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Interview with Denise Weimer

When she isn't editing to help other writers reach their goals, Denise Weimer loves to pull inspiration from the history books. She then weaves her characters into the historical event to create something entirely new.

What compels you to write historical romance?
My love of history started in childhood and grew to include participating in living history and vintage dance as a young adult. There’s something about bringing the past alive to all the senses, whether at a historic site or in the pages of a book. As to why I write historical romance rather than historical fiction without romance, well, isn’t so much of our focus as humans relational? And what relationship is more central, more vital and exciting, than finding the person to spend our life with?

How and why did you choose this particular setting for this story?
A Winter at the White Queen is the first novella in Romance at the Gilded Age Resorts Series with Wild Heart Books. It sweeps the reader back to the “Age of Wonder,” when new inventions and opportunities vied with the old ways, old money with new money. Although the events take place in winter, it’s set in Florida, so think sunny and tropical rather than cold and blustery. And picture Florida when it was only beginning to become a tourist destination. If you follow the series, you’ll enjoy stops at different Gilded Age resorts across the country, all written by different authors.

What’s your biggest challenge in balancing writing time with your other responsibilities?
ROI, Return on Investment. When I knew I needed to set aside the whole month of this past January to write the next novel in a contracted series (Scouts of the Georgia Frontier), I got nervous. Excited, yes. But still…concerned. The reason? Editing, not writing, helps pay our bills and our daughter’s college tuition. I spend more time these days editing than writing. However, the writing time was excellent, allowing me to tap into that creative side of my brain again. And every time I do, I realize the editing jobs have grown me as an author. I’d also like to give a shout out to God here, who helped me squeeze in an extra editing job and also complete my own novel in a month. A historical, no less! With a research trip! He’s always got my back.

How do your faith and spiritual life play into the stories you tell?
I only want to write the story that God wants me to write. Without His blessing and inspiration, all the effort that goes into writing and publishing a book is pointless. That’s true whether my story is light and more of a “clean read” or deep and brimming with direct spiritual truths.

Who/What inspires you to write? Where do your story and character ideas come from?
I prefer to find inspiration from real history, whether it be a unique location or a little-known event. Then I imagine how that place or event would have impacted those living in that time. After research, I weave my fictional story around the framework of the real history. Much of the time, the most amazing things that happen in my stories are straight out of the pages of historical record.

What is your writing routine? Any quirky habits or must-have snacks?
I try to write in the morning when I’m at my freshest and most creative. I work from my home office, often with my little cockapoo, Lucy, curled in her bed nearby. I take a lunch break, often take the dog for a walk, and of course…there’s tea time. That includes a flavored hot tea and a healthy bar or cookie that I sip and munch while I continue to work.

What do you enjoy doing when you are not writing?
We live between Atlanta and the North Georgia mountains, so I love to hit a good hiking trail along a creek somewhere. It’s also fun to meet up with my girls or my mom or a friend to check out a cute little town with trendy shops and a coffee nook. And of course, if there’s a historic site to tour, that’s the icing on top.

What authors have inspired you on your journey to publication?
Oh, so many authors have blessed me with stories in my favorite genre, endorsements, and opportunities in the publishing industry. Others have amazed me with their savvy marketing and tireless energy. Just a few of these ladies include: Misty Beller, Pegg Thomas, Laura Frantz, Michelle Griep, Shannon McNear, Carrie Pagels, Susan Mathis, Elaine Cooper, Elva Cobb Martin, Danni Roan, and Lisa Prysock.

Finish this statement: If I were not an author, I would be a historical museum director or a historical preservationist!
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Stephanie Rose Finsterbush is an aspiring author who writes historical romances with humor and heart. Wife and homeschool mom of two, Stephanie blogs about her family, their multiple cross-country moves, and her journey to publication at www.stephanierosefinsterbush.com.




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