Ask Eloisa!

[Margo]

Welcome to the group! Eloisa will be answering questions on Monday, September 10, 2012. In the meantime if you have a question for Eloisa or just want to introduce yourself feel free to do so in this thread.

[Eastofoz]

Great idea! Thanks for the invite :)

[Jude]

Thanks for inviting me to this group. I enjoy historical romances very much and read at least one a week.

My question to Eloisa would be "how does she continue to keep her characters fresh and interesting to keep the readers engaged?"

[Linda]

I'm excited! I love this woman. Can't wait to talk to her.

[Bernice]

Thank you for the invite, Margo! Excited for September 10th. :D

[Lisa Rivera]

So excited! I love her and can't wait! Essex sisters were, by far, my favorite! Very exciting!

[Susan]

Hi, Thank for inviting me this is my first group?
So I am a little unsure of format? I love Eloisa, Essex sister were great! Just finishing The Ugly Duchess, and it is up to her usual standards?

IS there a time? OR she will answer all questions posted? Can anyone give me a head up, THANKS.

It is so nice to see other Historical Fiction, Regancy Romance etc fans :)

[Nada]

Thank you so much for the invite! This is such a great idea! I can't wait!

[Gina]

Q Hi
Having read most of your books and enjoyed them immensely , I was wondering if you can explain the method, or process, of how you start writing your books, for us would be writers; Do you have notes on what you want to write in each chapter, or book, a story board? It would be so very helpful to hear from an established successful writer how you keep your avid readers wanting more.

[Gina]

And thanks for inviting me

Gina

[Minna]

My question is, with so many romances (even so many historical romances) out there, how are you able to come up with fresh plots and dialogue?

And, do you ever have a situation where you have a story you really want to tell, but just can't seem to get it out onto paper? How would you get around that?

[Minna]

(And, thanks for the invite! This is super exciting.) :-)

[Jess the Romanceaholic]

lol Okay, the way the other thread is worded, I thought that that's where y'all wanted the questions. SMH Sorry!

So, here's a couple possible questions for Eloisa:

* Are there any particular tropes in romance that you find yourself shying away from, either as a reader or a writer?
* What is something that you think your readers would be surprised to learn about you?
* What is it about the historical time period that appeals to you as an author?

[AnnaBanana]

Thanks for the invite!

Questions:
*Who is your favorite romance author?
What is your favorite genre of books for pleasure reading?
Have you ever been insulted by another author's opinion of your work?*

[Amanda]

Thank you for the invitation, I love E James!

Questions?

What is the reason for writing historical romances?
How do you incorporate history into your writing so well?
What can we expect in the future?

[Sherrill]

Thanks for the invite.

I'm reading The Ugly Duchess now....another great story.

I second the questions asked by Jess the Romanceaholic, Amanda and AnnaBanana.

What will be your next series?

[Nicky]

Thanks for the invite! Looking forward to the Q&A-

[sHyLa]

Thank you for the invite. I'm a big fan of Eloisa James.. looking forward to the event. :)

[Angie]

Thanks for the invite. First I love your Fairy Tales series and have made a note to check more books from you.
My questions are:
Where did you get the idea to write about fairy tales? and What books you have planned for the future, particularly in the Fairy Tales series?
Thanks

[Evelyn]

Wow, thanks for the invite I have read several of her books, I wish I could joint the discussion but I will be working. However I would like to ask about where does one start writing a book? what process most be follow? looking forward to all the posting.

[Tonya]

Thanks for the invite I am a big fan love all your books. My question is do you prefer writing series over stand alone's and when you do come up with an idea for a series do you have all the books in your head at that time or do they all come to you seperately?

[Frances]

Hi Margo! Thanks for the invite. I enjoyed reading my first Eloisa James book.

[Kit★]

Thanks so much for the invite! :)

My question is -

Do you think you'll ever write a story set in a different time-period, like medieval or Roman times, etc?

Thanks again for your time!

[Jacqui]

I am looking forward to her answers. My question is ....

Do you ever feel constrained by writing solely within the romance genre (your recent memoir notwithstanding)? For instance, Patricia Gaffney has said of her shift from moving from writing historical romances to writing more contemporary "literary" novels that she wanted to focus on other relationships between characters and not just the romantic relationship.

[ReadingWench]

Has your publisher ever wanted you to write a different genre? The library ladies are awaiting your answer.

[Asousa]

Hi! Thank you for invite me for this group! I really like the books of Eloisa! So I have 3 questions that i really like to post:

1) I'm from Portugal, and here we only have 2 novels from Fairy Tales (loved both)!You know when this laid out the third? Can you tell me a little bit about it, what aspects that inspired you to write it?

2) Have you considered coming to Portugal? (I really really loved having a book signed by you!)

3) Is there any book in your library that you advise to read?

Thank you soo much

Ana Sousa

[Rebecca]

Thank you, thank you, thank you for the invite!! I am a huge fan of Eloisa James, and despite my loyalty to Desperate Duchesses, I have to say her new fairy tale series is slowly inching it's way to being even in my regard. Anyways, I will think of questions and post again. I just had to give a shout out of love first.

:) Becca Lane

[Marie]

What other fairy tales are you considering for your future books?

[Flora]

Congratulations, Eloisa, on the success of "The Ugly Duchess!" We are so happy for you! Here are my questions.

1.
I made the comment early on that "The Ugly Duchess" has a different feel (in a very good way) than your previous novels. Since it's publication I see that I am not the only one who senses this as well. What do you think it is about TUD that is leading readers to sense a difference in this book?

2.
In "The Duchess Quartet" as well as in "Desparate Duchesses" and "When the Duke Returns" you use the themes of prearragned marriage with very young and inexperienced protagonists. They decide to separate very soon after their marriage due to some type of conflict or incompatability. This is also a central theme in "The Ugly Duchess." What are you trying to tell your readers with the use of these themes?

[Gotobedmouse]

My question is in regard to the cover art of your books. I am currently reading "Taming of the Duke" and the people on the cover do not look anything like the people described in the book. How much influence do you have with the cover art.

Also, how has the hisoric romance industry changed over the years with the influence of ebooks and internet media. Do you feel closer to your fans now? Do you read your reviews on goodread? Is it more work on an author's part to self promote through facebook, twitter and such.

[Gotobedmouse]

One last question: I started reading your books back in July when Desperate Duchesses was a Vaginal Fantasy pick. Have you ever watched Vaginal Fantasy on you tube?

[Janice]

This is wonderful! I have followed Eloisa from the first book I happened upon and now have everybook I can find of hers. My question is how many books do you have published? I have searched your sites and think I have them all, but just have to make sure! Love you Eloisa!

[Verity]

Very excited about this - I think I've read most of Eloisa's books (they're harder to get over here in the UK) and have just finished Paris in Love. I haven't read Ugly Duchess yet - my to read list is standing at 80 - and the sooner I read the new Eloisa, the longer I have to wait for the next one!

[Elizabeth]

Thanks for the invite!
I love Eloisa James. She's one of my favorite authors.
My question would be: for a person that wants to be an author, where do you find sources and how much research do you do to stay historically accurate? I also want to know how you get through "writer's block".
Thanks!
I am super excited!!

[Alysson]

Thanks for the invite
Eloisa James is a fantastic writer
My question is where do you find the inspiration to write you books ? What are some of the things that you do when you can find inspiration around you ?
also I have been writing stories since I was seven years old but I was wondering if you could give me any tips on how to make everything fit to what you want it to be .
I also have been a writing and emailing authors all around the world , do you know any author friends of yours who won't might if I ask them a couple of questions.
Thanks!
can't wait for you to write another book

[Diki79]

Thank you for invitation in this group , I'v loved the book,and characters. I was very intriguied with French letter! Did they really used et that time, and from what was it made? I couldn't find much on google about it,and I would love to hear from someone creative about it. Thank you.

[Nada]

Even if I've only read one of your books, I'm looking forward to reading all your books.

What inspires you to write?
If you have one, who are your mentors?
How do you make your audience come back for more?

^^,

[Keri]

I am huge a fan! My question is do you see yourself doing a reunion ebook for the Desperate Duchesses? We got to know all the ladies that they felt like friends and I would love to catch up with them and see how they have affected their men's lives for the better of course. :-)

[Aly is so frigging bored]

I love Eloisa James' books, I have all of them in print and the 2 translated in Romanian.

Q1: Will there be any extra chapters on her "Exclusive page for Registered Readers" on her website?

Q2: Do you have any inspiration regarding Villiers' children from A Duke of Her Own?

[Rachel]

Thank you for an invitation to this group!
Eloisa James you are one of my favorite authors! I do not read romance as much as I used to but when I do I turn to your book because they have never disappointed. They always make me laugh and they are the only romance that has made me cry on a number of occasions. You are such a talented story teller.
My question for you is what helped you get started? Was there a book you read that was an inspiration or a class you took or an encouraging person? What gave you the courage and determination to write before you were a published author?
Thank you for taking the time to come on here and answer questions!

[Michele]

Thank you so much for the invitation to this group!

Out of all of the heroines that you've written, which one is the most like you and why? And which one is the least like you and why? Is it more fun and more freeing to write about someone that isn't like you?

And Eloisa, thank you so much for taking the time to come on Goodreads and answer our questions!

[Alisha]

Just popping over to say Hello to Eloisa, I know she will be by soon.

[Pirouette]

For the discussion, could we open another thread "just" to talk about the Ugly Duchess, please, or is that more, rather than less, confusing?

I thought people might like to chat about their appreciation of Eloisa's latest book, especially since it has met with very different reactions amid her readers.

[Alisha]

Pirouette wrote: "For the discussion, could we open another thread "just" to talk about the Ugly Duchess, please, or is that more, rather than less, confusing?

I thought people might like to chat about their apprec..."
I have a few friends who read and didn't like it the first time, but went back and re read it and now they like it.

[Aly is so frigging bored]

I think someone should gather all the questions in one single post so that way they are easier to answer.

[Eloisa, Author of The Ugly Duchess]

Hi Jude!
I think there are two answers. The first is that they live in my mind for a long time. So the way friends do, they become more complex as I know more about them, and of course that makes them fresh, as they grow in originality. But second, I read a lot--romance, literature, fantasy, mystery. I think reading other authors' novels keeps me challenged so that I don't just repeat myself.

Jude wrote: "Thanks for inviting me to this group. I enjoy historical romances very much and read at least one a week.

My question to Eloisa would be "how does she continue to keep her characters fresh and in..."

[Alisha]

Welcome Eloisa!!!

[Eloisa, Author of The Ugly Duchess]

Hi Gina!
I write by the seat of my pants--meaning that I just plunge into a novel and see where it will take me. I often have one big scene in mind when I start but I never know how I will get there. So that means I delete a great deal, and I always end up starting a novel in a different place than where I originally thought it would start. I think it would be easier if I mapped out the whole novel, but I would be afraid that I would lose creativity. Much of the really interesting things that happen in my novels just appear out of nowhere while I'm typing. If I forced myself to stick to an outline, I might miss those.

Gina wrote: "Q Hi
Having read most of your books and enjoyed them immensely , I was wondering if you can explain the method, or process, of how you start writing your books, for us would be writers; Do you..."

[Pamela]

Eloisa is on plane right now...and Delta's online internet isn't allowing her to respond speedily. Apologies! She'll be on it once she's touched solid ground! :)

[Eloisa, Author of The Ugly Duchess]

Dear Minna,
This is a hard one! Originality is always hard. I think I heard somewhere that there are only 4 plots in the world... my way around it is to concentrate on creating characters who are new and different to me. I find that once I have a complex character, she'll start to do interesting and complex things. I try to ask myself over and over: what would she do, really do, in this situation? In other words, what would this particular kind of person do? That keeps me from making my character do what I would do, which is often an entirely different situation.

The only time i failed to get a book down was years ago, when I had an idea for a baseball novel (ala Susan E Phillips). I simply could not write contemporary male voices. So that was a failure.. Other than that, no. I have confidence and writing and rewriting will get what I want down on paper.

great questions!
Minna wrote: "My question is, with so many romances (even so many historical romances) out there, how are you able to come up with fresh plots and dialogue?

And, do you ever have a situation where you have a ..."