It gives me great pleasure to welcome Rachel Brimble onto the website today. Rachel writes contemporary romantic suspense and Victorian romance.
Alex: Tell me a bit about yourself, Rachel.
Rachel: I was born and bred in Bristol, England before moving very near to the wonderful, historic city of Bath in 2001 - I have lived here ever since with my husband of 23 years. We have two grown up daughters and a mad chocolate Labrador called Tyler.
I've always written bits and pieces but started writing novels for publication in 2005. My first novel was published in 2007 and I've had at least one book (more often two) published each year ever since. When I'm not working, I love to read, knit and watch far too much TV!
Alex: Tell me a bit about yourself, Rachel.
Rachel: I was born and bred in Bristol, England before moving very near to the wonderful, historic city of Bath in 2001 - I have lived here ever since with my husband of 23 years. We have two grown up daughters and a mad chocolate Labrador called Tyler.
I've always written bits and pieces but started writing novels for publication in 2005. My first novel was published in 2007 and I've had at least one book (more often two) published each year ever since. When I'm not working, I love to read, knit and watch far too much TV!
Alex: How would you describe your writing, and are there particular themes that you like to explore?
Rachel: I'd describe my writing as dramatic, suspenseful and romantic - even though I write historical romance these days, I often include a crime or suspense elements in my books. I just can't seem to resist a villain!
The theme that runs through nearly all of my books is female empowerment in one form or another. My books are often about a woman's journey to self-love and forgiveness... oh, and finding a man who is their equal and love of their life.
Alex: Are you a writer that plans a detailed synopsis or do you set out with a vague idea and let the story unfold as you write?
Rachel: I am a total planner! I start each book trawling the internet for pics of my hero, heroine and villain, if I have one. Then I complete character sketches to uncover their goals, motivations and conflicts. After that, I write a chapter plan and then a synopsis.
Once I start writing the actual book, I write the first draft from start to finish without looking back - the hard part comes in the following drafts!
Alex: Tell us about your latest novel.
Rachel: Trouble For The Leading Lady is book 2 in my latest Victorian trilogy, but both books can be read as stand alone novels (book 1 is A Widow's Vow). It is set in Bath and revolves around Nancy Bloom, one of the three prostitutes who drive the series.
Nancy harbours a dream of being onstage and when she meets theatre manager Francis Carlyle she starts to wonder if that dream will finally come true - yet, once united, Nancy and Francis' lives take a turn neither could have predicted...
Rachel: I'd describe my writing as dramatic, suspenseful and romantic - even though I write historical romance these days, I often include a crime or suspense elements in my books. I just can't seem to resist a villain!
The theme that runs through nearly all of my books is female empowerment in one form or another. My books are often about a woman's journey to self-love and forgiveness... oh, and finding a man who is their equal and love of their life.
Alex: Are you a writer that plans a detailed synopsis or do you set out with a vague idea and let the story unfold as you write?
Rachel: I am a total planner! I start each book trawling the internet for pics of my hero, heroine and villain, if I have one. Then I complete character sketches to uncover their goals, motivations and conflicts. After that, I write a chapter plan and then a synopsis.
Once I start writing the actual book, I write the first draft from start to finish without looking back - the hard part comes in the following drafts!
Alex: Tell us about your latest novel.
Rachel: Trouble For The Leading Lady is book 2 in my latest Victorian trilogy, but both books can be read as stand alone novels (book 1 is A Widow's Vow). It is set in Bath and revolves around Nancy Bloom, one of the three prostitutes who drive the series.
Nancy harbours a dream of being onstage and when she meets theatre manager Francis Carlyle she starts to wonder if that dream will finally come true - yet, once united, Nancy and Francis' lives take a turn neither could have predicted...
Alex: What was the first book you read?
Rachel: Ever?? I have no idea BUT I do know I read of my own accord from a very young age - the first book I remember taking everywhere with me was The Magic Faraway Tree by Enid Blyton.
Alex: How much research do you do and what does it usually entail?
Rachel: My books mainly focus on the characters and the romance and, to my mind, people hold the same loves and hates, fears and dreams whatever the period. So, my research mostly usually involves buildings or societal issues and etiquette of the period I am writing about.
It's important to me that I convey the time and the environment enough that readers are transported back and forget we are in 2021! I do as much research as possible to ensure that happens.
Alex: Do you ever base your characters on people you have encountered in real life?
Rachel: Never consciously, although I am sure there are elements of some people I have met - however, I think there is more of myself in my characters than other people. My personality might not be conveyed as much as my beliefs and opinions! Writing can be very cathartic...
Alex: Which was the last book you read that blew you away?
Rachel: I haven't read a book blow me away for a long time but I am absolutely LOVING the Bridgerton series at the moment - I resisted reading them for a long time considering the TV series was being so debated.
However, now I've started (I'm currently halfway through book 2), I know I will have read the entire series within a month.
They are brilliantly written and fabulous entertainment!
Rachel: Ever?? I have no idea BUT I do know I read of my own accord from a very young age - the first book I remember taking everywhere with me was The Magic Faraway Tree by Enid Blyton.
Alex: How much research do you do and what does it usually entail?
Rachel: My books mainly focus on the characters and the romance and, to my mind, people hold the same loves and hates, fears and dreams whatever the period. So, my research mostly usually involves buildings or societal issues and etiquette of the period I am writing about.
It's important to me that I convey the time and the environment enough that readers are transported back and forget we are in 2021! I do as much research as possible to ensure that happens.
Alex: Do you ever base your characters on people you have encountered in real life?
Rachel: Never consciously, although I am sure there are elements of some people I have met - however, I think there is more of myself in my characters than other people. My personality might not be conveyed as much as my beliefs and opinions! Writing can be very cathartic...
Alex: Which was the last book you read that blew you away?
Rachel: I haven't read a book blow me away for a long time but I am absolutely LOVING the Bridgerton series at the moment - I resisted reading them for a long time considering the TV series was being so debated.
However, now I've started (I'm currently halfway through book 2), I know I will have read the entire series within a month.
They are brilliantly written and fabulous entertainment!
Alex: How do you market your books?
Rachel: Mostly online - I love doing interviews such as this and I guest blog as much as possible. I am also extremely active on social media, especially Instagram, Facebook and Twitter.
What are your interests aside from writing? And what do you do to unwind?
I am a bit of an obsessive knitter and a voracious reader so you will usually find me doing one or the other in my spare time.
I am also a shameful TV addict but I do love taking long walks in the countryside... especially if a pub lunch is featured somewhere along the route!
Alex: Which authors do you particularly admire and why?
Rachel: For historical romance and fiction, I love Julia London, Julia Quinn, Hazel Gaynor and Philippa Gregory. For contemporary romance/crime, I love Nora Roberts and Alex Grecian.
Alex: Thank you so much for sharing your writing journey with us, Rachel. I'm with you on the cathartic thing. I think many of us get emotionally involved with our characters. Peter Turnham who wrote the Kindle bestseller None Stood Taller admits to weeping with his characters over emotional scenes. Anyway, thank you again and good luck with your latest book.
Rachel: Thank you, Alex.
Rachel: Mostly online - I love doing interviews such as this and I guest blog as much as possible. I am also extremely active on social media, especially Instagram, Facebook and Twitter.
What are your interests aside from writing? And what do you do to unwind?
I am a bit of an obsessive knitter and a voracious reader so you will usually find me doing one or the other in my spare time.
I am also a shameful TV addict but I do love taking long walks in the countryside... especially if a pub lunch is featured somewhere along the route!
Alex: Which authors do you particularly admire and why?
Rachel: For historical romance and fiction, I love Julia London, Julia Quinn, Hazel Gaynor and Philippa Gregory. For contemporary romance/crime, I love Nora Roberts and Alex Grecian.
Alex: Thank you so much for sharing your writing journey with us, Rachel. I'm with you on the cathartic thing. I think many of us get emotionally involved with our characters. Peter Turnham who wrote the Kindle bestseller None Stood Taller admits to weeping with his characters over emotional scenes. Anyway, thank you again and good luck with your latest book.
Rachel: Thank you, Alex.
