An interview with Elisabeth Hobbes

One of the great things to come out of So You Think You Can Write, is the friendships I’ve made and it give me great pleasure to have Elisabeth Hobbes as the first guest to my blog.

Hi Elisabeth.

First of all, congratulations on your success in last year’s So You Think You Can Write contest. I’m really looking forward to seeing your book on the shelves and of course reading it!

As a historical romance writer you have some fabulous excuses for research. How do you go about researching for a new story?

Once I have an idea for a story in mind and know who the characters are I love finding locations for the story to take place.  I grew up in York so was always surrounded by beautiful medieval buildings so I have a lot of memories to draw on.  My degree was in History and Art History so I have that to draw on in terms of factual information.

If you could spend a few hours with any person from history, who would it be and why?

There are so many inspirational people I’d love to meet but it would have to be Eleanor of Aquitaine who managed to influence politics and ensure her daughters were also able to make influential marriages.  We think of women being, until fairly recently, powerless but she ruled as regent and held her own in an incredibly male dominated society.  It must have taken an incredible force of will and that is something I wanted to have Aline, the heroine of Falling for Her Captor, discovering as she finds her inner strength.

Do you have a special place for writing?

I’m not disciplined so I have to go somewhere without internet access.  Luckily there are a couple of fabulous independent cafes and pubs where I live so I take myself off there (I’m in the pub as I write this) where I can get some peace and of course a nice pint or cake.  I may have to dedicate my next book to them!

When I am at home it’s usually in an armchair with the laptop balanced on the arm and a cat on my lap.

Are you a plotter or punster?

I’m a bit of both.  I know when I start writing where the story is going to end with essential plot points mapped out, but I end up deviating or adding things in.  Sometimes the characters insist on it, however much I try to make them do what I want!

What advice would you give to other aspiring romance writers?

Know your reader expectations.  I changed a fair bit of Falling for Her Captor to fit in with series guidelines for Harlequin Historical.  Also, the same advice I’d give to any writer: join a writing group or website and try get some critique of your work.  It’s nerve-wracking to put your work out there for people to read, especially with the sort of intimate scenes involved in the romance genre, but finding out what readers think is the only way to improve.

Finally, how did you celebrate getting ‘the call’?

I was on an early morning ferry from Calais to Dover when I got the call so I was a little seasick and tired having driven halfway across France before breakfast.  I wasn’t in a position to celebrate much at the time.  Once we docked I called my mum, my sister and got straight on to Facebook to tell everyone who had supported my through SYTYCW.  My husband and I had been skiing (our one child free indulgence) and were heading back to pick up our children from my in-laws so it was lovely to be able to turn up with such exciting news and a few bottles of Breton cider to celebrate.

What a fantastic call story Elisabeth! Thank you and good luck with the release!

Falling for Her Captor will be released on October 1st with Harlequin Historical.

You can find out more of what Elisabeth is up to on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/ElisabethHobbes?ref=hl

Or her blog http://elisabethhobbes.co.uk

So You Think You Can Write

This time last year my fingers were poised over the keyboard. Should I press enter and send my chapter in? Should I put all those words on the website for anyone to read and comment on?

I'm sure that is a feeling that anyone entering the competition can identify with and all I can say is

  YES YOU SHOULD! 

Although it was a nice dream, winning was never my aim. Getting my story noticed was what it was all about for me. Just as it had been in previous, but unsuccessful years. Last year it happened and it could happen to 

YOU!

This was me, last week in London, when I first saw my books on the shelves and just a few days ago in my local store, I actually saw someone buy a copy! Even better, it was the last copy. I'd sold out!

I'm so looking forward to reading the chapters and watching dreams come true. Mine certainly did and I've had the most amazing year.

GOOD LUCK!

Six Months On

I can't believe that it was only six months ago that I got 'the call' from Harlequin Mills and Boon offering me a two book contract. Those six months have flown by and during that time I've learnt so much.The biggest excitement was seeing the cover of my debut A Deal Before The Altar for the first time.

My second book was the hardest book I've ever written. When I started it during the So You Think You Can Write competition I never thought for one moment it would become the second book of a contract! Suddenly the pressure was on, but after several rounds of revisions, during which I learnt so much working with my editor, it now has a fabulous title. Claimed by the Sheikh will be available next year.

I attended the RNA summer party in London and the annual conference in Telford, no longer as a New Writers' Scheme member, which is such a brilliant feeling after seven years of submitting to NWS.

I was so thrilled with my first cover that I organised postcards to go into the goody bags at the conference. Here's a photo of me with the postcard.

I'm currently working towards a deadline with my third book and this time I can honestly say I've loved writing the story more than any other.

The excitement of seeing my book on the shelves and holding it in my hands is still to come and I can't wait!

A Deal Before The Altar is available for pre-order on amazon, which still seems unreal. It will also be on the Mills and Boon website and in the shops during October.

My Conference Weekend

It's hard to believe that this time last week the fabulous RNA conference, held at Harper Adams University in Telford, was just beginning. A whole weekend of talking writing romance with friends, making new friends and attending the sessions which kept us inspired all weekend.

There was a little bit of doubt as to whether I'd get there, as my travel companion Melissa Morgan explains on her blog.

The sessions I enjoyed most were Nikki Logan on The Chemistry of Reading, Janet Gover on Location, Location, Location and Clare Mackintosh on Write to Sell Yourself. As ever, there were the toss up moments, which session to go to, but that's where friends help out by exchanging notes or handouts.

Nikki Logan - The Chemistry of Reading

The Gala dinner, held on the Saturday evening, was a chance for me to drag out my heels and party dress. It was a fantastic evening, with wonderful food and much laughter.

Me and Melissa Morgan

It was also an extra special conference for me, as I attended as a soon to be published author, which after about seven years as a member of the New Writers' Scheme is a wonderful feeling. Then just to add a bit more fun, Harper Adams is an agriculture campus, complete with livestock, which was like home from home for me and I couldn't resist a peek at the calves and cows. The pigs and their smell was a bit too much - even for me!

Echoes of the Past

At the beginning of the week I had an early morning drop off at the airport and as my wip was going well, I decided to have a day out and visit one those places I've been meaning to go to for a long time.

So with the sun shinning I arrived at St Fagans. The Museum of Welsh Life. But it's not your average museum. With the exception of a few buildings each and every one has been relocated from its original site elsewhere in Wales. Moving house is bad enough, but imagine actually moving the house!

St Fagans Castle is one of the buildings that is still on its original site and the gardens are wonderful, complete with white doves.

When I entered Y Garreg Fawr (The Big Rock) a stone farmhouse originally built in 1544 the air was full of the scent of smoke from the old fire. The heavy dark oak furniture gave the interior an oppressive feel, not helped by the small windows. Yet this was the home of a wealthy farmer.

As I walked from building to building, entering the rooms that looked as if the families had just gone out for the day, I explored life across the centuries, from a 12th century church to a a 1948 prefab bungalow. The gardens of the cottages and houses were also set out as they would have been at the time, giving a rounded picture of what life would have been like.

So if you are ever in the Cardiff area and fancy a trip back in time, I can recommend it.

Fabulous First Cover

I'm so excited! Here is the North American cover of my first book!

It will be out in October, but is available now for pre-order on amazon in UK here and US here.

I just can't wait to have the book in my hands, but I love this cover. What do you think?

Writing Under the Tuscan Sun

At the beginning of May, with two writing friends, I spent a week in the ancient walled city of Lucca. We rented a lovely apartment in the heart of the city, which was above a patisserie and the smells as the delicious cakes were prepared were wonderful. As were the cakes!

We all worked hard on our writing and enjoyed several afternoons outside, making the most of the sunshine. We wrote in lots of different places, from the Botanical Gardens, to picnic benches on the Renaissance walls of the city. But the favourite place for me was Palazzo Pfanner and the wonderful gardens full of lemon trees.

It’s also where we spent the afternoon with Sharon Kendrick, who was in Italy teaching at the wonderful Watermill and visited Lucca when the group had their day out.

It was a fun to immerse ourselves in the daily life of the city, everything from shopping for food to enjoying a coffee and watching the world go by. Several times during the week, I walked around the city on the walls, a walk of 4km, but well worth it to see the city. It's also what all the locals do. Each morning they walk, run or even cycle around the walls. 

As well as writing, I visited museums, churches and the cathedral. I spent many hours enjoying window shopping on the Via Fillungo and soon found my way around by remembering all the shops where I liked a dress or a pair of shoes. When the bustle of shopping became too much, I enjoyed coffee in the famous oval Piazza Anfiteatro.

From the apartment I could watch the daily life of Lucca going on and soak up the atmosphere. I loved listening to the sounds of the cafes, the flow of Italian and the gorgeous smells from the patisserie below.

Soon, our week came to an end and I was sad to say goodbye to our lovely apartment and it's charming courtyard view, but I returned with lots of words written, fabulous food eaten and lovely places seen.