Alyson Chase’s Envy Unchecked releases today, and she was kind enough to answer some questions for us.
You can get your copy of this historical romance mystery HERE!
Did you always know you wanted to be an author? What is the first story you remember writing? How did you get from there to where you are today?
I’ve always loved reading, ever since my mom got me hooked on Go, Dog, Go. And as a former attorney, I got a lot of practice writing, but I never thought about writing fiction as a career. It wasn’t until my sister, Kirsten Weiss, became a mystery author that I thought, “Huh, well, if she can do it, I probably can too.” I’m still not quite sure whether my sister finds this story amusing or irritating. 😊
What is the most inspiring place you’ve visited and has it shown up in one of your books?
I love ancient ruins, so I’d have to say my trip to Sicily was the most inspiring. It is just littered with Greek and Roman history. I haven’t yet incorporated that setting into one of my books, but I hope to.
How much research do you do into the time period and places you write about? Do you have any experience dressing in character or participating in living history situations or are you more a fan of libraries and online resources?
I’m very glad I’m writing in the era of the internet. It makes research easy and fun. There’s so much in libraries and museums that I can now see without having to make the trip to the actual location. I try to write historically accurate novels – for language I check etymonline.com frequently, and research costume and whether things like door knobs existed yet. I even like to incorporate real historical events as minor plot points. But I realize I am a very modern person and I’m sure that comes through in my books. Above all, I just want to tell a good story.
What drew you to the era you write in? Is there something about the time period you think most people don’t know about? What do you think would be the most difficult part about living in that period?
I grew up on Jane Austen – both the books and movies, and of course the incomparable BBC miniseries of Pride and Prejudice. Regency England (early nineteenth century) feels almost like a second home to me. Because Austen is so popular, I think most people are very familiar with the time period. To me, it feels like the beginning of the modern era. Industrialization was starting, along with novel government reforms and cultural norms that I think are closer to current day than the eighteenth century. Though they still didn’t have showers or flushing toilets, and those, I think, would be extremely hard to live without.
What are your favorite kind of characters to write? Do you have a specific trope that you’re drawn too?
Even when I write serious, more emotional books, I like my characters to have some humor. In romance, I’ve written just about every trope, though I do like my noblemen with the common women. In mystery, I love that amateur sleuth.
Where is your favorite place to write? Does it change depending on where you are in the process?
I love writing sitting on my bed. My back, however, is not as fond of that position.
Which comes first for you: the plot or the characters?
Those two are so intertwined it’s hard to distinguish between the two sometimes. But if I’m starting a new series with fresh characters, then the plot of the book probably comes first and how the characters deal with that plot fleshes out their personalities.
Do you know where the story is going before you begin, or does it come to you as you write? Do scenes come to you fully formed or are you as surprised as the reader?
I always want to fully plot out my books before I write, and I never do. I’ll have a general idea, plot out the first couple of chapters, and then jump into it. And sometimes my general idea for how the book is going to go turns out to be completely opposite of what actually happens.
Does your writing process include any kind of ritual? Story specific playlists, tea, or candles, for example?
I do like to listen to music when I write, but it has to be music that doesn’t have lyrics attached. So sometimes it will be classical music but more often than not I’m listening to the Lord of the Rings soundtrack. I love that score.
Do you write better in the morning or evening? How do you handle the distractions of working from home, especially if you’re sharing the space with others?
I definitely work better in the morning, but not too early. I like to sleep in, which is a lovely perk of being a writer – I can set my own schedule. I don’t get that distracted, which is nice, though if I’m experiencing any writer’s block, my house does get unusually clean, lol.
When it’s difficult to physically travel, how do you find ways to escape?
Reading, of course. Even when I can physically travel, my escape is always diving into a good book.
From all your books, who is your favorite hero and why?
Gah, I hate that question. It’s too hard to answer. And the answer is usually the hero I’m currently writing. And so that would be my Lady Mary Cavindish, the heroine of ENVY UNCHECKED. She’s quirky and unconventional and just so much fun to write.
What do you like to read when you’re not reading in your genre? Did you have a favorite book or series when you were growing up?
I read so many genres. My two favorite books are Pride and Prejudice and Lord of the Rings. I like cozy mysteries and classics and some non-fiction. If I ever find a genre I don’t like to read, I’ll let you know.
