J.M. Roberts
What made you decide to become a writer?
Thank you, Kathryn, for letting me share a bit about myself and my writing with your readers. People often ask me how I got into writing and it’s a long twisty story as I was a nurse for most of my working life. I have a vivid memory of working the night shift in a hospital, reading some random romance book and saying to another nurse, I could write a better book than this. Many years later, I started a genealogy blog and wrote about my ancestors. One particular couple really intrigued me—they had been accused of witchcraft—and I thought it would make a fascinating book. Telling no one, I gave it a try and got bit by the writing bug. I later gave up nursing to write full time.
What comes first for you – the plot or the characters?
I am a self-confessed history nerd who writes historical fiction and historical fantasy so for me, as a writer, the history comes first, then plot, then characters. Usually the genesis of a book is some little overlooked bits of history that niggles into my brain and I decide I must write about it. I’ve written about a little known witch trial in Springfield, Massachusetts, the French and Indian Wars in New Hampshire, and a battle fought during the Texas Revolution. As much as I love to read about Tudor England and the Regency, I prefer to write about less popular periods. I’m especially fond of early American history.
Many of my main characters are based on real historical people who have mostly been forgotten and I have I’ve written about my ancestors, especially those that fought in and survived the American Revolution. I tend to stay away from major historical players for fear of getting something horribly wrong, but George Washington did make a brief appearance in one book!
My fictional characters are often named after family and friends and even neighbors. Every once in a while, they may resemble them as well! My family is always on their toes when I start a new book. You never know! This is also a great way to get them to read the books!
Did you need to do research for your book? If so, how much did you do, how did you do it?
To date, I have written eleven books. To be honest, I think my favorite is always the one I’m writing at the moment! Currently, I’m in love with two books, THE MIDSUMMER WOMEN and its sequel, NOW COMES THE RAVEN which comes out on 6 March. Both are dual time, historical fantasy/magical realism. My main character in the modern day storyline is Hannah Heronstone, an ethnobotanist who learns that she is part of an ancient sisterhood of witches. The magic system in the books is very earthy and natural. I did a deep dive into old pagan belief systems and ‘cunning women’, the healers of the day, and found a marvelous ‘leechbook’ written in the 10th century full of spells, charms and recipes for cures. I’m seriously considering buying some sage bundles for my house!
The MC in the past is a young woman whose mother is accused of witchcraft, she is taken in by the local magistrate as a servant and eventually finds herself in Maine as part of the Popham Colony. Of course, terrible things befall her and she and Hannah must put it to rights. In book two, Hannah must help a young Saxon woman defeat her people's archenemy, the Danes, or, as we know them, the Vikings.
The books are written in 3rd person, past tense, my favorite to read and write. The settings are lush and highly descriptive. I love to immerse my reader into the world of my characters!
All my books take a tremendous amount of research to get the details right. Thankfully, there are many digitized resources available online. This is probably my favorite part of the writing process. I can spend an entire day down a rabbit hole for a small detail in a scene.
What is your favourite genre to write in?
Well, that’s an easy question! Historical fiction.
Would you travel to the area where your book is set?
Research travel is my new excuse for a vacation. I am tempted to set a book in Paris or the South of France which would require a visit! For Blood in the Valley, I traveled to beautiful upstate New York, which is steeped in history. My husband and I went to many forts, battlefields and other historic sites. I stood on a hill in Cherry Valley, where my ancestors once lived. It was incredibly moving. I went to Goliad, Texas, the site of a battle and terrible massacre during the Texas Revolution and day tripped around New Hampshire to numerous historical towns and villages. There is nothing better than combining vacation time with research.
Would you write any genre or do you stick to one? Do you write under a pseudonym or your own name?
After historical fiction, my favorite genre to read and write is a murder mystery. So far, I’ve written a trio of mysteries set in a fictitious Texas town called Stinky Springs. The MC is a retired nurse who turned her hand to writing, which sounds really familiar! She has a gang of girlfriends who help her solve murders and mysteries. To keep this genre separate, I write under the pen name, J. M. Roberts.
My current manuscript is a combination, historical fantasy and murder mystery set in London in 1810. It is a lot of fun to write and I’m very excited about it.
You can find a lot more info on J.M. Roberts on her website: Jean M. Roberts Author
