Historical Romance with Sasha Cottman - Finding Elara Summary
Episode 23 was released today! I never realized that with historical romance you have to stay within the bounds of pre-established England. It is the people that you are creating and developing throughout the story. With 8 books under her belt, Sasha has much experience to draw from and lots of tips to share.
Guest Bio - Sasha Cottman
Born in England, but raised in Australia, Sasha has a love for both countries. Having her heart in two places has created a love for travel, which at last count was to over 55 countries. A travel guide is always on her pile of new books to read.
Sasha lives in Melbourne with her husband, teenage daughter and a cat who thinks sitting on the keyboard is being helpful. Her family have managed to find all but one of her secret chocolate hiding places.
Show Notes:
Sasha's cat's name is TG (as in TopGear)
Started writing 10 years ago after going nuts with hubbies remote flicking.
Did a romance writing course with Ann Gracie. Dove into the the romance genre and it was like 'catnip.'
Picked up by penguin in destiny imprint which folded - now indie.
Chose Regency period because it had massive changes going on.
Work within existing construct of Regency England at the time - has map for reference. Have to work within boundaries because readers know period really well.
All titles of Dukes and Duchesses made up for the story.
Writes the book blurb and plot - chapter outlines and the makes the magic in the middle.
Work Routine - Number 1 Works done. Number 2 marketing (Facebook, email, amazon and finances) Benefit of being indie because you can track sales and find patterns.
Mindfulness - Working on 1 thing at a time.
Diary from 'Typo' with stickers for rewards and colourful pens to look back on and tick.
Advice: Have fun with it! If you're not having fun than why are you doing it? It's a long road, not an easy career but if it is something that you are passionate about it keep going. Believe in yourself.
Start to build your profile early
Read widely and outside your genre
Remember you are a brand - don't pick fights and be consistent.
Podcasts: Joanna Penn (The Creative Penn), Kobo (Writers Life), Self Publishing Show (Dawson), Sell More Books Show, SPA Girls (New Zealand girls always funny)
COMPETITION
Your Chance to Win - ICE QUEEN
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For Caroline Saunders, beauty is a curse. Everywhere she goes, she is surrounded by men who worship her. But Caroline knows none of them could ever love her just for herself.
She treats her court of suitors with cool disdain, gaining herself the title of the Ice Queen.
After an ugly altercation with an insistent suitor, Caroline decides it is time to escape the crowded ballrooms of London.
With a heart scarred by his parent’s disastrous marriage Julian Palmer, Earl Newhall has been in no particular hurry to take on a wife. But men with titles need heirs.
He reluctantly agrees to allow his aunt to arrange a week-long party at his Derbyshire estate. A handpicked group of eligible young women and their chaperones will be in attendance.
When a sudden heavy snowstorm stops all but one carriage from making the journey to Newhall Castle, Julian decides he should make the best of a bad situation.
However, matters turn from bad to worse when he discovers that it is Caroline Saunders who has arrived wet and freezing cold on his doorstep in the middle of the night.
The Ice Queen is the one woman in all of London society he knows he could never be prevailed upon to marry, let alone love.
But when Newhall Castle becomes Caroline’s only place of sanctuary, Julian quickly discovers that beneath her icy demeanor there beats a passionate heart.
Two stubborn souls come together in this beautiful tale of enemies to lovers.
I am doing a world building Course through March, if you are interested in looking into it yourself, I have attached the link.
Link to Worldbuilding OWL (Online Writing Lab)
I really enjoy interviewing people who are passionate about their work talking about mindful worldbuilding. My aim in the long run is to have my Elaran world released for you to read, but I am still searching for the best way to do that. The podcast is helping but there is a long way to go. Are you trying to build a world too?
Dianna
If you would like to support my work, make sure you check out my Ko-fi page for more information.
