I am delighted to interview a fellow Ottawa Romance Writer Association member, Melanie Robertson-King, for one of the stops on her blog tour to launch her debut novel, A Shadow in the Past. Here is her Blog Tour Button.
Prior to turning her hand to fiction, Melanie wrote articles and has been published in Canada, the US and the UK. In addition to writing, her interests include genealogy, photography and travel. On one of her trips to Scotland, she had the honor of meeting The Princess Royal. Melanie lives in Brockville, Ontario, Canada along the shore of the majestic St. Lawrence River with her husband, son and oldest grandson.
Hi Maureen, sorry to come in here looking like something the cat dragged in but I caught the first flight I could from England to be back here in Canada in time to be a guest here on your blog. I really appreciate you hosting me on Day 6 of my International Blog Tour celebrating the launch of my debut novel – A Shadow in the Past.
It’s great to have you here, Melanie. And no worries about looking somewhat bedraggled. There aren’t any hidden cameras (looking around the room suspiciously). Anyway, let’s get started. If I recall correctly, you joined ORWA shortly after the conference in Ottawa back in 2008. What was your motivation behind joining?
You don’t believe in easing into things, do you? Ahem, well, as we both know writing is a solitary pursuit and I felt that to take my writing to the next level, I needed to get involved with a group that has a number of already published authors, including you, so that I could learn the tricks of the trade, and improve my writing. Our monthly workshops are great learning tools and Linda’s recent one on blog tours came at just the right time.
Have you always written fiction?
Over the years, I penned a number of short stories, mostly for contests. My successes there have been few and far between. One honorable mention and one second place. During one of my ‘taking a break’ from my novel phases, I penned a short story entitled Cole’s Notes and it was contracted to Carrick Publishing for their debut cross-genre anthology. It will be published to Kindle in early September.
I’ve written a number of non-fiction articles (all historic in nature yet I hated history in school). The very first one to be published was in The Scottish Banner in 2001. I didn’t even know it had been accepted until I opened my copy and there it was – a two page spread!
Congratulations on your successes. Your novel takes place in the Victorian era, if I’m not mistaken. What changed your mind about the way you felt about history in school and how you feel about it now?
I think what changed my mind was getting hooked on genealogy and working my way back through my family tree. I thought with the changes the world was undergoing with the Industrial Revolution and the Highland clearances, the Victorian era would be a great time to set the historical portion of my novel. Besides, both my grandparents on my father’s side were born in Victorian Scotland.
What is A Shadow in the Past about?
When nineteen year old Sarah Shand finds herself in Victorian Era Aberdeenshire, Scotland, she has no idea how she got there. Her last memory is of being at the stone circle on the family farm in the year 2010.
Despite having difficulty coming to terms with her situation, Sarah quickly learns she must keep her true identity a secret.
Still, she feels stifled by the Victorians’ confining social practices, including arranged marriages between wealthy and influential families, confronts them head on and suffers the consequences.
When Sarah realizes she has fallen in love with the handsome Laird of Weetshill, she faces an agonizing decision. Does she try to find her way back to 2010 or remain in the past with the man she loves?
Oooh, intriguing.
So where can we buy your book?
Where to buy:
4RV Publishing: http://4rvpublishingcatalog.yolasite.com/robertson-king.php
Amazon.ca: http://www.amazon.ca/Shadow-Past-Melanie-Robertson-King/dp/0983801886/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1346607916&sr=1-1
Amazon.com: http://www.amazon.com/Shadow-Past-Melanie-Robertson-King/dp/0983801886/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1344434406&sr=1-1
Amazon.co.uk:http://www.amazon.co.uk/Shadow-Past-Melanie-Robertson-King/dp/0983801886/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1344434484&sr=1-1
Barnes & Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/a-shadow-in-the-past-melanie-robertson-king/1112348992?ean=9780983801887
ChaptersIndigo: http://www.chapters.indigo.ca/books/A-Shadow-In-The-Past-Melanie-Robertson-king/9780983801887-item.html?ikwid=a+shadow+in+the+past&ikwsec=Home
Author Website: http://www.melanierobertson-king.com/
Author Blog: Celtic Connexions http://www.melanierobertson-king.com/wp02/
Facebook Author Page: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Melanie-Robertson-King/221018701298979
Twitter Account: @RobertsoKing https://twitter.com/#!/RobertsoKing
Sorry, forgot to say…that is why it is fun to read a time travel–I don’t have to do it, and I get to see and enjoy another era! I enjoyed your book, Melanie, and I am sure others will too.
I love time travel also. Diana Gabaldon got me started with ‘The Outlander’. Melanie’s book sounds wonderful. Being a Scot myself, I can’t wait to read it.
Outlander got me hooked on time-travel books, too. One of the gals in my local writers’ group isn’t comfortable about leaving comments on blogs but she’s e-mailing me regularly as I tour around the world “virtually”. She said she always reads the bio of my hosts and she likes you, Maureen, and that you’re a good person to know. I agree. We first met at the ORWA conference in 2008 and sat at the same table on the Saturday for the full day of workshops. It seems like that was only yesterday – and at that time, I hadn’t even joined ORWA. Remedied that come January 2009.
Wow. It’s really nice to know that people actually read my bio. I remember that conference too.
You and Maureen both critiqued early drafts. You did a 3 chapter critique early on, and a few revisions of them. And Maureen critiqued the first chapter in one of our workshops.
Thanks to both of you. Your insight and suggestions were invaluable. Hope to see you both at the Roxanne St. Claire workshop on Oct 13th. It should be a good day.
I remember that early draft very clearly. I’m so glad you sold the book. I will definitely be going to the Roxanne St. Claire workshop. See you there.
If there is a hidden camera, could I have my image in soft focus, please. Scotland has a fascinating history, nearly always forcing the Scots to live in ‘interesting times’ so let’s not line up to travel backwards in time. Or forwards, might not be soothing to find our own graves. Who wants to know exactly where and when! I prefer it to be a surprise. Oops, makes a great last word.
No hidden cameras, Maggie. There were some pretty tumultuous events in Scotland’s past so I’m not so sure I’d like to be transported back there but it sure is fascinating stuff to read.
Surprises are always good. I like them, too.
Thanks for hosting me here today, Maureen.
My pleasure, Melanie. Your book looks wonderful.