Fiction Scribe

Hello everyone. This week I had the pleasure of interviewing historical romance novelist Hazel Statham.

Hello and welcome to Fiction Scribe. Tell us a little about yourself.

I live in Staffordshire, England and have just ‘officially’ retired. I have been married to my husband since 1969 and have a daughter and a beautiful five-year-old grandson. Apart from writing, my other ruling passion is animals and until recently I was the treasurer of an organization that raised money for animal charities. I write mainly in the Regency and Georgian eras but occasionally stray into Medieval times.

How did you get into creative writing? Did you always want to be an author?

I started writing at fifteen. It was a compulsion I couldn’t ignore and I wrote with no thoughts of seeking publication - I just wanted to write and create my own historical world.

How did you get into the realm of writing historical romances?

From an early age, I was fascinated by history. At eleven, I was determined to be an archaeologist but then my interest settled around the 18th and 19th centuries and I created stories in my imagination set in these magical eras. As a teenager, I devoured books by Jane Austen and the Brontes and then discovered Georgette Heyer who immediately fired me with a desire to recreate my own Regency and Georgian novels.

When it comes to writing historical romances, do you find your current location – England – to be a big inspiration?

Definitely! You have only to walk in our countryside and give your imagination full rein to find inspiration. When researching English history, you find many elements that you can incorporate in your work, thus adding even more depth to your story. I am fascinated by the Peninsular War and you find that many of my characters are in some way connected to it.

You’re currently on tour for your book “Dominic�?. Can you tell us a little about the book and what inspired you to write it?

“Dominic” is a Georgian Romance set in 1776 - Dominic Blake, Earl of Vale, is a young man of privilege and breeding whose world is turned upside-down by Jack, a beautiful young girl in boys’ clothing whom he finds sheltering on his doorstep after fleeing an attack by her abusive brother.

Despite leaving his protection, Jack is once more destined to enter Dominc’s life when, injured in a horse race, Dominic is forced to rusticate to his father’s estate and again mets Jack in her boyish guise. In turn, she becomes his pupil and his love and despite danger and misunderstandings, this is the story of their unconventional and delightful courtship.

I started writing “Dominic” shortly after completing “My Dearest Friend”, which is a very emotionally charged book. I wanted to write something lighter and Dominic presented himself. He just strode onto the page and took charge, I merely went along for the ride. It was a very easy book to write and I thoroughly enjoyed the experience. I live in the UK but a good portion of the book was written in Florida. We were on vacation and it was hurricane season. The trees outside the hotel window were horizontal, my husband slept and I wrote.

How much research was involved in the writing of “Dominic�??

Dominic is a man of his time and I used my knowledge of this era to create his story. I find that mode of speech can help transport the reader and I try to recreate this in my writing.

I find all of the authors I interview have a lot in their lives that seems to make writing a near impossibility sometimes. How did you and how do you have time to write?

Several years ago I had to give up working through ill health. I can only write when everywhere is completely quiet and I have the house to myself. This is achieved most days when my husband is at work but, when I have to look after my grandson, it is impossible. However, I don’t begrudge any lost writing time as he is a delight to be with and I thoroughly enjoy his company. We are great pals!

What are you currently working on?

It is another Regency with a working title of “Sarah”. It is a story I have been thinking of for quite a while. For once, it has no connection to the Peninsular War but it has a very emotive plot-line.

Are there any authors who inspired/inspire you in your writing?

I have to say it is Heyer although there are several more modern authors that I admire.

Any non-authors?

I would say it is more events that inspire me. I try to think of the reactions of the people who took part and what they would have been thinking.

Do you have a muse? If so, who or what is it?

I’m not quite sure what it is that creates in me this desire to write, but I am forever watching scenes unfold in my imagination - it’s a compulsion I just can’t ignore.

Do you have any guilty pleasures when it comes to writing?

Being able to indulge my penchant for these eras and spend a little time in my characters world.

What are your dreams for your writing?

I just hope that the readers continue to enjoy my work. It would be wonderful to create a readership that eagerly awaited my next novel.

Do you have any advice for historical romance writers?

Research your time period. Write what you know about and if you are stating fact, make the story fit the fact, not the fact fit the story. It is also important that you respect the mores of the day as modern day attitudes will be out of place in an historical novel.

Do you have any advice for writers in general?

Whether you write for yourself or for publication, enjoy your writing as it will show if you are not comfortable with your subject. You have to care for your characters if you want others to care for them and retain the memory of them long after the book is closed.

Thank you so much for your time.

Thank you. It has been a pleasure.