In this episode of Fresh Fiction's video book club, Samantha Tennant welcomes guest Eloisa James, a renowned author and Shakespeare professor. Eloisa shares insights about her recent summer in Italy, the inspiration behind her writing, and the process of blending her academic career with her passion for romance novels. She discusses the importance of setting and atmosphere in her work, the impact of family collaboration on her stories, particularly with her daughter’s input, and the challenges of evolving her writing style to meet contemporary sensibilities. Eloisa also answers rapid-fire questions about her personal preferences and sheds light on her upcoming works and favorite literary influences.

00:00 Introduction and Welcome

00:19 Summer in Italy: A Rejuvenating Experience

01:18 Writing Process: Italy vs. New York

02:40 Balancing Teaching and Writing

05:16 Influence of Shakespeare on Romance Writing

07:36 Collaborating with Family on Writing

11:29 Adapting to Changing Reader Expectations

14:16 Maintaining the Essence of Romance

17:15 Escapism in Literature

18:33 Personal Stories of Comfort

19:18 Favorite Tropes in Romance

20:53 Fresh Fiction Facts: Rapid Fire Questions

21:06 Time Travel Preferences

21:53 Paranormal Genres and Favorites

22:40 Nostalgia and Disappointments

24:47 Field Trip Memories

25:43 TV Shows and Rewatching

28:15 Reading Habits and Recommendations

29:40 Connecting with Readers

31:06 Conclusion and Farewell

Eloisa James: https://freshfiction.com/author.php?id=4755