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About the Book:
A young woman without prospects at a ball in Gilded Age
Newport, Rhode Island is a target for a certain kind of “suitor.” At the
Memorial Day Ball during the Panic of 1893, impoverished but feisty
Penelope
Stanton quickly draws the unwanted advances of a villainous millionaire banker
who preys on distressed women—the incorrigible Mr. Daggers. Better known as the
philandering husband of the stunning socialite, Evelyn Daggers, Edgar stalks
Penelope.
Skilled in the art of flirtation, Edgar is not without his
charms, and Penelope is attracted to him against her better judgment. Meanwhile
a special talent of Penelope’s makes her the ideal candidate for a paying job
in the Suffrage Movement.
In a Movement whose leaders are supposed to lead spotless
lives, Penelope’s torrid affair with Mr. Daggers is a distraction and early
suffragist Amy Adams Buchanan Van Buren, herself the victim of a faithless
spouse, urges Penelope to put an end to it. But can she?
Searching for sanctuary in three cities, Penelope will
need to discover her hidden reserves of courage and tenacity. During a
glittering age where a woman’s reputation is her most valuable possession,
Penelope must decide whether to compromise her principles for love.
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What’s inside the mind of a Historical Fiction/Romance
author?
I have a great love for the late nineteenth century, and I
am really fortunate to have had ancestors who lived in the U.S.
during the period I am writing about. My ancestors were on both sides of the
Civil War. I inherited letters and photographs from my ancestors, and with
them, their stories. I want to pass on my love for the era. At the same time, I
wanted to write a book that I would read, which meant handling history with a
light, fun touch.
What is so great about being an author?
You have a chance to mine your thoughts, feelings, and life
experiences through your characters. If something really emotional happens to
you, you can see it through the eyes of the characters you create. There is a
real joy in creating characters and in coming to know them and love them.
When do you hate it?
To me, writing is one of life’s greatest joys. But rewriting
can sometimes feel as if you’re slogging through, trying to chase down every
last nuance or detail. I have also heard a lot of writers say the opposite.
Some writers love to rewrite. But for me, writing is the fun, spontaneous part.
What is a regular writing day like for you?
I am a full-time writer. I roll into my office at 9 a.m. and write till 3 p.m. At 3:30 p.m.
I shift my focus to the marketing of my debut novel, Mistress Suffragette. I work until 7
p.m. each night. Then I leave the office and go home where I read
for an hour. I write for only two hours on Saturdays; and on Sundays, I put in
a long writing day—maybe seven or eight hours. I also take two writing classes
a week.
How do you handle negative reviews?
I try very hard not to dwell on them, which is easier said
than done.
How do you handle positive reviews?
I feel grateful for them.
What is the usual response when you tell a new acquaintance
that you’re an author?
It honestly depends on what that person is doing with her or
his life. If she or he is a writer, we will launch right into discussing our
genres and experiences. On the other hand if the person has a regular,
full-time corporate job, sometimes we talk about what he or she likes to read.
What do you do on those days you don’t feel like writing? Do
you force it or take a break?
I force it because I believe that it really helps to be at
the computer at the same time each day. This way any issues you are addressing
stay top of mind. One of my writing teachers used to say, “even if you don’t
feel like writing you can visit with your work.” Another tactic I use to break
writer’s block: I write something else. Maybe I don’t feel like working on the
sequel to Mistress Suffragette today,
but I can write a flash fiction piece or an article about writing.
Any writing quirks?
Yes. I eat two Zone bars for lunch and about 10 sugarless
cough drops throughout the day. I know that it might sound a bit odd, but I
don’t break for lunch. Some iced coffee drink is part of my daily intake, too.
What would you do if people around you didn’t take your
writing seriously or see it as a hobby?
Any “hobby” one pursues for 40 hours a week is a full-time
job. But in terms of other people’s thoughts about my career, I either ignore
the nay-sayers or find a way to spend less time with them. As a writer, I find
it’s a good idea to surround yourself with positive, loving people.
Some authors seem to have a love-hate relationship to
writing. Can you relate?
Writing is like therapy: it reveals all. Let’s say you have
an issue with your mother. Chances are, it’s going to come out in your writing.
Or maybe you have an issue with authority figures. Your writing is a chance to
mine that and explore that. So, I think sometimes writers see themselves in
their writing, but in my opinion that is a great thing.
Do you think success as an author must be linked to money?
I think that in the beginning one is often giving away her
writing—almost for free. For example, if you write a flash fiction piece and
publish it online, you might not earn anything from that. But you are gaining a
publishing credential. After you gain a few publishing credentials, maybe
someone asks you to guest blog. That helps build your platform. After that,
maybe you get a book published. Maybe the advance is small, but you are getting
your work out there to readers. I tend to look at my writing career as a series
of baby steps. So, to me success is not linked to money.
What has writing taught you?
Writing has taught me to be a better observer of
people—their body language and gestures, and the subtext underneath what they
say. Writing has also taught me to be a better observer of places, down to the
small, sensory details. How a coffee shop smells, for example. On a humorous
note, writing has also taught me to carry a notebook and pen with me at all
times since I never know when inspiration will strike.
Leave us with some words of wisdom.
I believe that writing is always challenging, but if you
keep at it, the writing becomes smoother and captures more. I think of my own
writing as a series of baby steps. Write a page today; three pages tomorrow;
and four chapters by summer. I also feel that writing will teach you more about
yourself than any mentor or therapist ever will. Through your own experience
you will shed some light on the human experience for us all. Happy reading, and
happy writing.
