Q&A With C.H. Admirand 

To start off this week is with historical romance author C.H. Admirand. C.H. Admirand is the author of historical romance. Some of her many historical romance novels are Mending The Duke’s Pride, Avoiding The Earl’s Lust, Tempering The Viscount’s Envy & Redirecting The Baron’s Greed. 

Q: C.H. What do you enjoy about writing historical romance?

A: I love being able to immerse myself and get lost writing in another time period. My favorites are: Medieval, Regency, and the 1870s out West. Since signing with Dragonblade Publishing, I have been totally immersed in Regency England. To someone who has never actually time-traveled (and wouldn’t that be cool?), I love the clothing, the different modes of transportation, the distinct classes and how their days are so very different from the 21st Century! Who doesn’t love to think about spending a day–or more–as a member of royalty? Years ago, my Heavenly Hubby and I were glued to the TV watching A&E’s weekly episodes of Pride and Prejudice. As soon as it was available on VHS, I bought the tapes. When our daughter was a few years older, she started watching them with me, and we wore them out! It’s funny but we gave one another the DVDs one year for Christmas! I have enjoyed so many period productions over the years, but have to say Colin Firth will always be my favorite Mr. Darcy.

Q: When did you know writing was your calling in life?

A: I have always loved to write. Creative writing assignments in school (especially if we had to draw something to go along with the writing assignment) were always my favorites. I wrote my first short story in High School and have the mimeographed copy saved somewhere packed away upstairs under the eaves. And yes, I am that old that our English teacher had to use the mimeograph machine in the main office to make copies for everyone in class to read our stories. It was not all that hard to use, but my fingertips ended up stained with the blue ink. 

My Heavenly hubby was instrumental in me rediscovering my love of writing. One night I was complaining about having re-read all of the books in my extensive Romance collection more than once. Without missing a beat, he asked me why I didn’t write one of my own. It was like someone opened a window and a breeze blew through me. Suddenly I had all of these ideas and couldn’t wait to start writing. It was back in 1994, and I used our family computer (a Radio Shack Tandy) to write my story, saving it on a 3.5 inch hard disk. I still have that disk, and My Heavenly Hubby kept that computer, even though we didn’t use it anymore. It’s still in the basement.

Q: Do you have any new books being published this year and are you currently writing your next book or books?

A: Yes, I do. I’m in the middle of writing my second series for Dragonblade: The Duke’s Guard. I like to call this sixteen-book series my mega-series. THE DUKE’S SABER, Book 7, was published in December. THE DUKE’S ENFORCER, Book 8, is in my editor’s queue. I should be receiving edits from him by mid-February for a March 2024 release. 

Right now here’s what’s in my writing queue in order of due date. BTW, all of the books in my writing queue are scheduled for release in 2024, with the exception of THE DUKE’S LANCE, which is scheduled for release in March 2025.

THE DUKE’S MERCENARY (TDG, Bk 9)
THE LYON’S SAVING GRACE (The Lyon’s Den ~ connected to CAPTIVATED BY THE LYON)
THE DUKE’S RAPIER (TDG, Bk 10)
THE DUKE’S MAN-AT-ARMS (TDG, Book 11)
LADY FARNSWORTH’S SECOND CHANCE AT LOVE (A Lords of Vice novella)
THE DUKE’S LANCE (TDG, Book 12)

I also have a trilogy, The Ladies of the Keep, set to release this summer through the fall:

LIBERATING THE LADY OF LOUGHMOE
BARGAINING WITH THE LADY OF MEREWOOD
RESCUING THE LADY OF SEDGEWORTH

In 2025, I’ll be writing the last four books in The Duke’s Guard series. In 2026, I’ll begin writing my next series for Dragonblade: Wyndmere’s Warriors, connected to The Lords of Vice series, and the Duke of Wyndmere’s London man-of-affairs, Captain Coventry. 

Q: What is your advice for anyone wanting to write great historical romance? What is the research and writing process like?

A: NEVER GIVE UP! Listen to your gut and follow your heart. Everyone has their own way of creating their story. Some are plotters, others are pantsers, another author I know writes her stories in blocks of scenes, then rearranges them, and puts them together. Ignore the nay-sayers and plant your buttski in the chair and write! One of my favorite authors, Nora Roberts, said that you cannot edit a blank page. 

For research, my favorite dictionary is Webster’s 10th because it has the year words were first used and still has a number of my favorite historical words in it. A definite must when writing historical romances. Sadly every few years words are added and deleted from the dictionary. Webster’s 11th does not have some of the words that I use, so while I have a copy of it because one of my former publisher’s used it, it sits on the shelf. Absolutely research the time period you plan to set your story in, and do not rely on just one resource, have two or three. If you are using the internet, make note of the websites you visit with their links and bibliography/sources cited. In 1994 when I started writing for publication, the internet and email were both still very new. At the time I began collecting books for my personal research library, because I couldn’t just rush off to the library at midnight or one o’clock in the morning when my characters would wake me up with bits of plot and dialogue they wanted me to write! I have a variety of books from Writer’s Digest, the bargain tables at Waldenbooks, Borders, and Barnes and Noble, books from our church rummage sale, magazine articles, etc. My favorite series from Writer’s Digest is their Writer’s Guide to Everyday Life–I have seven of those. From Frances and Joseph Gies, their series: Life in a Medieval Village, etc. I have books about mythology, gods and goddesses from various pantheons, etc.

Q: What is the best way to deal with criticism online from negative reviews, online trolls and unsupportive family and friends, that have helped you and might help writers just starting out?

A: This is a tough one because a recent negative review had me doubting myself and my gift of words, which had me falling behind on my daily word count. I write seven days a week in order to keep up with my snug deadlines. I have to say that it never ceases to amaze me how many people feel it is acceptable to make negative comments in reviews, or on social media. Writing comes from the heart and the soul, and while every writer crafts their story differently, there is no right or wrong way. It is whatever works for the author.

Talking to a trusted author friend helps me put the negative comments into perspective. IMHO, the very last thing you want to do is engage with the person who left you the review. After you get it off your chest, you will be able to set it aside and keep writing your current wip (work-in-progress). Honestly, in the twenty-nine years I have been in the business, I have cried buckets over some very negative reviews, and some highly personal comments, before I was able to set them aside and continue writing my current wip. For me, the bottom line is everyone is entitled to their opinion and to express it. I was brought up to believe that one should treat others the way they wish to be treated (aka the Golden Rule) and that if I didn’t have anything nice to say, don’t say anything. 

Thank you so much for interviewing me, Bianca Rose. I have enjoyed answering your questions.