I’m
delighted to welcome historical romance author, Annie
Burrows to my blog.
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| Annie Burrows |
Hello
Annie – It was wonderful to connect with you through the Romantic Novelists’ Association where authors and affiliate members gather, virtually and in-person across the globe, to offer one another "writerly" support. As a Regency reader and author, I’m eager to learn some of the writing secrets that have made you such a successful
and prolific Regency romance author for Mills and Boon publishing...do tell. 😉
But
before we discover more about your latest Regency release, The Scandal of the Season here
are a few questions which will hopefully give your readers an insight into
some of the things that matter to you.
Arabella: Authors can release
books, making them available to readers in various ways…via an agent, or
working directly with a traditional publisher, or they can even go the
self-publishing route. Which method of publishing do you prefer, and why?
Annie: I
prefer to be traditionally published. I
did begin to think about self-publishing at one time, but then I discovered
that I’d have to find an editor I could work with, to check over my work, find
a cover artist to design my covers, and then do a lot of marketing if I wanted
my books to look professional, and reach a buying audience. I much prefer to let the publishing house take
care of all that side of things, and just concentrate on writing the best book
I can.
Arabella: A slice of Chocolate
Cake, a piece of Fruit, or Burger and Fries?
Annie: That sounds like a three course meal to
me! Melon for starters, burger as mains,
and the chocolate cake for dessert.
Arabella: Who or what inspired you
to write your latest Regency release, The Scandal of the Season?
Annie: The Scandal of the Season started out when I
took part in a workshop with Michelle Styles, at a romance readers convention
in Germany. We created a fictional
duchess, who was instructing a girl from trade how to behave in society, in
order to have a fun session where modern women could learn about Regency
manners and attitudes. (I played the
part of the duchess, and very snooty I was, too!)
And
I began to think what fun it would be to write about an impoverished duchess introducing
a girl from trade into society, for a fee.
The duchess in question would have to resort to all sorts of shenanigans
in order to make this girl presentable, which is where the heroine, Cassandra
Furnival comes in. The duchess is her
godmother, and offers to restore her damaged reputation if she will pretend
that the girl from trade is her friend, thus making it acceptable for society
hostesses to include her in invitations to their parties. At first, Cassandra thinks of her as a fairy
godmother, who whisks her up to London, dresses her in finery, and takes her to
balls. But then she meets a man from her
past, who is determined to put a stop to her schemes…
Arabella: If the person of your
dreams (husband/wife/partner/or Regency beau) were to invite you out, where
would they take you, and which vehicle would they use:
1) Phaeton
2) Landau
3) Curricle
4) Barouche
Annie: I think I would have to
choose an outing in a curricle.
Preferably, I’d like to race down to Brighton, clinging onto my hat with
one hand, and the guard rail with the other as my driver overtakes all the
slower, lumbering vehicles that get in our way!
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| Carriage - Curricle |
Arabella: Which is your most
favourite period drama or historical film you’ve seen to date, and why is it so
special?
Annie: I
just adore the 1946 adaptation of Great Expectations, starring John Mills and directed
by David Lean. The story has so many
layers, apart from the moving love story between poor deluded Pip, and the
haughty Estella, giving glimpses into many layers of the society of the
time. And the adaptation itself is so skilfully
handled, from the chilly, bleak atmosphere of the marshes in the opening
sequences, to the glittering and rather hectic ballrooms of London. Not only that, but every time I watch it I
notice another little detail in the background which is so accurate that it makes
me want to cheer.
Arabella: When writing a book or
chapter, which do you concentrate on first: plot, character, or setting?
Annie: Characters. My stories always start with the
characters. I usually picture them in a
specific scene or situation, (which is often problematic) and start wondering
how they are going to get out of it. How their background and childhood will
influence the decisions they make, and their attitude to life and the people
they encounter. Their behaviour drives
the plot. And sometimes I forget about
the setting altogether, and have to remind myself to go back through the work
and make sure I have given at least a bit of a hint as to the time of day, or
the weather!
Arabella: How do you research your
Regency novels and characters?
Annie: I
read biographies of people who lived in that era. It never ceases to surprise me how eccentric
many of them were. No matter what story
I could come up with, there is always a real person who did something far more
outrageous! I also read factual books,
such as “Quacks – Fakers and Charlatans in Medicine” by Roy Porter, “Flunkeysand Scullions – life below stairs in Georgian England” by Pamela Horn, and “For King and Country – the letters and diaries of John Mills, Coldstream Guards1811 – 1814”.
More
recently I have begun to use Louise Allen’s brief guides to Georgian and
Regency life. At the moment I am poring
over her “Stagecoach Travel”, as I’m writing my next book, which opens in an
inn where my governess heroine is waiting while she changes coaches.
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| A Selection of Annie's Research Books |
Arabella: What advice would you
give to someone who is starting out on their writing journey?
Annie: Probably sounds
obvious, but just sit down and write. As
often as you can. Nobody can really tell
you what method will work, because we are all so different. Some people write best very early in the
morning, some at night. Some need
complete quiet, some prefer to be in a café.
Some people need to plot everything out in minute detail before they can
start, others need to just launch into the mist and see what happens. And the only way you can find out what sort
of writer you are, is to see what works for you.
Thank you for joining us on Arabella’s
Blog and Chit-Chat today, Annie. I’m sure your readers are amazed to read about
all the research work you do in order to write such spellbinding Regency
romance novels.
And, I must say…you’ve whetted my
appetite to read Louise Allen’s – “Stagecoach Travel”. I’m keen to see how you incorporate
some stagecoach facts into your next Regency romance.
Best wishes and good luck with your
latest release, The Scandal of the Season
Arabella Sheen
About Annie Burrows
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| Annie Burrows |
Annie
Burrows has been writing light-hearted Regency romances for Mills & Boon
since 2007. Her first book, “His Cinderella Bride” was the top seller in the
historical line that year.
Subsequent
books have gone on to win the coveted Reviewer’s Choice award from Cataromance.
Her
books have charmed readers worldwide, having been translated into 19 different
languages.
Annie’s
latest release is: “The Scandal of the Season” which is available in the UK,
US, and Australia, now.
Social Media
Website: www.annie-burrows.co.uk
Facebook: AnnieBurrowsUK
Twitter: @NovelistaAnnie
Book Blurb:
The Scandal of the Season
Her name is ruined.
But her heart is untouched!
Having
saved Cassandra Furnival from scandal once before, it shouldn’t have surprised
Colonel Nathaniel Fairfax that she was now attempting to lay siege to the Ton’s
eligible bachelors! Determined to thwart her plans, he’s as astounded by her
defiance as by her beauty. But nothing shocks the jaded soldier more than
discovering her innocence. Restoring her reputation is set to bring about the
scandal of the season!
For
more information, or to contact the author, please visit her website or
Facebook page as shown.
BUY LINKS:
Amazon UK:
Annie Burrows - Thank you for sharing the news of your latest #Regency release on Arabella's Blog and Chit-Chat. And I must say, I'm in awe of the research work you mention...
ReplyDeleteBest wishes, Arabella