Marion Marchetto Shares Her Passion For Historical Fiction And Romance
PHORO: Marion Marchetto at her Connecticut home, where history and imagination come together to inspire her award-winning novels.
Discover How History, Family, And Love Inspire Marion Marchetto’s Captivating Novels
Marion Marchetto draws on rich historical settings and personal experiences to craft engaging stories blending romance, family sagas, and immersive historical fiction for devoted readers.
Marion Marchetto has long been celebrated for her ability to bring history to life through vivid storytelling and heartfelt romance. Hailing from Connecticut’s Naugatuck Valley, she draws inspiration from her rich surroundings and her family’s stories, crafting novels that weave historical authenticity with compelling emotional narratives. From her acclaimed Bridgewater Chronicles to her forthcoming Second Chance at Love series, Marion’s works captivate readers with layered characters, intricate plots, and a deep respect for the past. Mosaic Digest is proud to feature this interview, offering insight into her creative journey, her love for history, and her passion for mentoring future writers.
Marion Marchetto’s stories are more than novels—they are immersive experiences that celebrate history, family, and love. Her dedication to both historical accuracy and engaging romance has earned her devoted readers who eagerly follow her latest adventures. Through her work, Marion continues to inspire appreciation for literature and the art of storytelling.
Marion Marchetto masterfully blends history and romance, creating stories that captivate and inspire readers of all ages.
What inspired you to write in the historical fiction and romance genres?
I have always loved history, even as a child I enjoyed hearing stories from my grandparents and parents about ‘the way things used to be’. This piqued my curiosity so I would make up stories about buildings or places I would see or visit.
How do you balance the accuracy of historical details with the romantic elements in your stories?
History is adventure and adventure is romance in the loosest sense of the word, i.e., the romance of the high seas or the romance of exploration. When choosing a locale or a time period or major historical event, I research everything about it and weave those details into my story.
Can you share more about the role of the Plumb Memorial Library in The Loving Dynasty and why you chose it as a setting?
The Plumb Memorial Library is the library of my youth. I spent many hours and days there as a student, researching and reading for term papers as well as discovering books for pleasure. My proudest day was when I got my first library card because that meant I could choose my own books to read instead of having a parent approve my choices. In his later years, my dad would go to The Plumb every day just to sit peacefully and read the newspapers (1990s). The building itself has many historical aspects as explained on the library’s website.
“The Plumb Memorial Library is the library of my youth…my proudest day was when I got my first library card.” – Marion Marchetto
How does your passion for history influence the characters and storylines in your books?
As I stated, my passion for history goes deep. I grew up in an old industrial town and surroundings and often wondered why history, as it was being taught at the time, was so boring. As I grew, it became evident that the area was rich in history, home to Commodore Isaac Hull, captain of Old Ironside for example. I questioned why children weren’t being taught about our connections to historical events. Bureaucracy dictated what was taught even in the mid-20th century so the curriculum was never changed. Don’t know what it’s like now. This is why I choose to set my stories in the past, to show how the historical events that shaped our country (or anywhere else) have impacted our lives to this day.
What is the most rewarding part of mentoring middle school students and helping them appreciate reading and writing?
When I worked with middle school students, it became obvious that they thirsted for more knowledge about reading and writing. By taking it down to a level that they could understand, I showed them how to express themselves through writing. Additionally, I was able to teach them how to write a book review by simply asking them four questions. They were able to easily answer the questions verbally and were amazed that it was so simple to write a book review (book report). After a lively discussion with one of the classes, I was able to convert a real jock into a reader by being able to speak with him about sports; he was amazed that although I knew little about the sport I could speak knowledgeably because of my reading. He has gone on to become a sports journalist for a regional news service.
“By taking it down to a level that they could understand, I showed middle school students how to express themselves through writing.” – Marion Marchetto
Could you tell us about the process of creating the time-travel aspect in The Loving Dynasty?
When writing The Loving Dynasty, I knew I needed a vehicle to transport my characters back in time. In this case it was an old birth certificate. I needed to get my description of 1896 correct so I researched what was happening in the town that year and placed my characters accordingly. I had them interact with prominent people of the era for authenticity while being sure they acted and dressed as befitted the time period.
As an author of both historical and contemporary romance, how do you shift between the two genres when writing?
I don’t consider it a shift between genres. Both genres just seem to blend together seamlessly.
What advice would you give to aspiring authors looking to break into the historical fiction or romance genres?
Read, read, read. In any genre you choose, read as many stories as you can. Take note of how other authors describe the action, locale, and as many details as you can remember. Take notes, if possible. In many instances, romance is either born from an historical event or the event is made possible because of a deep romantic connection. Write from your own experience when you can or tell the story based off of an idea that may be lurking right in front of you. For example, my first book Hidden Secrets of 201 Atwater, was based on my in-laws’ house. I would often sit at family dinners and wonder about who might have lived there over the span of the house’s lifetime (100+years). So, I invented the previous fictional owners and went from there.
