SPOTLIGHT ON… Historical Romance: Eva Scott

Eva Scott

Describe yourself in one word:
Determined

What is your background with regard to writing?
I started writing stories very young.  I studied creative writing as an elective at university but worked mostly as a technical writer before landing a gig writing articles for Great Walks magazine.  Then I fell pregnant and thought I might try my hand at writing fiction.  The rest is history (no pun intended).

When did you first begin writing with a view of embarking on a career as a published author?
I’d written a manuscript while pregnant and thought why not enter it into the Romance Writers of Australia’s Emerald competition.  I came fourth that year which encouraged me to send the MS to publishers.  It was that competition that made me think perhaps I could be a published fiction writer after all.

What is your writing routine?
It’s crazy to almost non-existent.  With a two-year-old boy underfoot my writing day gets squeezed into the tiniest breaks.  As a consequence I often lose track of what I’ve written so reading it back is like reading the work of a stranger – which is good for the critique process.

Favourite snack whilst writing?
Don’t really have one.  I do drink buckets of hot strong tea.

If you weren’t writing, what would you be doing?
Good question.  I left my career as a project manager way behind me with no intention of going back.  If I were to suddenly give up writing and do something else I have no idea what that would be!  Yoga teacher?

Can you share with our readers one piece of historical information that has special meaning to you?
The historical fact which has touched me the most is the issue of slavery.  It was rife in the world until the 18^th century and still exists in parts of the world today.  The idea you can own a human being like an animal and sell their children like chattel is terrifyingly appalling to me.  The Circassians had a terrible habit of selling each other, including family members.  Being an attractive bunch they brought a good price at the slave market.  Imagine living the life of a slave with no way out other than death?  I can only imagine how life must have been and how sweet and elusive the idea of freedom was.   Each of my stories touch on slavery to some extent – only the poorest of Roman families couldn’t afford at least one slave.

One thing you’d like readers to know about the historical romance genre:
Historical romance is a great arena in which to learn about history without being taught.

The one book that you’ve read over and over is…
Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen – the mistress of Romance writing.

Favourite fictional character:
Tough one!  Let’s see, the character I most wanted to be was Trixie Belden from the series by Julie Campbell Tatham.  I liked Trixie’s sass.

Number one thing to do on your bucket list:
Get married!  We’ve been engaged for years and somehow never get around to it.  I think it’s definitely something I want to do before I kick the bucket.

What book has changed your opinion/stance on something important to you, and why?
Jerusalem: The Biography is a HUGE book about the holy city and it helped me understand why the world is the way it is today.  History still resonates down the millennia.  This book helped reshape my views on the socio-political geography of the area.  I think I have a much more balanced view as a result of reading this fascinating book, but the book is so enormous holding it will give you wrist sprain!

Biggest accomplishment to date:
Mmm… how to answer this one?  I don’t have a biggest as such but I do have several that changed me completely. Travelling overseas alone in my early 20’s.  I was terrified and as green as grass.  I don’t think I’ll ever be as scared as I was getting off a plane by myself in a country where I don’t speak the language and have nowhere to stay. Completing my anthropology degree full time while managing a training business full time.  Dont try this at home folks, it’s exhausting! Following my dreams to Papua New Guinea where I did my Honours on third world tourism.  Got to meet some children on the outer islands who had never seen white folk before.  Amazing connection. Having my child at 44.  Took me that long to find the man of my dreams!  I’m sure you all know how hard it is to find a good bloke.

What’s next for you?
I’ve got another Roman historical with the publisher awaiting release date.  Its called the Barbarian Bride and has been picked up by Harlequin Escape who published my first Roman effort – The Last Gladiatrix.  I’m currently plotting a third in the series but not one gladiator in sight this time. I’m also working on a contemporary romance set outside Alice Springs.  I’m lucky enough to have a great contact into the world of Aboriginal art so hoping to really showcase the work of the community out there.

 

Find Eva online:
Website
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