Today, I'm sharing this guest post by author Marisa Dillon as a part of the ongoing VBT for her debut historical romance, The Lady of the Garter. Hope you enjoy it! Also find an excerpt and a complete promo on the book. Don't forget to comment!
Marisa Dillon will be awarding a $25 Amazon or Barnes and Noble GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour
The Heroine in All of Us
Why do we read fiction? Because we to want to live a part of our day somewhere else. We all have our favorite places, but we must escape, even for a short while, to a world where we are safe, but our heroines aren’t. Inherently, we all worry. It’s not pretty, but it’s human nature. Instead of fretting about our own lives, the best thing we can do for ourselves is to worry about our heroines instead, whether we’re a reader or an author. How will she escape her fate? When will she realize the hero’s in love with her? Can’t she hear us warning her to be careful?
You are the heroine. That’s what workshop authors tell us. Yes, to do your best character writing, it’s advised, you must think like the heroine. Get into her skin. You’re on the horse. The corset is digging into your ribs and you can’t breathe. No, you don’t want to ride sidesaddle.
I took that advice! And stepped back in time. But seriously, I hadn’t ridden a horse since I was 12. The guy holding the reins in the picture, assured me I would be safe on Thunder, one of the Renaissance Festival’s jousting warhorses, but I wasn’t so sure. Yes, the corset dug into my ribs and no, I didn’t dare ride sidesaddle.
Did it help? Yes! My friend captured me in a shot that inspired my writing. When I looked at that picture, I was able to remember the hard leather of the saddle, the horse’s massive muscles moving beneath me, how high I sat. Not the computer chair where I did my writing.
Another place and time. I’ll admit, it was fun dressing up and stepping back in time, to experience the sights and sounds of a place I wanted to write about. I met knights, peasants, clergy and royalty, all in a visit to the Ren Fair. Those characters spoke to me when I was writing. They told their stories in a way that wouldn’t have been as authentic, if I hadn’t taken the time to be my heroine for a day.
Our heroines inspire us. Yes, the heroines we create or read about, often help us have the courage and resolve to take on people, events and challenges, we might have otherwise avoided. For writers, the inspiration to share our stories with others, takes some of the fear out publishing. Sure we all want to sell a lot of books, but sometimes the greatest satisfaction comes from helping a reader forget her battles and allow her to cheer for someone else’s victory. I’m very grateful to Soul Mate, for giving me that opportunity.
DAYTON, OHIO – Readers are applauding the new historical romance novel The Lady of the Garter by first-time author Marisa Dillon.
“What do you get when you mix an alpha knight in shining armor and a feisty lady in need of one? That equates to a rollicking, fast-paced tale of love, honor, mystery and revenge,” wrote reader (and established author) Terri Valentine on Amazon.com, adding that the story will “hold you spellbound page after page.