Welcome historical romance author, Eloisa James, to Love Romances & More. We are excited to have the opportunity to speak with you and learn more about your work.

How long have you been writing?

My first book, Potent Pleasures, was published in 1999 -- it seems like a lifetime ago!

What inspired you to write in the first place? 

I had tried to write a romance when I was just out of college, but it was rejected everywhere, and I went on to graduate school.  Then years later, when I was an assistant professor, I started to write again.  The reason is embarrassing but true -- my Italian husband had declared that we couldn't possibly have a second baby because I had too many student loans (I did graduate degrees in Oxford, England and at Yale, so I really did have big loans).  I grew up in a big family and I couldn't bear the idea that I would only have one baby.  I had to make money!  I started writing with a true passion -- and it worked.  My daughter was born shortly after my second book came out.

Does the same thing inspire all your stories?

No... Inspiration comes from all over.  One key thing is that every heroine has a little bit of me in her.  So I suppose that's the "same" inspiration.

What and/or who influenced you to get published?

I loved romances since I was a teenager and always thought I'd write one someday.

How long did it take you to get your first book published?

The first book still lives under my bed, as they say!  The second book (the one I describe above) was accepted quickly and published soon thereafter in hardcover, which was exciting.

Often a writer's first book is the toughest to write.  Was this true for you?

No, it was pure pleasure.  I had no idea about "rules" of writing (I never took a creative writing course).  I made tons of mistakes in that book, but I absolutely loved writing it.  It was the pleasure that kept me writing.

If so, what helped you get through it?  If it wasn't the first, which one was the most difficult to write?  Which was the easiest?

The easiest was the first, and the most difficult is the book I'm currently writing .  My husband would tell you that I always say that, and it's true.  When you're wrestling with a manuscript, it always feels as if it will never get done, and as if it's the worst thing you ever wrote!

In your new series featuring "Desperate Duchesses", where you surprised that the relationship between the Duke and Duchess of Beaumont has inspired such an avid following?

Not surprised, exactly -- because I find my readers and I are often of the same mind.  I'm obsessed by their relationship myself!

Will Jemma and Elijah have their own book to resolve their relationship or will it be incorporated within one of the later books in this series?

Well... to answer that I would have to tell secrets.  All I can say is that Jemma will have her own book.

Who will be featured in your next book in this series?

It's called Duchess by Night and it features Harriet.

Do you usually outline your stories before you write them, or do you "go with the flow"?

I go with the flow -- nerve-wracking, but exciting!

Some authors have said they write a specific amount of words, pages or time per day, do you have such a regimen?

Yes, if I'm writing seriously, I write 20 pages a day.  I often have to dump the first 10 pages, but that's my goal.
 
How long does it take for you to complete a book?  Is it easier to write the next book in a series or a brand new one with new characters?

The last book is the easiest in a series.  They take varying amounts.  If I know what's happening, and I know the characters well, it could take only 3-4 months.

Historical accuracy is very important to some readers, how much time do you spend on researching your novels? 

A lot.  I also have a research assistant who not only helps me get details correct as I write, but reads the entire manuscript to check for mistakes.

Your characters come to life in your books.  Do you feel each of your characters live with you as you write?  Do their lives sometimes take over a part of your life?  Can you name an example?

I dream about them.  They talk on and on in my head -- about things that never make it in the book, like their mothers, and their food allergies, and their squabbles with their siblings.  They live in me.

Most authors are also avid readers.  Is this the case with you?  If so, who are some of your favorites?  Have any influenced your writing?

 Oh yes!  I read like a maniac.  One of the exciting side effects of my reading is that I'm writing a romance column for the Barnes and Noble review website <http://www.barnesandnoble.com/bn-review/?z=y>-- it comes out the third Monday in every month.  This month I read tons of Christmas romances -- lots of fun!  Susan Elizabeth Philips is a particularly favorite author for me.

Do you find it difficult at times to write love/sex scenes?

If I'm not in the mood (so to speak), I just put it off until my characters are so hot for each other that there's no more delay possible!  *g*

With the prominence of the extremely erotic romance books, would you consider moving in that direction?

 No.  It wouldn't work for me because I enjoy seeing a character develop and change -- there isn't much room for that in the midst of all that boinking, to use one of my favorite British terms.  But my books are pretty sexy on their own -- I think intensity comes from the readers' knowledge of the characters.

Many historical romance authors have started writing contemporary love stories, would you consider trying your hand at a contemporary love story?

I tried -- and it was ghastly.  I have a historical voice.

Have you ever suffered from "writer's block"?  If so, what did you do to get out if it?

I can't afford writer's block.  That would be like saying I have mother's block when my kids are sitting right in front of me.  It's not a choice I can make.

Congratulations on your newest release, AN AFFAIR BEFORE CHRISTMAS, the newest book in the "Desperate Duchesses" series. Can you give us a peek? How many more are in the works?  And can you tell us who is featured in them?

There are actually six books in this series!  And as for who’s featured – oh, all the obvious suspects.  Villiers (I adore him), Jemma, Harriet, Isidore (although Villiers may be matched with one of the aforementioned heroines!)…
 
Any final advice to aspiring authors?

Write.  Even if you’re writing absolute gunk, just keep writing.  You can edit a page with words on it – an idea in your head is nothing.
 
Do you have anything to add?

I’d love to see any and all of you at the Bulletin Board I share with Julia Quinn <http://eloisajames.net/board/>.  We have lots of authors visiting, and lots of fun contests going all the time.  And please stop by the Book Club for the Barnes and Noble column as well!  I invite the authors mentioned in my column to stop by – so this month, Lisa Kleypas is coming, and I’ve invited Debbie Macomber and Nora Roberts as well!

Thank you so much for spending time with us at Love Romances & More. We wish you the greatest success in all of your future endeavors.