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Sarah M. Eden, a literary cartographer with over seventy novels charting the intricate landscapes of historical romance, possesses a rare gift: the ability to imbue bygone eras with a contemporary wit and a deeply felt emotional resonance. Her stories, beloved by a global readership exceeding a million, have garnered accolades that speak to her mastery of the genre. In her latest offering, The Tides of Time, Eden ventures into a captivating confluence of history, romance, and a touch of the fantastical, a blend as intriguing as the genesis of the idea itself.
As Eden recounts, the spark for this unique narrative ignited during a visit to Paris, a city often imbued with a romantic mystique, yet here serving as the backdrop for a darker historical reflection. Le Conciergerie, the former palace turned prison that bore witness to the grim realities of the French Revolution, left an indelible mark. The walls, inscribed with the names, professions, and ultimate fates of those imprisoned during that tumultuous period, became a potent source of contemplation. Like any seasoned storyteller, Eden saw within those names a multitude of untold narratives. What, she wondered, was the lived experience of ordinary individuals caught in the maelstrom of such a pivotal historical moment? While the broad strokes of the French Revolution are familiar, the intimate human cost often remains obscured.
It was from this seed of historical inquiry that a speculative twist began to unfurl in Eden’s imagination. The sheer brutality and upheaval of the French Revolution, she mused, might inspire an almost primal desire for escape, not just geographically, but temporally. What if someone could literally flee that era? This “flash of thought,” as she describes it, became the intriguing premise of The Tides of Time: a protagonist propelled through time as a means of evading historical catastrophe. This temporal displacement, Eden astutely recognized, would profoundly impact the character’s subsequent interactions with life. Could one who had witnessed such destruction ever truly feel safe, even decades later? The psychological weight of such an experience promised a rich vein for exploration.
But Eden’s temporal ambitions extended beyond a simple leap from the past to the present. Intrigued by the dramatic societal shifts within relatively short historical spans, she opted for a jump between two distinct historical periods: from the 1790s to the 1870s. As she eloquently points out, this mere eighty-year leap thrusts her protagonist, Lili, into a world as alien as if the journey had spanned centuries. The Victorian era, often viewed as a monolithic historical block, underwent a rapid and profound transformation. Eden masterfully utilizes this temporal juxtaposition to highlight the often-overlooked dynamism of history, reminding readers that the past is not a static entity but a series of ever-evolving contexts.
Lili, the protagonist who navigates this disorienting temporal shift, is a character Eden meticulously crafted by immersing herself in the realities of the French Revolution. She sought to understand the motivations, however abhorrent their eventual manifestations, of those who participated in the era’s violence. The stark inequalities and systemic oppression of pre-revolutionary France, Eden posits, provided a fertile ground for radical action. Drawing a parallel to the contemporaneous American Revolution, she probes the divergent paths taken by individuals who initially shared a desire for a more equitable society. What propelled some towards the excesses of the tribunals and the guillotine, while others sought more moderate solutions? This exploration of moral divergence forms the core of the relationship between Lili and another key character, Gerard, who begin in the same historical context but make profoundly different choices. Lili’s character, Eden explains, grew from this central question: what experiences and inherent qualities would lead a person to navigate such a tumultuous period with a particular moral compass, and how would that compass guide her arrival in an utterly unfamiliar time?
Complementing Lili’s fiery spirit is Armitage Pierce, the enigmatic lighthouse keeper. Eden envisioned him as both a “foil and a compliment” to Lili, embodying a steadfast calm and grounded integrity. His bravery is quiet, rooted in a strong sense of right and wrong. Just as Lili embodies the “tumultuousness” of her origins, Armitage is intrinsically linked to the lighthouse, a potent symbol of “calm in the storm, it’s the light in the darkness.” Eden sought to imbue him with the lighthouse’s inherent peacefulness, while also acknowledging its isolation. The interplay between these contrasting characters – the storm and the calm – creates a “beautiful coexistence” that lies at the heart of the novel’s emotional landscape.
The lighthouse itself emerges as a significant presence in The Tides of Time, almost a character in its own right. Eden’s research into these coastal sentinels was sparked by a book detailing the multi-generational history of a lighthouse-keeping family in the United Kingdom. This deep dive into the intertwined lives of a family and their lighthouse provided rich inspiration for understanding the profound impact such a solitary existence could have on individuals and their relationships. Eden immersed herself in the details of lighthouse life during the Victorian era: the rules, the hierarchies, the daily routines. This meticulous research lends a palpable authenticity to the novel’s setting.
Balancing historical accuracy with the fantastical element of time travel presented a unique challenge. While Eden professes a personal inclination towards historical fidelity, she also recognizes the paramount importance of crafting a compelling and readable narrative. This necessitates a willingness to occasionally “fudge things the tiniest bit,” not to introduce inaccuracies, but to ensure clarity and maintain narrative momentum. The goal, she asserts, is to present an authentic feeling of the past, trusting that such an approach will guide the author in making the right decisions regarding historical detail.
With an astonishing seventy novels to her credit, Eden’s prolific output naturally raises questions about her creative process. Her self-deprecating humor – “I like to say I don’t sleep” – belies a dedicated work ethic. Yet, beyond sheer hours, she emphasizes the essential ingredient: a deep love for storytelling. This passion, she believes, is crucial for navigating the often-arduous journey of a writer’s life, much of which unfolds in solitude.
Maintaining a steady stream of compelling ideas over such an extensive career is another facet of Eden’s craft. She posits that her skill lies not so much in generating more ideas, but in becoming adept at “discarding the ideas that aren’t good.” Experience has honed her ability to recognize intriguing concepts that lack sufficient depth or familiar premises that require a fresh and innovative approach. The longer one writes, she suggests, the better one becomes at discerning which seeds of inspiration have the potential to blossom into fully realized narratives.
Eden describes herself as a “planner” in the writer’s dichotomy of planners versus “pantsers” (those who write by the seat of their pants). Over time, however, her pre-writing planning has become more extensive. This evolution stems from a growing awareness of her own weaknesses as a writer, particularly the dreaded “sagging middles.” Thorough planning, she has learned, is essential for navigating these narrative challenges and ensuring a cohesive and engaging story. Deeply understanding her characters before writing allows her to anticipate their actions and motivations, preventing the narrative from losing its way.
The research for The Tides of Time yielded surprising insights into the seemingly familiar past. Lili’s attempts to learn baking in the 1870s highlighted the relatively recent “invention” of baking soda, a substance that feels “ancient” to modern sensibilities but was entirely unknown in the 1790s. Such details serve as potent reminders of the rapid pace of technological change and the profoundly different realities of even relatively recent historical periods.
When asked about unexplored historical eras that pique her interest, Eden’s enthusiasm is palpable. Her fascination extends beyond mere historical events to the intricate interplay between history and individual lives. The possibilities for untold stories are, she believes, “countless.” The introduction of time travel into her narrative universe has further expanded these possibilities, offering a potential gateway to a multitude of historical settings.
If granted the opportunity for temporal tourism, Eden’s response is pragmatic and humorous. While many historical periods beckon, the allure of modern conveniences, particularly reliable plumbing (a recent nine-month personal ordeal), tempers her enthusiasm for permanent relocation. Brief visits to witness pivotal moments – the dawn of the steam engine, significant revolutions – hold considerable appeal, provided she remains a non-participant observer.
When the conversation turns to the contemporary dream of literary adaptation, Eden confesses a delightful ambivalence regarding casting. While she envisions the need for a bilingual Lili and a performer with a genuine accent from the specific region of England that inspired Armitage’s speech patterns, she has no specific actors in mind. Her focus remains on capturing the authenticity of the characters and their linguistic nuances.
Early feedback for The Tides of Time has been overwhelmingly positive, a response that delights Eden, particularly given her foray into a genre adjacent to her established work. The enthusiastic reception of the novel’s universe and its magic system has opened the door for future stories exploring the experiences of others pulled through time.
When asked about the enduring appeal of her writing, as articulated by her most devoted readers, Eden points to the consistent praise for her humor, her witty banter, and, most importantly, the deep emotional connection she forges with her characters. This emotional resonance, she believes, lies at the very heart of her storytelling.
Navigating the subjective terrain of humor is a constant challenge for writers. Eden’s approach involves establishing the characters’ individual senses of humor early in the narrative and allowing them to operate within that framework. This allows readers to appreciate the humor through the lens of the character, even if it doesn’t perfectly align with their own sensibilities.
Eden readily admits to the eavesdropping habits of a writer, confessing that engaging dialogue in her vicinity can easily capture her complete attention, much to her husband’s amusement. These real-world snippets often find their way, consciously or unconsciously, into her fictional worlds.
Looking ahead, Eden is already at work on another novel within the Tides of Time universe, slated for release in late 2025. This new story features a modern-day actor who finds himself transported to the early 1800s, an era he has previously portrayed on screen. The humor inherent in his attempts to navigate this unfamiliar world based on the often-inaccurate portrayals of historical dramas promises a delightful shift in tone.
While not naming specific time travel authors or films as direct inspirations, Eden expresses a broad appreciation for the genre’s diverse explorations of temporal mechanics. The contrasting theories – time as immutable versus time as malleable – provide a rich thematic landscape that she enjoys weaving into her own narratives.
Ultimately, Eden’s motivation for writing is deeply personal, echoing Lord Byron’s sentiment about the necessity of emptying the mind to avoid madness. For her, writing is a vital outlet for the constant influx of stories and ideas that populate her imagination. It is a means of exploring lingering questions, of answering the “what ifs” that drive all storytellers. Writing, for Eden, is a fundamental drive to understand the human condition through the lens of narrative.
If a life without writing were imposed, Eden reveals an unexpected academic background: a degree in statistical data analysis. This “left brain in a right brain world” duality, she suggests, might explain her meticulous planning process. Yet, she genuinely enjoyed the analytical rigor of her former field, particularly the analysis of scientific studies. This surprising juxtaposition underscores the multifaceted nature of creativity and the unexpected connections that can exist within a single mind.
Sarah M. Eden’s new book, The Tides of Time is available wherever cool books are sold.
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