21 Jun 2012 36 Comments
4 Questions for Eloisa James
NY Times best selling author, Eloisa James sat down with me at a conference at McDaniel’s College. She gave advice for new writers, told me about her family, her career, and discussed genre fiction versus literature as well as her latest book, The Duke is Mine. What a treat! I couldn’t wait to share this with you readers and all my sisters in the mermaid pond. Hope you enjoy it as much as I did.
Thank you Eloisa.
Hugs!
Diana Belchase
UPDATE: Eloisa James is on vacation in a remote area, but she’s going to try to find a place with service this afternoon and stop by. So, remember to check back later. Thanks for visiting! (Remember, to leave a comment just hit the word COMMENTS under the date at the top of the page in the left margin.)
In this first interview, Eloisa gives some sage advice to want to be and young writers:
Elosia speaks about her father, an American Book Award winner, and what he thinks of her career as a romance writer:
What is the difference between “literature” and “genre fiction?” Eloisa James explains it all:
Finally, Romancing the Jesuits. What is it like being a professor at a prestigious Jesuit University as well as a famous Romance author?
Jun 21, 2012 @ 07:35:44
What a great interview, Diana! Wow! Actually interviewing Eliosa James–what a great lady. It’s always fun to meet some of our favorite authors and see their take on writing and when there is something we can connect to with them.
I like her take on writing in general for young writers–good advice. And yes, “You can’t edit a blank page” and I’ve also heard the “your allowed to write crap…as long as you’re writing”. So true!
Hugs and again–great job with the interview!
Jun 21, 2012 @ 09:14:43
I know, Loni, so simple and yet so true. Ever since I interviewed her, it keeps rattling around in my brain.
Thanks for stopping by!
Hugs!
Jun 21, 2012 @ 09:16:39
Hi everyone!
Eloisa is on vacation in a remote area, without service, but she’s going to try to stop by this afternoon if she can. So make sure you check back later.
Hugs!
Jun 21, 2012 @ 09:17:22
Diana, This is amazing. What a thoughtful, insightful, interesting interview. I loved your questions and Eloisa/Mary’s answers. I think I will go pick up the latest novel immediately. Thanks for posting these videos.
Jun 21, 2012 @ 09:34:31
She was so gracious to sit down with me, wasn’t she? Just an over all lovely lady. I know you will love her books! Especially the Duke is Mine.
Jun 21, 2012 @ 10:09:58
What a fantastic interview!!! Great job, Diana-Mermaid and thanks for coming to the lagoon today, Eloisa/Mary!
I really loved the comment about writing for only 10 minutes. Sometimes it’s very overwhelming to think about writing 85K words. But when you break it down like that, it feels a lot more manageable – and fun!
Jun 21, 2012 @ 10:19:59
How very cool, Diana. And what great advice! Great job.
Jun 21, 2012 @ 10:47:23
Eloisa is the coolest!
Thanks for popping by, Donnell
Jun 21, 2012 @ 10:26:04
Terrific interview, Diana! I liked Eloisa’s explanation of lit vs genre and the overlap. The promise of perfect love, justice, redemption, etc are powerful archetypes. Another powerful and appealing promise in the romance genre is that hard work, resourcefulness and perseverance will pay-off. I think that is a very empowering message.
Jun 21, 2012 @ 12:36:11
You’re right, being around her was very empowering. So glad you joined us, Krista.
Hugs!
Jun 21, 2012 @ 10:54:35
Thaniks for visiting, Eloisa! It’s always nice to hear your commentary about the genre and writing.
Great interview, Diana. I think you should do more of them
Jun 21, 2012 @ 11:45:43
You are very sweet Jean! At least the lens in the camera is still intact.
Hugs!
Jun 21, 2012 @ 10:55:54
Thanks, Diana, for sitting down with Mary/Eloisa for these interviews. She has such marvelous perspective on the writing vs career vs family interactions. That was fun!
Jun 21, 2012 @ 11:46:08
Even more fun, and nerve wracking, in person!
Hugs!
Jun 21, 2012 @ 11:55:00
Great interview Diana. You have a lovely, low voice, easy to listen to.
Great questions and answers. I didn’t plan to watch all of it, but couldn’t stop–like a good book you can’t put down. And Mary/Eloisa comes across as you describe: “an overall lovely lady.” Definitely, someone I’d want to visit with over coffee.
Jun 21, 2012 @ 12:34:46
Oh my goodness, Marsha, you’re my new favorite person! And you’re so right about Eloisa/Mary, she is a doll!
Thanks for stopping by!
Jun 21, 2012 @ 12:12:04
Great job, Diana! An interview with one of my favorite authors–how cool.
And thank you, Eloisa, for agreeing to visit with us. I adore your books! I attended a Jesuit university in Ohio—oh, so many years ago. The school’s literature faculty at the time was strongly anti-genre fiction. I spent years trying to write something I felt would be “acceptable” before I finally grew up and said to myself “I’m going to write romance, gosh darn it!” And that’s when I started finishing books.
Jun 21, 2012 @ 12:33:53
Good for you, Oberon, you have to follow your talent and your dreams!
Jun 21, 2012 @ 13:04:35
I wanted to say congratulations to Eloisa for her nomination for a RITA award for her book, When Beauty Tamed the Beast. It is well deserved!
Jun 21, 2012 @ 14:00:51
How fascinating! Diana, thanks so much for hosting this interesting interview. I really enjoyed it, particularly the advice about getting something down on the page– and worrying about polish later. Thanks again!
Jun 21, 2012 @ 14:05:29
Glad you liked it Ann. It’s advice I need to adhere to, myself.
Jun 21, 2012 @ 14:06:38
Eloisa’s newest book, Paris in Love, is coming out this Friday! A memoir of living in Paris for an entire year, coping with cancer, children, and the local butcher. Delightful stuff.
Click here for an excerpt: http://www.amazon.com/Paris-Love-Memoir-Eloisa-James/dp/1400069564/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1340301869&sr=8-1&keywords=eloisa+james+paris+in+love
Jun 21, 2012 @ 15:17:59
This is so fabulous–such a great format!! And of course, Eloisa is amazing.
I’m in the midst of revisions right now and gagging at all the bad stuff I’m trying to rework, and it’s very, very comforting to hear that she also can feel like her first drafts are crap.
Jun 21, 2012 @ 15:24:39
Lovely interview, Diana! So much fun to see it ‘live’
Jun 21, 2012 @ 23:05:49
So good to see you Elisa and Wendy! It took everything for me not to say a “live” interview, because it wasn’t, but it sure feels that way and I know what you mean. LOL. And Elisa, yes, I’m in a writing mode right now where I second guess every word. Those words, “this is crap,” is so comforting. If Eloisa can slog through, so can I — or so I hope!
Jun 21, 2012 @ 17:10:12
Very interesting, Diana. Not sure why you’ve diced up the interview into fourths, but your unusual questions brought forth fresh responses from Eloisa, as in the case of fitting her career as a romance writer side-by-side with her academic career. Thanks for sharing this.
Jun 21, 2012 @ 23:03:30
Actually, Margaret, it was Eloisa’s suggestion that most people don’t like to watch long interviews — and from today’s feedback it seems she was right. Also, this way, someone can review a question that intrigues them or skip one that doesn’t interest them.
Thanks for stopping by and for a great question!
Jun 21, 2012 @ 19:11:23
Thanks for doing this, Diana. I felt like I was there in the room with you, at an interesting dinner party — albeit one set in an auditorium, ha. Video interviews really do have a different flavor from written ones. And I thought you did a great job.
I love Eloisa’s description of how genre differs from literary fiction. She got me thinking. I turn to genre fiction when I want to be transported into a world that makes sense, one where all problems, however insurmountable they seem (especially in that black moment) will be resolved and the characters will find a new and better equilibrium. It’s a journey, whereas perhaps literature is more of a dialogue with the reader, raising questions.
I saw Robert Bly speak once, when I was a teenager. I was captivated.
As the mom of a teen with HFA/Asperger’s, I confess I’m a wee bit hesitant to read The Duke is Mine, though I’ll give it a try. FWIW, Eloisa, I’ve loved other books of yours.
Jun 21, 2012 @ 19:25:55
Great great interview, Diana. I loved the questions and the format. Awesome job!
Jun 21, 2012 @ 19:55:21
Wonderful interview Diana! I very much enjoyed Mary/Eloisa’s take on the differences between Literature and genre fiction. Great question.
Maybe you should snag a few more big-time authors this summer at RWA and add to your interview video library. I’m sure we’d all enjoy seeing them. ;0)
Looking forward to meeting you this summer.
Jun 21, 2012 @ 23:07:35
Thanks Tammy and Sharon! Tammy, I’m going to try.
Hugs!
Jun 21, 2012 @ 22:21:24
Great Job Diana. What I wouldnt give to have the talent, knowledge, and drive of you two lovely ladies. Take care my friend.
Jun 21, 2012 @ 23:06:52
Barry! Love seeing you here. You have my talent and more — the drive, well, maybe we can work on that one a tad bit more. LOL. Keep writing — remember what Eloisa said, ten minutes a day!
Hugs
Jun 21, 2012 @ 22:49:11
Thanks so much for all the nitty-gritty. I hope to integrate Eloisa’s Ten-Minute tip into my writing life so that even on my busiest days the writing continues to flow.
Loved, loved, loved this interview!
Jun 21, 2012 @ 23:00:05
Thanks Bella, Tammy and Talia, it’s hard putting yourself on film and not saying, Yikes, what was I thinking? Eloisa made it fun and the three of you, along with my other viewers all make it worthwhile!
Hugs!
Jun 22, 2012 @ 11:19:11
Sorry to arrive late to the Eloisa party/interview.
What wonderful questions, and, as always, Eloisa/Mary has wonderful answers and a way of talking that is quite easy to listen to. I’ll never forget her wonderful talk at RWA when she spoke about her mom (although supportive) telling her maybe some day she’d write a “real book.” Ouch. It’s also heartwarming to hear how supportive her dad is of her writing and how proud to tell people that she writes romance.
I loved that she sets a 10-minute goal for herself sometimes. That’s something I need to learn. I end up setting hefty goals for myself and then I don’t bother trying because I know I can’t reach them. 10 minutes sounds like something even I can accomplish.
Thanks so much, Diana, for a great interview!