K. C. Cowan’s The Secret Dowry releases tomorrow, and she was kind enough to answer some questions for us.
You can get your copy of this sweet 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?
I didn’t have a goal of becoming an author, although I always enjoyed writing. My mother told me repeatedly that I was a writer, but I didn’t have any ideas for a book, so I thought, well, she was wrong—clearly, I was NOT a writer. The first story I clearly remember writing was in the first grade. Our teacher had us pull a piece of paper with an animal on it out of a hat and we had to write a story about that animal. I got rabbit. I wrote a story about a rabbit who wanted to learn to read (a very big issue in the first grade, you know!) In short, the rabbit wanted to learn to read, so he went and bought a book and took it home and sat down and read it. Tremendous story arc.
Although I didn’t think I was a writer, I spent my career as a news reporter, so, of course, I wrote literally every day. It was only after I left television and my husband and I moved to Arizona that I started to write novels because I hadn’t made any friends yet and was kind of depressed. I co-wrote some fantasy books with a friend, but I always loved reading Regency era books, so tried my hand at an Austen sequel. That was what set me on the path to Regency romance!
What is the most inspiring place you’ve visited and has it shown up in one of your books?
I love old churches and always have one in mind when I am thinking of the village my characters might live in. I had a short trip to England and the lush countryside is also quite inspiring to me.
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?
Research is part of the fun of writing Regency era, in my opinion. I not only dive into the many websites available, but I have come across some incredible books about the era and now have a good collection for my personal use. Often, while just perusing one of my favorite books, I will read something that sparks an idea for my next book. While I do have a “Jane Austen” costume – it is a Halloween type and pretty cheap. Frankly, most people see it and think I’m a woman from the American prairie. I need to invest in a really good Regency outfit, I think!
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?
The manners, language and mores of the Regency time fascinate me, especially the genteel way of speaking. Instead of “What the hell are you talking about?” one would say, “I do not have the pleasure of understanding you.” I wish we all spoke that way still, it is so much more elegant. The restrictions on women is a constant source of interest to me. They had very little freedom in many ways, which is why I think I would only go back in time to that era if I could be old and rich—then nobody cared what you did.
What are your favorite kind of characters to write? Do you have a specific trope that you’re drawn too?
I like to write characters who are flawed, but redeemable. They are on the wrong path for some reason (usually money or lack thereof) and yet, somehow, they manage to find a way back to the way they know they should behave. As for tropes, I like ones that include misunderstandings—somehow my characters are believed to have done something or that they possess something they do not—anything to increase the tension between my lovers. Then, I love to write how they figure things out.
Where is your favorite place to write? Does it change depending on where you are in the process?
I have a lovely desk in my home by a large window for good light. I face out on a large photinia bush where I hang a hummingbird feeder. I love to be momentarily distracted by motion and be able to watch these amazing creatures drop by. When the nectar runs out, if I don’t notice it, one humming bird will literally “buzz” me at the window until I take care of it. It’s just a lovely place to write.
Which comes first for you: the plot or the characters?
My stories all begin with a “what if” question – what if a young lady did not know her sister had secretly boosted her dowry? How might that affect her chances at finding love? Then, I begin to populate my story with the characters and their relationship to each other.
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 am a “plantser” – part Plotter and part Pantser. I draft a general outline of the book, and know where the beats will be for the most part, but then as I write, I am open to bringing in new characters or events. I won’t start a new chapter until I can sort of “see it” in my brain—or, at least—the start of it. Then, I am sometimes surprised at what might show up. What often happens is, I have written some little scene of no major consequence, just something I thought would be interesting or fun, and then, chapters later, I realize that some little nugget in there will now be a major issue in the plot. I don’t ever plan it, but it has happened with almost every book I have written.
Does your writing process include any kind of ritual? Story specific playlists, tea, or candles, for example?
As a former news reporter with daily deadlines, I am always in writing mode when I sit down at the keyboard. However, I like to do this word game called Crypto-quip before I start. It takes me about ten or 15 minutes. Then I dive into my next chapter. I think the game warms up my brain!
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 like to sit down to write about eleven in the morning, after I’ve eaten and gone swimming. I usually work until 1 or 2 in the afternoon, with a goal of writing one chapter (usually 1500 to 2000 words) However, I can pretty much write anytime—again, I think that comes from being a reporter. You can’t go to your producer and say, “Oh, I just couldn’t get that warehouse fire story done—the muse wasn’t with me. Maybe tomorrow.” Nope! You have to crank it out, so I don’t have writer’s block, thank heavens. When I get close to the end of a story, I sometimes can’t wait until the next day to write, even if I’ve already written my chapter for the day. I’ll go back to the keyboard that evening, because I’m so excited to bring it all to a conclusion.
When it’s difficult to physically travel, how do you find ways to escape?
My husband loves to travel and is always planning trips for us. Frankly, sometimes I just want to stay home! 😉 But I can always lose myself in a good book.
From all your books, who is your favorite hero and why?
Asa, from an as-yet unpublished romantasy: Asa’s Redemption. He is a very shy wizard who is a bit of a recluse and willing to {“go along to get along”, until he meets Raeka, the love of his life. Asa is aligned with an evil wizard but finds the courage to stand up to him to protect Raeka. There’s real growth in his character as he goes from being a wishy-washy man to a man with conviction and courage.
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 popular fiction and bestsellers, mostly because they’re on my book club’s list. I also love to read memoirs and biographies. Growing up, my favorite book was The Secret Garden. And I also loved the British Series, Mallory Towers. A friend had brought them back from a trip and I would beg to borrow and read them all, over and over. Decades later, I went into a bookstore in Oxford and although I couldn’t remember the name of the series, I described it to the shop owner and she knew immediately what it was! I bought them all and reread them with great delight.
