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Welcome to New Faces, where you can meet debut romance authors and discover their books. This time we're talking with Carrie Lofty, whose first book is What a Scoundrel Wants, a December 2008 release from Kensington Zebra. Carrie, welcome to TRR! Tell us about yourself. I was born in California, raised in the Midwest, and found the love of my life in England. I taught U.S. and Latin American history at Ohio State University while earning my master's degree with a thesis on the impact of outlaw legends on Reconstruction-era society. Now I live just north of Chicago with my husband and our two daughters. Are you coming to romance writing from another job? I write full time, look after my family, offer freelance writing instruction at a local university and private academy, and manage the authors of Unusual Historicals, a blog I founded in 2006 to celebrate romances set in unusual times and places. What led you to write romance? I still remember the afternoon my best friend in high school drove me to a library and we raided the romance section. I'd already been very interested in history, so discovering that authors layered full-on love stories with historical detail just set me on fire. It was like opening a whole new realm of my brain, full of possibilities! I started writing shortly thereafter, but I didn't find the guts and stamina to finish a novel until 2006. Tell us about your road to publication. I finished that first novel during the summer when my husband moved to Virginia for an internship. While I stayed in Wisconsin with our young daughters, I dedicated myself to this creative and professional outlet. Shortly thereafter, I joined a marvelous online critique group who helped get me up to speed regarding craft. After that manuscript garnered interest but no offers of sale, I started on what would become WHAT A SCOUNDREL WANTS. It finaled in two contests, one of which was the Hearts Through History chapter's Romance Through the Ages. The winner was to be announced at Nationals in Dallas in 2007. I decided that was the perfect excuse to attend my first national convention, and while I was there, I pitched to my editor at Kensington. She asked for the full, and I got The Call two days after I dropped it in the mail! What kind of research was involved for your first book? A great deal! I had never studied the medieval period in school, so I started with a general grounding in dress, food, customs, culture, and the environment around Nottingham. Next I indulged in several weeks of studying the old Robin Hood ballads and plays, paying particular attention to storytelling and thematic trends that crossed the centuries, and also the portrayal of Will Scarlet. Finally, I studied the history of chemistry, medicine and science to equip my heroine, Meg, with the tools she would need for the role I'd imagined. Tell us about your debut book. In Sherwood Forest, Robin Hood's estranged nephew Will Scarlet rescues the alchemist who can clear him of murder--but she's blind, obsessed with fire, and sister to the woman he helped kidnap. Now, to defeat the new Sheriff of Nottingham and save Meg's sister, Will needs to become a hero for the ages. It's amazing what a scoundrel will do for love... Who are your influences as a writer? I adore lush, transporting, angsty historicals like those by Candace Proctor, Penelope Williamson, Laura Kinsale, and Megan Chance, as well as the witter banter and sexual excitement of Lisa Kleypas, Jo Goodman, and Loretta Chase. And of course, I adore all of Susan Wiggs's historical romances. I was so thrilled when she offered a quote for my debut! But I'm also influenced by film. Adventurous, quick, exciting movies like The Princess Bride, the Indiana Jones films, "Firefly," and even Quentin Tarantino's early movies all play into how I imagine action sequences. What does your family think of having a published romance author in their midst? Hold on. Let me ask. My husband thinks it's inspiring for our older daughter, who is very imaginative and keen on telling stories. They were all very excited for me, especially when I received my author copies. It became real then--or at least a little less surreal! Tell us about plans for future books. The sequel to WHAT A SCOUNDREL WANTS, currently titled SCOUNDREL'S KISS, will be released in late 2009. In it, a Spanish warrior monk falls for the woman he's sworn to protect, but she tempts him to abandon his vows of obedience, non-violence and chastity. In addition, SERENADE, my first novel, will be released as a free serial on my website beginning January 2009. Set in 1804 Salzburg, SERENADE is the story of a widowed violin prodigy and a composer who stole the symphony he's famous for. First chapters for each are available now. Details can be found at www.carrielofty.com, where readers can also sign up for my newsgroup. How can readers get in touch with you?
Website: http://www.carrielofty.com Carrie, thanks for joining us, and best of luck! Readers, we have a review of What a Scoundrel Wants in our Historical section.
February 8, 2009 |
