Eloisa James Discusses Writing, Italy, and the Magic of Romance

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