We recently had the lovely Rachel Blackmore in to sign her special edition copies of Costanza. We absolutely loved this novel as you are transported to Rome in the 1600s. We could not wait to hear more about how the idea of the novel was born and the author's writing process.
What inspired you to write Costanza?
I first came across the story of Costanza in a BBC documentary about Bernini, they mentioned Bernini's lover and muse, they didn't mentioned her by name but they did mention what happened to her. I basically, went on a hunt for this woman and when I discovered her story I couldn't help but write it.
Did you have to do much research ?
Absolutely loads of research involved in writing a novel set in the 1600s in Rome. I spent a lot of time online, (I wrote this in lockdown), I spent a lot of time going around churches virtually and I also visited a marble sculptress to learn just how carrara marble is sculpted and how artists create the portraits that they do.
What was your favourite character to write about ?
I'm going to cheat, and say that I thought a lot about female friendship when I was writing this novel and my favourite characters by far are the women who surround Costanza. Who pick her up, dust her down and get her going again when life gets really tough, because, I think it's really what female friendships do and impart Costanza is really an homage to my own female friends.
Copies of our special edition of Costanza are available to order now!
