Interviews
A Heart to Heart Interview with Catherine Coulter
Heart to Heart: How did you come to start writing historical romances at a young age?
Catherine Coulter: In early 1981 (while still wearing a training bra) after writing four Regency romances, a "what-if" idea came to me for a much bigger, full-blown historical romance. That idea became Devil's Embrace, title selected by my husband. It was followed by its sequel, Devil's Daughter. (I always wanted to do a harem book -- what fun!)
HtoH: What reading inspired you?
CC: I grew up reading everything from Nancy Drew to Will Durant. My very favorite author was Georgette Heyer, which fit right in with my interest in history, especially the Napoleonic era. Since I knew the time period well and worshipped Heyer, I naturally began writing Regency romances.
HtoH: In the field of historical romance, you're credited with pioneering the linked series with recurring characters. How and why did you start that trend?
CC: Back in the Dark Ages (1985), I happened to run into Jennifer McCord (a book retailer) at a conference. I started whining that I wanted to use a character out of Midnight Star in the next book. She said, "Why not? Go for it." What an epiphany! So the Star series was born. Since that series, I've written the Song, Magic, Legacy, Viking, Sherbrooke, Night, Baron...goodness, that's oodles of books. Then, of course, there's the FBI series -- to date, eight thrillers, with lead characters Savich and Sherlock appearing in each of the books. I personally love to find out what's been going on with characters I've already met in previous books, and, evidently, so do readers.
HtoH: These days you alternate writing contemporary suspense thrillers and long historicals. How is the writing process different for each genre?
CC: When writing the FBI series, I have to be completely focused because I want the reader to keep turning the pages. Every book has to be tightly plotted, with no unnecessary scenes -- every scene in a thriller has to move the plot forward. Verisimilitude is essential to keep the reader solidly in the story. In the historical romances I can go off on fun tangents when the spirit moves me -- if I want to attend a cat race, why then the reader and I go to the McCaulty racetrack in Southern England. There's also usually a mystery in the historicals since my brain works that way, but naturally, the romance is at the center. There's also lots more humor in the historicals. By alternating between two such disparate genres, I'll never get burned out.
HtoH: Do you have a preference?
CC: No. Once I've finished the thriller, I'm ready to change and lighten up, and vice versa.
HtoH: Who is your favorite character in The Sherbrooke Twins?
CC: Hands-down it's Corrie Tybourne-Barrett -- she's a pistol.
