In this captivating interview, Gigi Robbins invites us to explore the deeply personal inspirations behind her novel Elizabeth: A Rose Among Thorns. Through a blend of historical fiction and romance, Gigi skillfully weaves her own life experiences into the emotional journey of her protagonist. Her perseverance as a single mother balancing multiple roles shines through, as she speaks candidly about overcoming challenges, the cathartic nature of writing, and the hope that her story might inspire readers to find their own strength. With heart and resilience, Gigi shows that storytelling is not only an art but a path to healing and connection.
1. Can you tell us about the inspiration behind “Elizabeth: A Rose Among Thorns”?
My inspiration behind my novel stemmed from certain aspects of the story that paralleled some of my own experiences as an adolescent. Even though it was a fictional family, occasionally, it felt a little too close to home, since I could relate to the emotional chaos Elizabeth endured. Although I was reluctant, I persevered and allowed my heart and imagination to do the storytelling. Ironically, it became a cathartic experience later on as I continued to write. It was as if I was rewriting my past, but experiencing it through the eyes of Elizabeth with incomparable resilience.
2. How did “Little Women” and “Legends of the Fall” impact your writing process and the themes of your novel?
“The novels “Little Women” and “Legends of the Fall” have significantly influenced my writing style by emphasizing the importance of portraying diverse perspectives. These works have inspired me to ensure that my readers empathize with and understand not only the main characters but also those who may be perceived less favorably. Additionally, they influenced the themes of my novel because I was captivated by the romantic period in which they were set. I wanted to take my readers on a romantic journey to offer a sweet escape from any hardships they may be experiencing in reality.
3. Balancing single motherhood, a full-time job, and writing must have been challenging. Can you share how you managed these responsibilities and what motivated you to keep going?
Yes, balancing everything was extremely difficult, to say the least. There were many nights when I fell asleep with my fingers still on the keyboard of my laptop at 2 am or later after re-editing a chapter 10 or more times to make sure it flowed. I was also concerned about whether it would resonate with my audience, as they were always at the forefront of my mind when writing “Elizabeth”. I would think of them and my teenage daughter, and wonder how this could help shape their future choices or inspire them to improve their lives if they were struggling with difficult circumstances or people. It was the hope of touching someone’s life in a positive way that kept me going.
4. What were some of the most challenging aspects of your research for “Elizabeth: A Rose Among Thorns,” and how did you ensure historical accuracy?
There were several particularly challenging aspects of my research. The most notable ones were finding the time to fact-check and determining which sites or sources were reliable. While looking for confirmation or more details, I realized that I had to sift through numerous articles about life in the 19th century just to verify a fact or two. Then, once I had the necessary information, I had to cross-reference sites to check for consistency, which could be exhausting at times.
5. Did you encounter any specific moments where you felt overwhelmed or close to giving up? How did you overcome these obstacles?
I felt like giving up when I had received my first thorough edit by a professional editor. It was the hardest advice I had to hear and it almost broke my naïve spirit. Then, after some time passed and a bruised ego later, I began to question the legitimacy of her skills. Anyway, after she nearly obliterated my literary masterpiece, I chose to have a couple of “more qualified “editors take a look at my manuscript. I was intent on proving she was wrong in her analysis of my precious story. However, you can imagine my surprise when they gave me the same advice, which made me realize that I had much more to learn. Once I finally decided to take her feedback seriously, my rewriting bega to flow beautifully and I had a newfound passion for my historical romance as did the characters.
6. How did you maintain your mental health and well-being during the process of writing your novel while juggling other responsibilities?
I was able to maintain my mental health and well-being by taking things day by day. Prioritizing my responsibilities was crucial, but there were some things that became terribly delayed, which could get frustrating. However, I tried to refocus on my accomplishments instead of the ones that weren’t achieved yet. It was also important to take a break from writing every now and then to recharge and take care of other priorities, like doing something special for myself and my daughter. Going to the movies or taking a walk on the beach with my her was a great way to escape. I would usually come back invigorated and more inspired, using that energy to fuel my writing.
7. What advice would you give to other women who are trying to balance multiple roles while pursuing their creative passions?
My advice would be to take things one step at a time. If you’re feeling overwhelmed by your to-do list, try to focus on the most important tasks first and then gradually move on to the rest. If there are any tasks that can wait, don’t stress about them. Take some time for yourself and maybe even do something creative you enjoy to clear your mind and give you peace. Remember, it’s okay to prioritize and take things at your own pace.
8. How did your personal experiences as a single mother influence the themes or characters in your book?
The experience of being a single mother greatly influenced the themes and characters in my book. Drawing from my hardships and triumphs, I was able to develop the characters as my life unfolded. While trying to balance everything, I faced many trials and tribulations, which mirrored those of the protagonist in my book. I identified with Elizabeth in many ways and found myself empathizing with her. Being a single mother influenced the themes and characters of my book by allowing me to draw from my hardships and triumphs. The characters continued to develop as my life was unfolding. As I was trying to keep it all together by balancing it all, I faced many trials and tribulations as did the protagonist in my book. I can see myself in many aspects of Elizabeth and I characters personalities or have been exposed to them at one point or another.
9. Can you describe a moment or experience during the writing process that was particularly rewarding for you?
Absolutely. The most rewarding moment for me was when an elderly woman told me she was amazed by the similarities between her father and Elizabeth’s. She continued to explain that she felt like I was writing about her difficult childhood. With tears welling up in her eyes, she confessed that she had suffered emotional and physical abuse from her alcoholic father. She mentioned that people didn’t talk much about their family struggles because it could be considered shameful, so she endured it in silence. Even though she didn’t go into details, I wanted her to continue reading and experience the happy ending that was to come. I felt honored and proud that she was able to be vulnerable and become the narrator of her own story, with me as the audience. About a week later, after finishing the book, she told me how she felt a sense of relief knowing that there was still hope for her to have a happy ending like Elizabeth did. Her words deeply moved me.
10. How has writing “Elizabeth: A Rose Among Thorns” affected your view on historical fiction and romance as genres?
My perspective has been influenced by writing in these genres, as it has led me to recognize that there is always more to learn about relationships and history as a whole. Additionally, I have gained a newfound respect for writers in this genre due to the extensive research I had to conduct. An author not only needs to be a skilled storyteller but also requires extensive knowledge of the period they are writing about.
11. What role do you believe historical accuracy plays in the enjoyment and impact of historical fiction for readers?
I believe credibility is crucial. Without credibility, there is no trust, and without trust, there is no interest. For example, if I encounter a book or show that isn’t historically accurate, it annoys me, and I have a hard time getting past it. This, in turn, detracts from the enjoyment of the experience. It’s disappointing when there’s a great character and storyline, but it doesn’t fit the historical period. I understand it’s not a dealbreaker for everyone, but I prefer it to be as close to authentic as possible.
12. How did you find time for writing amidst your busy schedule, and what strategies did you use to stay focused and productive?
I usually found time to write later in the evenings when everything was quiet and peaceful. Although that wasn’t always the case, that was my goal. I felt most creative and productive during those times. However, many nights turned into mornings because I couldn’t start writing before 11 PM sometimes even later. I have to admit that I was burning the candle at both ends for a while. As a result, my health started suffering, and I felt tired most of the day, so I knew something had to change.
Eventually, I came up with a strategy to take care of my well-being, which worked wonderfully. I made sure to get into bed at a reasonable hour so I could get enough sleep regardless if I had just a couple more paragraphs left to edit at the end of a chapter or not. Also, I stopped being too concerned about things that could wait and began to take care of the important ones that couldn’t. I’m so glad I did that because otherwise, I probably would have given up a long time ago. Writing a novel is a huge commitment, but it should be an enjoyable one. It was starting to feel like work, but thankfully, I was able to make it pleasurable again.
13. Have you found any support systems or communities that helped you through the writing and publishing process?
I’ve come across an amazing community of authors and readers on Instagram! They’ve been incredibly helpful, especially when the people I knew in real life couldn’t provide the specific support I needed. As a new writer, I may not have been able to offer professional advice, but I could provide emotional support, which they greatly appreciated. I feel fortunate to have made good friends with a couple of authors, even though they don’t write in my genre, simply because we share similar experiences. Their insights and feedback have added depth to my characters and storyline, offering alternative perspectives that I hadn’t considered.
14. What are your future plans or projects, and how do you envision continuing to develop as a writer?
I am considering making “Elizabeth” part of a series. I thought about naming my next book “Mary,” which is Elizabeth’s younger sister. It would be interesting to show more of her character and experiences growing up in the shadow of her strong older sister.
Even though Mary comes across as Elizabeth’s biggest supporter, best friend, and confidant, she may surprise you in more ways than one. Perhaps there is a storm brewing inside of her due to jealousy or possessiveness. We will have to wait and see if I write her story.
15. How can readers connect with you and stay updated on your work beyond social media?
That’s a great question! I welcome my readers to reach out to me by email or text message so I can update them on anything new and exciting planned. I make it a priority at my book signing events to communicate with them not only during, but also after the purchase of my book. That way I can follow up on how they are enjoying it and get any feedback to help me hone my craft as an author. I always love to hear what they have to say!
IG: @gigirobbins2023
