Hello Miss Heyer

I decided to get a jump on the weekend and write my blog before some disaster comes along – there are only so many melancholy blogs one can write. Instead, it’s time to look at how I fell into the world of Regency England!

When I was fifteen I had a stupid little accident that may or may not have involved a tall equid animal that may or may not have left me stuck with a cast on my arm for some weeks. During that time it was rather difficult to engage in my favourite pastime of sketching since the broken limb happened to be my right one…!

To fill in the first week full of significantly boring hours, my dearest friend brought me a pile of novels and left me her box set of a certain 1995 mini-series DVD’s – and a 1000 piece puzzle (or three…). When I wasn’t engrossed in my puzzle and watching (then re-watching) that most wonderful adaptation in front of my Dad’s new plasma TV, I was curled up in bed with a cup of tea (or ten) with the works of the inestimable Georgette Heyer open on my lap.

It began with Faro’s Daughter. Then Frederica. Then Friday’s Child. Followed by These Old Shades, and on the heels of that one was the extremely rare Helen. I tripped into her vivid world and wanted to move in. Regency London lived rent-free in my head. Coupled with the artwork that is Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice brought to life by Jennifer Ehle and Colin Firth – there was nothing else for me to do than become a die-hard fan of the Regency Romance genre.

From this first pile of novels I began my own shelf full of the master’s work. I own all of her historical romance works, though I can’t say I have ever opened one of her murder mysteries – perhaps that is something I should consider – but for now I am content to read and re-read all of Heyer’s works over and over again.

From Heyer I moved steadily through the written works of Jane Austen (and their film adaptations), then the Bronte sisters. More recently I read the Bridgerton novels and spinoffs before I dove head first into Winston Graham’s Poldark series – talk about a masterpiece… I am so excited to be visiting Cornwall later this year!

Of course, no one who aspires to write a novel should limit themselves to just one writer, and certainly not a single genre. All of the best authors advise reading in variety. Thankfully I have a passion for Star Wars – those now known as ‘Legends’ – and the works of the inestimable George R. R. Martin, as well as the wonderful world of Robert Jordan’s Wheel of Time.

I honestly cannot even fathom how many books I’ve read – romance, historical, fantasy, science fiction, contemporary, YA, non-fiction – its important to have a range, but historical romance is my passion and my home. All thanks to Apollo, the big bay bozo that decided to drop me in the dirt and run me over for good measure. Thanks big guy!