Please tell us something about yourself

Heaven and Heather:

An Interview with Elizabeth Holcombe

By Linda Morelli, GWN Historical Editor

Elizabeth Holcombe is a dear friend and a fabulous author. Her debut romance, HEAVEN AND THE HEATHER, is a finalist in Historical Romance for the prestigious Virginia Romance Writers HOLT Medallion award. It has also been nominated for Romantic Times Magazine’s 2002 Reviewer's Choice for Best First Historical Romance, and the Dorothy Parker Reviewer's Award of Excellence for 2002. In addition, HEAVEN AND THE HEATHER received a four-star rating from Romantic Times Magazine and Harriet Klausner gave her a rave review: "...Elizabeth Holcombe furbishes a wonderful tale that provides much pleasure to those readers who enjoy a delightful sixteenth century Highland romance." If that isn’t enough, the novel will be published in Russian in 2004. Not bad for a first release, if I may say so. So, without further ado, here’s the interview:

Linda: Please tell us something about yourself.

EH: I am a full-time writer, a full-time wife, and a full-time mother.

Linda: I totally understand those duties. So, tell us why and when you wanted to write romance novels. Did any authors influence you and, if so, why?

EH: I considered writing romances set in historical Scotland because I love adventure stories and a historical setting provides for adventure and escape for today's readers. My influences aren't, however, romance authors: Stephen King, Isla Dewar, Lousie Fitzhugh, and John Irving. They are all excellent storytellers!

Linda: I agree. How long have you been writing?

EH: I've been writing seriously for about 6 years. I've always written something since I could write!

Linda: Did you belong to any critique groups when you started? If so, did (or do) you find them helpful?

EH: I belonged to a formal critique group of excellent authors, but we now critique on an ad hoc basis—it works out very well for all of us! My critique partners are worth the world to me!

Linda: You belong to RWA and the local chapter, Washington Romance Writers. You've also served as WRW's President. Did these organizations help you on the road to getting published and, if so, how?

EH: YES! and YES! These organizations, especially Washington Romance Writers, gave me the opening to meet sterling publishing professionals and other writers. My membership has been more valuable to me than I can say.

Linda: Could you please tell us how you got that all-important contract for your first book, HEAVEN AND THE HEATHER?

EH: I entered the first chapter of HEAVEN AND THE HEATHER in WRW's Marlene contest, finaled, and got the attention of a senior editor at Berkley. She requested more of the book, and a few months later made me an offer! Contests are great!

Linda: Did you have an agent at that time and, if not, do you have one now?

EH: I did not have an agent so therefore I must have acted like a complete idiot to this wonderful editor. Within minutes after I got the call, I got an agent who was one of the publishing professionals I met through WRW.

Linda: Your love of all things Scottish is evident in your work, as well as your true-to-life characters. How did you go about developing them, especially Niall?

EH: Ha! Ha! Niall was directly conceived in a December 1998 Vanity Fair magazine cover of actor Ewan McGregor wearing a kilt--if you saw the picture you'll understand why!

Linda: I do! I’ve seen the cover and he certainly stirred my imagination! Elizabeth, do you use an outline when writing and, if so, do your characters ever surprise you?

EH: I usually do brief character outlines and deep historical research of the time I wish to set my story, but I don't plot in advance. I know the beginning and the ending of the book. I like to take the journey with my characters as I write. There is a wonderful freedom in writing that way.

Linda: Who has been your favorite hero, and why? Favorite heroine? Favorite couple? (For some reason, I think they'll be Scottish.)

EH: Actually, my faves are not Scottish really. I assume you mean literary hero and heroine. My favorite literary couple is: Elizabeth Bennett and Mr. Darcy. I know I'm not alone in that! My favorite literary hero is Adrian Mole from Sue Townsend's wonderful books. My favorite literary heroine is Scout from TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD.

Linda: What is your writing schedule like and, on average, how long does it take to complete a book? Also, have you ever suffered from Writer's Block and, if so, what do you do?

EH: I will admit that I don't suffer from writer's block--I don't believe in it. My usual day is I write from 8:30 in the morning until one o'clock in the afternoon.

Linda: How do you go about researching your books? How much time do you spend on research before you begin writing the story?

EH: I have an extensive Scottish research library--over 500 books and maps! I spend about several weeks carefully researching my story's historical time period--but I do it as needed when I'm writing.

Linda: Wow, that’s an extensive library! What type of promotion do you do for your books?

EH: Author Laurin Wittig and I just launched our Get Kilted! Read a Scottish Romance campaign (check my website), and I have bookmarks and notepads for anyone who wants them!

Linda: What do you like most and/or least about writing?

EH: I love the inspirational ZING! when I start a book and write the first draft. I loathe second drafts so I try and write the cleanest first draft that I can.

Linda: Your family must be very proud of you being a romance writer. What did they say when you got the call that you sold your first book?

EH: "That's great!" Of course they were thrilled! But I had to tell them this did not mean I was going to be rolling in dough--it's always about the money with "civilians"!

Linda: I have to agree with you there. Can you tell us what you are writing next?

EH: I am completing two proposals for a 15th century Scottish historical set in Fife--a secret identity/Cinderella story. And a 19th century Scottish historical in the Tarzan meets Braveheart vein.

Linda: What advice do you have for new romance authors?

EH: Write! Write some more! Finish a book then send it out!

Linda: Where do you see the romance genre going in the future?

EH: Romance and any type of literature will always be about good storytelling no matter the topic or approach.

Linda: Is there anything you're working on that you would like your readers to know about?

EH: I have a book in the publishing pipeline (Scottish historical of course!) that is my "Sound of Music" meets "Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome." If you want to know more, email me! beth@elizabethholcombe.com

Linda: Thanks so much, Elizabeth, for the interview!

To learn more about Elizabeth, please visit her website: http://www.elizabethholcombe.com/

Linda Morelli

GWN Historical Editor

RomRiter@aol.com