Awesome Romance Author Amara Royce
Meet Amara Royce
I am very excited to have Awesome Romance Author Amara Royce visiting with me today. Amara writes romances set during one of my favorite historical periods — the Victorian era. Â Kensington author Amara explains why she switched from writing historical fiction to romances.
Say hello to Amara…
What do you do when you are not writing?
When I’m not writing, I can usually be found grading papers, teaching composition and/or literature, or making sure my family and I all get out the door on time in the morning. In short, when I’m not writing, I frequently wish I were writing.
Where is your favorite place to write?
There’s a café near me that’s next to a creek. I love parking myself at a small table there when it’s not busy and writing as the water flows by. My favorite table there is by one of the windows, where I have a great view of the geese that frequently play along the creek.
How did you choose the genre you write in?
I didn’t start out as a romance writer, and I wasn’t a writer at all until around 2006. When I began writing fiction, I focused on literary historical fiction, but so much of what I read in that genre and wrote in my fledgling attempts in that genre were depressing and tragic. So much so that writing fiction was making me miserable! In 2011, I decided that I needed to expand my writerly horizons and try writing whatever made me happy. And what came out eventually turned into my first published historical romance: Never Too Late!
The experience of writing that novel was the opposite of what I’d been experiencing before—writing historical romance felt joyful and exuberant and life-affirming! And I’ve embraced it ever since! I still occasionally write in other genres, but I always look forward to the romance genre’s happily ever after and its affirmation of women’s lives and women’s interests.
Where do you get your ideas?
Where don’t I get ideas? I once got an idea for a character when I noticed a spider building a web outside my window. I’ve gotten ideas from historical research regarding real-life events, locations, people, and issues. I’ve gotten ideas from people-watching. And perhaps one of my favorite sources of ideas is just asking “what if”!
What project are you working on now?
My current historical romance work-in-progress is set in the 1850s near Edinburgh, Scotland, and it features a young woman who has obtained medical training, non-certified but thorough, from her father and some of his university colleagues and who strives to gain credibility in her community. The son of one of her patients is called back to the family home from his life and work in the city and is determined to keep her from treating his father.  It’s still very much a work-in-progress.
Do you have any advice to give to aspiring writers?
Oh, yes! Here are two pieces of advice: 1) There are no shortcuts. Write. But don’t just write. Learn the craft of writing. Learn the publishing industry, including the art of writing a query letter and the process of querying. 2) If you want to write, don’t give up. Sometimes it may seem like an uphill battle, but it isn’t impossible. It might not be easy, but you can do it if you keep trying and keep learning. The book you’ve written might not be the one that gets you an agent or a publisher…try writing another book…and then another. Don’t give up!
Once Beloved
by Amara Royce
In bustling Victorian London, a desperate woman turns to the last man who would ever want to come to her aid…
Years ago, when Helena Martin escaped to London with a dashing captain, she had no idea she was endangering her entire village. Little did she know, the arranged match she fled was the little town’s last chance at prosperity. Now, with her beloved grandmother’s health failing, Helena must face the damage she wrought. And she must do it with an unlikely escort: her jilted fiance’s brother.
Daniel Lanfield is undoubtedly attracted to Helena—and furious with her. Though it was unintentional, her thoughtlessness has caused great misery to their village. Yet Daniel is uniquely positioned to help her return home, and strangely compelled to keep her close along the way. For no matter what their pasts, the desire between them now is ever-present…
I first picked up one of your books (Never Too Late) because I like reading romances set in the Victorian era. (And then I kept reading because I like reading well-written books!) What led you to set a novel in that era?
Evelyn:
Thanks so much! I’m pleased you enjoy my work! The Victorian era was an easy decision for me! My academic background focused heavily on nineteenth century British literature (especially George Eliot and Charlotte Bronte). Plus, I’m fascinated by so much about the era–so many changes happening in society, industry, politics, science, technology!
-Amara
Zara:
Thanks so much for hosting me! I’m still digging out from yesterday’s snowpocalypse in eastern PA but will be checking in throughout the afternoon! Questions are welcome! And my sympathies to anyone else caught in the March snowstorms!
-Amara
We got three feet and it’s still snowing! A good day for reading. I just bought Once Beloved and as soon as I finish my editing for today on Book 2 in the Skin Quartet, I’m going to curl up and read it. I love the Victorian period. There was so much change going on economically, in women’s rights, and more. Have you been watching the Victoria series on PBS?
It started snowing again here about an hour ago! Ugh!
Thanks! Hope you enjoy Once Beloved!
I haven’t caught Victoria! I keep forgetting when it’s on! I figure I’ll wait until I can stream it on Netflix and binge-watch!