by Christy Carlyle | May 27, 2016 | Blog, Christy Carlyle
I have to admit I am not at all objective when it comes to our member in the spotlight this month. Having known Collette for years, I can assure you she’s as lovely in person as she is in her photos, and she’s a sweeter, kinder person than you can imagine. Please help me welcome multi-published member, Collette Cameron, into the spotlight this month!
Before we start talking about your writing, tell us a little about yourself and what you write.
I’m so tickled to be here!
So you want to know a little about me? Well, I live in the Pacific Northwest and am a self-confessed Cadbury Milk Chocoholic. I’m also a bit nuts about dachshunds and cobalt blue!
I write Regency and Scottish historicals, always with a dash of humor and often with a pinch of suspense.
Do you write full-time or part-time?
I write full-time now.
In January 2016 I stopped teaching and now spend all day long, every day doing what I absolutely love!
When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer?
I wasn’t one of those people who always knew they wanted to be a writer, though I did dabble in poetry writing as a teenager. Awful stuff!
But, in the back of my mind, this little thought niggled and niggled, that perhaps, someday, maybe, I’d attempt to write a book.
I never dreamed I’d write romances. Ever!
What drew you to write in the historical romance genre?
Historical romances are my preferred genre for reading, always have been, and it seemed logical when I started writing to dip my toes into what I knew.
I’m also a history buff, and I enjoy uncovering all sorts of interesting tidbits during research for my books.
What’s your favorite historical movie?
The Count of Monte Cristo! Yummy.
If you could time travel, what era would you visit?
19th century Scotland! I don’t think I mentioned I’m also a bit obsessed about almost everything Scottish.
Are there specific books or authors who have influenced you as a writer?
Not so much as far as my writing craft goes, but I attribute Kathleen Woodiwiss’s THE FLAME AND THE FLOWER for causing me to fall head-over-heels for historical romances.
I even named my daughter Brianna after Heather Brianna in that story.
Give us a brief rundown of your process. Are you a plotter, a pantser, or somewhere in the middle?
I have a friend who calls me a linear panster, although I’d call myself a plotser.
I always have basic plot points I make sure I hit, and before I start my books, I complete a Goal, Motivation, and Conflict chart for my hero and one for my heroine. I also complete an extensive questionnaire for each of them, and for my last few books, I’ve written a short summary of where I think the story will go.
My novels are character driven, though, which means, I end up places I didn’t know I was going.
That’s okay; I simply adjust the plot and keep on writing.
Thanks for stepping into the spotlight this month, Collette! To find out more about Collette, you can visit her website or find her on Facebook and Twitter.
Unpublished or published members, would you like to be featured in the member spotlight? Just drop me a line at christy@christycarlyle.com!
by Christy Carlyle | May 6, 2016 | Blog, Christy Carlyle
Please help me welcome multi-published member, Ashlyn Macnamara, into the spotlight this month!
Before we start talking about your writing, tell us a little about yourself and what you write.
I write Regency romance with a dash of wit and a hint of wicked. Starting next September, though, my publisher will release the first in a series that’s a departure for me—fantasy romance. But it’s fantasy that has a historical feel to it—only with a little magic thrown into the mix.
When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer?
Only about fifteen years ago. Though I’ve always made up stories in my head, I never thought to write them down until I discovered fanfiction. I wrote that for a while for fun, before I realized I should possibly try writing my own characters. I have often said I consider writing my mid-life crisis, but it’s safer than hang-gliding.
What drew you to write in the historical romance genre?
I started reading romance in the 80s, so historical was where it was at. Since historical has always been my top reading choice in romance, I think it’s natural that I leaned toward writing in that genre. I also love the escape element. I want to lose myself in another world.
Are there specific books or authors who have influenced you as a writer?
Stephen King’s On Writing is probably the most inspiring book I’ve ever read. I also have to say I like his attitude. He starts out saying that most writing books are BS. ☺ As someone who, shall we say, tends to chafe under the idea of rules governing a creative process, that opening immediately got me on board.
Give us a brief rundown of your process. Are you a plotter, a panster, or somewhere in the middle?
*points to Stephen King* I think one of the reasons On Writing resonated with me so much was because I discovered that he and I share a process. We both start out with characters, toss them into a situation, and say, “OK, now work yourselves out of it.” That would pretty much make me a pantser, but I’ve discovered that one of the reasons I keep writing is to find out what happens next. If I work it all out beforehand, I lose interest in writing the book.
Can you tell us a bit about your journey to publication?
As I mentioned, I started out writing fanfiction. While I enjoyed playing in someone else’s sandbox, after a while, I found myself writing about more and more minor characters, so I could do what I wanted with them. At that point, I realized that I might as well make up stories using my own characters. So I wrote a medieval romance. It was awful, but I didn’t know any better, so I queried it. And got rejected. A lot. I’m thankful self-publishing wasn’t such a thing in 2009 or so because I might have put that story out there and been embarrassed by it once I learned better.
Then I thought I probably should join the RWA®, where began taking workshops and looking for critique. Four more full manuscripts, and several abandoned stories later, I entered the Golden Heart®, finaled on my first try, and signed with an agent who sold that story. It became my debut A Most Scandalous Proposal in 2013.
Tell us about your latest release and what’s coming next for you.
To Lure a Proper Lady came out March 29. It’s the first in a new Regency series called Duke-Defying Daughters about the progeny of a hypochondriac duke who wants to make certain his daughters make proper society matches before he turns up his toes. Naturally, being duke’s daughters, the women have ideas of their own.
In the first story, the oldest daughter suspects there may be something more than simple dramatics to her father’s bouts of illness, so she hires a Bow Street Runner to investigate. Will she marry her father’s choice—her annoying second cousin and heir presumptive to the dukedom or the rogue who presses all her buttons? Hmmm, decisions, decisions…
What’s the best writing advice you’ve ever received?
Back when I was writing fanfiction, a good friend would beta read for me. She used to tell me, “This is good. Now make it worse.” I think that is an excellent reminder that we’re not going to tell a good story by being too nice to our characters. We have to put them through hell.
Thanks for stepping into the spotlight this month, Ashlyn! To find out more about Ashlyn, you can visit her website or find her on Facebook and Twitter.
Unpublished or published members, would you like to be featured in the member spotlight? Just drop me a line at christy@christycarlyle.com!
by Christy Carlyle | Mar 25, 2016 | Blog, Christy Carlyle
Please help me welcome multi-published member, Alanna Lucas, into the spotlight this month!
Before we start talking about your writing, tell us a little about yourself and what you write.
I grew up in Southern California, but always dreamed of distant lands and bygone eras. From an early age, I took an interest in history and travel, and am thrilled to incorporate those diversions into my writing. I write Regency and Western historical romance.
When I’m not daydreaming of my next travel destination I can be found researching, spending time with family, or going for long walks. I make my home in California with my husband, children, one sweet dog, and hundreds of books.
Just for the record, you can never have too many shoes, handbags, or books. And travel is a must.
What drew you to write in the historical romance genre?
I find history fascinating and it seemed natural to write what I love. Plus, I love to research (which can also be a problem at times).
If you could time travel, what era would you visit?
It would be difficult for me to choose just one time period. However, at the top of my list would be Italy during the Renaissance. I would have loved to be an apprentice to Michelangelo.
Are there specific books or authors who have influenced you as a writer?
I adore Sabrina Jeffries! She is such a talented writer and an amazing person.
Give us a brief rundown of your process. Are you a plotter, a panster, or somewhere in the middle?
I am an organized panster. I always begin by journaling character names, scene ideas, and sketch anything that stirs my imagination. The journal goes everywhere with me. Once I have a clear picture in mind, I begin to write- sadly, never in chronological order.
My daily writing routine varies depending on kids activities and real-life obligations, but I am always thinking about the story.
Can you tell us a bit about your journey to publication? 
While at the 2013 California Dreamin’ conference, I learned that Boroughs Publishing Group was hosting the ‘What’s in a Name’ novella contest. I thought about entering, but did not have a novella completed (or even started), and I was leaving the country to visit family. A month later, I still did not have anything written down (but had had a wonderful time visiting my family) and the deadline was five weeks away.
One day while listening to Face to Face by Siouxsie and the Banshees inspiration struck. I sat down and just wrote. It was unlike any other project I had tackled previously. I finished the novella and a two paragraph synopsis with a couple of days to spare- talk about cutting it close!
Tell us about your latest release and what’s coming next for you.
Waltzing with the Earl is the last book in the In His Arms series. I was a little sad to finish the series, but ecstatic to start a new venture. I am currently “plotting” a couple of ideas. Stand by for some fun and excitement in the Regency 😉
What’s the hardest part of writing?
Time. There never seems to be enough hours in the day to do all the things I want to do!
Thanks for stepping into the spotlight this month, Alanna! To find out more about Alanna, you can visit her website or find her on Facebook and Twitter.
Unpublished or published members, would you like to be featured in the member spotlight? Just drop me a line at christy@christycarlyle.com!
by Molly Owen | Sep 14, 2013 | Angelyn Schmid, Blog
They say she mixed with gypsies as a child. Mary Bateman (1768 – 1809) was born to a prosperous farmer and went into service at around age twelve. She was dismissed from her post for theft and soon employed her skill at concocting potions (and stealing on the side) to make a living. She made public displays of her skill, the most famous of which was her magical laying hen who produce eggs that said “Crist is coming.” It cost a penny to view them, these eggs that the hen would lay before one’s very eyes, appropriately labeled beforehand and inserted into the “unfortunate” hen.
Filip Maljković took this picture in 2006–he doesn’t ask for attribution, but he deserves it
She didn’t like children:
“One day, the whole family had been out for some time, when one of the children, a boy of about 7 years of age returned and found on the table a small cake; the mother and the others of the children soon after returned and partook of this cake, which they soon discovered had a very keen and pungent taste, this however did not prevent them from eating several mouthfuls of it; they soon after became sick to such a degree, as to render medical aid necessary.”
— Extraordinary Life and Character of Mary Bateman, the Yorkshire Witch (1809)
The trial of the Yorkshire witch was filled with a great cloud of witnesses, not unlike those old medieval proceedings immortalized in the minds of folks from the 70s thanks to Monty Python:
— John Rodgerson and Roger Stockdale – declared she had mysterious bags about her person.
— Thomas Gristy – was sent by the witch to procure poison, but then he was a wee lad at the time.
— Mr. Clough, Leeds surgeon — refused to allow two boys sent by the witch to procure arsenic, although the identity of said boys is not known as it has been several years hence
During preparation for trial, the witch was examined by a Mr. Hemingway, Solicitor, “a gentleman whose patient and laborious investigations contributed materially to the development of this dark and mysterious affair.” He recorded she denied poisoning anyone.
Nevertheless, the jury found her guilty and she was condemned to death. 
Curiously, it was her long record of fraud that the court dwelled upon:
“You entered into a long and premeditated system of fraud, of which you carried upon for a length of time, which is most astonishing..”
She pled a stay of execution by reason she was pregnant. The court appointed a group of matrons to examine her and when they returned a verdict of “not pregnant,” Mary Bateman was executed forthwith.
Her skeleton is on display today at Thakray Museum in Leeds.
by Molly Owen | Sep 21, 2012 | Blog
The authenticity of a historical romance novel depends largely upon the author’s knowledge and use of historical detail. Since it can’t be assumed that a reader is familiar with the time period in which a novel is set, the author must include enough detail to ground the reader in the setting, but not so much that it slows down the story and overshadows the romance.
Even those of us who love history have likely come across a book that had so much historical detail we put it down to take a nap. Conversely, we’ve likely also read a book that had so few historical details that we couldn’t picture how the hero and heroine’s world looked.
Most historical authors spend countless hours, days, even weeks or months researching a book. So how do we decide how much of that research to include in our book? While each author has her own personal style, I think a commercially successful book must provide a framework for the story while keeping it firmly focused on the romance between the hero and heroine. (more…)
Are there specific books or authors who have influenced you as a writer?
