Ask Eloisa James - September 10, 2012 discussion

Dear Leah, I don't worry too much about rules. The one piece of advice I had about short stories (from Connie Brockway) is that a novella should focus on the most intense moments in a person's life. It's a thinner slice of life, in other words. Good luck!

Leah wrote: "Hi Eloisa, I've just started writing my first romance short story and have been reading about the 'rules' of the genre. Are you aware of these kind of things when you're writing or do you just conc..."

Hi Janga! Well, courtship is sweet, but marriage is interesting. Marriage is HARD. Hard makes a better book, I think!


Janga wrote: "I loved Griffin in The Ugly Duchess, and I'm happy that his story will be available so soon. I'm assuming--always a dangerous thing to do--that this will be another of the marriage-in-trouble stori..."

Dear Noel,

Not at this point -- I'm sorry! It's a long way away for me, and I'm starting a semester of teaching.

Noël wrote: "Hi Eloisa,

I looked over your tour schedule on your website. Are you planning on adding any West Coast stops?"

Hi Lisarenee!

Thank you for your kind words about Paris in Love -- it actually hasn't been bad at all getting back into the American swing. We moved to New York City, which is just as wonderful a city, in its own way.

As for the long absence, it was partly because of that dramatic scene (which I loved very much). But it also because I needed them both to grow up so much. It was very clear to me that they both needed to lose a parent (sorry others, if you haven't read the book!). They needed to prove themselves -- James to find his feet as a man rather than someone beautiful and titled, and Theo to find herself as a woman with values other than beauty. She had to start a business and he had to gain a fortune! I tried shorter and it felt very fantastical.

I knew readers wouldn't like it. But sometimes you just have to go with your gut and hew as close to reality as you can. A 18 year old male who is married for 2 days was near to sainthood (imo) by staying faithful for 3 years. That's how I saw it, anyway.


Lisarenee wrote: "Hello Eloisa. First off, I read your MemoirsParis in Love: A Memoir, so I thought I'd inquire as to how you're doing? Was it rough getting back into the swing of things after living abroad for a ye..."

Hi Cheryl!

Well, we live in an apartment in New York City. And space considerations mean that my desk is in the livingroom. So I write surrounded by books, children, a small rescue mini-dachshund named Lucy who is afraid to be alone... I am never alone! My only essential tool is my laptop.


Cheryl wrote: "Eloisa, what is your work space like? What is essential for you in terms of space and tools?"

Hi Allison!

Well, the sad truth is that my husband has read a few of my novels... but he's a scholar of the Middle Ages, and he reads no contemporary fiction. He has read a few, though. I modeled my first hero, in Potent Pleasures, fairly closely after Alessandro in superficial details -- and Alessandro was appalled because my hero, Alexander, had annulled his first marriage on the grounds of impotence. Alessandro was convinced people would think that had happened to him... I think it put him off my books! (Needless to say, Alexander had done that only to end the marriage.)


Allison wrote: My question is, does your husband read your books? What does he think of them, and does he ever see himself reflected in your characters? Does this bother him?

That is hysterical! Thank you for the response and I am thrilled to see you will be visiting Miami!

My dears,
I am going to bed. This has been a true pleasure... So many intelligent, thoughtful questions! I hope I've answered everyone. If you have second thoughts, or you missed the discussion, please jump over to my Facebook page: www.facebook.com/eloisajamesfans. I'm on there several times a day, and I do answer whatever is posted on the page (I'm not so good with messages, so skip that). big hug to all, Eloisa

oops -- missed one. Lexi, my version of Rapunzel is up next, in July -- ONCE UPON A TOWER. I'm not sure what comes after that!

Lexi wrote: "Some great questions, and answers! Thanks for sharing your upcoming schedule! Exciting =)
I tried to find it, may have missed it. If so please ignore. But I am wondering if you have more plans to ..."

After seeing Allison's post about Eloisa going to Miami I went to her website to see what her schedule was for book signings. Hopefully she doesn't mind me sharing that information here. I was hoping she'd be coming to Tampa, but alas she's not. :( Anyway hopefully one of you will be lucky enough to have her visit a bookstore close to you.

The following was taken directly from Eloisa's website ( http://eloisajames.com/events.php )

Boonsboro, Maryland: Sept. 15, 2012
Booksigning with Nora Roberts!
12:00 - 2:00 PM
Turn the Page Bookstore
18 North Main Street
Boonsboro, Maryland 21713
301-432-4588
[email protected]
www.ttpbooks.com

This is so exciting! I'm signing books alongside Nora Roberts, at her very own bookstore. I'm planning to stay at the Inn BoonsBoro and see one of the rooms I'm reading about in her latest series (from the website, the bathtubs are particularly amazing). If you live in Maryland, please join us—Nora's signings are always a grand event, and so much fun.

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Washington, D.C.: September 23 or 24 (details to come!)
Library of Congress National Book Fair: Talk & signing
I've never been to the National Book Fair—and I can't wait! I gather the book fair takes place under a series of big tents on the Mall in Washington. I'm giving a talk, so please come along and find my tent.

http://www.loc.gov/bookfest/

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Dallas: November 9, 2012
Readers and 'Ritas
Friday, November 9, 2012

This is a fun celebration of romance and reading, held in a small hotel outside Dallas. Come hang out with me for the weekend! Tickets are available here.

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Miami, FL: Nov. 16 or 17 (details to come!)

Miami Book Fair: Panel discussion and signing
I'm thrilled to be attending the Miami Book Fair for the first time. It looks as if I'll be on a panel discussing memoir, but details will come. Please join us—the fair is a wonderful way to meet authors you love, not to mention get a signed book or two!

http://www.miamibookfair.com/

That IS hysterical! Poor Alessandro!
S'okay about the tour thing, I get it.

I still haven't managed to start TUD, although I was looking forward to it and even pre-ordered it (which means it has been sitting around whining for two weeks).
I ordered your dad's book The Sibling Society (it came this evening!) and have a huge BTR pile.
I just wanted to say I was inspired by what you said in an article about your dad insisting you read a classic for each romance novel. I've decided to read a classic or a non-fiction between romances... if I have the will power. :-P

Thank you for taking the time to respond !

Thank you for answering my questions with you awesome answers!! ^.^

Eloisa wrote: "Dear Alysson,
I think that the inspiration for a novel has got to come from the novelist's own life. There are parts in all my novels that are drawn from my life--and that's what gives a novel rea..."

Thanx

Lisarenee wrote: "After seeing Allison's post about Eloisa going to Miami I went to her website to see what her schedule was for book signings. Hopefully she doesn't mind me sharing that information here. I was hopi..."

Lisa...I am in Sarasota, so Miami is a hike, but apparently The Miami Bookfair is amazing, so I think I am going to make the trip.

Allison wrote: "Lisarenee wrote: "After seeing Allison's post about Eloisa going to Miami I went to her website to see what her schedule was for book signings. Hopefully she doesn't mind me sharing that informatio..."

I'm a couple of hours from you in Tampa. Why does Florida have to be such a long state? lol Wonder if their are any cheep flights down there from Tampa? Does it cost anything to go to the fair?

It seems like it is a week long festival (with information about who will be appearing and events coming at the beginning of October). Apparently it is the biggest book fair in the country. I think you can buy day or week passes. I am waiting to see exactly what events I would like to attend before I buy a pass (and to see if I would like to stay one or possibly more nights in a hotel).Send me a friend request and I will share more information with you as I find it out. Also, there is a tremendous bookstore called "Books and Books" in Coral Gables that has incredible opportunities to meet authors (everyone from E.L James to Bill Clinton). It is such an amazing store, so while I am in Miami I am going to see if there are any authors who are having signings at their store.

I am near West Palm Beach so I will be at the Miami event! It would be wonderful for us fellow Eloisa fans to form a group :)

Jessica, have you ever been? I don't know much about it, or what days I will be attending but I think you have a great idea~

Eloisa wrote: "Dear Amanda,

So what do I have in the future? Well -- LOTS! Here's my pub schedule:

October 30 Griffin's story is out in eNovella form, SEDUCED BY A PIRATE. This is great fun! It links to The ..."
I can not wait to read this books!!!

Amanda wrote: "Eloisa wrote: "Dear Amanda,

So what do I have in the future? Well -- LOTS! Here's my pub schedule:

October 30 Griffin's story is out in eNovella form, SEDUCED BY A PIRATE. This is great fun! I..."

It does sound goo. :)

Thank you Eloisa,

For taking the time to answer my question, it has given me an insight in the procedure of writing a novel, and I totally agree one could lose creativity if everything is mapped out. I just wish you wrote more of the desperate duchess's series, I couldn't get enough of those books, tremendous!!!