An Interview with Kat Martin re: Heart of Courage

Q. Tell us a little bit about how you came up with the storylines for the Heart trilogy?

It was one of those ideas that had been rattling around in my head for years...a hero out of time, a fish out of water story.  Leif fit the bill, a man from an undiscovered island inhabited by Vikings who winds up shipwrecked in England.  From there, I found a heroine I though could be his match and so the first book, Heart of Honor was born.  Coralee’s story came next, Heart of Fire, then Leif’s brother, Thor.  I liked that Thor was such a man of his time, which was pretty much medieval.  He and Lindsey, a modern woman for 1850’s England, were total opposites.  I loved them finding their way to each other and ultimately to everlasting love.

Q. Which of the three books in the Heart Trilogy is your personal favorite? Why?

I rarely have favorites.  I like the book I am working on.  I like both brothers’ books, Heart of Honor and Heart of Courage, though my editor likes Coralee’s story, Heart of Fire, the best. 

Q.What is the most challenging aspect of writing a trilogy? 

Keeping everyone straight!  The dates and places, the connections of the people to each other, the descriptions of the residences and the people themselves.  Trilogies are much harder to write, but are also very rewarding.

Q. What was your favorite scene in Heart of Courage? 

There are a lot of fun scenes in the book because Thor and Lindsey are so opposite.   She thinks he’s a cave man and he thinks she’s a Victorian version of a women’s libber

Q. Tell us a little bit about the research you did for this series. 

The Victoria period is fairly new for me, so the research is ongoing.  I am trying to get a feel for the difference between Regency and Victorian, the clothes, the attitudes, the home furnishings.  There is a lot to learn.

Q. Without giving the story away, what will readers love about Heart of Courage? 

I think that watching two such opposites come together is endearing.  Watching each of them fight the attraction between them. And ultimately discovering that they aren’t so different after all.

Q. All three of these books have very intriguing names for the hero and heroin. How do you choose a character’s name?  

For me, selection of a character’s name is one of the most important parts of beginning a book.  It requires consideration of the type of character I want the name to portray.   Sometimes I get lucky and a name just pops into my head.  Sometimes I spend days, even weeks trying to figure out exactly who the main characters are.  I even have trouble sleeping until the name finally converges with the picture I have in my head.   I keep massive lists of names, so that helps.  It is a complicated problem with no real logic, just a gut feeling.   

In Heart of Courage, the hero’s name is Thor.  He’s tall, dark, and blue-eyed, a Norseman from an isolated island that hasn’t changed in years.  Thor is huge and incredibly strong, a massive man as his name implies.    

Q. What does the year 2009 hold for you? Do you have another trilogy in the works?

I have a lot of books coming in 2009.  A new historical trilogy starting in July with Royal’s Bride.  Reese’s Bride in October, and Rule’s Bride end of December.  I also have a gift-sized Christmas story, The Christmas Clock, out in October, which I am proud of and excited about seeing in print.
 

Q. How do you stay motivated? What drives you to keep writing?

I don’t have kids.  I can’t imagine just sitting around doing nothing all day.  I enjoy the challenge of writing.  It’s like putting the pieces of a puzzle together.

Q. Which is your favorite time period to write about? Why? 

I love writing Contemporary Romantic Suspense, but also Regency and Victorian England.  I love medievals, but have only written one.  I used to enjoy writing western romance and still read them when I can.   

Q. Have you traveled to the places you write about in your books? 

I try to travel to the places I write about.  I’ve been to England several times, traveled in France and Spain, Brazil and a lot of other countries.  I’ve been in most of the 50 states and make a point to visit an area I think may be in one of my upcoming books.

Q. Your husband writes too. What are the pros and cons to having a writer for your spouse?  Mostly good, I think.  We know the same people.  He understands my problems and I understand his.  He is great help in plotting and researching my novels.

Q. What do you attribute your success and longevity in the industry to? 

A positive attitude and a very strong drive to succeed. I think a writer has to have a thick skin and a lot of determination.

Q. What's the best and worst advice you ever received? 

The best?  Keep after it!  Don’t give up.  The worst?  Change your writing style to fit what is happening in the market.  You have to write your own books and hope you will find the readers who enjoy them.

Q. What are you dying to try next? 

My story, The Christmas Clock, is a long-time project I finally got to fulfill.  Next, I have an idea for another paranormal series (I’ve written two already).  But I am more interested in phenomena that might actually happen-or at least I believe it might.

Q. What's the best thing about being a writer? 

The challenge.  You get to manage your own time and meet interesting people.

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