Welcome Guest Blogger - Emily Bryan!!
I'm always excited to welcome guests to my blog, and this is no exception. Emily Bryan is a good friend and fellow chapter-mate, though she moved East a few years ago. I interviewed her the other day, and here's what she's had to say.:
EB: I’ve mentioned on my blog tour that I was previously published as Diana Groe, writing my Dark Ages Viking romances, but we haven’t explored it very deeply.
Me: What prompted the switch? Was it the market? A desire to try something new? Your editor or agent?
EB: It was all of those things. I had just finished the manuscript for SILK DREAMS. It’s a harem tale set in 11th century Constantinople and not for the faint of heart. Some of my most complex characters live in that story—most notably Damian, the eunuch spymaster that many of my readers had a love/hate relationship with.
And I killed off a character I really liked. Of course, it had to happen that way. I will not cheat on the needs of the story. But I wept while I did it. I love SILK DREAMS. It’s a “thinking” book, a book that readers have told me stayed with them long after they finished it, but it is not a “safe” story.
I owed Dorchester another book (SILK DREAMS being the first of a two book contract) so I was toying with the idea of trying to write a comedy. I feared it would be like a hippo trying to waltz, but I wanted to give it a go. Artemisia, the artistic duchess in DISTRACTING THE DUCHESS, had begun to take shape in my mind. She started whispering her secrets to me.
About then, my editor called.
It seems the American market is not terribly friendly to historicals that aren’t set in Regency England or Scotland and the closest my Vikings ever got to Britain was the monasteries they looted. When I told my editor I was thinking about writing a light-hearted story set in the early Victorian era, I could almost hear her doing back-flips over the phone.
Me: Do you have fun writing in this new voice?
EB: Oh, yes! I wake up each morning wondering what strange situation I’ll put my characters in so I can work in some witty repartee or unexpected twist. As you may know, Erin, I used to sing professionally. I’ve often compared my Diana Groe books to Grand Opera, full of angst and drama. My Emily Bryan titles are more Gilbert & Sullivan . . . with sex! I used to sing both dramatic and comedic roles. Why wouldn’t I write both?
And actually, I’ve combined my Emily and Diana styles in my upcoming release, VEXING THE VISCOUNT. The primary love story between Daisy Drake and her viscount is set in 1731 London, Emily’s playground. The secondary love story between a Caius Meritus, a freedman, and a Celtic slave girl takes place in Roman Britain, 405 AD—pure Diana Groe.
Me: Is it more of a challenge for you?
EB: The biggest challenge is the comedy. It’s much easier to make a reader cry than laugh. Physical humor, the kind we’re used to seeing in sitcoms is hard to make funny on paper.
I guess I shouldn’t have been surprised. In my stagework, the comedic moments required much more rehearsal than the dramatic ones. It’s all about timing. Once I had to sing a duet while running around the stage, timing my movements so I could surprise the audience by leaping out the window at the last moment. I threw myself over the pretend sill to land on a well-placed, if not very thick, pad off-stage.
Another time, I had to throw a pie in someone’s face. This is not as easy as it looks. Choreographing our movements so the event appeared spontaneous, even accidental, required hours of practice. And I was ever so glad to be the “pie-er,” not the “pie-ee.”
So the comedy was a steep learning curve. But I think something must be working with my switch to light-hearted stories. DISTRACTING THE DUCHESS has just been nominated for an RT Reviewers Choice Award!
Me: What was the hardest part about switching subgenres?
EB: I had to research another historical period, but I enjoy that sort of work.
The hardest part is making sure my more serious Diana voice doesn’t sneak into my light-hearted Emily stories. Yes, I still sometimes kill characters off, but in the words of Harry Renquist from TRUE LIES, “Yeah, but they were all BAD!”
EB: It was all of those things. I had just finished the manuscript for SILK DREAMS. It’s a harem tale set in 11th century Constantinople and not for the faint of heart. Some of my most complex characters live in that story—most notably Damian, the eunuch spymaster that many of my readers had a love/hate relationship with.
And I killed off a character I really liked. Of course, it had to happen that way. I will not cheat on the needs of the story. But I wept while I did it. I love SILK DREAMS. It’s a “thinking” book, a book that readers have told me stayed with them long after they finished it, but it is not a “safe” story.
I owed Dorchester another book (SILK DREAMS being the first of a two book contract) so I was toying with the idea of trying to write a comedy. I feared it would be like a hippo trying to waltz, but I wanted to give it a go. Artemisia, the artistic duchess in DISTRACTING THE DUCHESS, had begun to take shape in my mind. She started whispering her secrets to me.
About then, my editor called.
It seems the American market is not terribly friendly to historicals that aren’t set in Regency England or Scotland and the closest my Vikings ever got to Britain was the monasteries they looted. When I told my editor I was thinking about writing a light-hearted story set in the early Victorian era, I could almost hear her doing back-flips over the phone.
Me: Do you have fun writing in this new voice?
EB: Oh, yes! I wake up each morning wondering what strange situation I’ll put my characters in so I can work in some witty repartee or unexpected twist. As you may know, Erin, I used to sing professionally. I’ve often compared my Diana Groe books to Grand Opera, full of angst and drama. My Emily Bryan titles are more Gilbert & Sullivan . . . with sex! I used to sing both dramatic and comedic roles. Why wouldn’t I write both?
And actually, I’ve combined my Emily and Diana styles in my upcoming release, VEXING THE VISCOUNT. The primary love story between Daisy Drake and her viscount is set in 1731 London, Emily’s playground. The secondary love story between a Caius Meritus, a freedman, and a Celtic slave girl takes place in Roman Britain, 405 AD—pure Diana Groe.
Me: Is it more of a challenge for you?
EB: The biggest challenge is the comedy. It’s much easier to make a reader cry than laugh. Physical humor, the kind we’re used to seeing in sitcoms is hard to make funny on paper.
I guess I shouldn’t have been surprised. In my stagework, the comedic moments required much more rehearsal than the dramatic ones. It’s all about timing. Once I had to sing a duet while running around the stage, timing my movements so I could surprise the audience by leaping out the window at the last moment. I threw myself over the pretend sill to land on a well-placed, if not very thick, pad off-stage.
Another time, I had to throw a pie in someone’s face. This is not as easy as it looks. Choreographing our movements so the event appeared spontaneous, even accidental, required hours of practice. And I was ever so glad to be the “pie-er,” not the “pie-ee.”
So the comedy was a steep learning curve. But I think something must be working with my switch to light-hearted stories. DISTRACTING THE DUCHESS has just been nominated for an RT Reviewers Choice Award!
Me: What was the hardest part about switching subgenres?
EB: I had to research another historical period, but I enjoy that sort of work.
The hardest part is making sure my more serious Diana voice doesn’t sneak into my light-hearted Emily stories. Yes, I still sometimes kill characters off, but in the words of Harry Renquist from TRUE LIES, “Yeah, but they were all BAD!”
Me: Have you ever considered writing contemporary?
EB: Actually, I have written a romantic suspense which is being considered at a major house. The editor loves it and kicked it as far as marketing, where it seems to have stalled. We’ll just have to wait and see. Publishing wheels grind with glacial slowness. Patience is a required character trait for authors.
ME: Does contemporary work well with your voice?
EB: It hasn’t quite sold yet. At the risk of sounding like Sybil, I think I have a third voice that comes out in the contemporary manuscript. Clean, crisp and brief.
Have you ever read Crichton’s EATERS OF THE DEAD? The movie called The 13th Warrior with Antonio Banderas was based on this story. The tale is told from the POV of Antonio’s Arab character and the voice is entirely different from any of Crichton’s other books.
Like everything else, the author’s voice is an element which must serve the story. That means it is malleable.
What is voice? Word choices? Yes, but it’s more. It’s the unique way the author has chosen to tell the story and I think the nature of the story itself dictates how that happens. Thus, voice is something that changes depending on the needs of the story.
Thanks for letting me visit with your readers, Erin. If any of them would like to try my many voices, I invite them to visit http://www.emilybryan.com and http://www.dianagroe.com. I’m looking forward to being in Seattle March 10th. I’ll be giving my NEUROTICA workshop about adding comedy to your prose to EASTSIDE RWA! Can’t wait.
EB: Actually, I have written a romantic suspense which is being considered at a major house. The editor loves it and kicked it as far as marketing, where it seems to have stalled. We’ll just have to wait and see. Publishing wheels grind with glacial slowness. Patience is a required character trait for authors.
ME: Does contemporary work well with your voice?
EB: It hasn’t quite sold yet. At the risk of sounding like Sybil, I think I have a third voice that comes out in the contemporary manuscript. Clean, crisp and brief.
Have you ever read Crichton’s EATERS OF THE DEAD? The movie called The 13th Warrior with Antonio Banderas was based on this story. The tale is told from the POV of Antonio’s Arab character and the voice is entirely different from any of Crichton’s other books.
Like everything else, the author’s voice is an element which must serve the story. That means it is malleable.
What is voice? Word choices? Yes, but it’s more. It’s the unique way the author has chosen to tell the story and I think the nature of the story itself dictates how that happens. Thus, voice is something that changes depending on the needs of the story.
Thanks for letting me visit with your readers, Erin. If any of them would like to try my many voices, I invite them to visit http://www.emilybryan.com and http://www.dianagroe.com. I’m looking forward to being in Seattle March 10th. I’ll be giving my NEUROTICA workshop about adding comedy to your prose to EASTSIDE RWA! Can’t wait.
Me: Neither can I!
EB: And please leave a comment or question here. I’ll be giving away a signed copy of VEXING THE VISCOUNT to someone who lets me know they’ve stopped by!
EB: And please leave a comment or question here. I’ll be giving away a signed copy of VEXING THE VISCOUNT to someone who lets me know they’ve stopped by!
**Well, you heard the woman! Leave us a note letting us know you stopped by, and you just might win. And as always, stop back soon.
Labels: guest blogger, writers aren't crazy, writing
posted by Erin @ 6:06 AM
21 Comments:
Hi Emily,
I rarely buy a book from an author new to me without first reading the library copy. I bought "Distracting the Duchess" from reading the cover blurb and I'm glad I did. I love comedy, but I've had a hard time finding a funny historical that remains true to the period. You succeeded with "Distracting the Duchess" and with "Pleasuring the Pirate", too.
Hi Diana,
I hope your contemporary story gets published too! I remember you used to have an excerpt from it on your website (not sure if it's still there), and it looked really interesting - and that scene was on a T subway stop in Boston, right? It would be fun to read a story of yours that actually involves places I've been to!
Hi Emily,
Looks like I need to add Silk Dreams to my list. And Maidensong; and Erinsong; and Distracting. I hope to be going to the bookstore tomorrow.
Julie
Linda--Thanks for giving me a try. If reviews influence your buying decisions at all, VEXING THE VISCOUNT just got a rave at CindyReadsRomance.
Nynke--Yes, I used to have an excerpt from my unpublished romantic suspense and my paranormal, but my agent said not to have them up until they sell. Besides, depending on the wishes of the publishing house, I might have to have yet ANOTHER pen name for them.
Thank you, Julie! In these weird economic times, I'm so thankful when anyone plunks down their hard-earned money for my books. Since it's been a while since some of those titles were released, your bookstore will probably have to order them for you. Here's the link to my Printable Booklist which has everything they'll need to order what you want.
OK! So I am going to share this embarrassing momment story. A while back, before I had truly understood the pen name thing for authors, I read your work under Diana Groe. Loved it, couldnt wait for more, still have the books! But gosh when is she coming out with something new! I like her! Well then at the RT convention last year, I come across this amazing writer Emily Bryan, who has these beautiful book covers and Wala, Im hooked. So now I actually decide to start looking into these web sites and Hmmm... low and behold she is the one and same! What a pleasant surprise! but a bit embarrassing. I know sometimes pen names keep an authors reader focused on a certain type of book, but sometimes it just baffles me! LOL!!
Silk Dreams (and both Song books) are absolutely amazing, rich, lush, intense. My favorite kind of story, and I'm delighted to know that there's going to be an element of that in VtV. (Already won my copy, many thanks!) If the market shifts again and the spirit moves for more books in Diana's voice, I promise to buy two copies to keep the sales up and hope you're always able to sell the stories you love, in whatever setting or subgenre.
Damian is definetly a memorable character with his own history and motivations. The story wouldn't have been the same without him.
The whole pen name thing is a little like determining what type of soprano one is. There are glittering coloraturas whose high notes and quick runs tickle the ear. And soaring, sweet-voiced lyric sopranos. And big, commanding dramatic sopranos (think breastplate and horned helmet). For each voice type, there is a corresponding body of musical literature--a genre of work.
Then once in a while, a voice comes along that defies category. Maria Calls was one. She had the open-throated heft of a dramatic soprano with the ceiling-scraping highnotes and facility of a coloratura.
The point of a pen name is to brand an author, not to confuse a reader. If someone picks up an Emily Bryan, they know they're in for some laughs. If they buy a Diana Groe, have a kleenex handy.
If you went to hear Maria Callas you might see her as an plucky ingenue (Daughter of the Regiment) or a crazed child killer (Medea).
Like Forest Gump's box of chocolates, "You never know what you're gonna get."
A pen name is supposed to give you a clue.
Anna--The third "Song" book is already written and looking for a publisher. It's Moira's story (Brenna's sister in ERINSONG). I couldn't leave her with that hateful Fearghus.
Oh, a book for Moira! That's lovely! Here's to hoping it gets published soon :)
And I just noticed I 'Diana-ed' you again - inadvertently this time. These pen names...
Hi Emily!
I must say I'm jealous of Eastside RWA! Any chance you would consider giving your NEUROTICA workshop at RT or RWA?
:)
G.
::happy sigh:: I knew you wouldn't leave Moira with Fearghus. ::reserves space on keeper shelf...the day will come::
Hi Emily! I consider allof your blog stops "field trips". This was a great interview to read!
I am also interested in reading Silk Dreams from learning about it here! Will have to peruse and find it.
Rachel
Nynke--That's ok. I answer to either.
Genelle--I am giving NEUROTICA at RWA Nationals this year, so I hope I'll see you there! Eastside gets to be my "test market" for it. :)
I'll also be at RT. I'm joining Bobbi Smith a couple days early to teach her Aspiring Writers. During the convention, I'll be giving my WHAT A NOVEL IDEA! Workshop on story structure.
Anna--From your lips to God's ears . . .
Rachel--Aside from the indie bookstore in my Missouri hometown, I doubt you'll find my Diana Groe books on the store shelves (though I did find an ERINSONG in Charlotte last September) Your bookstore can order them for you or you can order them at Amazon. Thanks!
Hi Emily,
thanks for the great interview! I hope your Diana-books are available here too...
Eva--You're in Finland, right? I'm sure there are some outlets that carry them throughout Europe. I'll bet there's a company like Amazon there. Please let me know if you find them. Thanks!
My question is Do you read the dialogue aloud with someone else to see if it flows?
JOYE
Eva - amazon.co.uk does deliveries throughout the EU, as far as I know! It works for me :)
Joye--I read everything aloud. Whether that makes it flow or not is another matter.
Nynke--Good idea. I expect amazon.co.uk would have all my books.
Thanks Emily. That list makes it easy to just print out and bring.
Julie
Thank you for having me here, Erin. It's always fun to visit with Eastsiders!
And now for the moment you've all been waiting for . . . my DH has chosen GENELLA to receive a shiny new VEXING THE VISCOUNT. Please contact me through www.emilybryan.com with your mailing info!
And while I'm sharing links, my next blog hostess Cindy of CindyReadsRomance has started a thread for VEXING THE VISCOUNT on the RT Forum. Some of my other titles are popping up there too if you've read one and would like to post your opinion.
But be sure to join me at CindyReadsRomance today. A writer reads differently than most and we're sometimes hard to please. I'm reviewing another author's work, SHERRY THOMAS and her DELICIOUS.
ttys,
Emily
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