Hello, new friends and fellow readers! I’m Christy Carlyle and I’m thrilled to be the newest Genre-ista at Romancing the Genres. What genre do I write? The answer isn’t neat and tidy. How much fun would that be anyway? To be honest, I read just about anything in the romance genre that I can get my hands on. Reading inevitably leads to ideas, and the result is a bulging file of plots, characters and story ideas for everything from historical to contemporary romance, paranormal, YA and romantic suspense.
My first love is and always will be historical romance. Even as a kid, I romanticized the past, particularly British history. I am certain that passion is a result of my grandparents' influence. Grandpa’s bookish ways combined with Grandma’s British heritage to boil up some kind of hocus pocus that transformed me into a diehard bookworm and brit-o-phile. To prove it, I have collected more British history books than I have room for and spent (far too little) time living in Ireland and England. I even married a Brit. Though, he would firmly insist that he is a Scotsman first and foremost.
My historical romances and romantic mysteries are set in the Victorian era. To me, it’s a period that oozes writing possibilities…dark, narrow tenement alleys, gaslight glittering on rain soaked cobblestone, corsets, cravats, and drawing rooms full of drama. If they ever get that time machine thing right, you know where I’m going!
Where did I come from? Pounding out stories on my mom’s green Hermes 3000 typewriter, I spent my early years in northwest Indiana. In the Midwest, I shivered in the winters, sweltered in the summers, and gloried in the colorful autumns and springs. I sometimes miss the sharply defined four seasons of Indiana, but I love the lush and rainy climate of western Oregon too. With a Scottish husband and that British wannabe heart of mine, rainy days suit me just fine.
I am a follower of this blog, so it is an honor to be a contributor. Thank you in advance for reading my posts and commenting too. I look forward to hearing from you.
If, like me, you’re a historical romance writer or reader, what inspires your love of the genre?
13 comments:
Hi Christy,
Thank you so much for blogging with us!
I love historical romance because of the way it allows me to explore the past. The Victorian era is one of my favorites because things were changing so fast and people were so optimistic about the future.
Say hello to your handsome Scotsman for us!
Thanks, Sarah! I'm so excited about blogging at RTG. I too love the changing nature of the Victorian era. It is a rich period of history and the more I know, the more I want to know. And, yes, I'll definitely deliver a hello to my hubby.
I like the Victorian Era a lot too, but I love the Regency era! There's just something about it...maybe it's the returning war heroes who make such deep wounded romance novel heroes. Or maybe that it was such a time of change. I admit I'm a sucker for pretty much any kind of historical romance novel because I love Medieval-set novels, too.
Hi Christy,
Welcome to RTG. I read historicals generally 1800 but some earlier and some later. I'm one of those who believes we need to know our past in order to understand our present and prepare for our future. Sort of sound like an old history teacher of mine
Thanks for commenting, Donna and Judith!
Donna - I love the Regency era too. I'm a big Jane Austen fan and enjoy reading modern Regency set historical romance too. Like you, I'll also let myself fall into a medieval once in awhile too. The past has held a powerful allure for me.
Judith - I was a history teacher not so very long ago, and I totally agree with your old history teacher. :) Thanks for the welcome to RTG.
Welcome Christy from Christie Walker Bos. With a name like Christy, you know it's got to be good. I'll be blogging tomorrow about blogging. Fun stuff. Welcome to the party.
Welcome, Christy! Fun post!
Thanks for the warm welcome, Paty and Christie!
I look forward to your post tomorrow, Christie. By the way, I like your name. :)
Hi Christy
Welcome to RTG. I love all historicals regardless of time period, but I have to say Regency is my favourite. The loveable, sexy rake, the intelligent debutante and the evil villian. Wicked combination.
Hi Christy,
Welcome to the blog. I am a newbie myself. I write historical romance and of course I love history. My favourite era is the 1st World War.
Regards
Margaret
Thank you, Bron and Margaret, for welcoming me to RTG.
Bron - I have to agree that Regency combo is delectable indeed.
Margaret - welcome fellow newbie! :) I am learning to fall in love with the WWI era myself these days as I am totally addicted to Downton Abbey. Do you watch it?
Christy,
so glad you're now a Genre-ista. Loved your writing as the Examiner, looking forward to hearing what you have to say here.
I love the Victorian era, too. When I write it, I like to add a twist of paranormal gaslamp.
Best,
Cathryn
Hi Cathryn,
Please forgive my delay in responding to your post. I've was traveling on Tuesday and getting my feet firmly planted on the ground again yesterday!
Thank you so much for your kind words about my writing on Examiner. I think I'm going to revive it! In the meantime, I'm thrilled to be a Genre-ista (what a great term :).
Paranormal gaslamp - I love it. I want to see that genre take off!
You're a great writer and such a sweet and supportive fellow writer.
Thank you so much,
Christy
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