Many years ago I thought I wanted to write historical novels. I even began a romance set in the time of the Civil War before I realised that this was just not for me. Having tried it once, I have always had a great admiration for writers like today's guest, Louise Allen who manage to combine the research and factual details needed, getting the 'flavour' of the period right - and wrap it all up in a really good story. I met Louise through the RNA - where she runs their New Writers' Scheme absolutely brilliantly, - and of course through Mills & Boon. I'll be seeing her again at the conference in Sheffield this weekend - so looking forward to that.
See you soon Louise!
And here's Louise herself:
Many congratulations to Kate and the lovely Steve – and many thanks for the invitation to join in the celebrations.
It makes me think of my wedding, which was a very small affair indeed. My father had taken against my beloved in a big way (they ended up the best of friends) and we had no money, so as soon as we had managed to find a miniscule flat in London (those were the days!) I got a slot at the registry office for crack of dawn the next Saturday and invited the handful of friends who were in town. In the end my father did turn up with a case of champagne, but left after the ceremony to go to the Boat Race, telling my highly impressionable new mother in law that he was off to a Soho strip join. We were the second wedding of the day, after a group of Hell’s Angels – the bride was in black leather, studs and white tulle – and then went to sunny Hampstead Heath for photos, then up the Post Office Tower, just for the hell of it, and ended up in a pub by the river in Richmond. It probably wasn’t the most conventional of wedding days but it was great fun and, years later, we’re still very happy. One lovely romantic touch was the discovery that the registry office was opposite the church my great great grandparents had married in.
I love weddings, big and small, grand or informal and I really enjoy writing them. My latest book, Regency Rumours: Scandal Comes to Wimpole Hall, ends with a wedding. It is set at the real-life Wimpole Hall and written in association with the National Trust. (Available from http://www.amazon.co.uk/Regency-Rumours-Mills-Special-Releases/dp/0263906701/)
Read more at www.louiseallenregency.co.uk http://janeaustenslondon.com http://www.facebook.com/LouiseAllenRegency and @LouiseRegency
I’m giving away a copy of Regency Rumours.
For a chance to win, tell me which wedding in the past – real or fictional – you would like to have been a guest at, and why.
