Photo: Margaret Bennett, celebrated author of Regency romance novels, shares her creative journey and inspirations
Celebrating the Charm of Regency Romance
Margaret Bennett shares her journey from hobbyist to bestselling author, creating historically rich and humorous Regency romance novels with strong, resourceful female leads.
Margaret Bennett, an esteemed author known for her captivating Regency romance novels, has shared insights on her journey from a hobby writer to a published author in an exclusive interview with Reader’s House magazine. Bennett, who spent much of her life in Norfolk, VA, and is married to a retired naval officer, has a rich and varied professional background. Her career has spanned roles such as a bank teller, ad agency executive, real estate agent, and long-distance telephone operator. As a holder of a Master of Education from the University of Virginia and National Board Certification, Bennett dedicated over twenty years to teaching high school Language Arts, including nine years in alternative education for at-risk students.
Her passion for writing Regency romances was sparked by her admiration for Georgette Heyer, whose masterful creation of vivid settings, character descriptions, and unique voice infused with humor greatly influenced Bennett’s own writing style. Bennett aims to incorporate humor into her stories, reflecting Heyer’s attention to historical detail and the charm of the Regency era.
Margaret Bennett masterfully intertwines historical accuracy with captivating storytelling, bringing the Regency era to life through compelling narratives and unforgettable characters.
Bennett’s approach to crafting strong, resourceful female characters is inspired by the historical limitations women faced during the Regency period. She imagines the additional challenges these characters would encounter, given the few opportunities available to women at the time, and positions them in scenarios that require exceptional character and the courage to challenge societal norms, while remaining true to the era.
The transition from writing as a hobby to becoming a published author was not without its difficulties, as Bennett experienced numerous rejections before finding success through Kindle Direct Publishing. Her second online publication, “A Hopeless Hoyden,” became an Amazon bestseller, marking her breakthrough in the literary world.
Balancing historical accuracy with creative freedom is a key aspect of Bennett’s storytelling. While striving for authenticity, she acknowledges the occasional need for poetic license to enhance her narratives. This awareness stems from the importance of research and the influence of reader feedback, which Bennett values greatly as it helps her grow and refine her craft.
Margaret’s writing process is one of discipline and spontaneity, woven throughout her daily routine. With aspirations to write for at least two hours a day, she often finds inspiration during walks with her dog, Sally, or in the quiet moments of the night, leading to impromptu sleeping arrangements on the couch. Bennett stresses the importance of capturing ideas in the moment to preserve their original energy and excitement.
Reader feedback and reviews have been instrumental in shaping Bennett’s development as a writer. She actively seeks to please her readers while addressing constructive criticism, although she notes that some complaints stem from unfamiliarity with the Regency romance genre.
Offering advice to aspiring authors, Bennett emphasizes reading extensively within one’s chosen genre and studying the styles of established authors. Writing regularly and engaging with local writers’ groups, she suggests, are essential steps to honing one’s craft. She recalls transformative experiences with visiting lecturers whose inspiring advice helped her refine her writing skills, underscoring the importance of perseverance and the willingness to edit and improve upon initial drafts.
This article is based on the interview published in Reader’s House magazine with Margaret Bennett, highlighting her inspiring journey and contributions to the world of historical romance literature.
