The Romance Reader's Connection

JANUARY AUTHOR OF THE MONTH

 

 

 

Blythe Gifford
 

 

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by 

Melissa Fowler

 

Happy New Year!  This month, The Romance Reader’s Connection is pleased to present an interview with debut Harlequin Historical romance author Blythe Gifford.

Prior to becoming a published author, Ms. Gifford spent several years working in public relations, advertising and marketing.  The manuscript for THE KNAVE AND THE MAIDEN was recognized as a Romance Writers of America Golden Heart finalist; yet it was some time and several rejections by editors and agents before being purchased for publication by Harlequin.

With THE KNAVE AND THE MAIDEN Ms. Gifford brings readers a tale of romance, secrets, danger and faith along a pilgrim’s trail in 14th century England.

Melissa:  Welcome Ms. Gifford and congratulations on your debut!  Could you share with our readers a bit about the initial source of inspiration for THE KNAVE AND THE MAIDEN?

Blythe:  The kernel was a vision of my hero in a very particular time and place.  I saw a knight after a truce was called in the war between France and England.  He has fought in a war that has gained nothing.  He sacrificed his war booty to help a friend, so he has nothing.  I wondered what would give this man hope to carry on.  The heroine, of course!  She challenges everything he believes about his world.  And vice versa.

MF:  How different is the published version of THE KNAVE AND THE MAIDEN from the RWA Golden Heart Award Finalist version (originally titled THE PILGRIM AND THE PALMER)?

BG:  They are virtually identical.  There were no revisions on the manuscript.  Naturally, I made a few minor tweaks, but the most significant change was the hero's hair color.  It went from rusty iron to well-worn leather.

MF:  Was there ever a point in time you feared your book might not be published?  If so, who or what got you past that point, to keep trying? What advice can you give to those writers who have yet to be published or are just starting out?

BG:  Every writer has that fear constantly - even after selling the first one!  Actually, this book is partly about getting past that point.  It's about going on when you may feel there is no reason that you should.  The process of writing it gave me hope, too.  (That, and very supportive writing buddies!)  My advice to would-be authors is to be sure you love the process of writing.  Even after you are published, the job is the same: to show up at the keyboard every day and to do it all over again.

MF:  With respect to changes and rewrites, how much power does an (new) author have with a publisher? Were there any aspects of the characters or plot where you felt additional changes (if they had been requested) would compromise the spirit of the story?
BG:  The author always has the power not to publish if she believes an editorial suggestion violates the integrity of her work.  Fortunately, I have not had to face that question, since my wonderful editor, Melissa Endlich, shared my vision of the story.

MF:  Who suggested the title change? Why?

BG:  Much as I loved my original title, I was not surprised when Harlequin asked for a new one.  Few people know what a palmer is (it's a proxy pilgrim) and pilgrim means Plymouth Rock to most Americans.  Not exactly a catchy combination for most readers, I'm afraid.

MF:  THE KNAVE AND THE MAIDEN has a truly realistic feel.  Your love of medieval history shines through the narrative, orientating but not overwhelming the reader.  Could you share some of your favorite sources for historical research?  How many hours of research do you estimate went into this book?

BG:  (Smiling.)  I don't know how many hours of research - and I don't want to know! I'm so pleased at your response.  I love history and want the reader to feel transported, not lectured.  I always start with an overview, reading parts of Will Durant's HISTORY OF CIVILIZATION and Barbara Tuchman's THE DISTANT MIRROR.  As I get more deeply into the story, I'll be buying specialized books like mad!  The book I use most varies depending on the manuscript, but one of my favorite tricks is to gather pictures as well as written history.  As I look at the landscape or an actual artifact from medieval times, I see details that give the story life.

MF:  If you could recommend only one historical romance (other than your own), what would that be?  What is the most recent book (from any genre) you've read?
BG:  Oh, what an impossible question!  My keeper shelf has way more than one book on it!  Let me say that my favorite historical that I've read this year is Madeline Hunter's STEALING HEAVEN.  It won the RITA from Romance Writers of America in 2003 and I loved it.  It's a medieval with a pair of strong, well-matched, passionate lovers.  I just finished another 2003 RITA winner (I'm a little behind in my TBR pile!), Cheryl Reavis' THE BRIDE FAIR, a wonderful, post-Civil War tale of redemption and forgiveness.

MF:  From your website I was delighted to learn of your love for Japanese art. Could you perhaps envision yourself writing a historical romance set in Feudal Japan?  (I for one would be first in line at the checkout register!) What can romance readers expect to see from you next?

BG:  James Clavell's SHOGUN is one of my favorite novels-it's an act I'd never attempt to follow!  I think one of the greatest challenges in writing historicals is to understand and present the characters' worldview believably and sympathetically.  I'm not sure I could do justice to Japan. I'm currently working on another medieval, but I have a stack of ideas tugging me toward other time periods, as well.  I tend to be protective of the work until it's ready for prime time.

MF:  Ms. Gifford, thank you so much for talking with us at The Romance Reader’s Connection!  We wish you great success with THE KNAVE AND THE MAIDEN!

BG:  Thank you so much for having me, Melissa. I'd love for readers to visit my website at www.blythegifford.com.  Fellow Golden Heart finalist Joanne Rock and I are running a contest, since we both have debut medieval releases from Harlequin Historicals in 2004.  THE KNAVE AND THE MAIDEN is out this month.  And Joanne moves over from steamy Temptation and Blaze tales to offer THE WEDDING KNIGHT in February.  In honor of the occasion, we're giving away a CD of "Music of Medieval Love," an evocative CD from the "Music from the Met" collection.

(Click here for a review of THE KNAVE AND THE MAIDEN)

 

 

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