The idea for SO ENCHANTING is years old, the result of a weekend book plotting group and a deep seated tendency to be skeptical– okay, to scoff.
Scoffing is not only my regional prerogative (no one scoffs at the paranormal quite as politely–or thoroughly– as a practical midwesterner) but my nature. Yup. I was the kid who explained to all the other kids there was no Santa Claus. (And if you’re reading this Mrs. Johnson, Judy was eight years old fer chrissake. Let it go!) When my panicked neighbor’s house turned up “haunted,’ it was me who finally discovered that a feral cat had found a way into his garage attic and from there down between the wall studs where she’d had her kittens. (Apparently, if you’re in the right frame of mind, newborn kittens sound exactly like ghosts. Who’da thunk?)
So when we began discussing possible paranormal plots, it was only natural that I gravitated toward stories that dealt with the illusion of the paranormal.
Now, sometimes writing a book is like starting with a big kettle of water that you drop ingredients into and then distill down to a tight, flavorful broth of a story. Other times, you begin with a bouillon cube and add juicy bits until you have rich soup. SO ENCHANTING began as a bouillon cube.
I pictured the town in “High Noon” only it was Scotland, not Texas, and instead of Gary Cooper facing off against Ian McDonald, I imagined a young girl in a Parisian gown squaring off with a scrawny old hag.The two protagonists face each other, the townspeople gather, and a showdown begins. But rather than trading gunfire, my combatants trade incantations and the girl is spouting latin idioms to counter the old lady’s verbal moonshine (“By the Cloven Hoof of Beezlekaneeber!”)
Of course, after I had that initial scene, I had to come up with a backstory to explain why a girl in a Parisian dress was in a tiny, backwater hamlet in the Scottish Highlands and how she got there. I had no idea that the story I would end up writing wasn’t really hers at all, but instead, that of her companion and governess, Francesca Walcott, a discredited one-time spiritualist who possesses just the tiniest portion of something I can’t quite bring myself to call magic, but will admit is pretty amazing.
I shouldn’t have been surprised. Like I said, I’m much more interested in how people react to the idea of magic, why they want to much to believe, and what happens when they realize they’ve been deceived, than levitating monkeys. And when my hero arrived in town to investigate strange goings on, it all began to fall into place, because not only is Greyson Sheffield a man who is blunt and autocratic and most decidedly does not believe in magic, but he is also the man who was responsible for exposing Francesca as a charlatan.
Theirs ended up being a story about letting go of pride, prejudices and preconceptions, and in the end, taking a giant a leap of faith that leads to love. In other words…magic.
How about you? Are you a skeptic or a believer? Is magic something we can control or something wild and intractable? Is ti all around us or as rare as snow in June?
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J Perry Stone
on Feb 3rd, 2009
@ 9:54 am:
Oh NOW I know why I love Grey so much ……. HE’S YOU (you who is also my dad’s personality twin, although you were born decades later
!!!!!! That’s why he’s so familiar and lovable to me.
I love finding out about the weird inspirations that led you to a scene. That scene with the hag and Amelie IS a western.
I LOVE this book, Connie. If anyone misses reading it, they’re missing the most unusual historical of the year. And one of the hottest. The tension is taut, the characters so alive, I feel I could reach out and pinch them. Plus the plot is super twisted.
Like you.
As for magic … I don’t want to say. What I will say is that my dad rolls his eyes and makes fun of me. I’m guessing you would too.
PJ
on Feb 3rd, 2009
@ 10:05 am:
First things first. Great picture! Who wouldn’t fall in love with that face? (The dog, Brockway!)
I’m hoping to read So Enchanting this week. It sounds fascinating and Santa has been raving about it. It’s been a long wait between Brockway historicals.
I love to read about magic. Not so sure I believe in it but who knows? Some things are just unexplainable.
PJ
on Feb 3rd, 2009
@ 10:08 am:
Yup. I was the kid who explained to all the other kids there was no Santa Claus. (And if you’re reading this Mrs. Johnson, Judy was eight years old fer chrissake. Let it go!)
Ah yes, there’s that trademark Brockway snark we all love…and MISS!
Kati
on Feb 3rd, 2009
@ 10:15 am:
*waving madly*
Hi Connie! I’m SO glad to see you here and am thrilled that you’ve written another historical. I was definitely one of your readers who suffered much gnashing of teeth when you decided to start writing contemporaries. To detour for just a moment, Captain Jack Seward from ALL THROUGH THE NIGHT remains one of my all time favorite heroes EVAR!
I’d say that I’m a believer. Mostly because I feel like I’m too ignorant of all the facts to say with 100% authority that there isn’t the possibility of magic and paranormal activities out there. But I also think there are a lot of charlatans out there. But I think you have to be open to the possibilities, you know? What if it’s out there and you deny it and never experience it.
DarleneW
on Feb 3rd, 2009
@ 10:21 am:
I read the McClairen’s Isle trilogy and I really liked it so I am looking forward to your new book. As for believeing…. let’s just say I keep a very open mind…. things happen that I can’t explain… or maybe I can but do I really want to? Sometimes believeing in magic is what we need to do or is the more enjoyable reason to an event than to say…. I was late because I slept in … sounds lazy… to say I was meant to be late to avoid an accident makes magic/destiny whatever sound so much better. lol
terrio
on Feb 3rd, 2009
@ 10:49 am:
I read about this book in Eloisa James’ B&N article yesterday and determined I have to read it. I have no interest in paranormal books, but for some reason, anything involving witch craft is fascinating to me. No idea why. I’m like you, VERY practical (does being from Ohio make me a mid-westerner?). But I also have an open mind. Magic of a sort is all around us.
Christina Dodd
on Feb 3rd, 2009
@ 10:53 am:
JPerry said, “NOW I know why I love Grey so much ……. HE’S YOU (you who is also my dad’s personality twin, although you were born decades later.”
Decades? Oh, please.
J Perry Stone
on Feb 3rd, 2009
@ 10:58 am:
I’m sticking with my “decades” LaDodd, no matter how much you bust my, uh, things.
Santa
on Feb 3rd, 2009
@ 11:20 am:
Ola’! I’ve said it before and I’ll keep saying it – buy this book! It IS that good!
I was wondering who Grey reminded me of (and no it wasn’t you Connie or J’s dad) but my Little Man. He’s the practical one in our house. If Banana Head and Baby Girl say they see a giant chocolate shake maker he scoffs, rolls his eyes and states the obvious fact that it’s a cement mixer, darn him.
Maria Lokken
on Feb 3rd, 2009
@ 11:21 am:
La Dodd in the house! *Waving like crazy*.
Connie – I totally believe in magic! It happens every day.
Lucy
on Feb 3rd, 2009
@ 1:04 pm:
Ah Connie, I love your blog and I can’t wait to read So Enchanting. And I’m definitely a believer. I think magic is all around us and when I’m sitting in front of my computer on a snowy day and I can actually hear the silence, I know there is magic in the world.
Holly
on Feb 3rd, 2009
@ 1:15 pm:
Aahh, such a cute pup.
I totally believe in magic, every time my kids do something that makes me proud or smile, why, it makes me feel like I could move mountains. And that really would be magical.
Keira Soleore
on Feb 3rd, 2009
@ 1:29 pm:
(laughing) Only you, Connie, could describe your book as a bouillon cube. OK, so we have a bouillon cube of a High Noon town in Scotland where a hag and an ooh-la-la gown have a go at each other in a Latin v. Magik. Well, if Connie’s publisher is reading this: For heaven’s sake, don’t EVER have Connie write back cover copy for her books or summarize her books anywhere for anyone.
I’m a skeptic and a scaredy-cat. What does that say about me?? Wait, no, don’t answer that question.
With Connie and Xtina, it’s almost like Squawk here. Now, where are Terri, Eloisa, Liz, and Lisa?
Kim
on Feb 3rd, 2009
@ 1:34 pm:
Hey Connie! I can’t wait to read So Enchanting! I’ve been hearing some great stuff.
Connie brockway
on Feb 3rd, 2009
@ 2:58 pm:
Hi! We just landed in the. Big Easy! Plane delays and I’m writing this on my iPhone. Thank you for the warm welcome! I’ll add more as soon as we get to the hotel. Suffice for now to say s mark is my bread and butter. Connie
heidenkind
on Feb 3rd, 2009
@ 3:37 pm:
I wish I had an iPhone. -_-
A new historical from Connie Brockway–how exciting! I actually had no idea this book was coming out until today. I’ll have to traipse down to the bookstore and buy it.
When it comes to magic and the supernatural, I’m kind of like Harry Houdini: I would really, really like to believe in it; but when confronted with people who claim to be able to do magic or see ghosts, I find myself extremely skeptical. You never know, though, it could happen.
Gannon
on Feb 3rd, 2009
@ 3:45 pm:
Hey, Connie! I already told you–but you can never hear it too much, right—I loved SO ENCHANTING! Check my review out here in 4 more days! And you are so right about the scene with Amelie and the hag, it is definitely a Western, but I never thought about it until you said it.
*waving to Christina* So glad you’re here, too, Christina. Where are the rest of the Squawkers?
Oh, yes, I’m a big believer in magic! Or as my husband calls it, “woo woo”, usually while rolling his eyes.
CONNIE BROCKWAY
on Feb 3rd, 2009
@ 4:17 pm:
I’VE ARRIVED!!!
That took longer than expected. And as to where the other Squawkers are– Xtina is the only one who really loves me (and over whom I have incredible blackmail material). Really all of us are on crunch time in our current manuscripts.
I’m so pleased those of you who’ve read SO ENCHANTING like it. The thing I wanted to emphasis about the book is that it’s got that TO CATCH A THIEF vibe–lots of innuendo, taunting, verbal fireworks building up to the “GET A ROOM! fer chrissakes…” climax (ahem)
I was a blast to write about an alpha female and alpha male!
Maria Lokken
on Feb 3rd, 2009
@ 4:20 pm:
I have to ask – What was the biggest challenge writing both hero and heroine alpha?
romancequeen
on Feb 3rd, 2009
@ 4:22 pm:
Connie – I’m such a fan girl! I’m really, really looking forward to my Amazon shipment with your book in it. Yeah!
Do I believe in magic? Hmmm, not so much, although I love seeing it in movies and I love reading about it.
Chareene
on Feb 3rd, 2009
@ 4:28 pm:
Hi Connie! I really enjoyed Skinny Dipping – and now I’m looking forward to sitting back and savoring your new historical. Me, I scoff at the paranormal as well. I had a friend who continually told me she had ghosts in her apartment at night. She couldn’t sleep for weeks and begged me to spend the night. I finally caved and went to her apartment. Turns out the upstairs neighbor, who’s almost 95 doesn’t like to sleep alone, so she plays the radio all night long. Apparently the sounds were drifting through the radiator and my girlfriend thought it was ‘ghosts’. See, for my money, there is ALWAYS a logical explanation.
Lisa H
on Feb 3rd, 2009
@ 4:50 pm:
Hi Connie! I can’t wait to get my hands on your new baby. I don’t know if I believe in magic. More like fate or providence.
I am tremendously delighted to find your writing Historicals again. I hope you write many more.
And I miss you Christina, and all the other Squwakers too!
Karin
on Feb 3rd, 2009
@ 5:20 pm:
Hi Connie! I’ve enjoyed your books in the past and I’m sure I’ll enjoy So Enchanting as well.
While I don’t necessarily believe in magic, I don’t disbelieve in it’s existence either. I like to think I have an open mind because I’m sure there are things out there that I just can’t explain, and even modern science can’t explain. Now, that doesn’t mean they won’t be able to explain it in the future (as a lot of people in the past would’ve believed a lot of modern technology is magic). But, since I believe that miracles can happen, without any kind of logical explanation, I believe that the possibility of magic is real.
Marisa
on Feb 3rd, 2009
@ 6:15 pm:
Hi Connie!
So glad you could be here today! Magic! Did you say magic? I’m a total believer.
Andrea
on Feb 3rd, 2009
@ 7:11 pm:
Is anyone else singing DO YOU BELIEVE IN MAGIC…?
Hi, Connie!! Welcome back to RNTV. I keep hearing nothing but good things about SO ENCHANTING (especially from J)! It sounds wonderful.
As for magic, I’m not much of a believer. I’m a pretty practical person when it comes to most things, though I do so love to read about and watch movie magic.
connIE BROCKWAY
on Feb 3rd, 2009
@ 7:37 pm:
Alpha male and alpha females spend a lot of time snarling at each other—the trick is to make the reader see the attraction beneath the snarling and make sure nothing they say sounds too petty or mean-spirited at the same time as it’s direct and incisive.
I’ll tell you all what’s magic…. OYTERS FRIED IN LARD!
oops. Sorry my enthusiasms got away with me.
I hope to be able to continue to write in both genres simply because I think it keeps me fresh. I have something of a problem with getting bored easily. (Never made the same recipe twice the same way) This way I caqn tact back and forth!
pambook
on Feb 3rd, 2009
@ 9:05 pm:
Hi Connie, I wish my copy would hurry up and get hear so I can start reading. I’m more practical and logical and can be somewhat skeptical, yet at the same time I’m open-minded to all possibilities, so while I’m not sure about magical things being real, I believe in the possibility.
Santa
on Feb 3rd, 2009
@ 9:51 pm:
I didn’t realize you’d be in N’Orleans today! What lucky ducks! Are you going by Anne Rice’s place? I hope you all have a blast and this project takes flight!
connIE BROCKWAY
on Feb 3rd, 2009
@ 10:11 pm:
I wish you all could start reading, too!
I am an avowed fence straddler. I don’t believe but I don’t disbelieve.
I know. Wish. Wash.