In this episode of Fresh Fiction's video book club, Samantha Tennant welcomes guest Eloisa James, a renowned author and Shakespeare professor. Eloisa shares insights about her recent summer in Italy, the inspiration behind her writing, and the process of blending her academic career with her passion for romance novels. She discusses the importance of setting and atmosphere in her work, the impact of family collaboration on her stories, particularly with her daughter’s input, and the challenges of evolving her writing style to meet contemporary sensibilities. Eloisa also answers rapid-fire questions about her personal preferences and sheds light on her upcoming works and favorite literary influences.
00:00 Introduction and Welcome
00:19 Summer in Italy: A Rejuvenating Experience
01:18 Writing Process: Italy vs. New York
02:40 Balancing Teaching and Writing
05:16 Influence of Shakespeare on Romance Writing
07:36 Collaborating with Family on Writing
11:29 Adapting to Changing Reader Expectations
14:16 Maintaining the Essence of Romance
17:15 Escapism in Literature
18:33 Personal Stories of Comfort
19:18 Favorite Tropes in Romance
20:53 Fresh Fiction Facts: Rapid Fire Questions
21:06 Time Travel Preferences
21:53 Paranormal Genres and Favorites
22:40 Nostalgia and Disappointments
24:47 Field Trip Memories
25:43 TV Shows and Rewatching
28:15 Reading Habits and Recommendations
29:40 Connecting with Readers
31:06 Conclusion and Farewell
Eloisa James: https://freshfiction.com/author.php?id=4755