MY INTERVIEW WITH AUTHOR ROSIE CHAPEL

MY INTERVIEW WITH AUTHOR ROSIE CHAPEL

What’s your name and what genre would you consider your books to be?

Hi, thank you for having me. My pen name is Rosie Chapel, but you may know me as Rebecca Norman. I write mainly historical fiction/romance, although I have a couple of contemporary romances too.

Tell me about your book. How did you come up with that (story, angle, idea)?

Prelude to Fate is a stand-alone historical romance, inspired by a lecture. I know… what a nerd! I attend archaeology lectures at my old university, and this particular one was about Emerita Augusta, modern day Merida, in Spain. The Roman ruins there are astonishing, and while I was listening several ideas began to bubble. I have another series, based around a ruby clasp. The ruby came from Roman Spain and the connection was too good to ignore. Then, at the break, one of my friends turned around and showed me her notes…at the top it said in thick black letters – you should write a book set here. Not one to argue with two blatant signs that I should, at least, attempt something, I began to research, and so it began. The paranormal element was a leap of faith – and it is an element, more an affinity than anything else – but it was great fun to incorporate it into the story.

How did you get interested in writing this particular genre (historical novels, mysteries, sci-fi, children’s books, etc.)?

I have always been a history tragic, and several years ago, returned to university initially to study archaeology, but quickly changed my major to ancient history. My favourite period is between about 27BC and AD135. I cannot explain why I love it so much, but I do. The lecturers were passionate about their subject and made the era come alive for me. I had intended to continue studying, after I got my bachelors – maybe aim for a PhD, but had to defer and during that time, my hubby suggested I try channelling my love for ancient history into a book. Once I stopped laughing – seriously, me write a book? – I gave it some thought, re-read some of my assignments and an idea popped into my head. One that would not leave me alone… and The Pomegranate Tree was born.

What kind of research did you do for this book?

One of the challenges was that most of the academic resources for this period are in Spanish, which I have never learned. I do own many, many books on Roman history, some of which cover Roman Spain, and I was lucky enough to find a reasonable selection at the local university library. The internet is a wonderful thing – and, thankfully, Emerita August was important enough that I was able to track down the necessary information to ensure any historical detail was correct. While this is a work of fiction, I am a bit anally retentive about getting any pertinent facts right.

Can you tell me about your Series?

Oh wow, I have two! My first is the Hannah’s Heirloom Sequence – the one based around the ruby clasp. The series spans two thousand years, connecting the lives of two women and the two men who love them, taking the reader from Herod’s great fortress at Masada to Pompeii and on to Roman Britain.

The books in the Linen and Lace Series are Regency romances, set in England not long after the end of the Napoleonic Wars. Each story is stand alone, but the characters appear, more or less, throughout the five books. While they are mainly romances, I tried to touch on some of the issues of the day, such as the concern over foreign spies infiltrating the country, abuse, battle trauma, the shipping industry, life in the seedier districts of London and so on. I do not purport to be an expert in any of the fields, although I do suffer from PTSD (the modern term for battle fatigue or shell shock), but I think my hours of research gave me an insight into each topic.

Do you have a favorite book out of this series?

From the Hannah’s Heirloom Sequence – The Pomegranate Tree

From the Linen and Lace Series – nope, can’t pick, I love them all equally.

Where did you get the inspiration/idea for The Hannah’s Heirloom series?

An essay on Herod’s building programme. I know, weird right? I was scanning my old assignments for inspiration, when I came upon that one, and spotted a paragraph about Masada. A fortress built by a king, which eventually became a Roman garrison. In AD 66 it was ambushed by Jewish rebels, who then found themselves besieged by the Roman army about six years later. When the Romans finally breached the defences they found only seven survivors. It was these survivors who inspired me – then I just had to work it backwards. I have never visited Masada, but it is somewhere that haunts me, so much history swirling around it. The more I researched, the more compelled I was to set my first novel there.

What kind of research did you do for this book?

Goodness, I spent hours, weeks even researching. This is not some invented place, Masada is somewhere people know a lot about. Not only do we have a mountain of academic texts, there are books, documentaries, tv series and movies about it – not to mention the vast amount of archaeological evidence, and the site itself. Even accepting that the only written ancient source is a narrative by Josephus – and he was probably biased – I did not want to mess with the one account we have. Then there were the back stories for each of my characters, how they connected to each other, whether what I wanted to do was even feasible. For a while my study resembled a book shop. I had stacks of papers – journal articles, and information from the Internet, covering everything from food to clothing, funeral rituals to army regulations, hairstyles to healing. For me the research is as interesting and as much fun as the writing.

Was it always meant to become a series?

No. Originally it was only going to be one book, but as I was finishing The Pomegranate Tree, another idea began to pester and another. One book became three and then I wrote a Prequel – as you do!

What’s a typical working day like for you? When and where do you write? Do you set a daily writing goal?

Mostly, I write every day, even weekends – especially if I am on a role or have a deadline approaching (ugh, edits clutches head). I am usually at my desk by about 9am and write until around 5, when I take our dog for a walk. Usually lunch is my only proper break, but I do get to make coffee – several times! There are, of course, days when I have appointments or when I catch up with friends, or when householdy (yes, it’s a word) things can no longer be put off.

I am lucky enough to have my own study, with my computer, my tub of sweets (candy) and surrounded by my books. It’s a lovely quiet space, I cannot write to any kind of background noise. If I listen to music, I find the lyrics magically appear in manuscript. More often than not, I am supervised by one of more of our pets – although to be honest they are not particularly helpful…😉

Do you have a new book in the making and if so, what’s the name of your upcoming book?

Yes, I do. It’s a Regency Romance called The Daffodil Garden

How important are character names to you in your books? Is there a special meaning to any of the names?

Very – although usually my characters tell me their names not the other way around. One or two started off with one name but then had to be changed within a chapter or two because my original choice just did not fit. While there are not necessarily any special meanings for the names I pick, I am careful to use those that are era appropriate, and I like to trace the history behind the ones I’m considering – that often makes my choice easier. Occasionally, I choose names of people I know, or am related to, but for the most part, I just like the way the name fits with the character.

Where do your ideas come from?

I have absolutely no clue. They usually come when I’m in the shower, or like last night while I was waiting for the dog to come in… totally random moments. It could be prompted by a line from a song, an image on the television, a photograph, a conversation. I could be reading about one thing, which links to something else completely and an idea begins to simmer. I am just thankful it happens!

Is there a genre that you’ve been wanting to experiment with?

Not particularly. I am really comfortable with what I write, although paranormal intrigues me.

What is the hardest part of writing for you?

Letting my characters go – I know pathetic!! They are so real to me while I’m writing, that I become part of their world, and to say goodbye at the end of a book is really tough, which no doubt explains why I have two series!

What do you think of book trailers? Do you have a trailer, or do you intend to create one for your own book?

I think they are wonderful and a great marketing tool. If I had the money I would have one for each of my books. Something to consider down the track!

What do you consider to be your best accomplishment?

Publishing my first book.

What’s the best thing about being an author?

Being able to share my words with people who enjoy reading them. It is the best feeling!

Where do you see yourself in 10 years?

Right here… I hope!

Have you always liked to write?

Yes, but never in my wildest dreams did I imagine I would be so lucky as to become a published author!

What writing advice do you have for aspiring authors?

Just go for it but be realistic. Choose a genre you are comfortable with – you can always branch out later. Research your subject where applicable, and surround yourself with a supportive group or team. Have someone you trust read your work, but once you are happy with the draft, get it professionally proofed or edited. Most of all, enjoy it.

If you didn’t like writing books, or weren’t any good at it, what would you like to do for a living?

Work in a museum or art gallery.

Do you read reviews of your book(s)? Do you respond to them, good or bad? How do you deal with the bad?

I do read them, but don’t respond, except maybe to like it. If someone has posted a bad review and has a valid point, I try to use it to improve my work, but there are a lot of trolls out there whose sole aim in life is to post 1-star reviews. A bad review is hard to swallow, but that’s just the way it is, and you will never please everyone.

What is your least favourite part of the writing / publishing process?

Marketing and promotion.

Can you give us a few tasty morsels from your work-in-progress?

“Lady Elspeth, a word of warning. I appreciate your need to discover the truth, but it could cause more harm than good. Mayhap ‘tis better to leave secrets where they are buried. When I walk out of your home today, my life will continue as before, as though we did not collide on a damp street. Your family remain none the wiser that one member behaved unwisely decades ago. No one is hurt, no one is called to account. My mother is dead, I have no idea whether my father lives for I do not even know his name. Mama refused to divulge any information regarding him even on her death bed. My only certainty is that she loved him and continued to do so until she drew her last breath.”

Why did you choose to write in your genre? If you write in more than one, how do you balance them?

I am an incurable romantic and it is my favourite genre to read, so it seemed logical to write what I love. Although I write historical and contemporary, romance is always the main theme, so the balance is quite easy. My biggest challenge is remembering that in historical fiction there are none of the modern-day luxuries we rely on.

Where did your love of books come from?

Probably my Mum. She read to me from when I was a baby and I have loved reading and books as long as I can remember.

Do you have any favorite authors or favorite books?

Anything by Mary Stewart, Diana Gabaldon, and Betty Neels. I love many, many authors who I have come to know through writing, but I cannot list them all – it would be too long, and I would hate, inadvertently, to miss one out!

Of all the characters you have created, which is your favourite and why?

Maxentius. He epitomises everything I want in my romantic hero – strength, courage, humour, integrity, tenderness, humanity. Of course, he’s also tall and drop dead gorgeous – but they are the bonuses not the core. All my other male characters have something of Maxentius in them.

Does writing energize or exhaust you?

Energise – but eventually my batteries run out…

What is your writing Kryptonite?

Lack of coffee!

Do you try more to be original or to deliver to readers what they want?

I hope I am both, but I write for me, the type of books I love to read. I accept that not everyone will like what I write, but I have to be true to myself. You cannot please all the readers all the time, but if only one reader enjoys my book, I’m happy!

What other authors are you friends with, and how do they help you become a better writer?

Oh, goodness me, I am incredibly fortunate to have become friends with some amazing authors. JF Holland, Amy Allen Hallmark, Melody Dawn, Lilly Rayman, Maria Vickers, Jackie Wheeler Dasen, Jade Royal, YM Zachary, JB Joseph, Bella Emy, Ani Bishop, Jeremy Simons, SJ Hermann, Haley Jordan, Nicole Strycharz, Ashlee Shades, Aim Ruivivar… I could go on all day. Without question they have been the best support – people off whom I can bounce ideas, plot lines and snippets, and who offer advice, without judgement. They let me cry on their shoulders, metaphorically speaking – we are all miles apart, if I’m struggling or frustrated. They are not afraid to tell me if I’m off with the fairies, or kick my butt if necessary – of course, that’s exceedingly rare 😉.
They are my rock and my heart, and I am so glad they are in my life.

If you were writing a book about your life, what would the title be?

Least Expected To…