Summary: This week I am chatting with editor and author KJ Charles about lots and lots of different things. She started out as a Mills & Boon editor and then moved to writing, so she has a lot of perspective on the writing and edition process. We discuss plot, character, use of language, editing, and writing romance, especially in various historical periods. Some of the audio is a bit muddy in the recording, and my apologies for that. We discuss what plot and structure are doing in a story, and spend even more time on examining what erasure does in historical settings. When people of color, people of different classes, queer people are erased from history, that has consequences, and Charles has a lot to say about those issues, especially why it matters right now that history is actively rewritten as entirely white, rich, cis gendered and heterosexual. Other topics we discuss include: Fan art, and works inspired by her books and characters - she has a gallery! Use of magic in historical settings World building rules that make for effective stories Is there such a thing as correct use of a language? (Spoiler: not) How being an editor influenced her writing, and vice versa The importance of own voices in LGBT romance and in historical romance, and of representation of accurate history The distinction between inclusion of diverse characters and writing experiences that are not one’s own Big thanks to the Patreon community for questions and enthusiasm about this interview!
