An Interview with Historical Romance Author Hazel Statham

Today's guest at The Writer's Life is Hazel Statham, author of the historical romance novel, DOMINIC.

Hazel lives in Staffordshire, England. She started writing at fifteen and has written on and off ever since. She has always been fascinated by history and writes mainly in the Regency and Georgian eras, although she has been known to occasionally stray into Mediaeval times.

When she was a child, she often told herself stories and this just progressed to committing them to paper to entertain family and friends. However, there have been gaps in her writing years where marriage and employment intervened, but now that she no long works, she is able to return to her first love and devote her time to writing.

She had her first two novels published in 2005.She has been married to her husband Terry since 1969 and they have a grown daughter and beautiful grandson. Apart from reading and writing historical novels, her other ruling passion is animals and until recently, she was treasurer for an organisation that raised money for animal charities.

She currently shares her home with a lovely yellow Labrador named Lucy, who is her constant companion. Lucy is a real sweetie, but it’s not always easy working at the computer with a large Labrador trying to get on your knee!

You can visit her website at http://www.hazel-statham.co.uk/.

Thank you for coming to The Writer's Life, Hazel. When did your passion for writing begin?

I began writing at the age of fifteen. It was a compulsion I couldn't ignore and it has remained so
throughout the years. Even if my work was never published, I would
write.

Can you tell us what your typical 'writing' day is like?

After checking my emails first thing in the morning, I start to write. I write whilst my husband is at work and the house is quiet. Some authors write to music but I like complete silence. If I find my mind wandering away from the theme, I take a break and do something entirely different until the urge to write comes on me again. I write until my husband comes
home. Often, I start to write again later in the evening when I find the words flow easier.

Do you write full time?

More or less, although I have taken a break between completing my last novel and my current work in progress. I'm not tied to a deadline, so my time is my own.

Can you tell us a little bit about your book?

Dominic Blake, Earl of Vale, is a young man of privilege and breeding whose world is turned
upside down by Jack, a beautiful young girl in boys' clothing whom he finds sheltering on his doorstep after fleeing an attack by her brother.

Despite leaving his protection, Jack is once more destined to enter Dominic's life when, injured in a horse race, Dominic is forced to rusticate to his father's estate and again meets Jack in her boyish guise. In turn, she becomes his pupil and his love.

Despite danger and misunderstandings, this is the story of their unconventional and delightful courtship.

Who published your book and how has your experience with them been?

'Dominic' is published by Wings ePress. I have found them a very professional company who care about their authors.

Can you tell us the inspiration behind your book?

My previous book had been very intense and I wanted to write a lighter story so I decided
to write about a younger hero and heroine and this is the story about their unconventional courtship.

Can you tell us ways you are promoting your book? Have they been successful?

I don't have much experience with promoting but I have applied for reviews and interviews. Also, I have arranged for my banner and book cover to be shown on many sites. I have also embarked on a virtual book tour. It remains to be seen how successful these methods are.

Do you have a mentor?

No, I work entirely on my own.

What future projects do you have in the works?

I have two more books awaiting publication with Wings - 'My Dearest Friend' available January 2008 and'His Shadowed Heart' available June 2008.

Can you give aspiring authors words of advice towards getting published?

Whatever you do, keep writing. Write what you know and love and never lose sight of your goal.

What’s one thing about your life that you think is important, but nobody asks?

People in general are very caring. I have health problems which seems to be their primary concern.

Thank you for coming, Hazel! If you would like a chance to win a copy of DOMINIC, leave a comment below. All winners will be announced at http://www.virtualbooktoursforauthors.blogspot.com/ on Sept. 30. Good luck!

Tags: the writer's life, book promotion, book publicity, author interviews, blogging authors, guest blog, guest bloggers, book blog, virtual book tour, online book promotion, Hazel Statham, historical fiction

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