Eliza Knight is an award-winning, USA Today and international bestselling author. Eliza is an avid history buff and her love of history began as a young girl when she traipsed the halls of Versailles. She also writers women's contemporary fiction under the pseudonym, Michelle Brandon. Eliza is a member of the Historical Novel Society, Novelists, Inc., Women's Fiction Writing Association, Tall Poppy Writers, the creator of the popular historical blog, History Undressed, and host on the History, Books and Wine podcast. Knight lives in the sunshine state with her husband, three daughters, two dogs and a turtle. Her latest books are Can't We Be Friends, a collaboration with Denny S. Bryce, and The Queen's Faithful Companion. Her website is https://elizaknight.com/ .
1. How and when did you get hooked on history?
As a child growing up, my father was a huge history buff. We lived near D.C. so spent weekends at museums, and watched a lot of documentaries at home. I was also very lucky to have grandparents who lived in France, so from an early age, I spent a lot of time at castles and French museums as well.
2. What role does history play or has it played in your personal life?
Beyond forging a career as a historical writer and podcaster, I love to spend time at historical sites and museums. I travel around the world learning about history just for fun, and I'm fortunate my family loves to join me.
3. How does history play a part of your professional life/career?
As an author, I get to spend all day in the past with events that really happened and sometimes with people who really lived. I love to bring history and people to life for readers. As a historical podcaster, I love to learn about people and events in history and talk about them with other authors and librarians.
4. Why is studying/knowing history important?
In order to grow as a person and as a society, we need to learn from our past. Learn what worked, and what didn't. Humans are very good at evolving, and without knowing the past, it is hard to reach newer and greater heights of achievement.
5. What is your favorite period or aspect of history to learn about and why?
Great question! I want to say that I don't really have a favorite period, because I'm interested in all of them! But I do love to learn about women in history who forged their paths and fought through adversity. Those are the stories I like to tell. Much of history was written by men, for men, and so the stories of the women are often lost, but are just as important to know.
A really good historical fiction novel immerses you in the time and place. You feel like you're in the room where it's all happening, and rather than getting pulled out by paragraphs that feel like a historical lesson, you learn by experiencing the times and events with the characters. To me, a good historical fiction, is like time traveling.
7. As an author in search of stories to tell, what kinds of stories catch your attention? Are there common themes that run through your historical fiction?
I love stories of women who striving to achieve something. And they don't always win, but they do make an impact. I think a strong theme in my novels are independent women, but also friendships and interpersonal relationships. Whether I'm writing about mothers/daughters, sisters, friends, lovers, dogs, there is always that connection between people that I think is imperative to survival.
