Ava Bond’s The Scholar’s Spy released yesterday, and she was kind enough to answer some questions for us.
You can get your copy of this delightful start to a new series 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?
Yes or rather I have always told stories, and that sometimes has involved being a playwright or journalist, but my love has been words and the power they have to make us feel and transport us something new and exciting.
The first story I remember telling was to my younger brother and was playing with Arthurian legend to entertain him. A very classic sort of romance.
That was many years ago, so mainly through aging but I guess it’s just continuous storytelling, drafting and writing. I did study history and literature at university and would devour my grandma’s Heyers so I loved the romance and writing world.
What is the most inspiring place you’ve visited and has it shown up in one of your books?
My new series is set in Lyme Regis, which I’ve visited and loved. I have lived in London but moving outside that remit can be exciting especially when so much of the original place exists. Lyme with its beautiful cobb and its stunning beaches makes it a wonderfully setting for romance and my feisty characters.
I love research and have mountains of books on the period. I have taken part in some balls to better understand the dances and music the regency characters would have done – I am not amazing at the steps and would probably never make a match.
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 love the regency era. How it blends modern sensibilities alongside its own desire to hark backwards to a roman or ancient world. In a lot of ways thanks to movies and the numerous books written about the era its very familiar so there’s a lot of short hands. I think readers can still underestimate the amount of time everything took to get anywhere and how much slower life moved, especially for women. My favourite thing is discovering an extraordinary individual and finding amazing ways to incorporate elements into my story – a recent one is Mary Anning.
What are your favorite kind of characters to write? Do you have a specific trope that you’re drawn too?
My favourite characters are ones who love to argue and bicker – so naturally I love reading enemies to lovers.
Where is your favorite place to write? Does it change depending on where you are in the process?
I can write anywhere – I grew up surrounded by children [I have 4 younger siblings] but I love a quiet café with a beverage next to me.
Which comes first for you: the plot or the characters?
For me it’s more of an idea than characters or plot, maybe a meet cute or an incident and then I build from there.
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 have to have a plan to be able to write. Even if the plan changes as the characters emerge and do their own thing. I love that really the only rule of romance is the HEA this gives you a definite end point, which is nice to work off.
Does your writing process include any kind of ritual? Story specific playlists, tea, or candles, for example?
Ritual wise, I love to have my caffeine – but its more about when the opportunity strikes – to make the most of it – even it’s the morning or evening.
When it’s difficult to physically travel, how do you find ways to escape?
I think books and movies provide us with such a wonderful way to escape and see the world.
From all your books, who is your favorite hero and why?
My favorite hero looks wise is Robert, in The Scholar’s Spy because he’s based on Cillian Murphy. In terms of personality, I would most enjoy flirting with Alfred in The Romantic’s Rake because he’s a terrible flirt, and Marcus is such a boss man I might find him a bit intimidating but that’s pretty hot.
What do you like to read when you’re not reading in your genre? Did you have a favourite book or series when you were growing up?
I love a real range of writers and topics. A particular favourite is the gothic [I devoured a brilliant one called The Reformatory this year] and I love non-fiction too [I am reading The Left Bank all about the artists and writers of the 1920s and 30s]. Reading and knowledge feeds curiosity in all its forms and is so beautiful.
