Reading & research round-up

Posted on May 15, 2013 by
Nottingham Castle

Nottingham Castle

HISTORICAL RESEARCH
Every week I discover another article or book to add to my research on the Middle Ages. Elizabeth Chadwick’s blog posts at Living the History are fantastic. She covers a wide range of medieval topics including money, bedchambers, food, William Marshal, and sexual sins! (I wrote a mini-review of her book, The Greatest Knight, a couple of weeks ago.)

Sharon Kay Penman has almost daily posts on “today in medieval history.” While I’m most interested in her wonderful descriptions of the Plantagenet’s and her own current research for her sequel to Lionheart, I’m learning about many other British monarchs.

Beyond the blogs, I’m reading Land and People in Medieval Lincolnshire by Graham Platts. Did you know that – at least as of this writing – my main character, Henry de Grey, is from Lincolnshire? His family manor is near the southern edge of the Lincolnshire Edge (apparently also known as the Lincoln Edge or Lincoln Cliff). It’s about halfway between Nottingham and Lincoln. Hence, my current explorations of medieval Lincolnshire history and geography. The sequel to Battle Scars will, for the most part, take place in Lincolnshire, Nottinghamshire and Yorkshire during 1193 and 1194, ending shortly after the siege of Nottingham Castle. Count John (who becomes King John of Magna Carta fame) will be a major nemesis, as will a certain evil Sheriff of Nottingham. But friends and family feature in the sequel, also. Who is friend and who is foe?

I’m also reading Christianity, Social Tolerance and Homosexuality: Gay People in Western Europe from the Beginning of the Christian Era to the Fourteenth Century, by John Boswell. The book, published in 1981, was considered groundbreaking. There are some scholars who dispute Boswell’s interpretations that homosexuality was tolerated and recognized in many cultures and was not widely condemned until the 13th and 14th centuries. I find myself amongst his supporters, confirming my own treatment of the subject in Battle Scars, which features a gay main character and a bond of friendship that turns into something much deeper.

And look at this cool Google map showing sites in medieval Lincoln:  http://bit.ly/13e0D7B. This might come in handy!

BLOG READING
All over the blogosphere, authors are offering their tips,  observations, and words of wisdom. Here are a few of my favorites from the last couple of weeks:

Words to write by: How To Maximize Your Word Count And Write More Every Day « terribleminds: chuck wendig http://ow.ly/kVsfs

Author beware via John Scalzi: A Contract From Alibi – Whatever http://ow.ly/kVcqk

Advice I must bookmark: 3 problems with writing a sequel and how to avoid them. | Colin F. Barnes http://ow.ly/kOleo

English Historical Fiction Authors: Earl Grey – just my cup of tea! http://ow.ly/kuzcz

Getting Details Right For The Era In Your Historical Novel, by Paul Dowswell http://writinghistoricalnovels.com/2013/04/21/getting-details-right-for-the-era-in-your-historical-novel-by-paul-dowswell/ …

What are you reading?  I’ll catch you again next week.

Posted in Battle Scars, blog reading, historical fiction, research, works in process | Tagged , | 4 Comments

work in progress Wednesday…

Posted on May 8, 2013 by

Last week, I provided some background information on my current WIP. At least twice a month, I hope to post a brief update on my writing & revising process. Now to the nitty gritty details…

Title
Battle Scars: Men of the Cross

Current word count
79,042

Revisions
Most writers trim and tighten their stories when they dive into revisions. I started revising by adding 2 new chapters to open the novel. I’m not satisfied with ch. 2 but the bones are there. I’m going to push ahead. Ch. 2 will still be there after I complete a first pass of the entire manuscript.

Book Blurb
My 2 beta readers, 2 co-workers, and 2 of 3 members of my writers group (CPs) offered feedback that was overwhelmingly positive. YAY! Still, there will be tweaking ahead…

My CPs & I also talked about genre. Mark likens Battle Scars to an Errol Flynn adventure – not quite swashbuckling, though there are pirates (briefly) in the novel. :) It’s got action, intrigue, humor, romance, all set against a historical back drop.

Of Cover Art & Maps
No historical fiction would be complete without maps, right? I’ve been speaking to an artist friend about 2 maps – one of the Holy Land; the other of the King Richard’s and the knights’ route home. I can’t wait to see what she comes up with. I also want to talk about cover concepts with her. I’ve done a mock up… but for the moment, it’s for my eyes only.

And now on to Book 2, because a sequel insists on being written.

Title
Battle Scars II: For the King

Current word count
Approx. 16,000

Writing
I started working on the sequel when I finished the 1st draft of Book I. Most writers recommend a downtime before jumping into revisions. So while that went on the back burner, I began Book II. I’d written 7,200+ words prior to March 8 when I was forced off the computer due to some nasty neck problems. I resorted to the old pen & paper method on March 22. I was a bit wary about creating on paper again. But as of Monday, I have 73 handwritten pages to add to the 7,200 words. And hallelujah, the plot is thickening. Now that I’m plunging heavily into revisions of Book I, I don’t expect to see my progress continue at that pace.

All right. Time to get back to revisions!

Posted in Battle Scars, historical fiction, revising, works in process | Tagged , , | 2 Comments

talking about the book… The Greatest Knight

Posted on April 29, 2013 by

The Greatest Knight (William Marshal, #2)The Greatest Knight
by Elizabeth Chadwick

A tidbit about the author
Elizabeth participates in the medieval reenactment group Regia Anglorum, who explore the life and times of people of Britain from the Viking Days through the times of Richard the Lionheart.

The scene that made you laugh out loud or cheer
The young Prince Henry ‘borrows’ William Marshal’s spirited destrier and is thrown from the horse. I had to LOL at his younger brother’s response to this warning:

“You saw what happened to your brother,” he warned, shaking him like a terrier with a rat. “Don’t ever think of doing the same.”

“I won’t.” Richard put his hands together like an angel. However as soon as Salisbury released him he added cheekily, “For a start, I wouldn’t fall off.”

If you aren’t familiar with this era, Henry and Richard are 2 of the sons of Henry II and Eleanor of Aquitaine. (Remember The Lion in Winter?) And Richard, of course, will one day be known as the Lionheart.

I also love that William, who was a voracious eater, was known as ‘Guzzleguts’ when he served as a young hearth knight.

The place where you wanted to throw the book across the room
William is accused of committing adultery with young King Henry’s wife. He’s banished from the Court. He has been loyal to the kings he serves; to have them doubt his honesty is heartbreaking.

A memorable line
William visits Queen Eleanor while she is held in captivity by King Henry. I love Chadwick’s spirited Eleanor:

“…Jesu, even nuns have more freedom than I do. My gaolers think it a great concession to allow me to dine in the great hall or receive a visitor every once in a while.” She glanced towards the castellan who had followed William into the room. He was looking uncomfortably at the ceiling, but still standing close enough to hear every word.

“I am deeply sorry, madam.”

“Hah, so am I… to be caged at least. For the rest, not even the pincers of hell will wring a confession of remorse from my lips.” She clapped her hand at a maid and gestured her to pour wine. “From Poitou,” she said. “Henry may have given me cracked old cups to drink from, but at least I’m granted the boon of wine from my own province.” Her eyes narrowed. “I would not drink his even if I were dying of thirst.”

A quote from someone about the topic of the book
 “This is a great peek into the world of the Angevin Empire established by Henry II and Eleanor of Aquitaine, and passed on to his sons Richard and John (of Magna Carta fame). William is portrayed as a talented man of strong character whose integrity and loyalty win him the trust and patronage of powerful people in a time of constant wars and political maneuvering that will shape the future of Europe.” –a GoodReads reviewer

This is one of the best books I’ve read in a long time. 5 stars for The Greatest Knight.

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work in progress Wednesday…

Posted on April 23, 2013 by

Several weeks ago I saw author Alex Beecroft use the subject “work in progress Wednesday” on her blog. I like the concept of a regular update, so I’m going to give it a go.

This week, I’ll start with a meme.

What is the title of the book you’re currently working on?

Battle Scars I: Men of the Cross.  Can you picture a medieval sword and a cross on the cover? I can!

Where did the idea come from for the book?

Ever since I was a kid, I wanted to know more facts behind my favorite television shows, movies, books and historical events. Star Trek (yes, Trek, not Wars) led me to learn more about space travel, astronauts, the moon, and planets. Visits to Williamsburg, Mt. Vernon, Monticello, and Revolutionary War battlefields, inspired my love and curiosity about the American colonies in the 17th and 18th centuries.

Battle Scars came from my reading and research about Richard the Lionheart and the Third Crusade after I saw the BBC television show Robin Hood (2006). 

What genre does your book fall under?

Historical fiction/historical romance

Which actors would you choose to play your characters in a movie rendition?

Kit Harington is Henry de Grey. Chris Hemsworth is Stephan l’Aigle.

What is a one-sentence synopsis of the book?

War, political intrigue, and passion… friends… heroes and lovers… and legends…

(I know, I know, that isn’t a synopsis or a logline but it captures the themes of Battle Scars. My book blurb is taking shape, too!)

How long did it take you to write the first draft of the manuscript?

About 9 months.

What other books would you compare this story to in your genre?

Sharon Kay Penman’s Lionheart. Sharon is a master storyteller who captures the essence of life in the Middle Ages in a brilliant telling of the politics, intrigue and people of the time.

Who or what inspired you to write this book?

I wanted to tell the crusaders journey to and from the Holy Land through the eyes of two knights who served King Richard.

What else about your book might pique the reader’s interest?

There are many Robin Hood legends. Some claim that Robin served King Richard during the Third Crusade. A number of novelists have pursued that aspect of Robin’s life, including the popular Outlaw Chronicles series by Angus Donald.

I’d indicated to my writers group that one of my secondary characters was a Robin-type character. They said, “Why not make him Robin Hood?” They encouraged me to do my own twist on the legend. In Battle Scars, readers will meet characters who, one day, will become “Merry Men.” They’ll watch how young men are shaped by the war and by the people around them and see the origins of the legend take shape…well, my version of it.

Posted in Battle Scars, historical fiction, works in process | Tagged , , , | 6 Comments

Sunday meanderings…

Posted on April 14, 2013 by
2013.04 campus

springtime on campus

I’ve probably used up my allotted computer time for the day. I get minimal blog reading done these days. My social media presence has dwindled. Prioritizing is always a critical thing, whether it’s for work or for play, not that I’d call my writing ‘play’ (even if I am having fun)! My limited computer time is now devoted to revisions for Battle Scars. And I’m excited! I’ve decided that the subtitle will be Men of the Cross.

Catch you later this week!

Posted in Battle Scars, life | 4 Comments

physical therapy & medieval torture

Posted on April 9, 2013 by

I would’ve cracked early under a torturer’s ministrations during the Middle Ages if my first 3 days of physical therapy last week provide clues as to my ability to withstand pain. :)

My therapist is much nicer than a medieval giver of pain, and of course, she’s attempting to eliminate it! We joke about the cervical traction device she’s put me in. I told her it might give me some ideas for my novels. That piece of equipment uses traction to stretch the neck to decrease the compression of the discs and open the canals where nerves are being pinched. It’s an unusual feeling having the thing inflate and push the base of your skull out the top of your head.

Okay…that’s not what really happens. The therapist knows how much force needs to be applied and my skull is still firmly fitted in my head. It’s just a bit uncomfortable.

Then there’s the massages, which would feel great if the nerves weren’t hypersensitive, inflamed and/or pinched. Can you say ‘OUCH’?  I did. Numerous times. *sigh* It will get better but in the meantime, I’ll be giving away state secrets. (Good thing I don’t know any.) But I won’t be telling you or my therapist the climax of Battle Scars. You’ll just have to read the novel. Of course, if I don’t get this posted and use my remaining computer time to work on it, I’ll never finish the revisions.

Enough about torture, er, physical therapy. Enjoy a bit of spring in Kansas. (Because it’s supposed to snow here tomorrow.)

Spring is coming

Posted in Battle Scars, life | Tagged , | 3 Comments

pen & paper – the return

Posted on April 1, 2013 by

A short post because I’ve probably been on the computer far too long today – i.e., Sunday, when I’m writing this post. My arm ached all day until about 9pm. The fingers are still numb but that’s minor compared to the arm. Hey, I’ll take whatever pain relief I get – longer doses preferable. :)

I was off to a  great start the first 7 days of March. I’d put the 1st draft of Battle Scars aside to let it rest. A sequel rumbled in my mind. I sketched out a dozen plot points and then wrote the opening chapters, about 7,200+ words. I’d planned to start revisions to the original that weekend of March 9/10, but life has a way of interrupting the best of plans.

No writing. No revisions. Nada. March 8 – 21 were hellish. My body decided to revolt against excessive computer use. Pain, tests, drugs. Diagnosis: neck vertebrae issues – discs, arthritis, stenosis. Not nearly as exciting as ‘sex, drugs, and rock ‘n roll’.

But I got back into the swing of things on March 22. I did have to resort to pen & paper. What a concept! I’ll fill you in my progress later this week.

What’s in store over the next few months:

  • revisions on Battle Scars
  • write a book blurb for the novel because the 2 sentences on my Works in Progress page just won’t do
  • start exploring cover art options
  • continue work on the sequel
  • voice dictation software
  • physical therapy
  • investigate giveaways on GoodReads to promote Keeping the Family Peace
  • see Niagara Falls
  • go to England
  • be pain-free!

I wish I could say April Fool’s, but I’ll just say Happy April 1!

Posted in Battle Scars, life, works in process, writing | 4 Comments