Today marks the tenth anniversary of my first book being unleashed on the world. Those of you who have followed me from the start will remember that Falling for Her Captor was given a contract as a result of me entering it into Harlequin’s So You Think You Can Write contest. I thought at the time it would be a one off (and panicked slightly when I was asked for a second book to follow it).
Back then I didn’t know how long I’d be able to keep it up and I didn’t even want to show my face in case parents complained to my Headteacher about me bringing the profession into disrepute. At the time, friends and colleagues asked if I’d be giving up teaching but unfortunately I’m not earning Osman levels of cash so that’s still a no. I’m not sure I’d want to either because it makes me leave the house and get my steps in on some days at least.
Since then I’ve written eight books set in the the medieval period, including the Danby Family series which was so much fun to write (readers might notice a few Danbys cropping up in later books too) as well as stories set in 16th century Scotland (DEFINITELY NOT Tudor) and Victorian periods. There are a few eras I’d love to write but market forces means that some of them don’t sell (come on world, the Romans were brilliant).
Joining the Romantic Novelists Association was one of the best things I’ve done. It gave me the chance to attend conferences, meet other writers and attend lectures and seminars about the craft of writing. By the second conference I was brave enough to enter a piece into the Elizabeth Goudge contest and I won it! That story became Daughter of the Sea and found a home with Charlotte Ledger at One More Chapter who is my current editor (and hopefully will continue to be). I’ve changed publishers and moved away from purely Historical Romance to Romantic Historicals set in the Victorian, Edwardian and Second World War eras, as well as romantasy.
My most recent book My Fair Lord is an idea I had hovering in my head for years before I actually got to write it and there are plenty of characters patiently waiting their turn. It was an important book for me because it was the first time I’d consciously written a character as Autistic (my son says that all of them are because I can’t help myself) and it was lovely to see readers recognising themselves in Florence.
It hasn’t always been easy going. At the start it was hard to gauge how many books I’d sell and whether I’d ever earn out of my advance payments. I’d have appreciated someone sitting me down and telling my how much I’d likely earn. Again, thank goodness for the RNA whose members are generous with their information and experience.
Being a writer is hard at times, certainly frustrating and often lonely and the temptation to keep a box of Maltesers by the laptop never goes away. I love doing it though. I am so lucky to be able to do what I do. To have the time and space in my life to allow me to think about plots and settings, to spend my days with the people in my head and eventually to share them with readers. I don’t think I’ll ever get over the thrill of seeing my words in print, or getting emails from Amazon (other booksellers are available) recommending my own books to me. I just hope they’re sending them to other people too!
So what’s next? Another decade hopefully (which will take me to almost 60 and maybe that retirement I’ll be needing by then). I’ve got a new book coming out early in 2025 (more about that nearer the time) and am currently working with Charlotte to decide which of the many ideas floating around my head to pin down on paper next. Believe me, there is a big list.
Whatever happens, thank you for reading and being there on the journey with me.
Elisabeth Hobbes Writes History 