Tag: regency romance (Page 1 of 3)

Writing To Avoid Writing

September 1, 2024 / Gigi Lynn

I could do laundry, but why when there is romance tumbling around in my brain?

You know how it feels when have to do something important or necessary? Sometimes that thing is difficult or distasteful. Not always though. Sometimes you actually want to do that thing, but you feel nervous about it.

So, you put it off. Everything else suddenly clamors for your attention. Wash the dishes, yes! Change those sheets? It will feel so good when you climb into bed tonight.

Read that book? You deserve a little break.

And doing those other tasks seems easier. At first.

You are working hard. You are productive. But there is just that little twinge of anxiety. And the longer you avoid “the thing,” the worse the anxiety gets.

Yes. I hate to tell you, but this happens in writing, too. Sometimes, I get a little stuck in the middle of a book. Sometimes there is a scene that I know is going to be fabulous, but I’m nervous to start writing it. (Because I want so badly for it to be fabulous).

I’d love to tell you that I am disciplined, and I just push through.

And sometimes I do, but I have been known to get caught up in avoidance behaviors.

There. I said it.

But let me tell you a little secret. Sometimes when I’m avoiding the main work in progress, I will write something else. I wrote both Smoke and Shadows and Veiled In Mist when I hit a wall in my main works.

Each time, after I finished writing a fun, delightful novella, I was ready to return and finish the main project: The Lies We Tell and The Masks We Wear, respectively.

So, right now I am working on Brothers’ Knot, Book 3 in my Rebel Hearts series. I love the main character, Philippa. But she is really struggling to figure out what will bring her happiness. These two brothers are causing her some serious confusion.

And she keeps changing the course of the book, so I’ve spent a little time this last month avoiding her. And I enjoyed every minute of it.

I wrote the first draft of a historical fantasy romance. It is the prequel to a new series that I now see I must write. (Don’t worry, not yet).

I also wrote a bonus epilogue for Dear Lord Wycliffe, Book 2 of the Rebel Hearts series. This epistolary novel will be released this month. Watch for that!

But never fear. My avoidance anxiety is just about at its peak. I’m ready to return to my main work. Philippa is now ready to learn some things about life and about herself. And she will find her way to love too–very, very soon!

So, what do you do when you’re avoiding? And how long can you avoid before you force yourself to do the thing?

Romantic Tropes?

August 25, 2024 / Gigi Lynn

Not at First.

How do I write romance?

First, I always start with a character (or two). I don’t decide on a trope up front. In fact tropes are never part of my planning process.

While writing the Illusions historical romance series, I found myself wondering, what would have made Amelia’s mother marry Mr. Hatton? And Lady Cecily Ballantyne was born. She met Mr. Hatton while she was looking for a way to support her five-year-old daughter, Amelia.

I didn’t realize I had a Pygmalion or “My Fair Gentleman” thing going until I had written four chapters. Mr. Hatton was An Honorable Man.

But that Pygmalion theme became the basis of their bargain. He would provide work, and she would help him refine his manners so he could enter society. It became a match made in heaven!

Lady Cecily had an intriguing best friend, Lady Jaminna (Minna) Capener.

She was already married and the mother of a young son when we met her in An Honorable Man. But she was such a delight that I wanted to find out how she met and married her miserly husband.

If there is a little bit of ‘The Matchmaker‘ or “Hello, Dolly” in there, I only saw it after I’d already written chapter one. But once I saw it, I embraced it. They are perfect for each other.

Lady Corinna Capener made her first appearance in Minna and the Miser. She was a serious minded thirteen-year-old. The younger daughter of the miser in that story. And she was especially interested in influential women in history.

AI inspirations cover (cover reveal next week!)

So when I began writing her novel, Dear Lord Wycliffe, (an epistolary novel), it was her need for information that guided her actions, not any idea of a trope. If she had grown into a “bluestocking” while I wasn’t watching, what could I do but go with it?

And if Lord Wycliffe is a little older than she is, say thirteen years, that isn’t really enough years to be considered a May/December romance. He just needs to be convinced of that.

AI Inspiration Cover only

Now, I’m in the middle of writing Philippa’s Story, Brother’s Knot. (October/November release). During a dinner party in Dear Lord Wycliffe, we met Captain Archie Broadbent. I planned that he would be the main male character in Philippa’s book. Really!

But then on the way to a house party, she met his brother, Lord Thornwood. I would never plan a love triangle trope. Not in a million years.

But here I am with Philippa torn between two men. And involving herself in a little intrigue on the side. And I’m having the best time.

So what trope will I be writing for Delia? She’s next. I don’t know. That’s not where I start. Romance always begins with the characters.

‘Old-Fashioned’ Romance?’

July 15, 2024 / Gigi Lynn

What does that mean?

I’m not referring to ‘closed door’ here. Though many readers might see that as old-fashioned. But a romance could be a closed door and still not be old-fashioned.

Do you agree?

I looked up old-fashioned in the Dictionary and got this: according to styles or types no longer current or common; not modern.

Other words (not the negative ones, of which there are many) might be:

quaint
antique
out-of-the-way
picturesque

Or even better:

rare
extraordinary
whimsical

So, are my romance novels old-fashioned?

If you think it’s old-fashioned for the characters in your historical romances to believe and act consistently, for the most part, with the mores of the period setting, then I’m old-fashioned. (A character may break some rules, but I will acknowledge the societal expectation and show some consequences).

Lydia in Pride and Prejudice is an example. She broke the rules, and though she seems blissfully ignorant, her father and two older sisters are definitely not. There is a price they know they will pay.

In my soon-to-be-released novel, Dear Lord Wycliff, Corinna knows it is improper for her to write to a single, unrelated gentleman. And yes, (spoiler) she faces consequences for her impropriety.

Now, most of my main female characters do chafe at restrictions they face because they are women in the Georgian/Regency era. But I have to believe that there were women in that time who felt the same.

And all of my female characters want a man who will love her and be loyal. They expect it, even demand it. This expectation might not be historically accurate, but I want it, expect it, even demand it. I think it still might be considered old-fashioned by many.

What other Old-Fashioned elements do you think should be in a romance novel?

Humor in Romance

June 3, 2024 / Gigi Lynn

We fall in love, and everything is wonderful. But let’s be honest, the world intrudes. Sometimes things get hard. But we still have that hope that love can endure?

smiling man and woman wearing jackets — Photo by Tristan Le on Pexels.com

Or as Shakespeare wrote:

. . . Love is not love Which alters when it alteration finds, Or bends with the remover to remove. O no, it is an ever-fixed mark That looks on tempests and is never shaken.

That’s the dream in real life. Even if we don’t get that dream, or get to keep that dream, that’s the ideal, the wish, the hope. And that’s what we want in our romance books, isn’t it? A love we can believe will endure.

In a chest of tools that might build that kind of lasting love, the ability to laugh has to be included. Humor allows us to live with the little idiosyncrasies in our partner. It allows us to weather those tempests of life. It builds common experiences and a common language.

On top of all that, it is healthy to laugh. I won’t list the research, but we must laugh more.

Believing this, I try to include some humorous situations or dialogue in each of my novels and novellas. While I’m writing those parts, I am chuckling, or smirking, or laughing out loud. But humor is such a subjective thing. Every time I write something I think is funny, I ask myself: But will that reader laugh?

So, I’d love to hear what you think is funny. When was the last time you just guffawed, in real life or in response to a book, movie, or show? What situations in your life make you roll your eyes and chuckle? What ironies make you shake your head with a helpless titter? What did someone say that surprised a laugh out of you?

I’d love you to share. You never know, you may find a similar situation, conversation, or experience in one of my romance novels in the future.

My Current (Work In Progress) Regency Romance Novel

January 11, 2024 / Gigi Lynn

Dear Lord Wycliff–an epistolary romance novel

Most regency romances are set during the London season, which everyone assumes is in the spring.

It is true that by the 1820s that became the norm—A King’s or Queen’s speech in late January or early February convened the parliamentary session. This in turn brought all the noble families to London, and they usually stayed until early August.

But in the 1790s, when the Rebel Hearts Series is set, the King’s speech took place in very late in the fall, (in December in 1792), and the session drew to a close in late May or early June, (occasionally July).

In Dear Lord Wycliff, Book Two of the Rebel Hearts Series, Lady Corinna Capener comes at the beginning of November to prepare for the London season, a few weeks before the King’s speech in December.

I assure you, the timing is correct.

In Book One of Rebel Hearts, An Honorable Man, I barely allude to the reign of terror and the French Revolution. It figures more centrally in Book Two since our main male character, Lord Wycliff, is serving in the diplomatic service in Paris, at least until diplomatic relations are cut off and he must leave.

I am challenged more than I anticipated (but in the best possible way) in writing this epistolary novel. But I love this story of Corinna and Daniel. And of Georgiana and Olivier.

_{This is only an inspiration image I made in AI, not the final cover}

Here is a little sneak peek. The first letter. (One thing you must know to begin this story is that is was very improper for a lady to write to a single, unrelated gentleman during regency times):

November 1, 1792 32 Portman Square London

Dear Georgie,

The days of adventure are over. Romance is dead. We were not waylaid by a highwayman on our way to London.

Instead, my brother arranged everything so that we traveled by easy stages and stopped each night at inns along the way. I wish I could have traveled to town as Rupert did, on the back of a horse. Instead, Jaminna and I rode in the carriage and took turns trying to entertain little Henry. Six-year-old boys should never be closed up in a carriage for four days on end. Neither should twenty-year-old ladies.

You know I cannot read while travelling in a carriage without becoming quite ill, so for four days I watched out the window and tried to think of games and stories engaging enough to while away the time. Lacking imagination, I borrowed some of yours.

But Georgie, there is one particularly lonely, atmospheric stretch of road between Highgate and Islington that sparked my imagination.

Picture this. Millions of stars shimmer above us. A low mist eddies over the road. I, the stupendously beautiful and spoiled Lady Corinna Anne Capener, wealthy beyond words, (it is my story after all), am making my way to take London by storm.

But what is this? Just as the full moon rises over the trees on the eastern horizon, a daring thief rides out of the woods, shoots into the air, and bellows, “stand and deliver.”

The carriage pulls to a shuddering stop. The horses buck and blow, mist rising from their backs. The carriage door opens, and a tall, dark man looms over us. His face is lean and chiseled—No wait, the lower portion of his face is hidden by a mask, and his eyes gleam from beneath the shadow of his hat.

I lift my chin and climb down into the terrifying night, bravely shielding my fellow travelers. Just like in the accounts of Claude Duval, that famous 17^th century knight of the road, my gentleman highwayman bows over my hand and agrees to accept less plunder if I dance with him on the moonlit roadside.

I felt quite proud of this gripping beginning to my story. Both Henry and Minna were enthralled. Then Rupert rode up beside us to ask after our comfort. He reminded me of more prosaic probabilities, and I laughed. Even if we were stopped by a thief who was dressed in the latest fashion and acted in the most gentlemanly manner, you know my brother would not like to be relieved of fifty guineas and tied to a tree.

And with my luck our highwayman wouldn’t be a nobleman in disguise, forced by his evil, usurping uncle to make his living on the high toby, but only a garden variety crook, determined to take my pearl ring and necklace and the few pence I had in my reticule.

Worse, it is much more likely I would stare mutely, like a dullard, rather than banter and jest with my creation. I hate to disappoint you, but I am not made for adventure, except as it happens in books.

Despite the uncomfortable monotony (and lack of romantic highwaymen), we arrived in London yesterday and settled into Capener Court. Minna says she is eager to take me shopping to update my wardrobe for the coming season. Can you believe it? She is the most generous soul and exceedingly kind to me when any other lady would resent having to chaperon her husband’s younger sister for a second year.

Really, I don’t know how Rupert convinced her to marry him. Not that he isn’t a good brother, but you know how stuffy and conventional he can be. And we won’t even mention how miserly, not that Minna regards that for one moment. She seems to find it an amusing challenge.

I thank you for the note you slipped into my reticule. It was a delightful interlude on the long journey, although I am not concerned that you will languish as you predict. Before the month is out you will find something to entertain you, even in Folkestone. Exciting things always happen around you. To illustrate, I remind you of the infamous ‘mystery of the purloined handkerchief,’ and the questions surrounding ‘who put the toad in the Vicar’s soup bowl?’

I so wish you could have come with me to town this season as we planned. It is inconvenient in the extreme that your uncle chose this precise time to ride into a fence at Chester Racecourse and die. Even three months of mourning seems too long for a man you never knew.

I just read the last and realize how heartless I sound, but I am feeling selfish. If you were here, the season would be bearable. Instead, I am doomed to endure another string of parties and balls where I must pretend interest in men who have no interest in me beyond my portion, and whose conversation is limited to the weather, their horses and carriages, and the hunt. They would never discuss any interesting topics, with a ‘delicate lady.’

On that topic, I ask you, why is a woman who is as tall as many of the men she stands up with considered delicate?

That question is impossible to answer, so I will admit to the more selfish reason I wish you were here. Dearest Georgie, I don’t know how I am to continue my correspondence with Lord Wycliff if you are not here to smuggle my letters out to the post.

I have thought to beg one of the servants to help me, but they are loyal to Rupert and Minna. No sooner than I reveal my need to one of the maids, I fear she will expose me. I don’t like to think of what my brother will do if he ever discovers that I’ve been exchanging letters with an unrelated, unmarried gentleman, even if it is under the guise of his name.

I must stop, I know. I only await Lord Wycliff’s response to the abstract of my article on Maria Theresa, and then I will stop writing to him. I have already tempted fate far longer than is safe.

Pray for me. Or, upon second thought, don’t pray for me. The last time you prayed to be released from attending Lady Marianne’s birthday celebration, we had pouring rain for weeks.

My dearest friend, Minna is at my door. We are to go to Bond Street this morning to replace my torn pelisse. I hope my letter finds you well, and that you’ll write soon and report all the news. I know you well enough to believe you will have at least one exciting tale.

Ever your affectionate friend,

Corinna

***Of course, when Corinna says she is not made for adventure, you just know that she will not be able to avoid it!

Would you like to read the next letter, this one from Georgie? Sometimes I feel she is going to ‘steal the show’ she is so engaging.

Love Is the Key

December 24, 2023 / Gigi Lynn

I’ve made this my motto. Actually, the full quote by Oliver Wendell Holmes, Sr. is “Love is the master key that opens the gates of happiness, of hatred, of jealousy, and, most easily of all, the gate of fear.

I believe this. I just like to focus on happiness or the journey to happiness in love. I don’t mind taking my characters through the other difficulties on the way to love, but I believe that love ultimately brings happiness–and peace, tolerance, patience, joy, meaning. In all aspects of our lives, on a small scale with those around us and on a larger scale as we interact with the world, we are happier and better if we try to see people through the lens of love.

So, I write romance. Even if I wrote another genre, there would be romance, or at least a strong relationship aspect at the center. I mean, what’s the purpose of a story if there is no love?

And on this Christmas Eve, more than ever before, I remember that Love Is the Key to everything good.

Merry Christmas!

Regency Romance Letters

December 19, 2023 / Gigi Lynn

How I came to be writing an epistolary novel

One of my college professors once said she wanted to write romances because she thought it would be easy. She described her imagined process like this: write a list of common scenes on 3 x 5 cards, shuffle them, and write the scenes in that order.

_{Photo by Kelly Sikkema on Unsplash}

I don’t believe she was a lover of the romance genre. If I were taking her class now, I would argue her assumption of ease and her supposed “systematic” approach. My experience has been so very different and much more difficult than she imagined. (And I think more rewarding than what she described).

Some romance authors probably do write according to a formula. They have a structure, perhaps even a template that works for them. They may plan according to trope before they create character. (Example: I’ll write an enemies to lovers romance. So, who are my main characters? Why do they hate each other? What has to happen to bring them together? Answer those questions and create a story). They may even have a few situations that regularly happen in their books.

There are moments when such a system sounds a little tempting. It might make this writing process easier, but I cannot do it for a few important reasons. (Please understand. These reasons are only important to me, to my process, to my satisfaction and joy in writing. This is not a comment on how other writers plan and write).

This is what I’ve learned (and continue to learn) about my writing.

First, characters come first for me. I can’t start with plot. I don’t know what is going to happen until I know my character, and sometimes not even then. I am often surprised as I write. My characters take on a life of their own and almost always change the plot. This is not comfortable or easy, but it keeps me on my toes. And I love the ride!

Second, I can’t write “to trope.” It’s only after I’m a good way through the story that I might recognize a familiar theme or device. I’m editing my novel Under a Honeyed Moon. It has a little bit of a Cinderella beginning and is fundamentally a forced marriage story. (You know, the couple that is found in a socially compromising situation and must marry). I didn’t start out with these tropes. They developed after Evie looked out her window and started talking to her friend about his plans to run away with another girl.

_{Temporary Cover created in AI and Bookbrush}

Third, even the structure of my novels are guided by the characters. Liza demanded to tell her own story, so first person, single point of view. Amelia and Sidonie followed suit. (Helen and Maris did too). But we had to see both Susan and Magnus in alternating points of view, and in third person. Patience required third person and to be the only point of view. Joie has such a strong voice–first person, present tense, flash fiction (less than 1000 words).

I was sure Minna’s story would be told simply in her POV in third person, except then Rupert wanted a little bit of time at the beginning of each chapter.

Now, I’m writing Corinna’s romance. She’s half in love with Lord Wycliff before the story even begins. But their whole relationship is based on a deception and an innocently meant impropriety. What will she do? I’m still finding out, along with her best friend because suddenly, I’m writing an epistolary novel.

No formula. No 3 x 5 cards. Not easy, but I love it! I love discovering and sharing these people and their love stories with you.

New Book Release Day

December 12, 2023 / Gigi Lynn

It’s live! A new Regency Romance Novel just for you.

I played with a little bit of a reverse Pygmalion story here. Lady Cecily must “refine” Mr. Hatton. If you like My Fair Lady, you’ll love this novel.

Mr. Hatton may not be considered a gentleman, but he has an honorable heart. I think he’s my favorite Main Male Character so far. (But I admit, I do fall in love with each as I’m writing).

Buy Here

This is the first novel in the brand new Rebel Hearts series. Even though I finished writing this love story last spring, I waited to bring it to you until I had written a prequel for the new series and a prequel for the Illusions series as well.

Then I spent some time writing bonus stories for each of my novels so far. Lots and lots of romance because who can have too much romance?

Get this one for FREE

Free Here

Now, I am about 2/3 of the way through writing Rebel Hearts, Book Two! So far, it’s titled Dear Lord Wycliff. It looks like I may be able to release that one in February or March.

Happy reading, and happy holidays.

Halloween Historical Romances?

October 14, 2023 / Gigi Lynn

Have you read a scary romance? (I’m not talking dark romance, because I wouldn’t know where to start to do that. I write clean/sweet/closed door historical romances, after all). In the spirit of the season, can we include gothic romances as scary romance? I think we must.

Last year in October, I accepted a challenge and wrote a short romance story with moody, misty, otherworldly elements. I had the best time writing it. It’s titled The Gypsy Witch. It is available in the Free Romance Reads section of this site.

If you missed it last year, I hope you enjoy it now.

I’m late to the game, but I wanted to try again to capture the shivers and atmosphere of the season. I’ve been thinking for weeks and have met a block–until today when I was watching the solar eclipse.

Thoughts of watching the sky, and all those who have done so through the ages, led to thoughts of the Equinoxes and Solstices, and in this autumn season led to thoughts of Samhain (pronounces Sah-wn). And Halloween led to All Saints Day and All Souls Day.

Suddenly Joane, a very minor character in The Masks We Wear, needs to sneak out on the eve of Samhain to have an adventure.

I found a little inspiration image:

Now, I can’t wait to start writing. (Just a little break from my regular writing).

Watch in the next few days form my second annual autumn/harvest/halloween story.

Authoring Updated–More Romance For You

September 11, 2023 / Gigi Lynn

For years I thought I could write a book, and that someday I would. Off and on through the years, I thought about it, even wrote down a few ideas.

Then, I turned fifty. That was a shock!

Fifty year old me. It scared me a little to realize so much time had passed.

I realized that if I kept telling myself that “someday” I would and not actually doing something about it, chances were good I would find myself at seventy still saying, “Someday I will write a book.” So I buckled down and wrote a book. It was a fantasy novel, and it wasn’t very good, but I finished it. I learned so much from the writing. I was so proud of myself. And then I “archived” that book. Maybe in the future I’ll revive it and fix it, but for now, it’s hidden away.

Then Covid and quarantine happened. I spent a lot of time reading and thinking.

One day, I thought, “I could actually have something to show at the end of this crazy time if I start now.” I rethought my genre and started writing. I found my voice in romance–historical romance. I wrote a book. I don’t want to brag, but this one was good. Others who read it liked it enough to encourage me. So I put it through editing and published it. I wrote another, and another, (I’m working on my eighth book). I have found a new life.

But marketing? I didn’t think about that. The authoring update comes now. Now that I have a series of books published, I have finally taken the time to read, research, listen to podcasts, and talk to other authors about how to find and get my work into the hands of more readers. Some methods are just not going to work for me, but I can write more.

So, this is my new plan: For every series, I will write a prequel and give it away free. For every book I write, I will also write a bonus scene or story so my readers have a little something extra after they read the novel.

This means that in addition to getting my new series ready to publish, I am going back and writing a prequel to my Illusions series. (That series begins with The Secrets We Keep).

The prequel (Under a Honeyed Moon) is almost complete, and I love Evie and Cam’s story. I can’t wait for you to read it!

I also now have all but one bonus story/scene for each of the five books in the Illusions series.

And I’m writing the prequel, some call it a freequel, to my new Love and Honor Series. (Book one is An Honorable Man).

When the prequel is complete (A Match for Minna or Minna and the Miser, which do you think is better?) Either way, when it’s finished I’ll publish the first book (shown below), which is ready and waiting.

Book three of the Love and Honor Series is a third of the way written. (I know. You’re asking, where is book two? Well, I’m still thinking about it).

Anyway, this is just to tell you that I have been writing and have a lot of new romance for you. I’m excited to move forward, and I’m really excited to share more love stories with you.