Photo: Margaret Bennett: Celebrated Regency Romance Author
Exploring Passionate Characters
Margaret Bennett transforms her love for Regency romance into bestselling novels, creating strong female characters and blending historical accuracy with wit.
Margaret Bennett stands as a pillar in the world of Regency romance, a luminary whose journey from a hobbyist writer to a celebrated author is as captivating as the tales she weaves. With a life rich in diverse experiences—from her days as a bank teller to her role as a dedicated educator—she brings a multifaceted perspective to her writing. It is this unique background, combined with her academic achievements and a deep-seated passion for storytelling, that has allowed her to craft stories that not only entertain but also resonate with authenticity and humour.
Her novels, numbering an impressive twenty, are testament to her dedication and love for the genre. Titles such as “A Hopeless Hoyden,” which achieved bestseller status on Amazon, showcase her ability to blend historical accuracy with engaging narratives that lure readers into the enchanting Regency era. Her ardent admiration for Georgette Heyer shines through in her work, as Bennett strives to emulate the vivid settings and lively characters for which Heyer is renowned, all the while infusing her own stories with humour and wit.
Bennett’s commitment to creating strong, resourceful female protagonists finds her exploring the societal constraints of the past, crafting narratives that celebrate women of exceptional character who navigate and challenge these limitations. Her thoughtful balance of historical precision and creative storytelling ensures that her novels remain both entertaining and enlightening. In Margaret Bennett, readers discover an author whose work not only honours the traditions of Regency romance but also reflects her personal journey—a journey marked by resilience, creativity, and an unwavering love for the written word.
Margaret Bennett captivates readers with her engaging storytelling, richly drawn characters, and exceptional ability to weave humor into historical narratives.
What inspired you to start writing Regency romance novels, and how did Georgette Heyer’s works influence your writing style?
I am an avid reader of Regency romances. Georgette Heyer has been one of my favorite authors from the beginning. She is a master at creating vivid setting and character descriptions. Heyer’s unique voice, infused with humor, and attention to the historical detail of the Regency era has set the tone for Regency romance writers. I, too, strive to write humor in my stories as well.
How do you approach creating strong, resourceful female characters in a historical context where women faced significant societal limitations?
At some point, we all find ourselves in a situation where we feel inadequate, be it physically or in the work place with the “glass ceiling.” I imagine how much more frustrating it would have been to live during the Regency period, especially when so few opportunities were available for a woman to step out on her own. It certainly would take a woman with exceptional character to fight against such inequities. Finding that situation and putting a character in a circumstance that requires her to step out of the norm, yet remain true to the era, can be challenging—and fun.
Can you share some of the challenges you faced while transitioning from writing as a hobby to becoming a published author?
When I decided I wanted to be published, I sent out numerous queries. I got a bite from Harlequin Romances early on, but it didn’t pan out. Over the years, I sent out numerous rejections from agents. I once read where John Grisham received 119 rejections before a publisher agreed to publish A Time to Kill. I decided my ego couldn’t withstand that much rejection. Then I came across Kindle Direct Publishing. Fortunately, the second book I published on line, A Hopeless Hoyden, became an Amazon best seller.
“It certainly would take a woman with exceptional character to fight against such inequities.” Margaret Bennett
How do you balance historical accuracy with the creative freedom needed to craft engaging and humorous stories?
I do try to be as accurate as possible when it comes to the time period. Readers are generally forgiving of small inaccuracies, though it’s important to be as true to the time period as possible. One reviewer wrote a scathing review about my misrepresentation of Folkstone, England, during the Regency period, the setting for My Lady Smuggler. Needless to say, it has made me more conscious of researching my settings to be as accurate as possible. Still, sometimes a story requires the use of the poetic license.
What is your writing process like, and how do you develop the intricate plots and witty dialogue in your novels?
My aim is to write at least two hours write each day. Usually this occurs in spurts, a little here, a little there throughout the day. Quite often, I’ll take my dog Sally out for a short stroll and use the time to work through a plotting glitch. Usually, a story line or character will pop in my head, and I write it down. Or sometimes it’s a piece of dialogue or a scene. I’ve learned to immediately write them down, or else when I try to recall them later, they don’t quite have the same excitement or energy as the original idea. And yes, most of my “brilliant” ideas occur in the middle of the night. I’ve spent many a hour sleeping on the living room couch.
How has reader feedback and reviews shaped your growth as a writer over the years?
I pay attention to my readers’ reviews. After all, they purchase my novels, and I want to please them. For the most part, most of my reviews have been very favorable, and the few that aren’t, I take into consideration what their complaint is. Often times, I have found complaints have boiled down to genre, where a reader is not familiar with Regency romances.
What advice or inspiration would you offer to aspiring authors, particularly those interested in writing historical romance?
For starters, read lots of novels in the genre you want to write. Study the authors’ styles, how they present the settings, introduce characters, insert dialect. Then, just write, and save whatever you write. I get lots of ideas, many are just quick flashes for a plot, but I’ve learned to write them down, and often go over them when I am plotting a new story. Also, join a local writers’ group. It will help you to learn your craft, and members are often willing to run ideas by or pair up with to proofread each other’s work. Visiting lecturers helped me refine my craft, and their advice was inspiring. At one lecture, I heard for the first time: Write something, no matter how bad it is, for you can’t edit a blank page.
