Charting Uncharted Waters: A Conversation with a Pirate Romance Novelist - Raelle Logan

 

A Conversation with a Pirate Romance Novelist, Raelle Logan

Introduction and Background:

Can you tell us a bit about yourself and how you got started as a romance novelist? 

I have always been interested in writing. I loved words and learning about how to construct stories.  Strangely, the first book I wrote was a Western, it was written when I was super young, influenced by my father’s love for John Wayne movies, no, the book no longer exists, it has since been lost to the trash, as I was nowhere near prepared at that point to write anything of substance. My romance writing career actually began in 1996 when a neighbor tossed an old used laptop over our wood fence to my husband, the neighbor wanted to give the laptop to my husband as a donation to his car racing career.  After we got the laptop, it collected dust upon our table, unused until one day I got curious and turned on the computer to check it out.  Goofing around, I began writing a story on the notepad and, much to my surprise, words streamed onto the white canvas screen.  To that day, I had been a voracious reader of historical romance books and had been since I was a teen, my supply of books was continuously delivered by my mom who worked at a library. When I couldn’t save the story that I wrote on the laptop, I rushed out to the nearest electronics store and purchased a computer.  The story resumed and is now published.

What inspired you to specialize in historical and pirate-themed romance novels?  

I never intended to write about pirates, historical, yes, I love the historical romance genre, pirates, no. What I thought I would write was a story about damsels-in-distress with knights bedecked in shining armor and castles, medieval stories.  What I discovered over time is that the characters I write about traverse their own adventurous path, I am merely the person who types the words onto a page and presents the story for others to read.  This, therefore, explains how I began writing about pirates, they just stormed their way into the story as the raiders they have always been.

Writing Process:

How do you approach the research process for historical settings in your novels?  

Once I began writing my first pirate book on the laptop, I realized one horrible truth… I knew absolutely nothing about pirates!  Who are these people?  Why did they become pirates?  Was anything I had seen in the movies or read in fiction books true?  Aware that I had to find out the truth and wanting to present my stories as authentically as possible, I jumped in my car and drove to the nearest book store with all haste. I bought countless nonfiction historical books on pirates and learned everything I could about them.  I read about ships, swords, cutlasses, clothing, pistols, you name it. Such began a journey into research that took over year to complete and no writing continued during that time.  I also read the dictionary to find and highlight words that were available in the time period I write in so as not to use modern words which didn’t exist.  It became an obsession to uncover as much information as possible.  What I didn’t know, I could find out through historical books.  

Can you share some insights into your writing routine and habits when working on a new book?

I don’t have a routine that I adhere to, quite honestly. I try to write daily, usually for an hour or two, perhaps longer if the muse persists.  I write when an idea strikes me and the book usually takes off from there. Many times, ideas spring to life while I’m sleeping. 

What challenges do you face when blending historical accuracy with romantic fiction, especially in pirate-themed stories?  

It is an enormous challenge to meld history with fiction, a weighty challenge I was not prepared for when I began writing, I have to admit.  The amount of constant research makes writing historical and pirate writing difficult, as from the ships themselves to the conversations between the ship’s crew, duties for the crew and captain, female and male clothing and speech, descriptions of pistols, cannon and a multitude of descriptions of everything related to the story and all of the pirates involved must be kept to as accurate possible without becoming a nonfiction history manuscript, it can be frustrating.  There have been times when I wished that I had written contemporary fiction, however, I love my stories and the intriguing characters are so fun to bring to life.  I guess I love a challenge because writing about pirates takes a ton of effort.  I hope I have achieved my goal… which is to spin tales of adventure with strong heroes and the dazzling, courageous women who keep their men on the chase.

Character Development:

How do you go about creating compelling and authentic characters for your historical romance novels?

I do not plot out my story or my characters with an outline, as some authors do because my stories tend to vault off a cliff and outlines only frustrate me. I allow my characters to develop on their own.  As the manuscript proceeds along its lengthy course, the characters many traits, good or evil, are revealed, step by step. I have found that if I grant the book its ability to go where it wants, then everything comes into focus, and we’ll discover what motivates each individual character and has brought them to where they are in the story.  Seeing how each character develops through the book over time is part of the writing process that is extremely enjoyable.   

Do you draw inspiration from real historical figures or events when developing characters or plotlines? 

I actually do not use historical figures or events in developing my characters or for my plots, I’d rather my stories and characters be unique and totally unknown.  I have used historical figures in my stories, usually kings and queens.  

Pirate Themes:

What fascinates you about pirate culture, and how does it influence your storytelling?  

The main fascination I have with pirates is that they were free to chose their own destiny, they were in no way burdened by a strict society’s rules, they jumped aboard a ship and sailed where the wind and water took them.  They lived as they wanted, did whatever they wanted, good or bad, they lived with few rules and a devil-may-care attitude, which is appealing, such is probably why most of us are fascinated by them.  How pirates lived influences my stories mainly with the female characters who have been tied down to an unbending, harsh society and how a woman should be bashful and submissive. I take my ladies from that subservient, structured life and pitch them into chaos, throwing their obedience overboard as soon as they step aboard a ship and confront a man who thinks he’s in control, he soon finds he is not and he’s about to taken on a journey he never imagined.  My ladies take their men on a wild ocean ride.

How do you balance the romantic elements with the adventurous and often dangerous world of pirates in your novels?  

It does take a bit of trickery.  I have to deal with barbaric ship attacks, sword fights are included in my books, and I do paint a brutal and bloody reality for all of my characters, female and male, the scenes are realistic.  My main characters recognize that sailing aboard a ship has its horrors, its risks and dangers, but they also cannot deny their insatiable desire for each other, so regardless of those risks, regardless of the terrors associated with the lawless pirate world, they are able to cast all of that danger aside for love. The question is… what wouldn’t you do for love?

Reader Connection:

What do you hope readers take away from your historical romance novels, particularly those set in pirate settings?  

I’ve always said that I want my readers to be as a fly on the wall, to feel as if they are living in the story with my characters, going through whatever is occurring whether it’s a battle aboard the ship or a dance within a manor on a tropical island, witnessing everything that happens as if they are one of my characters. I want my readers to be captivated by the authenticity of my writing, to be mesmerized and come back starved for more.

Favorite Works:

Do you have a favorite book or series that you've written, and if so, what makes it special to you?

I have never been able to choose a favorite book.  Each story is a standalone, all the characters and stories surrounding them are different and unique, therefore, each one is a favorite for me.

  

Industry Insights:

How do you perceive the current landscape of the romance novel industry, especially within historical and pirate genres? 

With pirate stories, unfortunately, I’ve found not many authors are adhering to accuracy, which bothers me because I want to read other authors’ pirate books.  The sad fact that some historical books are so under researched and the authors are merely applying modern wording that didn’t exist in the time period they are writing in, well, that turns me away.  If people want to write historical, research is a must, or it should be, a historical book should be written with as much accuracy as possible.  If the required research is not worth the time it takes for writing authentically, then I would not write the story.  

Have you noticed any trends or shifts in reader preferences over the years, and how do you adapt to them?  

I don’t adapt to trends, or what is popular at any time.  I’ve always been a bit of a rogue, which is probably one of the reasons for why I write about pirates, they fit me, I am what they were… a misfit.   

Advice for Aspiring Writers:

What advice would you give to aspiring romance novelists, especially those interested in historical or pirate themes?  

Research, research, research.  If you love history and you don’t mind doing research, then jump on your computer or grab a pen and paper and go for it.  Write your story.

How do you handle writer's block or moments of creative challenge in your writing process?  

I take a break, even a long one, if necessary.  I have found that you cannot force yourself to write, if it isn’t working for you, then you may be too stressed, or tired, or life just may be getting in the way.  The stories will come to you but when they want.

Future Projects:

Can you share any details about upcoming projects or novels you're currently working on?  

I am currently working on another pirate book.  It is going very slowly, as my books usually take up to a year or longer to write. It is about a young woman whose world is torn apart when she discovers that she has been lied to about who she really is.  Intrigued? 

Are there new themes or settings you're excited to explore in your future works?  

I’m planning on sticking with my pirate genre, as it is what excites me to write.  I do have a thought about switching things up a little.  We’ll see how that turns out. 

Closing thoughts:

How do you see the future of historical and pirate-themed romance novels evolving, and where do you see yourself in that landscape? 

 

I believe historical romance will do extremely well in the future, it has for many years, there’s no reason to think that will change.  The book industry, unfortunately, has evolved to where it is difficult for authors to make a full time living at being a writer, I believe that needs to change or we will lose a lot of great authors.  I hope that the brick book stores that you can actually walk into can make a comeback, as it is a shame that so many of them have been lost. As for pirate books, I believe there will always be a desire to read about pirates, they are alluring, seductive and mesmerizing, whether it is my books or someone else’s books that are read doesn’t matter, pirates will always entice, their world is tantalizing, dangerous, unruly and lawless.  My hope is that the future is full voracious readers and that writers will continue to fulfill the need and do so in whatever genre sparks their imaginations.  

I want to thank you for this interview, I appreciate you taking the time for me.  I, as well, want to thank all of my wonderful readers for giving me the chance to entertain them with my pirate books.

Raelle Logan Socials

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Review of Raelle Logan Interview

Introduction and Background:

The novelist's journey from an early interest in writing, influenced by diverse genres, to becoming a romance writer is fascinating. The serendipitous start to her romance writing career in 1996, thanks to a discarded laptop, highlights the unpredictable nature of creative inspiration. Her transition from a Western genre enthusiast to a historical romance writer showcases her versatility and adaptability as an author.

Inspiration:

Her pivot from medieval stories to pirate-themed romance is a testament to her ability to let characters guide her storytelling. This approach allows for organic and dynamic narrative development, making her works more engaging and less predictable.

Writing Process:

Her detailed research process, including exhaustive studies on historical aspects of piracy, reflects her commitment to authenticity. The lack of a rigid writing routine and reliance on spontaneous inspiration speaks to her fluid creative process, which seems to work well for her style of storytelling.

Character Development:

Her method of allowing characters to evolve naturally over the course of writing is intriguing. It suggests a deep understanding and connection with her characters, which likely translates into more relatable and multidimensional characters for her readers.

Pirate Themes:

Her fascination with pirate culture's freedom and nonconformity significantly influences her storytelling, especially in developing strong, independent female characters. This perspective breathes life into a genre that can often be clichéd, making her novels stand out.

Reader Connection:

Her goal of immersing readers in her stories is ambitious and speaks to her desire to create engaging and memorable reading experiences. This approach likely contributes to her ability to maintain a loyal readership.

Favorite Works:

Her inability to choose a favorite book suggests a deep connection to all her works, indicating a genuine passion for storytelling and a consistent quality across her novels.

Industry Insights:

Her critique of the lack of historical accuracy in some contemporary pirate-themed novels indicates a concern for the integrity of the genre. This perspective sets her apart as an author committed to authenticity.

Advice for Aspiring Writers:

Her emphasis on the importance of research for historical genres is invaluable advice for new writers. It underscores the necessity of a strong foundation in historical knowledge to create believable and engaging historical fiction.

Future Projects:

Her continued focus on pirate themes and openness to exploring new ideas within this realm shows a dedication to her niche, promising fresh and exciting content for her readers.

Closing Thoughts:

Her views on the future of historical and pirate-themed romance novels are optimistic yet realistic, acknowledging both the challenges and opportunities within the industry.

Overall Impression:

This interview provides a deep insight into the mind and creative process of a dedicated historical and pirate-themed romance novelist. Her commitment to authenticity, character development, and reader engagement makes her a notable author in her genre. Her passion for storytelling, coupled with a unique approach to narrative development, sets her apart in the world of historical romance.