Heather’s Bookshelf: Author Interview with Heather Frost
Book Title: Esperance
Released: 11/18/22
Genre: NA Fantasy/Romance
Interview by Heather L. Barksdale
What inspired you to write “Esperance”?
Frost: I was actually at a writing conference, and between presenting on panels, I slipped into a presentation on generating story ideas. The presenters spoke about how inspiration is all around us, and how we can add depth to our stories by looking at other cultures, and history. As an example, one of them brought up the fact that a lot of European countries would make marriage alliances not strictly between a prince or princess, but between noble families. That caught in my mind, and I thought—what if you had MULTIPLE arranged marriages happening at the same time? What if they all had to live in the same place for the first year of their marriage? What if one of them wasn’t who they said they were? What if some of them weren’t there for peace at all? The characters took shape, and the plot fell into place.
How did you come up with the names of your main characters?
Frost: Naming characters is so fun, and I feel like I change up my process nearly every time! Carver came to me very easily; it literally just fell into my head, and I latched onto it because it’s unique, sexy, and sounds slightly dangerous. Which is perfect for our favorite general! Amryn was a little trickier. I knew I wanted something that sounded gentle, but a little mysterious. I literally just started smashing names together; I loved the “rin” sound, and “Amy” stuck out, though Amy was too modern for this fantasy romance. I really love how the blend of those two names eventually worked out, though!
Is there anything that you want readers to know about you, your writing process or your book?
Frost: Well, I’ve always loved stories, so being able to write full-time is a literal dream come true for me. I wrote my first novel when I was 12, and I haven’t stopped writing since. Esperance was an idea I got a few years ago, and it took until now to finally get it how I wanted it—the slow-burn romance, the high-stakes murder mystery, the enemies-to-lovers, the balance of humor and danger. I’m so proud of this book, and I’ve loved the overwhelmingly positive response Esperance has received from readers. They seem to love Amryn and Carver’s story as much as I do, and that feels amazing.
If "Esperance" was adapted into a movie, who would you like to see cast to play your lead characters?
Frost: Oh my gosh, I don’t even know. I think I would love to see some lesser-known actors take on the roles, just because I think the movie can feel more immersive when you don’t know who the actors are.
When you encounter writer’s block, what do you do to break yourself out of it?
Frost: There are a few different things that have worked for me in the past. Usually I try switching to another project; sometimes the new characters help me remember why I love writing. A few other things that have helped me are: write a short story (either unrelated to the project I’m blocked on, or a short story from a character’s past, or alternate POV); clean the house or go on a drive; read a book or watch a movie (it can help re-inspire me!); interview my characters (or villain) to see if that helps solve the block.
Are there any tips that you would like to share with other aspiring authors?
Frost: My best advice probably sounds so simple, but it’s what got me where I am today. The advice? Don’t give up. It may sound cheesy, but persistence makes all the difference. You will meet resistance. You will struggle with the words, and the publishing process. You will face rejection. If you stop trying, you won’t ever be published. So don’t stop trying. Believe in yourself and your dream. Keep writing. Keep trying to share your story with the world. There are so many different ways to publish now, so find the one that works for you and make your dreams come true.
What is your favorite genre, book, and/or author?
Frost: Fantasy and romance are my favorites, so it makes sense that I like to blend them. Some favorite authors include Sarah J. Maas, Mary E. Pearson, Rebecca Zanetti, and a newly discovered favorite is Mia Sheridan.
What are you working on next?
Frost: I’m currently working on editing book 4 of my Fate of Eyrinthia series, which will be out in April. When I’m done with that, I’ll dive into writing the sequel to Esperance—and I’m very excited for that!
Learn More About the Author and Esperance:
IG: https://www.instagram.com/heather.frost.author/
FB: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorHeatherFrost/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/heatherfrost
Website: https://www.heatherfrost.com/
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4983261.Heather_Frost
Interested in checking out the book for yourself?
Find it for purchase here or Kindle Unlimited
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