Connie: To start, welcome to Once Upon A Romance, Alexandra. I’ve looked forward to visiting with you. I can’t wait to ask you a few things that’s been on my mind about your books and characters. First, though, will you talk a bit about yourself, and maybe what you’re working on now?
Alexandra: I’m happy to be here, Connie!
I’m a graduate of the University of Toronto with a B.A. in history. I work part-time in a museum while writing historical romance for Avon Books. I love to travel. I enjoy attending art shows and live theater (and reading, of course).
I am currently working on a new series about four piratical brothers who retire their wicked ways after their sister becomes a duchess. But can a band of brigands really give up their wicked ways and enter high society? Readers can meet the charming rogues in Too Great a Temptation and Too Dangerous to Desire.
Connie: I’m glad to see the Hawkins brothers will have their own series. They’re tough, protective when it comes to family, and yet some have a comic relief side that heightens the entertainment for the reader. Can you give any glimpses as to what type of trouble they’re going to get into with the ladies that fall/come into their lives?
Alexandra: Yes, the Hawkins brothers are an interesting bunch. : - ) I can’t give away too much because I’m still in the process of working out the details. But book one will feature the eldest brother, James Hawkins. Look for it Summer 2009!
Connie: Interesting? : - ) I’d say that’s a bit of an understatement, but we’ll go with that and see for ourselves in 2009.
Your books (all of them—A Forbidden Love, Too Great a Temptation, Too Scandalous to Wed, and Too Dangerous to Desire) are both sensitive and sensuous and intriguing all at the same time. Is this a conscious effort on you part or is it simply your voice?
Alexandra: Both. I am naturally drawn to emotional stories that feature both intrigue and redemption, so I tend to write about the subjects, as well. I love the juxtaposition of broken/injured characters and the healing power of love. I do consider those common themes throughout my work to be my voice.
Connie: Voice. For those who are unsure, in your opinion, Alexandra, whatexactly is voice? Is it something that needs honed, constant attention, or is it something ingrained and natural?
Alexandra: Voice is a signature style. And that style is a combination of many things. Do you write a lot of short sentences? Or long sentences? A mixture of both? Do you use certain words over and over again? How about metaphors? Characterization? Are there common themes in your work?
As you answer these questions (and many more), a distinct voice shines through, for not everyone will have the same answers. Once you find your voice, it becomes a natural part of your storytelling technique.
Connie: In addition to answering those questions over time, are there other ways an aspiring author can find their voice? Are there writing exercises? Does a critique partner help?
Alexandra: I don’t know if a critique partner helps with voice. You don’t want another author’s unique voice to trample over your own. However, I think a critique partner can offer (hopefully helpful) suggestions for improvement. Do you need more romantic tension? A stronger opening hook? That sort of thing.
How to find one’s voice? Practice. Write. That’s what I did. The more I wrote, the more I understood the common themes and word choices that kept cropping up in my work.
Connie: So many times an aspiring author is afraid of repetitive words or actions that they go out of their way and sometimes off track to keep it fresh. Could you give an example of common themes and word choices the aspiring author shouldn't be afraid of?
Alexandra: There are many ways to maintain voice (the reason many readers fall in love with your story in the first place) without actually repeating sentences or paragraphs. For example, themes are a common way to maintain voice. I tend to write about darker subjects: child abuse (Too Great a Temptation ), suicide (Too Dangerous to Desire). And I focus on redemption. Each book features these common themes. But each book is unique.
Another way to maintain voice is the story construct. For example, I always create a "big shift" half way through my book. I dread the sagging middle, so I make it a deliberate point to shift gears at the midpoint. I either change the location of the story (i.e. from sea to land) or I create an unexpected conflict (i.e. a kidnapping). I can maintain my voice (the reader always knows something’s coming half way through the book), but I can still be original (the reader doesn’t know what’s coming).
As for words, I tend to use the word "shadow" a lot. If the character is going through a difficult time, if there’s danger around the corner, and so forth, there’s always shadows to foreshadow (no pun intended) the darkness coming their way. It’s subtle, but the reader knows she’s reading an "Alexandra Benedict" book.
Connie: Thanks for going into detail, Alexandra. Let’s talk a minute about your characters beginning with the heroes. Alpha, beta, alpha/beta, beta/alpha…thinking about developing your heroes, do any of these terms relate to how you see and want the men to be? First and foremost what do your heroes have to have, or demonstrate to the heroine, secondary characters and reader?
Alexandra: I do keep terms like alpha and beta in mind when creating a hero’s personality. I have to take into consideration that an alpha hero isn’t likely to ask the heroine for help, for example. However, I don’t want to limit my characters, either. It’s important that the hero is authentic: that term means more to me than alpha or beta.
Connie: In recent years in the historical romance genre, authors have created heroines who have often times been portrayed with a 20th/21st century mind and attitude in 18th/19th century clothing. How do you walk the line keeping your heroines feminine and of their time, but with a feisty, self-confidant nature? First and foremost what do your heroines have to have, or demonstrate to the hero, secondary characters, and reader?
Alexandra: If I create a feisty, self-confidant heroine, I always offer a sound reason for her behavior. For example, in Too Great a Temptation, Mirabelle Hawkins is raised by a piratical father and four brigand brothers.
It’s no wonder she ended up wearing breeches and serving aboard a pirate ship! Or in Too Scandalous to Wed, the heroine is the fifth and final daughter born to a desperate baron, who christens her "Henry" and raises her as the son he’s always longed for.
There has to be a sound reason the heroine isn’t acting according to the social mores of the day. So long as I provide the reason, I feel I can offer the reader a believable (and romantic!) story. The heroine, too, must be authentic.
Connie: I, as a reader, appreciate you showing the sound reason for their actions outside society’s expectations. Authentic is what makes your books an automatic buy for me, and possibly many other readers, too.
Alexandra, when you were in the beginning stages of writing Too Great a Temptation did you realize/know it would create great material for a series or did you develop the series and their outlines prior to writing Too Great a Temptation?
Alexandra: I had no idea it would end up being a series. But after creating so many secondary characters, I had to keep telling the story. The series evolved naturally with each book; I didn’t plan ahead.
Connie: What’s your research process like prior to starting a book? Do you research as needed for each book or do you do comprehensive research for the time period from clothing and etiquette and speech, to manor/estate layouts and accoutrements, to the conveyances and horseflesh, and so forth?
Alexandra: I have a comprehensive understating of the nineteenth century thanks to my work at the museum, so I don’t research the time period. However, I always research specific details for each book. For example, parts of Too Great a Temptation take place aboard a schooner, so I had to learn about ships and sailing.
Connie: Computer crashes, lost work needing to be rewritten. Even with the cd’s and flash drives/cruzers available things happen. Have you ever lost parts of your work only to have to rewrite? If so, do you feel the newly rewritten pages were possibly better than the lost dialogue or scenes?
Alexandra: Hmm … I’ve never lost a work. Yes, computers have crashed on me, but I’ve always had a print/digital copy stored somewhere. Let’s hope I’m never in a situation where I lose everything—and have no back up. : - (
However, I have intentionally scrapped work. I was 2/3 of the way through A Forbidden Love (my debut) when I decided it wasn’t the real story I wanted to tell, so I went back to page one and wrote it all over again. And I was much happier with the result.
Connie: One last question, about you and writing before I get a bit personal, Alexandra. What have you learned about yourself through the writing of your novels, pre-published and published? What has surprised you about yourself?
Alexandra: I’ve learned I can do it! Sounds odd, but I used to wonder: can I write a book … and then another … and then another? I’ve learned I can write—and keep writing. I’ve learned I can write under a deadline … I’ve learned I can write.
Connie: Positive, exciting lessons learned!
If you were given the option to pamper yourself in the following ways, massage pedicure, manicure, facial, which would be your choice and why?
Alexandra: Massage. My muscles often ache after sitting at a keyboard for many hours. I’d love to have a daily massage. But no such luck yet.
Connie: Pretend you’re living in a fictional world (aside from your fictional book world). Which fictional world/home/community from what story/movie/TV show would you live in and why?
Alexandra: Fun question! I’m a fan of Stargate: Atlantis, so I guess that would be a cool place to visit.
Connie: Absolutely cool! Love that show, and SG-1, of course. Now all we need is another Stargate show, another spin-off. Stargate: Alpha Site…
Fictional Prince Charming’s have perfect traits and characteristics, at least they do to their fictional Princess. What characteristics does that fictional Prince Charming have that you would want your real Prince Charming to have?
Alexandra: A sense of humor. I don’t mean cracking jokes and acting goofy, but laughing at life’s hurdles.
Connie: Would you tell me some of your favorites, Alexandra, and what puts them at the top of your list?
Alexandra: Pizza and toppings – Mediterranean pizza. Fabulous taste!
Dessert – Ice cream cake. Eating it relaxes me.
Book/Author as a child/teen – MILLICENT AND THE WIND by Robert Munsch. The story really captured my imagination.
Cartoon (as a kid) – He-man and She-ra rock! I loved the whole "secret identity" thing. And it was great to see a woman in a position of strength.
Flower – Hollyhocks. The flower reminds me of the proverbial country garden (which I love!).
Connie: Mediterranean pizza. Will have to give it a try sometime.
You’ve done some traveling. In your packing experiences what have you found you simply can’t leave behind? What is something important you’ve forgotten on a trip?
Alexandra: Can’t leave behind? My camera. I love taking pictures. I always create a scrapbook of my trip when I get home.
What have I forgotten? Nothing! I always write a detailed list itemizing everything I’m going to need for a trip. I check it (and re-check) long before I set foot on a plane.
Connie: Thank you so much, Alexandra. It was a pleasure talking with you. I hope you feel free to stop by again!
Is there anything I’ve left out that you feel the readers should know?
Alexandra: Thanks for having me, Connie! It was fun chatting with you. Readers can learn more about me and my work at www.AlexandraBenedict.ca
Cheers!
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