Also, after watching a documentary about Alice Guy, I became obsessed with the burgeoning silent movie industry and the role this French pioneer filmmaker played in it, so I wanted to involve her as a character in the story.

Anne Armistead – 5 August 2023

The Back Flap

Mirabelle Montgomery is a reluctant time traveler stranded in 1900 Paris until she proves the dangerously sexy Jacques Thibaut innocent of a crime . . . but their falling in love could jeopardize everything.

About the book

What is the book about?

When Mirabelle Montgomery visits the Luxembourg Carousel in Paris, a mysterious time shifter sweeps her into the Carousel’s time travel vortex and transports her to 1900 Paris. Her return will be allowed once she completes her mission to restore a man’s fate gone wrong. But whose? Upon meeting dangerously sexy Jacques Thibaut, Mirabelle believes she has found her man. His life’s purpose as a stellar police detective has been derailed by accusations of his plotting with anarchists to overthrow the French government. If she proves Jacques to be innocent, his life will be reset to its rightful providence. He will win back his job and those who once believed in him, including the woman he planned to marry. Mirabelle’s determination to complete her mission kindles passion between them. But their falling in love will jeopardize everything, for his true destiny does not include her. Besides, even if her heart desires, she cannot remain in 1900 Paris  . . .  can she? Join Mirabelle Montgomery and her adventures as a time traveler in Paris of the past. A Tryst in Paris is Book One of The Carousel Time Traveler series.

When did you start writing the book?

2021

How long did it take you to write it?

Two years

Where did you get the idea from?

A photo from 1900 showing a woman falling off the moving sidewalk of the 1900 Paris Exhibition prompted my imagination about a contemporary woman being propelled back in time and landing on this moving sidewalk, falling against someone who draws her into an adventure. Also, after watching a documentary about Alice Guy, I became obsessed with the burgeoning silent movie industry and the role this French pioneer filmmaker played in it, so I wanted to involve her as a character in the story. And finally, Jan Agnello, my collaborator for With Kisses from Cécile, a historical romance awarded the 2020 Georgia Independent Author Award in historical fiction, is a jewelry designer who makes necklaces from antique coin purses. This gave me the idea of my protagonist finding an intriguing message in an antique coin purse that lures her to the Luxemburg Carousel, which is the time travel portal.

Were there any parts of the book where you struggled?

My main struggle was creating a happy-ever-after ending for two people who live over a century apart.

Are your characters entirely fictitious or have you borrowed from real world people you know?

I borrowed real world people from 1900 Paris, including Alice Guy, Jeanne Paquin, Mary Cassatt, Adolphe LePrince, and Loïe Fuller.

We all know how important it is for writers to read. Are there any particular authors that have influenced how you write and, if so, how have they influenced you?

In particular to the time travel genre, of course the author Diana Gabaldon and her Outlander series has been a particular influence, especially how she handles the portal and time travel rules. For instance, I decided to make the present time static while my protagonist time travels while in Outlander present day continues onward during the protagonist time travels. She also has several locations from where one can enter the time portals, while I decided the Luxembourg Carousel to be my only portal. Also, in Outlander time travel, gems are important to protect the body from the impact of time travel, which helped me think about how my protagonist is physically impacted by her travel through the portal.

I love historical romance authors Beatrice Williams, Lauren Willig, Karen White, Jennifer Robson. My goal is to write with the same level of historical detail in regard to setting, fashion, and societal mores as they do.

Do you have a target reader?

My target readers are those who love romance in historical settings and can suspend reality enough to accept the idea of traveling back in time, as well as everyone who loves Paris.

About Writing

Do you have a writing process? If so can you please describe it?

My goal is to write a scene a day, minimum. Every scene serves a specific purpose in the story, so I sketch out what that is before I start to write by determining the scene’s goal, purpose, and resolution. I use Word, and I have only the document open as I write (no internet or email or social media) as well as I mute my phone for no interruptions. If I need researched detail (such as fashion or setting, etc.), I place in all caps RESEARCH XXX (XXX is the specific detail I need to research) and continue with the gist of the scene. After I complete what I can for the scene, I then do the necessary research and add what I’ve learned to the scene to round it out fully. At this point I pay attention to the sensory details, adding in what fleshes out sensory impressions. After the scene is drafted, I go back and read through to the new scene to ensure it flows and accomplishes moving the story forward.

Do you outline? If so, do you do so extensively or just chapter headings and a couple of sentences?

I start with these pivotal questions: 1) Whose story is it? 2) What does she/he want? 3) Who/what is blocking them from achieving it? 4) What do they do to overcome the obstacles? 5) What is at stake if they can’t? 6) Why should the reader care?  I create the answers to these questions for the main protagonists as well as the secondary characters who have their own sub-story arc.

I map the story into a three-act structure using the journey of the hero paradigm (I am teaching a workshop about this at the Georgia Romance Writers’ Moonlight and Magnolias conference in October 2023).

I do not rigidly adhere to the outline but allow deviation as the characters take hold of the story. But having the main points delineated gives me anchors in the story to write toward and helps me avoid the muddy middle.

Do you edit as you go or wait until you’ve finished?

I lightly edit as I go only to ensure the character and plot arcs are moving forward and that each scene contains sensory impressions. overall purpose. Once I’ve finished the draft, I do multiple edits, each focusing on one element. First, I do developmental editing, which is like a big picture editing of the plot, structure, characterization, pace, viewpoint, narrative style, and tense. Then I do line editing to strengthen the writing on a sentence level, including word choices and dialogue. Next, I do copywrite editing to identify any inconsistencies with elements such as chapter numbering, spelling, etc. Lastly, I proofread for things such as typos and layout issues.

Do you listen to music while you write? If yes, what gets the fingers tapping?

I do not listen to music while I write. I prefer a quiet environment, but I do always have a candle burning that I’ve chosen specifically for the book I’m working on. For A Tryst in Paris, I’ve been burning a candle called “Midnight in Paris” with the aroma of sandalwood, sweet vanilla, and  musk. I do create a playlist to listen to while on walks and while brainstorming. I add songs as the story develops. Here’s the link to the playlist on Spotify.

About Publishing

Did you submit your work to Agents?

No

What made you decide to go Indie, whether self-publishing or with an indie publisher? Was it a particular event or a gradual process?

I had a relationship with Soul Mate Publishing who published my debut novel Dangerous Conjurings, and I was happy that they wanted to work with me to publish A Tryst in TIme.

Did you get your book cover professionally done or did you do it yourself?

Soul Mate Publishing had a cover artist create it. I submitted my preference for the models used and the idea that the cover needed to portray 1900 Paris.

Do you have a marketing plan for the book or are you just winging it?

I have a plan for approaching bloggers with whom I’ve worked before, creating book trailers, posting social media, and distributing my newsletter to let my readers know about its release.

Any advice that you would like to give to other newbies considering becoming Indie authors?

Series help get you established and establish you a fan base. Establish a marketing budget and choose wisely where to put those dollars. Be sure you have a website you keep updated. Have a presence on social media and post regularly, even if you only are active on one. (Nothing looks more unappealing to readers looking at you than a stagnant website and social media accounts!) Use every opportunity to capture email addresses to create a distribution list for a newsletter. Reach out and support other indie authors.

About You

Where did you grow up?

Atlanta, Georgia

Where do you live now?

Atlanta, Georgia

What would you like readers to know about you?

I am on the board for the non-profit organization THE FEENEY LEGACY PROJECT, whose mission is to advocate for the public to act immediately to save lives by calling 911 and administering CPR to one in medical distress. My nephew collapsed and died from cardiac arrest, and no bystander or friend with him attempted to save his life. His mom started this non-profit dedicated to his memory. Learning hands-only CPR takes only a few minutes and equips you to take lifesaving action. The power is in your hands. The life you save may be that of a family member.

#besomeonessecondchance #call911 #CPRsaveslives #AEDsaves lives

Learn more at https://www.feeneylegacyproject.org

What are you working on now?

Book Two of The Carousel Time Traveler and a sweet contemporary Christmas romance.

End of Interview:

For more from Anne Armistead visit her website and follow her on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

Get your copy of A Tryst in Paris from Amazon US or Amazon UK.