Heather’s Bookshelf: Author Interview with Anne Armistead
Book Title: A Tryst in Paris
Released: 08/02/23
Genre: Time Travel romance
Interview by Heather L. Barksdale
What inspired you to write “A Tryst in Paris”?
Armistead: My love of Carousels, a French film pioneer, and YouTube videos of the 1900 Paris Exhibition, along with a friend’s passion for vintage coin purses, inspired Book One of The Carousel Time Traveler, A TRYST IN PARIS. The premise began with the idea of Mirabelle, in Paris to shop for antiques, finding an aged invitation to meet at the Luxembourg Carousel in a vintage coin purse advertising Alice Guy’s silent film La Fée aux Choux. When on a whim Mirabelle decides to visit the Carousel at that appointed time, it sweeps her back to 1900 Paris. The silent video in which a woman falls off the moving sidewalk of the 1900 Paris Exhibition prompted me to land Mirabelle on it, leading her to meet sexy, dangerous Jacques into whose life she is drawn and with whom her heart connects.
How did you come up with the names of your main characters?
Armistead: I like to research meanings of names and choose names that fit how I envision my characters’ appearances and personality traits. For “A Tryst in Paris,” I wanted my female protagonist to have a French name. I chose Mirabelle, a girl’s name of French origin meaning “marvelous” but it also means “miracle.” I see Mirabelle’s time travel and what she accomplishes to help those she meets back in time as her performing “miracles” for them. For the name of the man Mirabelle meets back in time, I chose “Jacques”, first because it’s a French name that has familiarity with my readers and secondly because the meaning is ”supplanter.” That definition is in line with how I see his circumstances changed Jacques (his past was like a supplanter who has taken him over) and makes him act in a manner different than his true character.
Is there anything that you want readers to know about you, your writing process or your book?
Armistead: I infuse bits of my personality into my characters. Mirabelle’s loyalty and attachment to her mother relay mine toward my late mother. Also, I enjoy being dressed comfortably, and I would feel as Mirabelle does when she wears the form fitting fashion of 1900. Mirabelle’s love of film history mimics my own. I am a devotee of Turner Classic Movies and love reading biographies of actors, writers, producers, etc., of the “Golden Age of Hollywood’s Big Five Studios”. Bernadette’s tendency to talk first and think later is a trait I have yet to tame in myself, though as I age, I am finding myself a bit more circumspect. Overall, each of the main characters (Mirabelle, Jacques, Bernadette, Susette, as well as Mirabelle’s mom and godmother) try to make right choices in order not to hurt others callously or selfishly, which is a guiding principle I try to live by.
If "A Tryst in Paris" was adapted into a movie, who would you like to see cast to play your lead characters?
Armistead: I would love to see the French actor Stanley Weber as Jacques and Elizabeth Olsen as Mirabelle.
When you encounter writer’s block, what do you do to break yourself out of it?
Armistead: I take a break by reading my favorite scenes from books I’ve read, and I also take a walk listening to the playlist I’ve created for my characters. I also write a scene with my characters that is just for fun and may or may not have anything to do with the story I’m writing. For instance, I’ll have my characters dialogue/debate about their favorite movies or songs or colors or bucket lists. Another way I break writer’s block is to go back and work on my story “bible” in which I list all my characters and their story arcs. Revisiting my plans helps jigger my creativity about them and motivates me to keep telling their stories.
Are there any tips that you would like to share with other aspiring authors?
Armistead: The most important thing a writer can do is follow the BIC method (butt-in-chair) to get words on a page. It’s so easy to think about writing and much more difficult to write. Even if you only write a few sentences a day, you’ve made progress. One day, the sentences make a novel! Also, don’t read reviews unless your skin is alligator tough.
What is your favorite genre, book, and/or author?
Armistead: I love reading historical fiction and my favorite authors of that genre are Jennifer Robson and those written together by Beatriz Williams, Karen White, and Lauren Willig. I also love cozies by Jacqueline Frost (aka Julie Chase, Bree Baker, & Julie Anne Lindsey) and romantic suspense by Hank Phillippi Ryan.
What are you working on next?
Armistead: I am working on Book Two of The Carousel Time Traveler, where Mirabelle travels once again back in time, this time to 1925 Paris. I am also working on a sweet contemporary Christmas romance between a firefighter and a social media influencer tentatively titled Hearts Aglow Under Mistletoe.
Learn More About the Author and A Tryst in Paris:
Twitter: @ArmisteadAnne
Facebook: @ArmisteadAnne
Instagram: @annearmisteadauthor
Website: https://www.annearmisteadauthor.com/
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