For all that is good and holy in the world, what possessed you to become an author?
Like most sane people, I knew that becoming a published author is a tough road that is most assuredly not lined with gold. I figured it was the province of people with fancy MFAs and the like, so it was just something that seemed like a pipe dream. Fun to think about, but something that would never happen. I did take a couple of creative writing classes when I was working on another degree, just for fun, and came up with the idea for my first book. But then that first chapter sat in a drawer for a decade before I gave myself the permission to invest the time to flesh the short story into a novel. But one day I decided I wanted to accomplish something big, and writing a book seemed as good as anything. It was just going to be a lark. I’d finish the book, and if it went somewhere, great. If not? At least I could say I finished a book, which is a pretty big accomplishment all by itself. So after about six months of pecking away at the first draft, I had a real, honest-to-goodness book. It was rough, but it was a book. I made a few passes, made it less rough, then I went to RMFW’s Colorado Gold conference, made connections, met agents, learned a lot about craft, and basically filled my brain with more information than I could handle. Six months after conference I had an agent, and six months after that we had a book deal. This was never the plan; it was always just a dream. It’s pretty damn cool when those come true.
How did you conceive the idea for your latest novel?
RMFW member Sean Vogel sent me an article on the Hello Girls, the brave women who worked the telephone system for the Allies in WWI. The article piqued my interest, and my agent and editor were both on board. The more I researched, the more excited I got about the material and the possibilities with the storyline. This book will always have a big chunk of my heart in it.
Are you a plotter or a pantser?
Ha! I’m a total plotzer. I start with a synopsis (pro tip: SO much easier to start with a synopsis than to try to craft one after the fact), develop that into an outline, and then let loose. I have a good idea of where I’m going, but there is always the thrill of organic discovery because my characters always take on lives of their own.
If you were a taco or a pizza, what kind of taco or pizza would you be?
I’d be a woodfired pizza Margaretha: just sauce, good mozzarella, and fresh basil. Seemingly simple, but that simplicity allows the flavors to speak for themselves.
If you could describe your entire catalog of books in a single sentence, what would that sentence say?
Books that celebrate history’s unsung heroines. (It’s my tagline for a reason.)
If you had to start your career over again from scratch, what would you do differently?
I’d be less afraid to take risks and to speak up for myself. I’d make some changes to the content of my first two books, and I would advocate for a few different things with covers and marketing…but overall, I’d change very little of major significance.
What is your favorite thing about RMFW?
One thing? The people. It is the most supportive, positive tribe in the universe. I am so proud to be a part of this amazing group. It’s no exaggeration to say I wouldn’t be where I am now without the support of RMFW.
Aimie K. Runyan writes to celebrate history’s unsung heroines. She has written four historical novels, including the internationally bestselling Daughters of the Night Sky and Promised to the Crown. She is active as an educator and speaker in the writing community and beyond. She lives in Colorado with her wonderful husband and two (usually) adorable children. To learn more about Aimie, please visit her website.