How long have you been writing?
Hello, and thank you for having me!
I have been writing since before I knew how to write. I would fill notebooks with scribbles and “read” the stories aloud to my Mom. At the time, she encouraged me to be imaginative, but was upset that I was being wasteful. Thankfully, she has long since forgiven me, and remains one of my biggest supporters.
- What is your favorite genre to write?
I am a devoted lover of Regency-set historical romance novels. Not only am I absolutely in love with — and fascinated by — the history of the time, but I quite like the types of characters that I can invent. Society in the Regency era was confined and strict, most particularly between the classes and for women. I love to create characters that don’t fit into the mould of the time, that want to break free of the limitations and pave their own path, society’s unwritten rules notwithstanding. My heroines are bold and know what they want, but even while they don’t restrain themselves to what is expected, they also don’t overtly break the rules — that society knows of.
- Which genre have you never tried before, but would you like to try out?
I’ve actually been eager to try my hand at Science Fiction. While I’ve never written it before, I grew up surrounded by SciFi. Outside of my love for Regency romances, I’m 100% nerd. I love shows like Dr. Who, Star Trek (TNG), Firefly, Quantum Leap, and Red Dwarf. I’m big on Space Operas, as well as some Post Apocalyptic, Fantasy, and supernatural/paranormal fiction.
- Please tell us about your book.
Love’s Misadventure is a Regency-set historical romance novel about two best friends, Lane Mason, the seventh Earl of Devon, and Miss Annabel Bradley, who inadvertently get caught up in the world of French spies. They are swept away on a harrowing misadventure that nearly costs them not only their lives, but their friendship and love, as well.
- Which character was your favorite, and why? Which character was your least favorite, and why?
If I had to choose a favourite from Love’s Misadventure, I might pick Annabel. She and I share many personality traits, which I suppose is why it was easy to write her. Of course, the same could be said for all of my heroines; I put a little of myself into each of them.
Picking a least favourite character is a bit more of a challenge. My villains are an excellent choice, as they’re meant to be hated, but that might be too easy of an answer. I think for Love’s Misadventure I would have to choose Lady Juliana Herring as my least favourite; she is a gossip that loves to spread nastiness, and thrives on the misfortune of others.
- What was the hardest part about writing your book?
Writer’s block and self-doubt. Generally, I experience writer’s block when I come upon a scene in which my characters are upset; I don’t like seeing my hero and heroine suffer with heartbreak or disappointment, so those scenes take me ages to write.
As for self-doubt, I’m sure that most authors have experienced it (if not, everyone in the world). One minute an idea/sentence/word seems amazing, and the next you’re terrified that it’s inadequate. For the most part this comes into play while editing.
- What is your writing routine? Are there things you absolutely need to start writing?
As a stay-at-home-mom of four children aged seven and under, I don’t really have the luxury of time for a routine. Between meals, cuddles, and my other at-home work, I simply sit at my computer with my notebook at my side, and I try to get a few paragraphs written whenever I can. There are days when I write nothing at all, but there are others in which my husband takes over, or I can convince my mom to babysit, and I can get a few thousand words written. I owe a great deal to my mom and my husband for their help and support!
- How long did it take you to write your book from start to finish?
I wrote Love’s Misadventure when I had only two children, and they were both still napping, so I had a great deal more time than I do now. I was able to write it in three months. Now, however, my novels are taking me roughly a year to complete.
- Can you tell us about your editing process?
It took me a little while to come up with a process, actually, but I now believe I’ve come up with a system that works well for me. I work through writing my novel and I keep a second notebook for keeping track of things that I realize are errors (continuity, etc.). Once I’m done writing my novel, I switch notebooks from creative to editing, then I work through the manuscript from beginning to end. Sometimes it takes two passes to iron out the little things, but once it’s done I feel pretty confident about sending it in to my publisher.
- Is this book part of a series? If so, how many installments do you have planned?
It is! Love’s Misadventure is the first of four books in The Mason Siblings Series. They’re about four siblings — Lane Mason the Seventh Earl of Devon (Love’s Misadventure), Lady Bridget Mason (The Trouble With Love), Lady Katherine Mason (Love and Deceit), and Lady Emaline Mason (Final Battle for Love) — whose lives are pulled into the world of Napoleon Bonaparte’s spies. The series leads into my second series, entitled The Seductive Spies Series, which continues the story of the Secret Service spies that the readers meet in my first four books. The stories are all interconnected, and the series’ main villain is carried through to the very end, with minor antagonists within each of the books.
- Do you have any advice for aspiring authors?
Be persistent! Publishing is a tough business for writers. Even the most successful of authors have received rejections in their career. Keep writing, querying, and submitting, and eventually yours will be picked. After all, it only takes one “yes”!
Most importantly, keep writing!
- Why should everyone read your book?
My books are adventurous, steamy, and exciting. But more importantly, I firmly believe that reading a romance novel can alter your perspective of others, encouraging you to think about the unique things that make them who they are, and why they’re essential. For example, the way someone’s smile can light up their face, the way their eyes show their feelings, the way they curl their hair behind their ear… All of those things often go overlooked in our day-to-day lives. Not everyone is perfect, but reading romance novels teaches us to appreciate the smaller nuances of a person’s character, and love them for it. I aim to be a part of that world.
- If you could meet three authors, dead or alive, which authors would you choose?
This question took some thought to answer. I believe I would pick 1. Jane Austen — for her witty personality and unrivalled knowledge of the Regency period. 2. J. K. Rowling — for her experience being a mom while beginning a career in writing, in addition to her truly remarkable imagination. And 3. Nora Roberts — to get ideas on how to write so many books per year! I would swear that she uses magic.
- What inspired you to write your book?
Honestly? My husband. I’m an avid reader of historical romances, and after a few particularly wonderful reads about spies in the Regency period, I began to crave more. Despite still loving the books I read, I sought adventure and intrigue. At the time, I couldn’t find any in bookstores (there are now some amazing and exciting novels from very talented authors, both with and without spies), so my husband suggested that I try my hand at it. Once I put my fingers to the keyboard, I couldn’t stop!
- Are you working on something at the moment? If so, can you tell us more about it?
I am! I’ve just finished writing my seventh novel (the third in The Seductive Spies Series), entitled To Woo A Troublesome Spy. It is about a woman named Miss Violet Wilkinson, who is desperate to flee a horrible fate. She sneaks into the home of Christian Samuels, the Viscount Leeds, and bravely — and boldly — demands that he escort her to Scotland. Christian happens to be a spy in His Majesty’s Secret Service, and finds himself curiously willing to fall in with the fiery woman’s demands. Danger follows them, and adventure ensues!
In addition to the preliminary editing for To Woo, I am plotting out some unrelated short stories that I intend to publish on my website.
Thank you so much for interviewing me! I’ve had a great time!
About Love’s Misadventure
Love’s Misadventure (2nd edition) is the first Amazon Best Selling regency period novel in Cheri Champagne’s Mason Sibling Series.
Miss Annabel Bradley refuses to accept life as a spinster. Her many years of pouring greedily over gothic novels has put her head in the clouds; dreaming and hoping for the love she reads about. She has always held a tendre for her best friend, Lane Mason, seventh Earl of Devon, but she does not want to jeopardize their friendship by telling him about those indecent dreams of hers. Anna, therefore, makes a life-changing decision; she is going to accept the proposal of the next suitor to ask!
Lane Mason is an average aristocrat; absorbed in life in general, and content with his status in society. Amid a frequently occurring moment of self-loathing, Lane shockingly discovers his feelings for Anna. Now armed with the awareness of his love for Anna, Lane decides to perpetrate a devilishly clever scheme. He will pay actors to abduct the two of them in order to give Anna an adventure like the ones she reads in her treasured books.
Lane’s plans go awry, however, when they are kidnapped in truth.
Buy on Amazon.
Speak Your Mind