Musa Monday: Eva Scott

Eva Scott is a Musa author who is also an Romance of Australia member. Great to see fellow Aussies with Musa! 

Your most recent release is The Marriage Makeover (out with Musa Publishing on the 24th May). Can you describe this book for us?

A Marriage Makeover is a bit of a departure for me. It deals with the serious issue of SIDs and marriage breakdown between childhood sweethearts. The story isn’t all gloom and doom. There is some lightness and humour in the form of Talia’s best friend Davan and little dog with attitude.

Please tell us a little about your road to publication.

It all began with an entry into the RWA Emerald Awards. I came fourth and that really encouraged me to send my manuscript out to publishers. Of course I had rejections but I had some really great feedback too which changed my writing for the better. I’ll always be grateful for those rejection emails! Then I landed a contract with Musa Publishing and the rest is history.

You write both contemporary romance and ancient historical romance. What has attracted you to these genres?

I’ve always read both avidly. I began in contemporary before dipping into historical as a result of a call out for a short story anthology. I hadn’t meant to write historical before that! I liked the story so much I kept it and lengthened it. I couldn’t leave my characters – I needed to know more about them.

Are you a plotter? Pantser? Or somewhere in between?

I’m half and half. I’ll spend some time plotting things out. I like to peg out the characters, the main plot point and the outline for the story chapter by chapter for example. Then I get writing and let the characters take me where they will. Sometimes it’s in a completely different direction to the one I planned for them.

What are you working on now? And what’s in the near future for Eva Scott?

I’m half way through my second historical called The Barbarian Bride. It’s about one of the minor characters who appears in The Last Gladiatrix. My editor was curious as to what happened to her so we get to find out. After that, who knows? I think I might write something more contemporary for a change of pace.

What is your favourite part of the process of writing?

That first rush when a storyline comes to you. It’s a magical moment in time (before the reality of writer’s block and plot tangles get in the way).

What are you currently reading?

Cassandra Clare’s City of Fallen Angels. It’s the fourth book in the series and I’m off to the library to pick up number five. I’m addicted. 

What would be your ultimate research trip?

To Central America where I want to set a steam punk story I’ve been tinkering with. And really just because I’ve never been to Central American and I’d like to go.... 

~~~

Thanks, Eva!

You can visit Eva on her website, blog, and Twitter. 

Check out A Marriage Makeover's blurb

Nick and Talia Carmichael were childhood sweethearts. Grief over the death of their baby daughter from Sudden Infant Death Syndrome crushed their marriage.

Talia moved to a new city, with a new career and life. Now it’s time to close the door on the past and ask Nick for a divorce.

Nick has other ideas. Once his wife, always his wife. He has no intention of letting Talia off so lightly and proposes terms and conditions to his agreement. It will mean moving back into their marital home, and force her to face long buried grief. Can she do as he asks?

Being with Nick causes her to question everything she thought was true. Has she made a mistake thinking her love for Nick is dead? Can he still love her? More importantly, can he again trust after everything they’ve been through?