liked. Though she’s of a higher class structure than the hero, she is conscious that he’s far more noble than any aristocrat she knows.
TRI: I like her already. What qualities can you relate to most in the heroine of “With his Lady’s Assistance“?
CB: Daphne is very compassionate; I am too. She also has a moral compass which prevents her from gossiping about people’s “sins.” I try to adhere to that, but as a woman, I do confess to a love of gossip!
TRI: Tell us about discipline in your writing career?
CB: If there were a discipline scale, I’d be an 8.5. I’m not totally focused on writing. I still love cooking dinner every night, going to the gym every morning, and piddling with my “hobby” antiques business. When I’m not contracted, I tend to spend more time on fun stuff like shopping. When I’m on a book contract, as I am right now, I tend to write six or seven days a week and almost completely avoid watching television.
I have logs going back several years showing how much work I produce each day on each book. I keep the current week’s log on my desk next to my keyboard. On it I write my daily/weekly goals, page number at start and finish, etc.
TRI: What kind of Research do you do for your books?
CB: I have a pretty extensive library; so, most of my research is done at home. One of my favorite things about the internet is the ability to locate practically every book ever written. I often purchase books from sellers in Australia or England. I’m particularly interested in books of letters and diaries of those who lived in Georgian England. One book always leads to another.
I do very little research on the internet, but I do use it some. For example, in my current WIP, there’s a Church of England wedding service. I went online and found the service that would have been used then.
In my earlier books I was not as knowledgeable about Regency England as I am now, therefore some of them may not be as accurate as I’d like. I thought that having read every book Georgette Heyer wrote qualified me to write about Regency England!
TRI: As a writer do you feel you have come full circle?
CB: I don’t know if I’ve come full circle. I know I’m a much, much better writer than I was earlier in my career, but I always strive to keep learning more about the craft of writing. I’m active in Romance Writers of America, and there’s rarely a program from which I can’t glean something.
TRI: What is next for Cheryl Bolen the writer?
CB: I’ll be going into somewhat of a new genre with my November, 2012, release. It is a Regency inspirational romance. It will be published by Love Inspired Historical, a division of Harlequin; so, in that respect, I’ve sort of come full circle, since Harlequin Historical published my first book.
I’m having a ball with my e-books, too. Last month I made more money than I’ve made in my best year writing. It helped that I had nine books out; therefore, once someone read one of my books, they would often read all of them. A pity I can’t keep up such phenomenal sales, but one can only be on the bestseller list for a certain amount of time. At one point in early October I had eight of the Top 20 Bestselling Regency/Historicals on Amazon.
I’m a bit disappointed that one of the directions I had wanted to take in my writing didn’t work out. I spent a couple of years doing a fictionalized biography of an aristocratic woman who lived in Regency England. For that, I got an enthusiastic, well-established agent, but she was not able to sell it. Many publishers are skeptical of doing books on historical women who were not queens. I would also love to do non-fiction books on Regency England, but there’s not much of a market for that, either.
TRI: Any advice for newbie writers?
CB: Don’t write in a vacuum. I did for many years, and I didn’t grow as a writer. I thought because I’d always had good writing skills, because I’d been a journalist, and because I was an avid reader, I could sit right down and write a bestselling novel! I was very much mistaken. It took me years to learn the tricks of writing commercial fiction.
Once I got involved in networking, I learned more about writing and more about the publishing industry. By networking, I mean join writers’ organizations. Join a critique group. Go to conferences and workshops. Enter contests.
It wasn’t until I did all of the above that I was able to write “sellable” books. Though I had not been a reader of romance, I was told that the Romance Writers of America (RWA) was THE best organization for learning about the writing industry. And that’s the truth.
Many beginning writers pack up their first manuscript and send it off to New York, assured they’re going to make a lot of money writing. (I think it’s something like only 5 percent of authors can live off their writing income.) Less than one percent of those first efforts are ever published. I strongly encourage beginning writers to submit to contests BEFORE submitting to editors and agents. Trust me, if your writing isn’t good enough to make the finals in a contest, it’s not good enough to land a publishing contract in this highly competitive, bottom-line guided industry. Even successful authors like me don’t sell every book they write. Editors are no longer making the decisions to buy a book. Marketing is. I had a book turned down after the editor at a major publishing house recommended a “buy.” The marketing department did not think it sexy enough.
A lot of good books never get published because their audience is just too slim, the book just won’t fit into an established niche.
Of course, now there’s the option of self publishing e-books, and there have been many success stories. I must caution people here, though, that few of those success stories are for single books. The reason I’ve been able to sell A LOT of self-published e-books is because I had A LOT of inventory. I own the rights to ten current e-books. Harlequin has another of my books up as an e-book.
My last tidbits of advice are to study the craft of writing, read books on the craft of writing, and if you’re going to write book-length fiction, you need to write every day.
TRI: Thank you so much for taking time from your busy schedule to meet with me.
CB: My pleasure!
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Tess St. John, Author of “Second Chances“
Ms. St. John does not consider herself the “normal” writer. She didn’t aspire from a young age to become an author and most certainly never dreamed of holding a book that she had written. But after years of seeing images in her head—like a movie reel—she decided that the only way to stop the images was to put them on paper. Soon after floodgates of images started pouring out and a story was born. Since then she has written four books. She feels blessed beyond belief and tickled to be able to write stories about love straight from her own heart.
Ms. St. John lives near Houston, Texas, with her real-life hero husband (her daily inspiration) and their two lovely children—who fill her completely. To learn more about Ms. St. John, please visit her website.
TRI: Tell us about Tess St. John, the woman and then the writer. Do you have philosophy for your writing career or life?
TS: I’m an extremely blessed person. I’m married to my high school sweetheart (a man I fall more in love with every day) and we have two amazing kids (well, my youngest will be 18 next week, so I guess they’re technically adults). My philosophy in writing is to entertain and give the reader an escape (because we don’t have that enough in our day to day lives). My philosophy in life is that we’re all in this together. I think we should help each other as much as possible, however we can, and as much as we can.
TRI: Who is your favorite author, how does this person inspire you to write?
TS: I like so many writers, but my favorite historical romance writer is Lisa Kleypas. I’m not sure she inspires me to write, but she inspires me to read (which we all know makes us better writers).
TRI: I’d say that is inspiration at its best. What drives you to write?
TS: I have no choice in the matter if I choose to be sane. I write from scenes that play in my mind like a movie reel. To stop the reel, I have to write it down.
TRI: Tell us how you feel about Jane Austen and what makes her special in your eyes?
TS: I think Jane Austen was an oddity in her day, different from the norm. Not afraid of what people would say and not afraid to be herself. There is something endearing about that. Her stories are timeless, because they’re still issues all of us deal with…human nature.
TRI: I agree, there is something about them that touches us deep within our core. Tell us about “Second Chances.” I read the premise and loved it. Can’t wait to read it. I did read “Emma’s Chance.” Would you say that the story borders on child abuse? Do you explain the reason for her father’s cruelty?
TS: “Second Chances” is exactly what the title alludes to…two people having second chances at life, love, and happiness. I do think “Emma’s Chance” borders on child abuse, but Emma’s father’s cruelty is justified, at least in his eyes. The reasoning for it isn’t explained until the end of “Second Chances” during the black moment. I actually struggled with having any sort of abuse, because I hate violence of any kind, but I left it off the page…it’s only spoken about and not shown, so I hope it’s done tastefully and doesn’t upset anyone.
TRI: We know that authors love all of their creations, but is there one of yours that is your ultimate favorite?
TS: That’s a tough one. I think there is something about each character I write that makes them my favorite at the time. In “Second Chances”, Drake’s daughter Samantha was just a delight to write. I know many who say children in romances is a no-no, but once she came into my mind, I had a blast with her.
TRI: I noticed while writing “The Vicar’s Deadly Sin” that there were instances when I felt taken over by some unseen force and ended up with a fantastic scene or dialogue that I initially had not thought of. At what point during the writing process for “Second Chances” did this happen to you?
TS: I’d actually written “Second Chances” as a short story, but didn’t feel it had the depth I wanted, so I decided to make it a full length book. As I wrote the first chapter, tears rolled down my cheeks (hopefully when you read that chapter you’ll understand). I’ve had this happen with each of my stories…that connection is important to me and I hope it comes through on the page.
TRI: Wow, I can’t wait. I think it is great to have that connection and have not met anyone, yet who hasn’t had it happened to them. Tell us about discipline in your writing career?
TS: I try to write or edit every day. There are times when I can’t read or write because of an equilibrium disorder I deal with, but when I’m feeling well, I do try to work on my stories (or help cps).
TRI: As a writer do you feel you have come full circle?
TS: Full circle and then some. Each time I take a class, critique someone else’s work, or go over someone’s critique of my work, it helps to hone my skills. Also, “On Writing” by Stephen King was one of the best how-to-write books I’ve ever read.
TRI: I heard about that book. Maybe I should go ahead and get it. His book was listed in some other blog as one of the best books out there to read about writing. How do you feel about traditional method of publishing versus self-publishing?
TS: I think each publishing avenue has a place in the world. I believe things are changing and hope everyone in the writing world realizes that and embraces it. I know people who will only traditional publish and others who will only self-publish. I think each writer has to choose for themselves what is right for them. My reasons for self-publishing are different than most. I studied the craft of writing for seven years, but as my health worsened I realized I may not be able to make deadlines (there was a point a few years back when I was in bed three days a week). I knew agents and publishers didn’t have the time to dally with a sick person, so I just kept learning my craft. In 2010, during Nov and Dec, I couldn’t read or write at all because of a bout with the dizziness and I swore if I got better that I would self-publish (my husband had been encouraging me to do it for a while)…at my own pace and if my health got in the way…no big deal, I wouldn’t be letting anyone else down. So far, self-publishing has been wonderful for me.
I want to thank you and Pamela for having me today. I wish both of you much success with “The Vicar’s Deadly Sin”.
TRI: Thank you, Tess, that means a whole lot to us. Good luck with “Second Chances” and please keep the stories coming.
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Patrice Sarath, Author of “The Unexpected Miss Bennet“
Ms. Sarath is a writer of fantasy, science fiction, and romance. Her novels include “The Unexpected Miss Bennet,” a sequel to Jane Austen’s beloved “Pride & Prejudice.” She is also the author of the Gordath Wood series (Gordath Wood and Red Gold Bridge) published by Ace Fantasy, an imprint of Penguin. Patrice’s short stories have appeared in many magazines and anthologies, including the Alfred Hitchcock Mystery Magazine, Weird Tales, and Year’s Best Fantasy 3. Ms. Sarath lives in Austin, Texas, with her family. To learn more about her, please visit her blog and website at www.patricesarath.com
TRI: Tell us about Patrice Sarath the woman and then the writer.
PS: The best way to describe me is as a hobbit: I love breakfasts, especially second breakfasts, cozy homes, even if the rooms aren’t round, comfortable chairs and teakettles, and long rambles on country lanes with my faithful hound. And I love ponies – I take riding lessons and hang out at a local barn. Like Bilbo Baggins, I like a bit of adventure and travel, but coming home is always best.
I love writing adventure stories and getting into the emotional lives of my characters, and swooping them into big expansive plots, although for The Unexpected Miss Bennet, a big plot would have been out of character for Mary Bennet, so I kept it small and suitable to a respectable young lady of good family. But of course, there are horses, as there are in all my novels.
TRI: I love it. Even in your answer you have created a wonderful world. What drives you to write?
PS: I am driven to write by a love of reading. I love a good book, and always wanted to give back to readers that wonderful feeling of being engrossed in a story and having their emotions engaged and all that good stuff. There’s nothing like getting a letter or email from a fan saying, “I stayed up all night to finish your book!” I’ve done that many times too, so I love giving it back to other readers.
TRI: Who is your favorite author, the one that inspires you?
PS: I can’t pick just one, so here are a few. Jane Austen of course. J.R.R. Tolkien. Robert Louis Stevenson. Of contemporary authors, I love Barbara Kingsolver, Charles de Lint and Stephen King.
TRI: That is a good wide range. How do these authors influence or inspire you?
PS: They provide tales of swashbuckling adventure and/or emotional engagement. Jane Austen has a laser-like ability to focus on human emotions and motivation and her work still holds up in a modern era although it was written two hundred years ago. Barbara Kingsolver and Charles de Lint are so kind to their characters that you can feel their love for their creations leap off the page without being sappy. Stephen King writes horror with heart – he definitely goes for the negative emotions, but he is another one who loves his characters, even as he puts them in nasty situations. He provides redemption so often and in unexpected ways.
TRI: Tell us how you feel about Jane Austen? What makes her special in your eyes?
PS: When I first read Pride and Prejudice, it was for school and I wasn’t that excited about her. I picked it up again when I was in my twenties, and by then I had matured enough to really get what she was doing. I became a fan of all of her novels, although I don’t like Mansfield Park quite as much as the others, but I suspect that it’s because it’s less modern and more of Austen’s time than her other novels. What I love about Jane Austen is how I can always find something new every time I read her. There’s always some detail or observation that falls into place and makes me go, “ohhhh.” Unlike most readers, I am not as focused on the romantic elements of her storylines, but rather on the small plots and the characters. I know these people. They raise their children in a recognizable way, they act in ways that are very close to modern-day middle-class society, and they have quirks and foibles that are very real and human. If Austen were writing today, she would be writing the same plots and storylines and they would be as timeliness two hundred years from now.
TRI: I agree with you on the focus she instills in her characters. Not only did you write a sequel to Pride and Prejudice? But you did it about Mary Bennet. Why did you feel compelled to tell her story?
PS: I’ve always felt Mary Bennet got short-changed in Pride and Prejudice. No one had time for her, especially her parents, and no one ever listened to her. I have also always thought that she would have been a perfect match for Mr. Collins, so why wasn’t she even in the running for his affections, right? Well, of course, Mr. Collins was a pretty foolish man who couldn’t even see that Jane was totally out of his league. And thus was born The Unexpected Miss Bennet.
TRI: I too felt that she would have been perfect for Mr. Collins. What qualities can you relate to most in Mary Bennet?
PS: She loves books. She loves to read. She wants to be noticed and has ambitions to be known as a great thinker and philosopher. I love her shyness and awkwardness, and ugly duckling status. Of the characters in all my books, my Mary Bennet is most like me.
TRI: We know that authors love all of their creations, but is there one of yours that is your ultimate favorite?
PS: In The Unexpected Miss Bennet, my favorite character is Mr. Aikens. I love Mr. Aikens. I really feel like there had to have been someone like him back then, completely oblivious to all convention and just kind and down-to-earth. And then I made him an excellent horseman because all my books have to have horses. I wanted him to be a foil for Mary so she could grow as a person to understand and appreciate him.
In my other books, I would say my favorite heroine is Kate Mossland and my favorite hero is Captain Crae (of Gordath Wood and Red Gold Bridge).
TRI: As a writer do you feel you have come full circle?
PS: I feel as if I am continuing to grow and expand my horizons as a writer. I get better with every book that I write and I push myself to excel for each book.
TRI: I like that philosophy. As a writer of fantasy and science fiction, what is it about these two genres that attract you?
PS: Adventure, magic, sword fighting, romance – what’s not to like? As for science fiction, space travel and colonizing planets is the most awesome adventure out there. I love to be part of it as a writer and reader.
TRI: Name a favorite fantasy book, a science fiction one and a romantic one?
PS: Just one is hard. Favorite fantasy is The Lord of the Rings. Favorite science fiction might be Space Cadet by Robert Heinlein. Favorite romance is a tie between The Grand Sophie and Cotillion, both by Georgette Heyer. But favorite novel, of all genres, is Pride and Prejudice.
TRI: Would you write another Regency period novel? And if yes, have you considered telling Kitty’s story?
PS: I have about 30,000 words of Kitty’s story in progress, and clues to it are found in The Unexpected Miss Bennet.
TRI: Awesome! Any words of wisdom for newbies?
PS: As long as it’s that time of year: Don’t get caught up in the hype of NaNoWriMo. That is the worst thing you can do as an aspiring novelist. Turn off your internal editor, write for the joy of it, yeah, but don’t fall into the trap of thinking that 50,000 words in a month is a good way to go forward.
Writing is like a muscle. It needs exercise. Write every day if you can. It gets easier the more you do it on a regular basis.
Writing can’t be taught; BUT it can be learned. It’s up to you to find resources to help you learn to write, whether those are workshops or books on writing. I found Ann Lamott’s Bird by Bird to be an excellent writing book. Others swear by Stephen King’s On Writing.
A writers group is one way to hone your craft by getting feedback from other writers. You learn a lot by critiquing other authors’ work.
Write with joy. It’s hard to write, and harder still to edit, so the pure joy of heeding your muse and creating story is a gift in itself. Not every day will go easily. There’s a reason writers say that writing is like opening a vein. But when you’ve got it, there’s nothing like it. Good luck and have fun!
TRI: That is wonderful advise and I will try to remember it. Thank you so much for taking the time from your busy schedule to talk to us. I have enjoyed this interview and I am looking forward to reading The Unexpected Miss Bennet.
PS: It was my pleasure.
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Jolie Beaumont, Author of “Ode to a Dead Lord“
Ms. Jolie Beaumont is the pen name for the author of “Ode Dead to a Dead”, the first book in a new Regency mystery series. When she’s not recounting the exploits of her Bow Street Runner sleuth Theo Bryght, she works as a journalist.
TRI: Tell us about Jolie Beaumont, the woman and then the writer, what drives you to write? and why write Regency period romances?
JB: Jolie Beaumont is my pen name. I also write mysteries under my real name, but since those mysteries appeal to a different audience I decided to keep the two series separate.
I never thought I’d become a writer when I was growing up. I was an avid reader, but I was crazy about the theatre and so I was sure that my future would be on the stage. Life has a way, though, of taking a person in unexpected directions and I ended up becoming a journalist instead of an actor. My journalism writing led to an offer to write a mystery series, and so that was my first foray into the world of book publishing.
I chose to write mysteries, as opposed to another genre, because I love to read them. When I was younger, say in my college days, I thought a book had to have some deep meaning to be considered worthwhile. But now that I’m older (and have to work for a living, as well as do the shopping and laundry) I’m much more appreciative of books that just entertain and offer a few hours of enjoyable escape.
I know that many people enjoy a mystery story because it gives them a chance to pit their wits against those of the fictional detective and the author. I’m actually terrible at guessing “who dunnit.” What I like about a mystery is that it brings together different sorts of people who might otherwise not meet, and the stress of the situation forces the characters to show their true colours, for good or for bad. And, of course, a mystery is often set in an interesting location – an old English country house or an exotic island or a wonderful city such as London or Paris – so the reader gets to do some vicarious traveling
Another one of my interests is history – my idea of a perfect Sunday afternoon is to spend it doing historical research – and so I thought it would be great fun to set a mystery series in the Regency period. The era has so much potential for mayhem and intrigue. On the one hand, you have the Prince Regent and his circle engaging in all their extravagant entertainments. On the other hand, the Industrial Revolution, the Napoleonic Wars and advances in science were all turning English society upside down and creating intense feelings of uneasiness and insecurity. With so much rich material to work with, I felt sure that I could keep a mystery series set in the Regency going for quite a while, and I’m finding that new ideas for stories do keep popping into my head.
TRI: Who is your favorite author or the one who inspires you most?
JB: I don’t have one author that’s my favorite. Instead, I have certain books and characters that I find I keep going back to. I love the Sydney Carton character in Charles Dickens’ “A Tale of Two Cities“, for instance, and my fictional sleuth, Theo Bryght, does share some of his characteristics. Jane Austen’s “Persuasion” also had an influence on me while I was writing “Ode to a Dead Lord“, since my characters are a little older and wiser than the hero and heroine one might usually find in a Regency mystery or romance. I do, of course, read a great deal of British detective fiction – classics like The Moonstone, the Sherlock Holmes stories, and the Agatha Christie mysteries. And although Dame Agatha’s books might not be considered great literature, I do find it inspiring that she was able to have a successful writing career that lasted for more than five decades!
TRI: Tell us a little about your book, “Ode to a Dead Lord”, of course without giving away any spoilers.
JB: The story begins when Viscount Percy Ainsford Foster Ashe is discovered dead in a shabby boarding house in Brighton. The young lord had gambled away the large fortune that his wife – Lady Charlotte Ashe – had brought to the marriage, and so the initial assumption is that Lord Ashe committed suicide. But then a Bow Street Runner named Theo Bryght arrives on the scene. He suspects that Lord Ashe was actually murdered – and that the murderer might strike again.
To unravel the murder mystery, Theo Bryght must follow the clues from Brighton to the Yorkshire Moors. Along the way, he and Lady Ashe are confronted with a mystery of a very different sort, the mystery of the human heart.
TRI:What kind of research do you do for your books?
JB: I probably tend to do too much research. Since I find the period so fascinating I read whatever I can get my hands on. I love looking at the clothes, of course, and I had great fun researching the Regency slang that one of the characters, Lord Lauferby, so freely uses. Because part of the story has to do with the Peninsular War being fought in Spain, I also had to research the military history of the period, just to make sure my characters were fighting the right battle. And because there are references to poetry scattered throughout the book, I also had to research the period’s literary history. For instance, in one scene Lady Ashe quotes part of a William Wordsworth poem. Wordsworth later revised the poem, and so I had to be sure that she was reciting the version that would have been right in 1812.
Location is also very important to me, and I find that I can’t write until I know specifically where the story is set. Today, it’s very easy to research places on the Internet, but I did make a trip to all the settings – Brighton, the Yorkshire Moors, and the northern seaport town of Whitby – to scout out specific locations. Physically being in the place makes the setting come alive in a way that even the best pictures can’t do. You also learn little details about a place – certain customs the people have, snippets of local history that reveal character but aren’t important enough to make it into the history books – that can be used in the telling of your story. So I do try to do on-site research, as well, when I can.
TRI: Tell us, what your plans are for Theo Bryght and Lady Ashe?
JB: All I can say at the moment is that they do meet again in the second book, so stay tuned.
TRI: I noticed while writing The Vicar’s Deadly Sin that there were instances when I felt taken over by some unseen force and ended up with a fantastic scene or dialogue that I initially had not thought of. At what point during the writing process for “Ode to a Dead Lord” did this happen to you?
JB: I’ll let you in on a little secret. When I began writing “Ode to a Dead Lord” Lady Charlotte Ashe was going to be the sleuth of the series. Theo Bryght was going to be a minor character, just someone who helped her solve the murder mystery. But after I’d written about 20,000 words I got stuck and couldn’t go forward. So I put the file into “storage.” When I got back to it several months later I did some revising, but again I found that I couldn’t go forward. So the file went back into the deep freeze. The third time I went back to the file an idea came to me: What if Theo Bryght is the sleuth?
Once I changed that, the rest of the story just flowed. But even though Theo Bryght is the main sleuth of the series, there is still going to be a role for Lady Ashe in the future.
TRI: What qualities can you relate to most in your characters?
JB: As I mentioned a bit earlier, the two main characters in “Ode to a Dead Lord” - Theo Bryght and Lady Charlotte Ashe – are a little older and wiser than the typical heroes of a Regency story. They’ve both had relatively difficult lives: Lady Ashe had an unhappy marriage and when the book opens she has lost her entire fortune; Theo Bryght is actually the son of an Earl, but when he refused to enter the clergy he was disinherited by his father, and so he has had to make his own way in the world. And yet they are survivors. Not only are they determined to make the best of an unfortunate situation, but they are determined not to become embittered by their experiences. I like their perseverance and the fact that they are able to retain a sense of optimism, as well as a sense of humour.
TRI: How do you feel about traditional publishing versus e-publishing?
JB: Having done both, I can say that each has its advantages and disadvantages. The traditional publisher gives you the whole package – editing services, cover design, layout, distribution, etc. The publisher of my other mystery series did also help with the marketing. But you are on their publishing schedule, which can mean that they don’t publish as many of your books as you might like, especially when the economy takes a nosedive.
With e-publishing the publishing schedule is entirely up to you; you can write as many books as you like and get them uploaded immediately. The downside is that all the marketing is also up to you and the marketing does take time – time that you could be using to write your next book. But it’s great to have this choice, and I think it’s a very exciting time to be an author.
TRI: What is next for Jolie Beaumont the writer?
JB: Next is definitely the second book in my “Theo Bryght, Runner” Regency mystery series. I think I have my location – a certain historic city in Cheshire – and I’m trying to arrange a visit to Cheshire this fall. So with luck, the new book will be out in the spring or summer.
TRI: As a writer do you feel you have come full circle?
JB: No. I’m very happy that I’ve found a way to use my interests in English history and literature through the writing of this mystery series – it wasn’t always apparent that I would be able to put my liberal arts education to work! But I like to think that there are still a few nice surprises in store for me further down the road.
TRI: Any advice for new writers?
JB: The main thing is to write and read, and then write and read some more. You also have to be very inner-directed, since for most of us no one is waiting with bated breath for that next book to appear – and for all of us I think there’s always that moment when we wonder if what we’ve written is any good. So I think some of the best advice – at least when it comes to persistence and not giving up – comes from Jane Austen, who once wrote: “I am not at all in a humour for writing; I must write on till I am.”
TRI: Thank you for taking the time from your busy schedule. I am looking forward to reading “Ode to a Dead Lord“.
JB: My pleasure!
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Candice Hern, Author of “The Best Intentions“
Ms. Hern is an award-winning, bestselling author of historical romances set during the English Regency, a period she knows well through her years of collecting antiques and fashion prints of the period. She travels to England regularly, always in search of more historical and local color to bring her stories and characters to life. Her books have won praise for the “intelligence and elegant romantic sensibility” (Romantic Times) as well as “delicious wit and luscious sensuality” (Booklist).
Originally from Texas, Ms. Hern grew up in California and lived for many years in San Francisco. She now lives in Minneapolis, MN, where she is still getting used to the winters. She has degrees in Art History from the University of California. Before becoming a full-time writer, she spent several years in high tech marketing, and her last position was as Director of Marketing Operations for a software company.
Her award-winning website (www.candicehern.com) is often cited for its Regency World pages, where readers interested in the era will find an illustrated glossary, a detailed timeline, illustrated digests of Regency people and places, articles on Regency fashion, research links, and much more. It is the only author website listed among the online resources for the Jane Austen Centre in England.
You can visit Ms. Hern at www.candicehern.com for more information on her books, including excerpts and a look “behind the scenes” of each novel. Her books, including “The Best Intentions” are available at Amazon in paperback and kindle.
TRI: Tell us about Candice Hern—the woman and the author.
CH: On a personal level, I’m opinionated, political, and set in my ways. As a writer, I am an outliner, i.e., I do not and cannot fly by the seat of my pants (can’t make it up as I go). I must know where I am going. I spend a long time creating a detailed outline that serves as my roadmap. I am also more interested in character then plot, and always begin the writing process with two key characters in mind. Finding a plot to put them in is the most difficult part of the process for me.
TRI: What drives you to write?
CH: I am not driven to write, like some writers. I write because I enjoy it.
TRI: Why write Regency period romances?
CH: It all started when I discovered the books of Georgette Heyer, rather late in life. When I then learned that similar books were currently being written, I became hooked on them. (This was back in the late 1980s and early 1990s, when all the major publishers had a Regency Romance line and published several titles a month. By about 2002, I believe, all those lines had ceased to exist.) I loved modern-day Regency Romances because it was as close as I could get to Jane Austen-type books. And I have always had a deep love for the period. I have long collected Regency-period antiques, and like any good collector I had researched the social and historical context of my collections.
One day a friend saw me reading yet another Regency Romance and asked why I didn’t write one of my own, since I knew the period so well. All at once, about 10 ideas popped into my head. I sat down at once and outlined my first book, and was lucky enough to sell it before it was even a complete manuscript.
TRI: Wow! That is amazing, to actually sell your manuscript before completing it, what an honor. Who is your favorite author or who inspires you most?
CH: Jane Austen will always be my favorite author. I re-read her six books regularly and never tire of them. I love her language, her subtle wit, her sometimes biting humor, and her keen eye, and ear, for character. Her books never cease to inspire me. My other favorite is Dorothy Dunnett. Her books are wondrous. Lymond is my all-time favorite romantic hero. Who can resist a man who is gorgeous, brilliant, dangerous, tormented, and a little bit crazy? Dunnett’s prose inspires me more than any other writer. I am a sucker for lush description and lyrical narrative, and no one does it better.
Among current authors writing historical Romance, I love Lisa Kleypas, Loretta Chase, Mary Balogh, Liz Carlyle, Madeline Hunter, and Sherry Thomas. My favorites in contemporary Romance are Susan Elizabeth Phillips, Barbara Freethy, Christie Ridgway, and Nora Roberts. I also adore the J.D. Robb books (Nora Roberts’ alter ego, writing futuristic thrillers), and the paranormal Romances of J.R. Ward and Jessica Andersen.
TRI: Tell us a little about your book, “The Best Intentions”, of course without giving away any spoilers.
CH: I wrote THE BEST INTENTIONS after getting a boatload of mail from readers asking for a happy ending for Miles, the guy who lost the girl in A GARDEN FOLLY. I had never intended a book for him, but decided to see what I could come up with. He was a widow whose late wife had been the true love of his life and he wasn’t looking to replace her in his heart. But he had two small children and they needed a mother, so he knew he had to marry again. Since he wasn’t looking for love, he figured the best plan was to find a mature, sensible woman who would be willing to accept his inability to love again, but would settle for an affectionate, if not passionate, match. She would also, of course, have to accept his little girls.
So, what sort of heroine should I create for the reserved, proper, sensible earl? Exactly the opposite of what he thinks he wants, of course! Hannah is too young, too wild, too artless and unsophisticated. She’s also maddeningly outspoken and a bit of a klutz. Not at all the sort of woman Miles was looking for. But, despite his best intentions, he falls in love with her.
TRI: That is so sweet and I can’t wait to read it. I read the excerpt and I was hooked. What is your philosophy on Love?
CH: When you love someone, I think you have to accept that person completely, flaws and all. You don’t try to remake them into your ideal of love. You love them for who they are.
TRI: I wish everyone believed in that as well. What kind of research do you do for your books?
CH: Lots of it! I believe a writer has to build a credible and consistent world for her readers, whether it is specific area of our contemporary world, a fictional fantasy world, or a world based on an actual historical time and place. In my case, I feel I need to provide readers with a Regency England that feels real. Even if I get some historical details wrong, and I do, I try to make it as accurate as possible. I have a huge library of books on the period and on specific topics like fashion, design, architecture, carriages, etc. And maps. I love maps. So, I am surrounded by research books in my office, and I also make use of Google books a lot. I do quite a bit of online research as well. I have hundreds and hundreds of bookmarked sites that I use for research.
Most of my research doesn’t end up on the page, but simply provides me with rich context for my characters’ lives. Frankly, I can get lost in the research. It’s way too much fun, and I always have to force myself to pull back and remember that it’s the story that is most important, that I’m writing Romance not History.
TRI: As a writer do you feel you have come full circle?
CH: I’m not sure what you mean by that. But in fact, I am now writing the sort of books I started out with – Regency Romances – so maybe that is a full circle. Back to what I love. When publishers dropped all the Regency lines about 10 years ago, I had to join the ranks of those writing sexy historical romances in order to continue to be published. Romances, historical and contemporary, had become much steamier, and the sweet love stories found in most Regency Romances were no longer thought to be marketable. But the audience for sweeter books never really disappeared. They simply had fewer, if any, choices. When I began to re-publish my Regency Romances as e-books, I realized that audience was still there and starving for sweet romances set in their favorite time period. And so I have decided to write more of them. The beauty of self-publishing e-books is that I no longer have to worry about Regency lines being dropped or having to write to someone else’s expectations. I can do whatever I want! And what I want to do is write more Regencies.
TRI: I know that the Regency period had a lot of exciting developments, such as the manners of its society, class structure, industrial developments, etc. What is it about that period that appeals to you as a woman? And as a writer?
CH: To be honest, the first thing that drew me to the Regency period was the fashion. Besides simply loving the style, it always fascinated me that this short period (20-25 years) of narrow skirts and classical silhouettes was squashed between two periods of huge skirts and tight waistlines. I absolutely love Regency-style fashion, and find it easy to imagine my female characters dressed in empire waistlines and simple, close-to-the-body skirts. I also think it is easier for female readers to imagine the characters – and by extension themselves – in such clothing because it has a very modern sense to it. Even though women were still strictly corseted, the fashions were not so confining as those that came before and those that came after the Regency. I think it is much harder to imagine oneself in Medieval garb, or those wild and crazy styles of the 1830s.
But besides the fashion, the Regency period is interesting on so many levels. (And I am talking about the extended period used to define design, art, furniture, etc – eg 1790s to 1830.) The Napoleonic Wars, the burgeoning Industrial Revolution, the political changes brought about by the French Revolution, the rise of the middle class – it all makes for a period of great change. It’s really the birth of the Modern Age, and makes for a very intriguing setting for a writer.
Socially, the period was transitional between the more bawdy 18th century and the very restrictive 19th century. Setting a story within the confines of such a society provides immediate avenues of potential conflict, where the hero or heroine or both may have to fight against the rigid rules of conduct to develop a love relationship, or must play strictly by the rules, which can sometimes be equally difficult.
TRI: I see your next novel is called “The Social Climber” what can you tell us about it?
CH: It’s the first of a series of stories based on two women who establish a sort of genteel business helping young women through a Social Season. You’ve heard of wedding planners? These are Season planners. Each of their clients (i.e., the heroines of the stories) will present significant social obstacles that must be overcome.
In THE SOCIAL CLIMBER, the two women help a plainspoken merchant-class woman who’s just inherited a fortune and wants to buy her way into Society. They are also chaperoning a young girl who is the ward of a very wealthy man who owns a famous gambling establishment, a self-made man who came up from the streets. The newly rich spinster wants to marry a lord, but can’t resist the businessman with lower class roots.
TRI: What a great and creative idea. Any advice for new writers?
CH: Write, write, write. And read, too. If you want to write a certain type of book, read other books in that genre to get a feel for the style and the market. Find other writers to network with, and to share and critique works-in-progress. Writing is a solitary business, but it is a business. Learn what you can about publishers and agents and contracts. There are lots of writers’ blogs that can help you learn about the industry. And though I have had success with self-published e-books, I do not necessarily recommend that route for brand new writers. I already had a name and a following when I self-published, so I wasn’t starting from scratch. A new writer might benefit from traditional publishing first, getting a feel for editing and packaging and marketing, etc. But there have been a couple of huge successes from new writers going straight into self-publishing. Amanda Hocking, for example. But she did two things that are key to self-publishing success: she did a ton of social networking and blogging to get her name out there; and she continued to write and write and write. It typically takes more than one or two books to really get any self-publishing momentum.
TRI: That is sound advice to me. I see that you do a lot of workshops/presentations, what do you love about doing this?
CH: I think I have always had a bit of the teacher in me. Even when I worked in high tech, I often taught classes or did seminars. I love sharing what I know or what works for me as a writer. I do a workshop on point-of-view, for example, and there are almost always a few faces in the audience where you can practically see a little moment of epiphany. I love that.
I also do workshops on specific Regency topics, most of them based on some of my collections. I am doing one next week at the local chapter of the Jane Austen Society of North America, where I will be talking about ladies’ magazines of the period. (I collect them.) I love sharing my collections with other people who have a passion for the period.
TRI: I can tell by your website and your historical collective works. Thank you so much for allowing us to talk to you. Let us know when “The Social Climber” is ready to go public.
CH: Thank you!
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Carey A. Bligard as C. Allyn Pierson, Author of “Mr. Darcy’s Little Sister“
Ms. Carey A. Bligard writes fiction under her pen name, C. Allyn Pierson. When not writing, Ms. Bligard is working at her Dermatology practice in Fort Dodge, Iowa. She grew up in Oregon and Hawaii and attended medical school at The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine in Baltimore, Maryland, and specialized in Dermatology at Tulane University Medical School in New Orleans, Louisiana. She has traveled on medical mission trips all over the world and has been the medical director and physician for 9 missions to Nicaragua in the past 6 years.
Ms. Bligard is married to Dr. Eric W. Bligard, an eye surgeon and avid tennis player, and they have two sons. The Bligards share their home with two dogs, Muzzy, a 5 year old Newfoundland of immense size, and Kai, a Yorkshire Terrier of immense character. For more on Ms. Bligard you can visit her at http://callynpierson.com/. Her books, including “Mr. Darcy’s Little Sister” are available through Amazon in paperback or kindle.
TRI: Our first question has become a traditional question for us to ask, tell us about Carey Bligard, the woman, and then C. Allyn Pierson, the writer.
CB: I grew up in Oregon and Hawaii and got my bachelor degree in Biology at the University of Oregon, then went to medical school at Johns Hopkins and did my internship and residency in Dermatology in New Orleans at Tulane Medical School. I met my husband the second day I was in Baltimore – before I even started classes in med school – and we married after he graduated (ummm, 29 years ago). When we finished our training in New Orleans we moved to Fort Dodge, Iowa, and went into private practice. I spent the next 20 years raising our two sons, the younger of whom is severely autistic. Both sons are out of the nest now, my 24 year old is in medical school at Washington University in St. Louis and my 22 year old is living in Fort Dodge in a group home with three other young men and supervisory staff. Everyone is happy and healthy. We also have dogs…right now we have two…an 8 lb Yorkie and a 150lb Newfoundland. The Yorkie is the boss of that pair.
TRI: I have two of them and they are the boss of me. What is it about writing that drives you?
CB: I have always liked writing and when I was ten I wanted to be a writer. In fact, my pen name, C. Allyn Pierson is a variant of my maiden name and what I decided at that age to call myself when I was a “famous author.” Then I became interested in medicine and took a 30 year side trip. After my eldest son left for college I realized that I had a story I wanted to tell and I sat down and started working on it. I didn’t tell anyone, not even my husband, until I was sure I was going to finish it (I had much experience with unfinished craft projects!). I wanted to just work on it myself until I was ready to publish. My drive is to craft a story that is believable both as history and as literature, and I developed a real interest in history after I finished school.
TRI: Who is your favorite author?
CB: Jane Austen, no question.
TRI: What is it about this author that influences or has influenced you?
CB: She is one of the most readable of 19th Century writers, she doesn’t spend a lot of time writing word pictures and she avoids the ridiculous melodrama of the Gothic romances. Although life was very different in the Regency than it is now, the basic interactions of humans have not changed.
TRI: In your passion for writing, what role has Jane Austen played in it?
CB: Jane Austen was what finally gave me the kick start to actually sit down and write. I came to the realization that there were a lot of people writing sequels out there and I had a very definite idea tucked in the back of my brain about what happened after the cover of Pride and Prejudice was closed.
TRI: I know that author’s love all of their creations, but is there one of yours that is your ultimate favorite?
CB: I have really only published one. My first title, And This Our Life: Chronicles of the Darcy Family started as Darcy and Elizabeth’s life after their marriage, which included having Georgiana living with them and Elizabeth helping her to mature. As it went through the editing process Georgiana’s story really became the more interesting part. The book was spotted a few months after publication by an agent who was looking for new authors in that genre. The short story: we talked, I signed, he sold it to Sourcebooks. However…Sourcebooks wanted it rewritten to be from Georgiana’s point of view and I really liked the idea because her story was so compelling, so I spent three intense weeks rewriting it. Although the basic storyline is the same, Mr. Darcy’s Little Sister has a lot more detail about Georgiana and I added a new plot sequence as well. Some scenes I recycled (some with different participants), but the idea is the same.
TRI: If you could go back and do something different in your writing career, what would it be?
CB: I would have started out writing about Georgiana! Other than that, I would not change much. My original story was not ready for submission to a traditional publisher and the editing services I purchased from the self-publish company really helped the book, so I knew what to do when it needed to be rewritten.
TRI: I noticed while writing The Vicar’s Deadly Sin that there were instances when I felt taken over by some unseen force and ended up with a fantastic scene or dialogue that I initially had not thought of. At what point during the writing process for Mr. Darcy’s Little Sister did this happen to you?
CB: The point I was most engaged in (and which I wrote early in the history of the manuscript) was the scene where Georgiana receives an offer of marriage from the man she was in love with but did not know if she would ever win his love. (Deliberate vagueness here…no spoilers!)
TRI: I must admit I got pulled into MDLS when I read the excerpt. Not having read the novel yet, however, I felt the title pretty much tells us that this is Georgiana’s story. Can you tell us what some concurrent themes in the book are?
CB: I wanted readers to understand the pressures and restrictions on young women in high society, as well as some of the risks which could “ruin” them and destroy their lives.
TRI: That is great! What compelled you to write her side of the story?
CB: Sourcebooks, but I was happy to make the change, and would have done so originally, but it was too far along in the editing process. I learned a lot from the first, self-published book!
TRI: How do you feel about the traditional way of publishing? Do you think it is becoming extinct?
CB: I think traditional publishing is under a great deal of pressure from electronic publishing, but I don’t think it will become extinct. The publishers who are smart and select authors and books carefully will make it, because books still need editing and packaging and most self-publishers do not have those skills. I know a number of writers, however, who have done both self-pub and traditional pub and are going back to self-publishing, and I know some, like Jennifer Becton, who came to writing from the editor’s chair and who knows the business. I think these authors will be successful because most sales are happening online now anyway. If the authors can write well and make sure their work is will edited they don’t need an intermediary to publicize it.
TRI: We know that the Regency period had a lot of exciting developments, such as the manners of its society, class structure, industrial developments, etc. What is it about that period that appeals to you as a woman? And as a writer?
CB: One of the reasons I love the Regency (besides the fact that I can dress up without wearing a corset) is that we really learn so little about that period in history classes. The 19th Century is overwhelmed by Queen Victoria’s shadow and the 9 years of the Regency kind of disappears, yet it is a very exciting era with a lot of contradictions and a lot of interesting public figures. As a writer I feel that the Regency, with all its flaws, is an era that is positive in outlook. Victorian literature tends to be much more dark and deals with issues of poverty and class confusion that Jane Austen doesn’t deal with. A good comparison is between the 1995 BBC/A&E version of Pride and Prejudice and the 2005 BBC version of Elizabeth Gaskell’s North and South. Both are miniseries, both adhere very closely to the original books, yet Gaskell’s is full of class conflict and the desperation of the poor.
TRI: That is true, both are on top of my list of favorites. Any advice to new authors?
CB: Write about something you know and love and do mountains of research about your publishing options. If you can find a writing partner who can help critique you, it can be very helpful. Also, don’t forget social media as a way to make contacts in the writing and publishing industries.
TRI: Thanks for joining us here today and affording us the opportunity of getting to know more about you as a woman and a writer.
CB: Thank you! It’s been a pleasure!
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Donna Cummings, Author of “Lord Midnight”
Ms. Cummings has worked as an attorney, winery tasting room manager, and retail business owner, but nothing beats the thrill of writing humorous contemporary and historical romances.
Currently she resides in Massachusetts (although she fantasizes about spending the rest of her days in a tropical locale, consuming mojitos for breakfast and wearing flip flops year-round).
Ms. Cummings can usually be found at the local Starbucks, fine-tuning her caffeine levels while working on her latest manuscript, or on Twitter, talking about writing, and coffee. Several of her manuscripts are in with agents. For more on Ms. Cummings and her writings, please visit her at http://www.AllAboutTheWriting.com/.
TRI: Tell us about Donna Cummings—the woman and the author.
DC: I write lighthearted, humorous romance. I also write for Macmillan Publishers’ romance blog, Heroes and Heartbreakers, and I blog twice-weekly at my own site, All About The Writing, with posts intended to inspire and encourage other writers. As for the woman. . .well, I love coffee, and reading, and I’ve had a variety of careers, but writing has always been the one job I truly love.
TRI: Where do you find your inspirations for your stories?
DC: The stories seem to find ME. Random scenes show up in my brain, and they’re very vivid, almost as if I’m watching a preview for a movie. It intrigues me and I have to write it all down and see where the story goes from there. I also feel like I’m swimming around in “idea-infested waters”. The idea for Lord Midnight appeared when I read a newspaper article about how the political future of a vice-president hinged on something horrible happening to the president. It made me think how that could apply to the British aristocracy, and then I thought, “What if someone couldn’t wait for their title, and decided to speed things along?”
TRI: Why Regency period romances?
DC: I fell in love with Georgette Heyer books when I was younger, and I think it was because it was the first time I’d seen humor and romance paired together. Before that, I read a lot of Gothic romances, which I loved, but they focused on dark, brooding heroes and suspenseful, dangerous situations for the heroine. With Regencies, I loved the witty banter, and the elegant manners, and the entire self-contained world of the ton. So when I decided I was going to write a book, I started with Regencies, because humor and romance is the perfect combination for me.
TRI: Who is your favorite author or the one who inspires you most?
DC: My favorite author is Suzanne Brockmann, who doesn’t write anything close to Regency books! But I love the world of her special ops Troubleshooters, and I get so immersed in her characters’ emotions and what they experience. She’s a master at deep POV, which is why her characters are so lifelike. I’m also a big fan of Susan Elizabeth Philips and Jennifer Crusie, because I love how they pair romance and humor. My all-time favorite Regency author is probably Barbara Metzger, who is so clever, and witty, and her heroes are ultraromantic.
TRI: I have never read B. Metzger, perhaps I should. What qualities can you relate to most in your characters?
DC: I always joke that my characters are braver than I am, but what I really relate to is their determination, especially when life seems to throw obstacles in the way. There are some days that I feel like I’m moving backwards, and I have to take stock of how far I’ve come, and what I’ve accomplished, and remind myself I’m making progress even when it feels like I’m not. I’m also a big romantic, so I definitely relate to that part of my characters—their unending belief in love and happily-ever-afters. We all seem to enjoy laughing, and humorous conversations always keep us interested.
TRI: You have completed several manuscripts. What is the status of their publication dates?
DC: At the moment I’m waiting for my agent to call with good news for two stories that are currently with editors—one contemporary, and one Regency historical (Lord Midnight). While I’m waiting, I’m finishing up a Regency short story that I plan to self-publish: a sort of literary amuse bouche, to give potential readers a taste of my writing and stories. I also write contemporaries and have a sexy short story that may get self-pubbed, depending on a response I’m awaiting elsewhere.
TRI: That is wonderful news, I cannot wait to read some of them. From what I read about “Lord Midnight” the hero is driven by revenge against his evil uncle. What drives you to write with vengeance?
DC: I’m driven to write because I love my characters so much. I love telling their stories, probably because I’m learning about them a page at a time, just like readers will. They’re witty and funny and sexy and charming. They fall in love, and get hurt, and keep going. I’m fascinated by them, and new stories and characters keep showing up, so I keep writing.
TRI: Any words for aspiring writers?
DC: Write what makes you happy. Write the way you think is best for the story. This is how you will uncover your writing voice, and it’s the most valuable thing you possess as a writer. Also, writing involves more than sitting down at the keyboard every day. You need a life outside of that, to inspire you, to refresh your muse, and to add to the things you dream up.
TRI: Great advice! You have two more manuscripts. Will you tell us a little about each one of them?
DC: I have a humorous contemporary romance titled Shoot Me If I Do, about a woman who is so gun-shy about commitment that she jokes she’s had colds last longer than her relationships. She’s on her fourth tour of duty as a bridesmaid when shots ring out during the wedding ceremony, and she learns that being shot at ends up being the best thing to happen to her love life.
I also have a humorous women’s fiction book called Bad Sex Karma, which starts with the heroine being dumped by her boyfriend at their anniversary dinner. She believes she’s cursed now, since the men she dates end up physically harmed, but then she encounters a sexy chef who helps her discover a very delightful future.
TRI: Have you always been a reader and writer, or was there some point of discovery that this is what you wanted to do?
DC: I’ve definitely been a reader since that first Dick and Jane book in first grade. I felt like I’d unlocked the code to the universe once I learned how to read books by myself! I’m baffled by people who don’t like to read, even though I come across them on a daily basis. I’ve always had the itch to write, but it took a while before I viewed it as something I could actually do. I think I was looking for another code to be unlocked, because I spent a lot of time reading “how to” books, too afraid to try writing anything because I was sure I’d do it wrong. Finally I went to a conference where someone said, “it doesn’t come out perfect the first time”, which was one of those “duh” revelations, but it got me to writing. And now I can’t imagine writing not being a part of me, or my life.
TRI: That was definitely a wonderful revelation. I am sure I speak for others as well when I say we can relate. Thank you for speaking with us.
DC: Thank you so much for letting me chat with you about writing, and my books. It was great fun!
TRI: You are so welcome and keep us posted. We have a new page in our blog called “The Latest News” and would love to report to our fans goings on of the writing world.
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Kara Louise, Author of “Only Mr. Darcy Will Do“
Kara Louise and her husband grew up in Los Angeles, California. They now live in Kansas on 10 acres in the country. They have one grown and married son and are proud caretakers of 1 dog, 6 cats, 3 horses, and 2 goats.
On a fateful day 10 years ago, she began her writing career after discovering and reading Jane Austen’s “Pride and Prejudice” for the first time. Now 10 years later, she has published 6 novels. When not writing, Ms. Louise works part-time at her church doing publications and a variety of other jobs. She works right across the hall from husband, who is a Pastor.
Her hobbies include reading, crafts, music, and anything that requires creativity. She also enjoys playing and watching sports, traveling, and visiting with friends. For more information on Kara Louise and her novels, please visit her webiste at www.ahhhs.net/karalouise/about.html. Her books, including “Only Mr. Darcy Will Do” are available on Amazon either in paperback or Kindle.
TRI: Tell us about Kara Louise the woman and the writer.
KL: I am a very creative person and have always indulged in the area of arts and crafts, using a variety of mediums over the years. When I began writing, I found it very fulfilling as it also tapped into that creative side of me (so much so, that I do very little crafting anymore!). One thing writing has allowed me to do is to expand those characters that I love so much – particularly, Elizabeth and Darcy. It has also been fun for me to develop some new characters, as I did in “Only Mr. Darcy Will Do,” with Rosalyn (who has eyes for Mr. Darcy) and Peter Hamilton, another cousin of Mr. Darcy.
While I love romance and my books are considered romance, what I really enjoy exploring in a story is how the obstacles to love are overcome and try to take the reader on the journey to see the growth of the romance. I love to discover the change that comes about in a person because of the love they have for someone. That is why I love Jane Austen so much, especially P&P, as both Darcy and Elizabeth were willing to change for (and because of) someone they love. We often hear people say how they wish they could change something about the person they love, when perhaps first they should ask what they might change in themselves for the other person.
TRI: I could not agree with you more. I have always believed that for love, the human being is quite capable of great things. Change is very important for both parties and must take place in order for their love to be strong.
I read you discovered Jane Austen at a later stage in your life, meaning as an adult rather than a young adult, what was it about her and her writing that pulled you in?
KL: It was actually the 1995 version of “Pride and Prejudice” that pulled me in. After watching it over and over for about a month, I decided to read the novel and enjoyed it so much I bought a book that contained all of her novels. She has a style of writing that engages you. I can just open to a random page in any of her books and enjoy what I am reading. But she also gave us such depth to her characters that I feel as though they are truly friends, and realize that in 200 years, people have not really changed.
TRI: Besides Jane Austen, can you name another author you favor? Why?
KL: The only other author that I have read a lot by is Georgette Heyer. I discovered her about 2 years ago and I think I’m on my 14th book of hers. She takes you on quite a wild ride, with the entanglements her heroines often get into. I just downloaded 6 more to my kindle when they were marked down for her birthday, and look forward to reading each one of them.
TRI: I recently bought one of her books. What is it about Austen’s novels that compel you to finish the story or give your audience a different perspective from another character’s point of view?
KL: I think it is very much to her credit that she gave her characters such depth that one feels as though they know them personally. My writing, like so many others, came when I wanted more after reading the book, found websites where people were posting their various stories, and then decided to write my own. Most of mine are variations, and I feel the variation gives the reader another chance to follow their favorite characters down a different road to pretty much the same destination.
TRI: What role has Jane played in your writing?
KL: Jane gave me the initial inspiration to write. I had only casually considered writing years ago, made a meager attempt at it, but didn’t get past the third page. I actually had the whole story planned out, but realized it would take too much effort to draw it out. I was so inspired by Jane to write, however, that suddenly I couldn’t type fast enough or often enough to get that first story down.
TRI: If you were asked to compare yourself to Elizabeth Bennet, what would the similarities be? What would the differences be?
KL: I was the second born daughter. (There were only 3 of us, though, instead of 5.) I think Elizabeth liked the outdoors, and I also enjoy a good walk. I think that’s probably the extent of the similarities. If there was one trait I wish I had that Elizabeth had, it would be her wittiness. I think she is clever enough that her wittiness just leaps out without having to try. My attempts at being witty occur occasionally, but not often. Also, she is not afraid to express her opinion. While I am much more vocal now (my husband says I have gotten much bolder in my old age!), at her age I struggled with saying what I felt or disagreeing with someone.
TRI: From all of the books you have written, which one do you consider your masterpiece? Why?
KL: I think my favorite is Darcy’s Voyage (originally self-published as Pemberley’s Promise). I loved the premise of the book and that a good part of it takes place on a ship. But I think my last book, Only Mr. Darcy Will Do (originally self-published as Something Like Regret), is probably the best one. I think this variation is very plausible, in that Mr. Bennet dies and Longbourn has gone to Mr. Collins. It begins after Mr. Darcy’s first proposal, so when Elizabeth, now a governess, encounters him again, she is much more decidedly beneath him. Unfortunately, she begins to see him for the good man he is and believes there is no chance he will ever renew his offer.
TRI: If you can go back in your writing career what would you do differently or wouldn’t?
KL: Actually, I can’t think of anything I would do differently.
TRI: As a writer do you feel you have come full circle?
KL: Very much so! My journey began as a writer of online stories, both on my website and other Austen sites. After getting a lot of encouragement to publish, I decided to self-publish my books. Several other authors, including Abigail Reynolds, did that at about the same time. When Sourcebooks began picking up these Austen genre books, Abigail gave me a heads up and I sent them mine. They turned me down. But about a year and a half later, when I had just self-published Something Like Regret, they contacted me again about picking mine up, saying they thought they made a mistake. They offered me a contract for the two books, with the option to pick up the others. At this point, I think it’s just going to be the two. So now I plan to self-publish my next one, and yes, I guess that means I’ve come full circle.
TRI: As a writer of romances, how do you feel about romance?
KL: I love a good romance, whether in real life, in a book, or a good movie! I really enjoy hearing the love stories of older people, how they met and got together, what they’ve gone through together, and what helped them stay together. That is so inspiring.
TRI: Is there a character from one of your books that you molded after yourself?
KL: I haven’t molded a character after myself, but I have to confess I have written scenes that have happened in my life, either in something I (or someone else) said or did.
TRI: Any advice to new authors?
KL: I feel very strongly that you should write what you would enjoy reading. If you enjoy reading it, you will enjoy writing it, and chances are others will, too. But if you plan to put your story into book form and sell it, there are some things you need to do. First, acquaint yourself with writing skills by taking classes, attending workshops, reading books, and searching blogs. If you feel your story is good enough to publish, you can seek out a publisher or self-publish it. If you self-publish, you still need to have others look at it, accept their critique, and make it as excellent as you can before expecting others to buy it.
TRI: What are your thoughts on publishing the traditional way versus e-publishing?
KL: I have enjoyed being able to do both. The advantage of traditional publishing is getting your books exposed to a larger audience in bookstores and having it professionally edited. It is also viewed as a ‘legitimate’ book if done by a publisher. But e-publishing (whether it be electronic books or self-published paperbacks) has become very easy and economical to the authors, with royalties a little higher than one can get from a publisher. The author can retain more control in a book they self-publish, which can be nice, but everything is on their shoulders, including marketing, so it might not be for everyone. I’m just thrilled that the opportunity is there for aspiring authors to publish.
TRI: Well, we thank you very much for taking time from your busy schedule to talk to us.
KL: Thanks for the interview!
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Sally MacKenzie, Author of “The Naked King“
Ms. MacKenzie graduated with a B.A. in English from the University of Notre Dame in the first class of women. She attended Cornell Law School, but did not finish. She is a former federal regulation writer, recovering parent volunteer, and mother of four grown sons. A native of Washington, D. C., she still resides in suburban Maryland with her husband.
As an USA Today bestselling author, Ms. MacKenzie writes the funny, hot, Regency-set Naked nobility series for Kensington Zebra. The series, which includes seven novels and two novellas, has concluded (at least for the time being) with The Naked King, released in June 2011. She is now hard at work on a new “Duchess of Love” series.
Her books have been translated into Japanese, Norwegian, Portuguese, Russian, Slovakian, and Spanish. You can find more about Ms. MacKenzie at www.SallyMacKenzie.net, sallymackenzie.blogspot.com, or on Twitter @Sally_Mackenzie.
TRI: Tell us about Sally MacKenzie, the woman and the writer.
SM: Oh, that makes me sound so grown up! I’m currently caught in deadline hell, so I feel like a complete bedlamite at the moment. I’m a native of Washington, D.C., and, except for going away to college and law school and one year in Northern Virginia the first year I was married, I’ve always lived in Maryland within about a 5 or 10 mile radius. Boring?
As a mother of four grown sons, so I spent MANY years as a parent volunteer: I edited school newsletters, wrote auction programs, and served as the high school PTA co-chair, the Cub Scout Cubmaster, and the summer swim team organizer among other things. I’m currently still on the swim league’s board of directors. I’m a Masters swimmer (middle of the pool) and a regular at the gym. (Masters is swim team for grownups.)
As for writing, I’ve always wanted to be a writer, and I’ve always written something, but I didn’t turn seriously to fiction until I was approaching the half century mark.
TRI: In the literary world what has been your greatest accomplishment?
SM: I have to say finishing a book–each and every book. I face a blank computer screen with horror, wondering how I’ll ever write 90-some-thousand words. It doesn’t seem to matter that I’ve done it before. In fact, I think each book gets harder to write. It’s a challenge to stay fresh and new while still giving my readers the type of story they’ve come to expect from me. And I’m continually trying to improve.
TRI: Who is your favorite author?
SM: I don’t think I have one favorite author–and now that I’m writing, I find I don’t read as much or in the same way as before–but for regencies, the writer who definitely influenced me the most was Georgette Heyer.
TRI: What is it about this author that influenced you?
SM: I read my first Georgette Heyer when I was around middle school age. A librarian “introduced” us, and I went through the library’s Heyer collection many times. I love her version of the regency and her humor and wit. In fact, I sometimes tell people that I like to think of my books as those by Georgette Heyers, but with sex. (Apologies to Georgette!)
TRI: Why write about the regency era?
SM: Did I mention Georgette Heyer? The regency is where my imagination lived when I was growing up–there or in science fiction/fantasy worlds. Even though it seems somewhat un-American to say it, I loved the idea of the nobility, of ballrooms, the marriage mart, wealth, and big country homes. While the period was a time of much social change, my books don’t focus on that.
TRI: In “The Naked King” Stephen Parker-Roth was an unusual man, in that he accepted Lady Anne’s terrible secret, even though it was not her fault. Why did he? Especially considering the times.
SM: I think exciting heroes and heroines usually are unusual, that in some way they defy or overcome the limitations of their eras. When I’m developing characters, I’m never trying to create an average Joe–or Josephine. I ask myself not whether something’s likely, but whether it’s possible. Could even one regency individual feel this way? I thought Stephen, who had two brothers and three sisters and had somewhat unconventional parents (an artist and a poet), could be empathetic enough and protective enough and love Anne enough that he would accept her, even with her “problem.” Plus, I’m not writing historical fiction, I’m writing historical romance. While I try very hard not to be anachronistic, I am writing to entertain 21st century romance readers. I suspect that some of the attitudes prevalent among men of the regency would not be considered at all heroic by my readers.
TRI: In your love for writing, what role has Jane Austen played in it?
SM: I have to confess that the answer is zero. Is lightning going to strike me for admitting that? Georgette Heyer’s books were my “gateway drug” to the regency
TRI: A theme in “The Naked King” was the rape of innocence. Why this theme and was there a message in mind that you wanted your readers to walk away with?
SM: I don’t think I think about themes or messages when I write. I try to come up with some interesting characters, put them together, and see what they do. When I started The Naked King, I knew it was going to be about Stephen. Stephen appeared briefly in The Naked Gentleman and The Naked Viscount (those books are about his brother and sister), so I knew something about him and a lot more about his family. Anne was a completely new character. I confess I’m not sure why I gave her the issue I did, though I do remember wondering how the modern notion of date rape and its repercussions would play out in the regency. But all I really want my readers to walk away with from my books is a feeling of satisfaction. I hope they fall in love with my hero, root for my heroine, and laugh a lot along the way.
TRI: What is in the future for “The Naked” series?
SM: The Naked King is my last book in the series, at least for the time being. There are characters I’m still interested in, so it’s quite possible I’ll get back to them at some time in the future. But now I’m hard at work on a new series–the Duchess of Love books–about a matchmaking duchess and her three sons. I was just told that the prequel novella may come out as an e-book in May 2012, but no word yet on release dates for the novels.
TRI: You created a world full of humor, bad villains, sexy and not so perfect heroes and heroines, dysfunctional and not so dysfunctional families – is there anything you have not tried yet and would like to do in the future?
SM: There’s always something new to try–always new characters to create. As I say, at the moment I’m at work on a new series. Book one has a hero who’s a widower and a heroine who was one of his–and his deceased wife’s–childhood playmates. I’m enjoying working with this new family and group of friends (and enemies). From a craft point of view, I’m trying to make the connections between the books in this series tighter; the Naked series wasn’t planned–it just grew organically.
TRI: What is behind the word “Naked” on all of your titles for the “Naked” series?
SM: The series began with The Naked Duke. In that story, due to a few misunderstandings, the hero and the heroine are both naked when they meet for the first time. In the third book, The Naked Earl, the hero is naked in the opening scene. But mainly “Naked” is just a way to let readers know the books are all part of the same series. And I hope the titles–and the fun typeface they are set in–also give folks new to the books the clue that the stories have a generous dose of humor.
TRI: Thanks for taking the time from your busy schedule to answer our questions.
SM: Thanks so much for inviting me to stop by!
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Amy Corwin, Author of “The Necklace“
Ms. Corwin is a charter member of the Romance Writers of America and recently joined Mystery Writers of America. She has been writing for the last ten years and managing a career as an enterprise systems administrator in the computer industry. She writes Regencies/historicals, mysteries, and contemporary paranormals. To be truthful, most of her books include a bit of murder and mayhem since she discovered that killing off at least one character is a highly effective way to make the remaining ones toe the plot line. She lives in Clarkton, North Carolina with her husband, two adorable dogs; a chocolate lab and Chesapeake bay Retriever and two sweet cats.
Her books include the historical mysteries: The Vital Principle and A Rose Before Dying; three Regency romantic mysteries, The Necklace, I Bid One American, and The Bricklayer’s Helper; and a paranormal story called, Vampire Protector. Soon to be released is her contemporary cozy mystery, Whacked!, to be released in 2012 from Five Star/Gale.
For more information on Ms. Corwin and her novels, please visit her webiste at www.amycorwin.com, or blog at amycorwin.blogspot.com. She can be contacted via Twitter at @amycorwin, or through facebook at www.facebook.com/AmyCorwinAuthor.
TRI: Tell us about Amy Corwin, the woman and the writer.
AC: The words that describe me best as a woman and a writer are: late bloomer. Or maybe my mom’s complaint that I always take the hardest road possible is more accurate. Maybe taking the hardest road possible is what made me late. Late in getting married, late in getting published… But oddly enough, it has all worked out for me as both a woman and a writer. And it brought me one huge benefit: unlike Melanctha in Gertrude Stein’s “Three Lives”, I always know what I’ve got, when I’ve got it. I sure worked hard enough to get it. LOL…
In some ways, I have to consider myself lucky. Although I got married late, I’ve got a fantastic husband and live in the country. Way out in the country. A lot of folks would be appalled. Particularly when they wake up to find a snake trying desperately to use the sewing machine in the corner of the bedroom. (Just pick it up and take it outside, where it belongs. Right? What’s the big deal?) We’re sixty miles away from the nearest mall. But it suits me and I prefer gardening and writing to shopping any day. In fact, it was always my dream to live out in the country and write for a living. I just never thought I’d achieve it after having spent most of my life trapped in the daily grind of city life in Washington, DC.
TRI: When writing your stories, do you write as Amy the writer or Amy as the woman or as both…? And why is it important for you to do so?
AC: Both—definitely both. The writer in me plans out the story and identifies what needs to happen, but the woman is critical to tapping into the emotions of the characters, fleshing out the sensory details, and generally making the story come alive.
TRI: What is it about writing that drives you?
AC: The exploration of the human mind and character. Blame it on my parents who were both child psychologists and enjoyed the fact that they had a test lab with two subjects right in their own home. But I’ve always been fascinated by what drives people. What makes them tick? What would drive someone to kill another human being? (I write a lot of mysteries.) And it is a way to enjoy myself, as well. I can’t write a book without indulging my funny bone, at least a little.
Strangely, I find that I sleep better if I write every day. It’s as if there are these thoughts and ideas that have to come out. If I don’t let them out, I lay awake and my mind races.
TRI: Who is your favorite author?
AC: That’s hard. I have a lot of favorite authors. Right this second, probably P.G. Wodehouse.
TRI: Excellent choice. What is it about this author that influences or has influenced you?
AC: Wodehouse has this absolutely zany sense of humor that I can’t resist. While his characters are a little over-the-top, they resonate with me and make me happy. I like to think that here and there, folks may find little bits of sly humor in my books that remind them, like a distant echo, of Wodehouse.
TRI: Why write about the regency era?
AC: I “backed into” the regency era quite by accident, through my gardening. For years, I tried to grow modern Hybrid Tea roses with only moderate success. So I started researching it and discovered Old Garden Roses comprising a number of hybrids that are very happy to grow in my garden with virtually no care. And I discovered that the regency period was truly the birthplace of our modern age in almost every respect. During this period, there were huge advances made in exploration, biology, botany, medicine—you name it. All my interests in history, medicine, the sciences really came together. And when you add in the social aspects, particularly the conflict inherent in women trying to take a more active role in many fields, it just seemed the perfect fit.
TRI: In your passion for writing, what role has Jane Austen played in it?
AC: Austen played a huge role. I love her writing and wittiness. For me, she typifies the perfect, understated elegance that I really wish I could match in my own writing.
TRI: How do you feel about e-publishing?
AC: There are good and bad elements to anything, but overall, I think e-publishing has revolutionized the book market. For years, I stopped reading romances because I couldn’t find the ones I liked, the ones like Austen and Heyer wrote. But with the advent of e-publishing, there is a broader spectrum of titles available, so as both a reader and a writer, it is possible to cater to your tastes. Overall, I think it is a very, very positive thing.
TRI: We know that author’s love all of their creations, but is there one of yours that is your ultimate favorite?
AC: Perhaps I Bid One American simply because it snagged me two agents. It’s hard not to love the book that boosts your ego like that.
TRI: That would do it for me, too. Do you include supernatural elements in your regency romances?
AC: There are no supernatural elements at the moment, but I’m not ruling it out. And depending upon your perspective, Pru Barnard in The Vital Principle, may be slightly psychic, although of course she would not recognize this ability as such.
TRI: I noticed while writing The Vicar’s Deadly Sin that there were instances when I felt taken over by some unseen force and ended up with a fantastic scene or dialogue that I initially had not thought of. At what point during the writing process for The Necklace did this happen to you?
AC: That happens a lot, I’m afraid to say. It’s like my mind is commandeered by some force outside myself when I get in the writing zone. We control your mind, your fingers. Resistance is futile. This was particularly true in the scenes at the beginning when John Archer gets a hold of the poor hero, Chilton Dacy, and drags him into the most appalling situations (and gets him shot along the way, too).
TRI: As a writer do you feel you have come full circle? please elaborate on yes or no…
AC: No. I’m always growing, changing and growing more skilled in my craft, trying new stories and genres. So if anything, it’s more like a spiral, always moving upward.
TRI: As a woman writer, how much of the romance portion of your stories is Amy, the woman, in them…?
AC: Our own experiences as women have such a deep impact on us that it would be impossible to divorce my own feelings and background from what I write. More than any other aspect of writing, the romance speaks to the emotions and is probably more “Amy, the woman” than almost any other element.
TRI: In your experiences in getting published do you think women have it difficult in establishing a writing career, in other words, have you had stumbling blocks because of the publishing industry being a man’s world. Or do you think that women have it far more better than man or both?
AC: I actually think the sex of the writer is completely irrelevant. But then I’ve never been a man so it’s hard to say if my career path would have been easier if I were. I do have to say, however, that I have a day job in the computer industry which is traditionally a “man’s world” and have never found my sex to be relevant there, either. In fact, in some regards it’s been helpful when I’ve gone to huge conventions. All the men have to wait in line to use the restrooms. Women don’t. While it may not be immediately obvious why I drifted off topic into my day job, the point is that I’m not a someone who pays attention to that sort of thing. And I’ve found that if I’m oblivious to it, those around me tend to be, too. I’m guessing this strategy was not only effective in my career as a computer specialist, but also in my career as a writer. If you don’t let it matter, it doesn’t matter.
TRI: Thanks for taking the time from your busy schedule to answer our questions.
AC: Thank you! There isn’t a writer alive who doesn’t like to talk about herself and her writing! So thanks for bearing with me.
TRI: Well we haven’t said this before, especially to the other writers we have had the honor of interviewing and whose work we have been able to enjoy and comment on, but that as newbies, Pam and I, appreciate all you and they have done to pave the road ahead for us. A big thanks to the women writers of yesterday, today and tomorrow.
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Lynn Shepherd, Author of “Murder at Mansfield Park“
Ms. Shepherd lives in the United Kingdom and studied English at Oxford University.
She has worked in finance and public relations in the past, but her ‘day job’ now is a freelance copywriter for large companies. She always wanted to write a novel, and fulfilled a lifetime ambition when Murder at Mansfield Park was published in 2010. Her next novel is due out in 2012. Murder at Mansfield Park is now available via Amazon.com in either hardcover or Kindle Edition.
TRI: When you decided to finally write your novel why write one in the form of a Jane Austen mystery?
LS: The book brings together my two great loves – classic English fiction, and detective mysteries. I’ve always loved Jane Austen and I suddenly realised that the opening of Mansfield Park is very like a classic ‘country house murder’, just like you get in Agatha Christie. It was enormous fun bringing those two things together.
TRI: I love the premise in “Murder at Mansfield Park” in which you alter the characters from “Mansfield Park” by giving the good ones a darker side and the bad ones a lighter side. Why did you feel you had to go that route as oppose to keeping the traits of the original characters and still construct your murder mystery?
LS: Like many other readers I’ve always felt that ‘Mansfield Park was Austen’s ‘problem child’. She herself said it was “not half so entertaining” as ‘Pride & Prejudice’, and ever since I first read ‘Mansfield Park’ for my school leaving exams I’ve wondered if there were another novel in there trying to get out – a lighter and livelier book, with a brighter and livelier heroine. And I have to confess that (again like other readers) I’ve always found Fanny rather a challenge. The idea of turning her into a vicious and unpleasant character, while retaining her outward demure appearance, was just too delightful to resist, and once I’d done that it was obvious that I could do similar things with some of the other characters. And I’ve always thought Mary Crawford gets a raw deal in Austen’s original, so it was nice to make her the heroine, and make her a strong, witty and resourceful heroine, much more like Elizabeth Bennet.
TRI: You decided to start your book with background about Lady Bertram and Mrs. Norris and how they came to be connected with the prestigious society they did, rather than focusing on Fanny Price and her journey to freedom. Why did you make this decision to give details on this somewhat supporting characters in the original “Mansfield Park?”
LS: The first few pages of my book are very closely linked to the parallel section in Mansfield Park (in fact my first sentence is exactly the same as Austen’s, as is the last one!). My idea was to start and end at the same place as Mansfield Park, and then take the story on a different trajectory in the middle. So that’s why the first chapter is structured as it is, with the ‘first generation’ of the Mansfield families.
TRI: Where did you find the determination to keep writing, as you say, “two and a half unpublished novels later?” What is something you were driven to do, and if so, can you explain why writing is so important to you?
LS: I suppose it’s something to do with my character, if I can say that! I’ve always been a very determined person, and when I set myself a goal I don’t give up easily, if at all. Even though the first and second novels weren’t published, I’d had enough feedback on my writing to know that it wasn’t bad, and would only get better with practice. All I really needed was a good idea, so when the phrase ‘Murder at Mansfield Park’ popped into my head one morning, I knew I was onto something!
TRI: In your love for writing, what role has Jane Austen played in it?
LS: I think she taught me how beautiful the English language can be. And when you try to imitate her – as I did – you get a real sense of the strength and wit of her writing.
TRI: If you were to meet her today, what would you like to say to her or ask her?
LS: That’s a hard one! One thing I’d ask is why there was such a long period in her life when she apparently wrote nothing. I’d also ask her how she feels about the whole ‘Austen industry’ that’s sprung up in the last few years (which includes me, of course!).
TRI: Without giving away any story ideas, are we the readers going to see more of Jane Austen or regency murder mysteries?
LS: My next book is out in 2012, and will be another ‘literary murder’. It’s not Jane Austen this time, but fans of Charles Maddox may be pleased to hear that he will be making a reappearance…
TRI: Thank you so much for taking time to talk to us. We wish you great success on your next endeavor.
LS: It was my pleasure and you are welcome.
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Regina Jeffers, Author of “The Phantom of Pemberley“
Ms. Jeffers lives in Charlotte, North Carolina.
A Time Warner Star Teacher Award winner, a Martha Holden Jennings Scholar, a Columbus Educator Award winner, and a guest panelist for the Smithsonian, Ms. Jeffers has served on various national educational committees and is often sought as a media literacy consultant.
The author of several Jane Austen adaptations including Darcy’s Passions, Darcy’s Temptation, and Captain Wentworth’s Persuasion, she considers herself a Janeite – a member of the Jane Austen Society of North America and is involved with AustenAuthors.com. She has branched out into the Historical Romance genre.
Her first book in the Realm series, The Scandal of Lady Eleanor, will be released in early 2011.Visit her at her website www.rjeffers.com for information on releases, excerpts, book signings, etc. The Phantom of Pemberley and her other novels are available via Amazon.com in paperback and Kindle.
TRI: Was it hard to begin writing, putting your teachings into practice?
RJ: The most difficult transition was the style of writing. In Journalist English, for example, the present tense is required. Most high school creative writing assignments are completed in the present or the past tenses. Writing grant proposals depends on succinct language and lots of “buzz” words, written as objectives and outcomes. In the Advanced Placement English Language and Composition classes, which I taught, we studied syntax, modes of discourse, rhetoric, and stylistic devices. The ideas were always there, but it was just a matter of choosing and maintaining a style. I kept flipping back and forth between the concepts. (The use of the passive voice above would horrify my former students. Please do not tell them!!! LOL!)
TRI: Have all of your creative efforts, including teaching, which requires great creativity, fed one another, and if so, how?
RJ: From journalism, I have learned to pare down the details to the core elements. From dance, I understand the essentials of movement. With training in theatre, dialogue is not an issue. I also block scenes in my head as I write. Media studies have allowed me to visualize the story as a film that I can rewind and fast forward as needed. From the study of language, I seem to have developed a natural ear for alliteration, assonance, parallelism, and repetition.
Unfortunately, those same qualities “kill” me when it comes to description. It is not as if I do not see it. I do – as plain as dawn. I just have to make sure my readers also see it. After the first draft, I go through the piece and add necessary descriptive details.
TRI: I noticed while writing The Vicar’s Deadly Sin that there were instances when I felt taken over by some unseen force and ended up with a fantastic scene or dialogue that I initially had not thought of. At what point during the writing process for The Phantom of Pemberley did this happen to you?
RJ: I had not thought to bring all the main characters together at Kympton for the climax. In the original Pride and Prejudice, part of Wickham’s deceit in turning Elizabeth Bennet against Mr. Darcy came from his tale of being “robbed” of the living at Kympton that Mr. Darcy’s father had promised him.
TRI: The Scandal of Lady Eleanor is the first book in the “Realm” series. Tell us about the Realm.
RJ: The Realm is a covert group working for the British government during the Regency Period. They rescue British citizens, bring about diplomatic portals, etc. Its members are titled aristocrats and minor sons – therefore, the name “the Realm.” The members in this series number seven: James Kerrington, Viscount Worthing (and future Earl of Linworth); Brantley Fowler, the Duke of Thornhill; Gabriel Crowden, Marquis of Godown; Aidan Kimbolt, Viscount Lexford; Marcus Wellston, the Earl of Berwick; Baron John Swenton, and Carter Lowery, the youngest son of Baron Blakehell. These men have served together for several years in India and Persia, and they possess a stout camaraderie. Each holds reason for fleeing his home and title, and each must reclaim his place in Society, while still occasionally executing a mission in the name of the government. Unfortunately, not only must these men fight their own demons, they must foil the plans of Shaheed Mir, a Baloch warlord, who believes one of them has stolen a fist-sized emerald; and Mir means to have it back.
TRI: Specifically, tell us about The Scandal of Lady Eleanor.
RJ: James Kerrington, the future Earl of Linworth and a key member of the Realm, never expected to find love again after the loss of his beloved wife, Elizabeth. But upon his return home, Kerrington’s world shifts on its axis when Eleanor Fowler, literally, stumbles into his arms.
However, not all is as it seems with Eleanor, as she hides a deep secret. She had hoped the death of her father, William Fowler, the Duke of Thornhill, would offer her family a chance at redemption from their dark past, but when Sir Louis Levering produces proof of Eleanor’s father’s debauchery, she is thrown into a web of immorality and blackmail. It is up to Kerrington and his friends in the Realm to free Eleanor from Levering’s hold.
TRI: Thank you so much for talking with us and taking time from your busy schedule.We look forward to the release of The Scandal of Lady Eleanor.
RJ: It was my pleasure.
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Jennifer Becton, Author of “Charlotte Collins“
Ms. Becton lives in Charlotte, North Carolina with her husband Bert and a cat named Puttytat, who rules the house with an iron claw. She is also an avid equestrienne and owns a horse named Darcy.
She has worked in the publishing industry for twelve years as a proofreader, copy editor, and freelance writer. In 2010, she accepted the challenge to self-publish her first novel, soon after she created Whiteley Press, an independent publishing house, and has since sold more than 3,000 copies of her first novel.
She earned earned a bachelor of arts in Christianity and French from Mercer University. She graduated summa cum laude and was was the recipient of the J. L. Dagg Research and Writing Award and the L. P. Irvin Foreign Language Award.
In 2000, Ms. Becton began her freelance editorial and writing business: Becton Literary Services. She has edited literary novels, short story collections, and various non-fiction works for Mercer University Press and Smyth and Helwys Publishing, both in Macon, Georgia, and her lifestyle and equestrian articles have appeared in Southern Distinction, HorseSouth, and Southern Horse Talk. She has been a member of the Historical Novel Society, the Jane Austen Society, and Sisters in Crime. Her novels, including the soon to be released “Caroline Bingley” are available via Amazon.com in paperback and Kindle.
TRI: In Charlotte Collins, you brilliantly captured her loneliness and victimization by society, which was obvious in Pride and Prejudice, but not discussed at length. What compelled you to tell her story?
JB: After reading Pride and Prejudice, I couldn’t stop wondering what happened to poor Charlotte. What had become of her? Was she happy with Mr. Collins? I couldn’t imagine that she would be, and because I couldn’t find a sequel that dealt specifically with her, I ended up writing her continuing story myself. I liked Charlotte. She was a smart, practical creature, and she deserved the opportunity to have a hopeful, bright future like her friend Elizabeth.
TRI: Can you tell us about your literary relationship with Jane Austen?
JB: My love for Austen began with BBC/A&E’s 1995 adaptation of Pride and Prejudice, which I watched in my college dorm room between bouts of study. Upon its completion, I immediately bought and read as much Austen as I could. Jane Austen is my literary idol: a woman whose work had endured for almost 200 years and didn’t end tragically.
TRI: There is a theme going on here…Maria Lucas, Charlotte Collins and now Caroline Bingley…all women whom did not get their fair share of a story line or happily ever-afters. What does that say about Jennifer Becton the woman, the writer?
JB: I am often drawn to the odd characters, the ones that drive the story in small but vital ways even if they may be relegated to the background. I loved Lizzie and Darcy, of course, but the world of Pride and Prejudice would have been much different without the supporting characters and the contrasts they provided for the protagonists. I loved the way Jane Austen wrote these characters, even antagonist Caroline Bingley.
As far as what that says about me as a woman and a writer, I’d like to believe that my interest in giving these types of characters a chance at redemption and their own happily-ever-afters stems from my general view of life and literature; life is a comedy, not a tragedy, and happy endings are a transcendence of the sorrows that all people experience. Everyone has the chance to change.
TRI: It struck me that you began “Charlotte Collins” with the death of Mr. Collins in the Prologue, with details given later in Chapter 1. It was rather a shock. Why did you choose to start out the novel this way?
JB: I wanted to start out with the unexpected, so I’m glad you were shocked by poor Mr. Collins’s death. Right away, I wanted to draw in readers, make them wonder what had happened, but also let them know from the outset that I was not going to try to redeem Mr. Collins as a romantic lead, which I viewed as impossible.
TRI: You seem to think about your readers quite a lot when developing plot and characters. Was it hard to develop the sorts of plot twists for “Charlotte Collins” that you value so much, say, in Agatha Christie’s work?
JB: The reader is always on my mind when writing and editing books. Every writer’s goal is to communicate something to a reader, so it is vital to make sure every word, character, and plot twist is logical and understandable, that it communicates well. If I think a reader might find a passage slow or skip it, I do my best to rewrite it, or I remove it entirely.
The most difficult aspect of plotting is ensuring that the events and twists are logical and believable. They don’t appear out of nowhere; the reader must have the opportunity to see it coming. That was what made Christie so brilliant; you never saw her twist coming, but you could have. I am certainly not up to her level of genius, but I always try to be fair to my readers.
In addition, the characters in a Pride and Prejudice sequel must be the same characters that Austen wrote, but they must be allowed to grow and change based on the events in the original work. Readers want to meet their beloved characters in the pages of a sequel, not find them so altered as to be unrecognizable. Writing Austen’s great characters was intimidating, and I tried my best to do them justice.
TRI: Why did you choose to directly follow in the footsteps of Jane Austen and continue a story about one of her characters? We know Charlotte was rather dismissed after her marriage to Mr. Collins in “Pride and Prejudice.” Did that character interest you enough to want to explore her psyche and situation further, providing more information about the society at that time?
JB: Charlotte Collins started out as a writing experiment; I’d never seriously considered writing an Austen sequel, and I certainly never planned to publish it. But I wanted to accomplish two things. First, I wanted to see if I could actually finish a novel. Until Charlotte, I had managed to start novels but never complete them. Second, I wanted to have fun writing it, and nothing seemed as much fun as plucking a minor Austen character from obscurity and giving her a chance to shine.
Charlotte exemplified the average Regency woman, whereas Elizabeth was somewhat atypical in her attitudes toward love at the time. When held in comparison to her friend, Charlotte always seemed to be dismissed and almost disliked. By today’s standards, she made a poor choice, but by Regency standards, she had done just what most other women would have done. I wanted to bring that out while also giving her the chance to make a better choice, one that went against society.
TRI: One of the themes in “Charlotte Collins” was the alienation, especially caused by society when it suspected that one of its own broke a moral rule – adultery. Was there a purposeful parallel between Charlotte’s initial alienation by marrying a man like Mr. Collins and the alienation brought upon by society because of a lie? Or was Charlotte just a naïve woman who made another mistake by trusting Edgington?
JB: I never thought of Charlotte as naïve; in fact, she was probably one of the least naïve of Austen’s characters. She knew exactly what society was, and she knew that love was not usually a part of marriage in the Regency period. Her marriage to Mr. Collins reflected that understanding. But she also comprehended the hypocritical indiscretions that occurred—and were accepted when performed by upper-class gentlemen—during that time as well. I wanted her to see both sides of society’s mores and make the choice to follow her own mind and heart, not society.
TRI: These were interesting answers that tells us a little more about Jennifer Becton the writer and the woman. We especially love that you wanted to give Austen’s minor characters a realistic opportunity to grow and find love and happiness. Thank you for the courage to bring your idea to life.
JB: You are very welcome.
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Thanks for hosting me on the site.
Great interviews! It is fun to hear how different authors work and what interests them.
Thank you…I am glad you really liked them. We try very hard to get different views and comments to inform readers and writers.
M. Perez
[...] interview with the Regency Inkwell ladies is up. I just love going on about Jane Austen, fantasy, science fiction, romance — [...]
Wow Georgie! I had no idea you wanted to be a screenwriter!!! It’s really cool that you went after your dream…
If you hadn’t you might not have realized you were really a novelist…
LIsa
Georgie Lee, I’m looking forward to reading ‘Lady’s Wager’. Congratulations!
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I was curious if you ever considered changing the structure of your website?
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Thank you for your comments. I will take them into consideration.
Best regards,
M. Perez