PHOTO: Anne Armistead, award-winning author, masterfully blends history, romance, and time travel, enchanting readers with her deeply immersive storytelling and unforgettable characters.
Writing, Research, and the Power of Storytelling
Anne Armistead discusses her award-winning A Tryst in Paris, her passion for historical fiction, time travel, and romance, her research process, upcoming projects, and advice for aspiring writers blending history and fantasy.
Anne Armistead is a storyteller of remarkable depth, weaving together history, romance, and mystery with an effortless grace that has captivated readers worldwide. A two-time recipient of the Georgia Author of the Year Award in the historical category, she has firmly established herself as a master of historical fiction, time travel romance, and cozy mysteries. Her talent for bringing the past to life while infusing her narratives with heart and intrigue is evident in each of her works, from the enthralling Dangerous Conjurings to the charming A Christmas Cannoli Kiss.
Her latest novel, A Tryst in Paris, has garnered widespread acclaim, winning the 2024 Georgia Independent Author Award and earning a place as a Killer Nashville Top Pick. Set against the dazzling backdrop of the 1900 Paris Exposition, this novel immerses readers in a world of romance and destiny, following Mirabelle Montgomery’s extraordinary time-travelling journey. Anne’s ability to seamlessly blend historical accuracy with fantasy elements showcases her meticulous research and narrative brilliance, making her a standout voice in the genre.
Beyond her literary achievements, Anne’s passion extends to advocacy, serving on the advisory board of The Feeney Legacy Project, a cause dedicated to life-saving awareness through CPR education. Her commitment to storytelling and community alike is a testament to the warmth and generosity she brings to every facet of her life.
It is an honour to feature Anne Armistead in this issue of Reader’s House magazine. In our exclusive interview, she shares insights into her writing process, the inspiration behind A Tryst in Paris, and the exciting projects on her horizon. For readers who cherish historical romance with a touch of magic, Anne’s work is not to be missed.
Anne Armistead crafts captivating stories, seamlessly blending history, romance, and fantasy with meticulous research, heartfelt characters, and spellbinding storytelling.
What inspired you to set ‘A Tryst in Paris’ in 1900s Paris, intertwining time travel with romance?
I love Paris. I studied for my MFA there. In 1900, Paris hosted Universal Exposition as well as the Olympics. It was a time of explosive creativity and science innovation. When I saw a photo of a woman falling off the moving sidewalk built for transportation through the exposition, the idea came to me for my time traveler Mirabelle to arrive dizzy and discombobulated on the trottoir roulant. She can return to her present day only if she helps Jacques reclaim his destiny, which leads to their romance.
How did you develop Mirabelle Montgomery’s character as ‘The Carousel Time Traveler’ in your latest novel?
I believe in forgiveness and second chances, for I certainly have needed both in my own life. Another theme I explore is sacrifice, specifically delaying one’s own gratification in order to do the right thing for another.
Mirabelle’s character arc includes her experiencing all three: forgiving her father, finding second chance to love again, and sacrificing that love to the greater good of those who become her family back in time.
I wanted the complexities of time travel to be clear through Mirabelle’s experience. Should she stay or should she go? Either decision brings her pain yet also emotional growth.
“I believe in forgiveness and second chances, for I certainly have needed both in my own life.” – Anne Armistead
Could you share your research process for depicting 1900 Paris authentically in ‘A Tryst in Paris’?
My research included deep dives into translated publications, journals, and documents from 1900 Paris that provided maps, explanations of exhibits, and first-witness accounts of American travelers to Paris for the exposition. A professor of fashion history provided input to the 1900 fashion for juveniles, women and men. I had taken classes for my MFA in Paris at Reid Hall, which became a setting in the book. I YouTube videos of silent movies from the 1900 exhibition served as my “time travel portal.”
How does your fascination with carousels and Paris influence your storytelling, particularly in ‘A Tryst in Paris’?
When I was young, I was quite taken with everything about King Arthur and the knights of the round table, which led me to fascination with “merry-go-rounds” used by nights to practice jousting. Once I decided my time travel portal would be a carousel, I chose, the oldest carousel in Paris, the Luxembourg Carousel. A ride on it allows the children to play the rings game, a sweet childhood memory of Mirabelle’s.
What challenges did you face blending historical accuracy with fantasy elements in ‘A Tryst in Paris’?
I developed a timeline for Mirabelle’s travel back in time that allowed me to “hook” significant plot points to specific historical events. For example, on April 29, 1900, the pedestrian bridge leading to the “Le Grand Globe Céleste” collapsed. Mirabelle’s involvement in this incident leads her to meet Jacques’ former lover, a nurse who divulges information critical to Mirabelle’s quest set by the time shifter.
How did winning the 2024 Georgia Independent Author Award for ‘A Tryst in Paris’ impact your writing journey?
Winning awards boost my confidence that I can write. It’s easy to fall prey to imposter syndrome: what ever made me believe I am a writer? Then, notification comes that a book into which you’ve put so many hours of devotion and dedication has won an award. Your doubts fall away, and you believe you are an author whose books can bring enjoyment to readers.
Can you provide insights into the upcoming books in ‘The Carousel Time Traveler’ series?
Unfortunately, the small publisher for ‘A Tryst in Paris’ closed, so I have paused in writing books two and three. If I find an interested publisher, the series might go forward.
Book two is to be set in 1925 with Mirabelle becoming involved with the “lost generation,” including Hemingway and Fitzgerald. Book three is to be set during World War Two with Mirabelle helping the French Resistance. She’d be drawn into the actions and tragic circumstances of Jacques and his family in both. She’d return at the approximate same age, yet she’ll find Jacques and the others having aged.
Right now, my work-in-progress is in a completely different genre for me, a cozy mystery.
What advice would you offer aspiring authors aiming to write historical romance with fantasy elements?
My initial advice would be the same as for any genre. Persist, persist, persist, and then persist some more. To write means WRITING. And, remember – the delete key is your friend.
In writing an historical romance, you’ll have to sacrifice incredible historical tidbits you’ve uncovered in your research. The historical details must unfold within the character’s story. You have to thread the history throughout as factually as possible. If you “fudge” on anything, I suggest you clarify through your author notes. For fantasy, the world building “rules” are essential so the reader will understand the possibilities and choices of the characters. As an example, in ‘A Tryst in Paris’, my character knows the time shifter is present around her when a chill comes in the air and everyone around her freezes. Only she can interact with him. Also, the carousel, which is her time portal, will only act as that under the time shifter’s authority, which is made clear when she attempts to activate it and fails.
