tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-83589866024983117322024-03-13T06:22:21.458-07:00The Spiral Tower of Inky DoomHistorical articles, histfic book reviews, and the writing life of Holly Stacey (pen name Lizzy Drake for the Elspet Stafford Mysteries).Lizzy Drakehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07424262505973681815noreply@blogger.comBlogger72125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8358986602498311732.post-86232146685714655322016-12-26T04:15:00.001-08:002016-12-26T04:15:05.531-08:00Book Review - Summons of the Majestic
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Book Review - Summons of the Majestic by Tim Reed</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I have read many of Tim Reed</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; margin: 0px;">’</span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">s short
stories in the past and when asked to read this first book in a new series, was
more than pleased to take up the offer. Let me first say that Reed</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; margin: 0px;">’</span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">s style of writing flows beautifully,
with more than a hint of the poetic and this work keeps true to that style.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The story itself is from the point of View of Teepo, an
orphan who has magical ability and known to his people as a </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; margin: 0px;">‘</span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Gromancer</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; margin: 0px;">’</span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">, or at least, a potential Gromancer. Taken in and trained
by an older Gromancer, the people of their village become anxious as there is
only meant to be one in each generation. When an ill omen is noticed by the
elders, both are exiled from their home and sent out into the Eight Islands. This
exile happens just as Teepo</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; margin: 0px;">’</span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">s
shadow becomes cursed by his master</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; margin: 0px;">’</span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">s
magical flute, a dark side of him that nobody can trust, including Teepo.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The descriptions of The Eight Islands is where Reed comes
into his own as a literary magician. He has created an intricate and genuine
world of monsters and personalities within a blanket of a fantastical realm. Each
Gromancer has the ability to Summon, or call and bind certain creatures to them
to do their will. They somehow need a certain number in order to make a wish
come true, and each Gromancer has a different desire. Teepo must abide with his
master</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; margin: 0px;">’</span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">s wish and battles a darkness
within himself and grows into his magical ability on the journey.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The story isn</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; margin: 0px;">’</span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">t the
usual arc the reader might expect, but rather a series of small arcs within
each chapter when a new Summons is captured (or not captured), each taking us a
step further into the unknown to the destination Teepo is convinced will be a
place called </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; margin: 0px;">‘</span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Calamity</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; margin: 0px;">’</span><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> while struggling forward as the evil
Darkness hunts them down. It is a very long novel and to be honest, I am not
certain it needs to be so long, but if the reader is one to enjoy the journey, it
is an enjoyable one.</span></div>
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<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike>Lizzy Drakehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07424262505973681815noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8358986602498311732.post-17951947796170813222016-07-31T08:55:00.000-07:002016-07-31T08:55:31.530-07:00Book Review - Jane the Quene by Janet Wertman<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Author Janet Wertman gives readers an
inside look at Henry VIII's court from the perspective of young and
innocent Jane Seymour as she falls in love with the handsome and
flirtatious King Henry while he is still married to the queen who
will soon be dubbed a witch, Anne Boleyn. Wertman brings what I have
always thought of as the 'dull and simple' queen to beautiful light,
breathing personality, honour and duty to Jane's background and time
in court.
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Wertman is an ace with her descriptions
of the deceit and court politics, taking us away from Jane's point of
view when necessary, into Cromwell's where we get a firm grasp of
behind-the-scenes plotting. I much preferred Jane's point of view
where there are scenes where I had actual gooseflesh when reading,
especially during the downfall of Boleyn and near Jane's own end.
Jane's courtship with Henry was highly engaging and brought forth a
gentler Henry without disregarding his dangerous side and Jane sees
it all but humbly accepts what she is duty bound to be: the bearer of
Henry's only legitimate male heir. I was kept intrigued, despite
being already very familiar with the events, and found the narrative
difficult to fault. There are a few modern phrases that make an
appearance, but Wertman blended them into the text in such a way that
they are not only forgiveable, but help the modern reader grasp the
era feel without being limited to the archaic (but beautiful) and
difficult language of the Tudor court (for anyone wanting to grasp a
sample, please look up some of Anne Boleyn's letters to Henry, both
during her courtship and her 'supposed' last letter to Henry during
her time in the Tower).</div>
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This book is ideal for newcomers to the
subject as Wertman takes the reader gently by the hand and helps them
navigate through the intrigue, court politics, and Tudor mindset with
ease, but as a lover of all things Tudor, I found myself still
intrigued with this new Jane, who I feel Wertman brought to life in a
way that makes me understand her as a woman and a queen of the era. A
well researched and well presented read. If you have a love of
history, read this book. If you enjoy the Tudor era, read this book.
If you thought only Anne Boleyn was worth reading about, you'll know
better after... well, you know. Just be warned – there are more
books to follow, this is only the first of Wertman's literary gems.</div>
Lizzy Drakehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07424262505973681815noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8358986602498311732.post-88750269954824602022016-04-27T13:43:00.001-07:002016-04-27T13:43:46.184-07:00English Historical Fiction Authors: Crests, Blood and Power – The Howards' Rise in Tud...<a href="http://englishhistoryauthors.blogspot.com/2016/04/crests-blood-and-power-howards-rise-in.html?spref=bl">English Historical Fiction Authors: Crests, Blood and Power – The Howards' Rise in Tud...</a>: By Lizzy Drake Photo 1: Framlingham Castle, the seat of the Dukes of Norfolk (Holly Stacey) The Howard dynasty in Tudor times ...Lizzy Drakehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07424262505973681815noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8358986602498311732.post-3106378295604151122016-04-15T07:28:00.002-07:002016-04-15T07:28:19.747-07:00Home again<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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It's been only a few days since we
landed back in LAX after two and a half weeks back in the UK. It was
surreal going back 'home' in the town where I'd spent the last
thirteen years and where my daughter spent the first years of her
life. We met up with friends and family and reacquainted ourselves
with the north-easterly winds that'd kept our cheeks pink for so
long. It rained, we played indoor mini-golf, it rained some more, we
donned our raincoats with thick fleeces, the sun came out for a bit,
and then it rained some more. But we didn't mind, we were too busy
having fun and doing castle and countryside adventures.</div>
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Now that we are back in California, it
still feels like we're on holiday – after all, this is where we
used to vacation, not live. Going through all 328 photos on my
finepix and a fair few to sort out on my phone, it's clear that we
made the most of every minute home (though I didn't get my steak and
kidney pie I miss so much, apparently, the public prefers steak and
ale, and my old haunts have altered their menus). We played in
Manningtree at Robin's Nest, Marks Tey (Dermot O'Leary's old
childhood house it up for sale), The Cottage Inn in Lynton, Dunster
Castle, Framlingham, and did a bit of exploration and cheese eating
at Cheddar Gorge.
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For me, it was wonderful to get new
photos of Framlingham Castle as not only is it my setting for book
two in the Elspet Stafford Mysteries, but all my original photos were
lost in the move (along with some great ones of Hever Castle and
Hedingham jousting). I also gathered some extra references for future
EHFA blogs, though one or two might jump out of the Tudor era. For
now though, it's still all about unpacking and getting used to the 8
hour time difference. And trying to remember that I'm no longer on
holiday!</div>
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Lizzy Drakehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07424262505973681815noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8358986602498311732.post-39156148019586035232016-03-16T13:57:00.001-07:002016-03-16T13:57:30.760-07:00English Historical Fiction Authors: Privys, Garderobes and Latrines – a quick tour of ...<a href="http://englishhistoryauthors.blogspot.com/2016/03/privys-garderobes-and-latrines-quick.html?spref=bl">English Historical Fiction Authors: Privys, Garderobes and Latrines – a quick tour of ...</a>: By Lizzy Drake photo from BBC's 'Life in the Castle' It used to be one of those taboo human necessities that history book...Lizzy Drakehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07424262505973681815noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8358986602498311732.post-18834133690353546522016-03-16T12:19:00.000-07:002016-03-16T12:23:06.278-07:00Book Review - Wulfsuna<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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E S Moxon brings the dark ages to life
through her vivid descriptions of both people and place. As Rome has
pulled out of Britain, there is a massive power vacuum and the
remaining tribes are left to battle it out for power, life and land.
Wulfsuna follows Lord Wulfgar and his attempts to establish a home
for his tribe, a split family of Saxons who must fight Angles and
Picts to establish their home. Moxon weaves an epic tale of Lord
Wulfgar's struggles, loves and loss.</div>
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When I was sent a copy of the book to
read and review, I first read a few pages to get a feel for the
writing before dedicating myself to the full read and I knew
immediately that it was going to be a thrilling book. The
descriptions are highly vivid and take the reader into the heat of
battle and whilst reading I kept thinking 'HBO drama, HBO drama'
mainly because it was so vivid and I expect it would make an
excellent TV series (as long as the director sticks to the historical
detail that Moxon has detailed so accurately well). I'm personally
not that into battle scenes and the book had many of them, but I did
feel that they were integral to the story and illustrated exactly how
much turmoil there was during the era without a clear leader or land
borders. What I loved reading most was the bewitching seer who is
cast out of her village and who fate weaves into Lord Wulfgar's arms.
Her point-of-view and story held my interest and I would have loved
to have the entire book seen from her eyes, she was such a
enthralling character.
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If you love epic battles, Dark Age
Britain, Saxons and beer wagons (has to be said, I'll dream forever
of a beer wagon), then this book is for you! It is the first in a
series, giving fans something to look forward to when the next book
is released. A beautiful historical fiction for an era often ignored
by conventional histories.<br />
<br />
ES Moxon's Author <a href="http://www.amazon.com/E-S-Moxon/e/B00RZDM4HC/ref=dp_byline_cont_ebooks_1" target="_blank">Page</a><br />
Amazon buy <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Wulfsuna-Wolf-Spear-Saga-Book-ebook/dp/B00R8CQK8O/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1458156101&sr=8-1&keywords=wulfsuna" target="_blank">link</a>:</div>
Lizzy Drakehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07424262505973681815noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8358986602498311732.post-66222950561152578062016-01-23T10:56:00.001-08:002016-01-23T10:56:30.100-08:00English Historical Fiction Authors: The Birth of Cipher in England<a href="http://englishhistoryauthors.blogspot.com/2015/12/the-birth-of-cipher-in-england.html?spref=bl">English Historical Fiction Authors: The Birth of Cipher in England</a>: by Lizzy Drake Finally, forasmuch as the ciphers which sir Thomas Spynell (whose soule God pardon!) had, have come to the hands of sundry p...Lizzy Drakehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07424262505973681815noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8358986602498311732.post-91031708353475261732016-01-23T09:40:00.000-08:002016-01-23T09:40:41.525-08:00Book Review - To Be a Queen<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Book Review – To Be a Queen by Annie
Whitehead</div>
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Annie Whitehead has boldly
delved into a little known era and brought to life one of it's shadow
legends; the daughter of Alfred the Great who learned to rule in her
own right. As Whitehead points out in her forward, England at this
time, was not one nation but several. Her main character,
Aethelflaed, whom she nicknames, Teasel, starts as a child having
grown up in Mercia (one of England's kingdoms) though she is the
daughter of a 'West Saxon'. The two nations, North (Mercia) and South
(Wessex) are meant to be allies against the Vikings but end up having
a very rough alliance and there are many unnecessary skirmishes and
in fighting. In the book, Whitehead has her main character, Teasel,
bring the two kingdoms to solidarity through support of both her
father (king of Wessex) and husband (king of Mercia).</div>
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The story is epic and told
in beautiful detail. Annie Whitehead has done her research, but she
at no time 'info drops' on the reader. There are language and
heritage guides at the back of the book, but reading the story, I
found it easy to pick up Saxon words as Whitehead introduced them.
She brings to life not only the era but the individuals that are
often glossed over in history.</div>
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As the book starts with
Aethelflaed as a child in Mercia, continues with her childhood in
Wessex, then follows her life as she grows before finally becoming
first the wife of a great leader, then a leader herself, and then her
death... well, it's a long tale. For those who want to dive into the
past and live every moment surrounded with that era, this book is the
one. For those wanting a good story, this will fit the bill too.
However, be warned, there are some slow scenes where we get to know
Teasel and her family well, and the made up romance between Teasel
and one of her husband's trusted warriors slowed the story down more
in my opinion. Even so, I enjoyed reading To Be a Queen and highly
recommend it to readers of Anglo-Saxon history and historic fiction.</div>
Lizzy Drakehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07424262505973681815noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8358986602498311732.post-66795611597743739712015-12-11T12:00:00.000-08:002015-12-11T17:42:15.968-08:00Research Challenges and 16th Century Murder Mysteries<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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There are many challenges to researching an historical fiction novel. Firstly, I'd like to state that
research is no stranger to me; I've been happy researching for
decades, be it Roman, Anglo-Saxon, pre-history, Medieval or later. My
degrees are in earlier periods (predominately Early Medieval England,
Scotland and Ireland) and I have been working in Tudor buildings or
re-enacting Tudor era since before the millennium. Yet I still faced
many challenges. Research for some is a joy and for many it simply
includes picking up a few basic history books and looking up wiki
facts (which I don't condemn at all – even wiki can help a
researcher by listing references below which can be followed up. It's
an excellent starting point for a new researcher, but do be aware
that facts are sometimes incorrect on wiki and should be used as a
compass point and not an actual reference).</div>
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But there is another type of research,
infinitely more fun and rewarding; and that is to go out and do your
own primary research. Visit the British Library if you are able, see
for yourself the manuscripts that the historians are using as the
foundations of their history books. Go to those castles and
photograph like mad (if permitted, if not, just get a feel for the
place and take copious notes) to understand exactly how your
characters, historical or fiction, would be interacting within those
stone walls. Visit every museum you can that holds artifacts from the
era you are researching and talk to other researchers.</div>
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Researching for the 16<sup>th</sup>
century for A Corpse in Cipher was incredibly enjoyable but it was
certainly fraught with challenges. For one, many of the history books
of the Tudor era are heavily Elizabethan biased. Assumptions seemed
to have been made on this that project later Tudor living onto the
earlier. Although Anne Boleyn is a vigorous subject both as
Elizabeth's mother and in her own right, I've noticed histories focus
on her experiences and her husband's without much regard for era
details outside of the bedchamber. General Tudor history books will
try to encompass early Tudor living, but it is still based on the
Elizabethan (and Henry's sex life). This is a pitfall into which many
new writers can fall; relying on generalized histories that do not
concentrate specifically on their era.</div>
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Which brings me to the second challenge
– money. Unless you have a university library to hand filled with
books belonging to your research era, the necessary books will need
to be obtained via cash means. Even with good research libraries at
hand (lets face it, public libraries just aren't going to have that
rare copy you're after nor will they purchase it at request),
photocopies for books that mustn't leave the property can add up. So
can photograph permissions and publishing rights. It all adds up.
E-bay is a beautiful thing for books. I've found some rare treasures
on e-bay that years of searching dusty old second hand shops have yet
to yield. As most writers are poor, doing accurate research is going
to be expensive.</div>
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There are many more challenges, but
I'll just sum up the next two here, and that is distance and status.
I was lucky enough to be living in England (fortuitously just an hour
north of London on the train, which put me in an advantageous
physical location as I was surrounded by Tudor era buildings all
within an easy drive or bus ride) and I know that others don't have
that advantage and 'getting there' is going to be more costly than
the acquisition of the right books. And of course, just like when I
attempted to arrange a meeting with the assistant curator of Castle
Howard to view some Tudor era letters, I lacked enough clout to be
taken seriously (why allow a writer of fiction books access to
fragile documents, it's not like it's a 'research degree') and there
were many, many others who gave the same cold reception. Of course,
it may have helped if I'd first prepared a letter of introduction
from someone high up in the field. Then again, it may have proved to
be just as fruitless. Without the backing of a university (an active
backing, as postgraduate alumni don't seem to matter), those doors
just keep being slammed.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
The good news is that there are many
enthusiasts within each research era that can give reference pointers
(don't ever just take one person's word for it – do the research!
I've met some lovely people online and at re-enactments who are still
hanging onto some outdated theory or disproved 'fact'). There are
also online histories that have transcribed documents and made them
available to the general public... for free. With the right timing,
wording, and yes, introductions, some museums and research centers
will respond with tips, facts or even invites for viewings, but
expect many doors to be slammed in your face first if you're not
carrying a postgraduate research degree badge. It's not an easy
life-choice to make, but doing the proper research for your book will
make it more believable not just for your readers, but for you. And
if you happen to discover something new that the historians have
overlooked, don't hide it away, share it. It may just open a few more
doors...</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Corpse-Cipher-Mystery-Stafford-Mysteries/dp/1519569440/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1449629706&sr=8-2&keywords=lizzy+drake" target="_blank">A Corpse in Ciphe</a>r – A Tudor Murder
Mystery by Lizzy Drake is available in print and as an <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Corpse-Cipher-Mystery-Stafford-Mysteries-ebook/dp/B01866XFQ0/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1449630210&sr=8-1&keywords=lizzy+drake" target="_blank">e-book</a></div>
Lizzy Drakehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07424262505973681815noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8358986602498311732.post-27566048075290389532015-12-07T17:19:00.000-08:002015-12-07T17:50:21.481-08:00Corpse Call<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qYyNs9RE25o/VmYvpxeGFGI/AAAAAAAAAPA/6n1-H2kVU2U/s1600/framlingham%2Blady.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qYyNs9RE25o/VmYvpxeGFGI/AAAAAAAAAPA/6n1-H2kVU2U/s320/framlingham%2Blady.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
There are just days left before the
book launch for <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Corpse-Cipher-Mystery-Stafford-Mysteries-ebook/dp/B01866XFQ0/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1449536723&sr=8-1&keywords=lizzy+drake" target="_blank">A Corpse in Cipher</a> – A Tudor Murder Mystery. As the
first in the new Elspet Stafford Mysteries (set in early 16<sup>th</sup>
century England) I'm both apprehensive and thrilled. The book was
received well by my readers but what about the public? There was also
that debacle about my pen name (which has been altered to Lizzy Drake
due to another author having published as I was editing and taking
the name I had first wanted). As another author had taken the name, I
had to pull the book, seek out my wonderful cover artist, Berni
Stevens, and beg for a change of name on the cover, get a new ISBN
(as the book had just been approved to print by the printer) and
upload everything fresh. One heart attack and two new Facebook pages
later, Lizzy Drake was launched as my official pen name for the
Elspet Stafford Mysteries and the kindle book is up for pre-order.<br />
<br /></div>
<div lang="en-GB" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
The print book is due to
arrive any day for final approval (again, but with the revised name).
I can't wait to hold the book in my hands. It's been a long while
since I've been excited about one of my publications and I'm a little
proud of this one. One international move, a crashed computer, over
500 lost photos of Tudor palaces that I'd taken during a year of
research trips, missing boxes during international shipping and one
name calamity later, this book represents so much more than a new
series for me, it also heralds the absolute change of lifestyle.<br />
<br /></div>
<div lang="en-GB" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
From now on, my writing
schedule has changed and become incorporated into my daily work. One
new mystery title per year is now the bar (as well as entering the
new titles into as many literary competitions as I can). Balanced
with apartment renovations (this year I've learned how to lay
laminate flooring; I've gone from excavating Roman flooring to laying
new ones), blogging and research between school runs, the future
looks to hold more dark and alluring crimes set in Catherine of
Aragon's early years as Queen. Already book two is in the research
stage and set at Framlingham Castle...<br />
<br /></div>
<div lang="en-GB" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Lizzy Drake's first Elspet
Stafford Mysteries book is out 15<sup>th</sup> of December.<br />
ISBN
978-1519569448</div>
<br />Lizzy Drakehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07424262505973681815noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8358986602498311732.post-67205206316052356302015-11-13T12:29:00.000-08:002015-11-13T12:29:55.048-08:00Online Book Launch - A Corpse in Cipher<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ILlqV-lyb3w/VkZHsiGXx4I/AAAAAAAAAOw/BjBgAMEAidQ/s1600/framlingham%2B1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ILlqV-lyb3w/VkZHsiGXx4I/AAAAAAAAAOw/BjBgAMEAidQ/s320/framlingham%2B1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Save the date, on the 15 December, 2015
from 6pm-8pm UK time (10am-noon West Coast US time) is set to be the
first online book release for A Corpse in Cipher, by Elizabeth Drake.
This is the first novel in a new series of Tudor murder mysteries set
in Henry VIII's early reign. It features Elspet Stafford, a young
woman of marriageable age whose mind is every bit as sharp as her
elderly friend and accomplice in detection, the Dowager Duchess
Lettice. The only problem, aside from the odd random corpse showing
up on their doorstep, is that everyone keeps trying to marry off
Elspet.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Here is the back cover blurb for book
one to whet the appetite:
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
The year is 1513 and Elspet Stafford is
a young woman with a promising future. She is engaged to a knight,
she has the lineage of a royal family and can't wait to start her new
life. She's never met her betrothed, but he sends her regular
letters; ciphers and puzzles for her to decode to keep her distracted
from her mother's overbearing nature. When news of his death reaches
her, she finds it hard to believe, especially as the <span lang="en-GB">messenger</span>
also brings a letter from the fallen man himself for her to decode.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
She takes the letter
with her when her mother sends her to a relation's manor where she is
to be trained for court. Before she can decode her letter, she
stumbles across the body of a murdered man in the manor's courtyard;
a murder which the Lord of Ufford Manor is determined to cover up.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Striking an unlikely
alliance with the Lord's mother, Dowager Duchess Lettice, Elspet must
decode the letter and discover what truly happened to the unfortunate
man. But some mysteries are safer left alone and soon both women find
themselves deep in intrigue, plots and of course, murder.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
About the author:</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Elizabeth Drake has
been studying Medieval and Tudor England for over 15 years and has an
MA in Medieval Archaeology from the University of York, England. She
has been writing for much longer but the Elspet Stafford Mysteries
began her writing career in the genre.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
When not writing or
researching, Elizabeth can be found reading or gardening. She
balances time between her two homes in Essex, UK and California.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
Lizzy Drakehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07424262505973681815noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8358986602498311732.post-24202041129815930842015-10-28T12:00:00.000-07:002015-10-28T12:00:01.078-07:00Book Review - The Jezebel's Daughter<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Jezebels-Daughter-Juliet-MacLeod/dp/1512356816/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1446001420&sr=8-1&keywords=the+jezebel%27s+daughter" target="_blank">The Jezebel's Daughter</a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Juliet MacLeod</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Historical Fiction/Historical Romance</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
1700's Golden Age of Piracy</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />Loreley Jones and her family are
sailing from England to start a new life in the Caribbean when their
ship runs into a massive storm. Being the only one small enough to
fit through a porthole, Loreley saved from the sinking ship, but is
swept away as she clings to flotsam while the rest of her family are
lost at sea. Loreley's life goes from bad to worse when, upon being
washed up on shore, she is taken by brigands to be sold to the local
brothel.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />As Loreley from an aristocratic
family and both young and beautiful, her virginity is auctioned off
at a high price to a cruel captain who bids not only for her first
night, but to have her as his possession that no other patrons may
touch. Loreley's time in the brothel is not all bad, she makes a
beautiful connection to a slave woman who looks after her like a
daughter. Still mourning the death of her family and old life,
Tansy's love and affection toward Loreley is both needed and
returned.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />Life once again changes for
Loreley, she is able to leave her prison after some time there, but
instead of going back to her beloved England, she becomes
(transforming herself into a boy) part of the crew of a pirate ship
and falls deeply in love.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />The book is a beautiful depiction
of life on the high seas in the Golden Age of piracy, but is well
researched and more than a little myth-destroying. I'll not touch on
the rest of the book as it will give too much away, but I enjoyed
reading every page. It is a romance – there are detailed sex scenes
and some rape scenes at the beginning that may make some readers
uncomfortable, but I feel the author wrote as both her genre and the
story needed to make the narration real and lead the book forward.
The vivid description of island Voodoo was excellent, as was the
detailed and believable characters that I immediately identified
with. My favourite was Tansy by far, though Ben takes a close second.
This book will sweep you away into another time and place and leave
you both satisfied and more than a little tear stained.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
Lizzy Drakehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07424262505973681815noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8358986602498311732.post-79223632412228082502015-10-22T07:35:00.000-07:002015-10-22T08:05:47.637-07:00Tudor Mysteries, Moves, and HNS<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
It's been ten months since the
relocation – we still have some boxes in the garage and everyone is
settled in their new work/school routine. I expected that a move to
such a sunny location would alter my writing from the Tudor feel I
was after, but instead it has helped me dive deeper into the era
somehow. With my dedicated writing room/library (the former formal
dining room, we've never had one of these, so there is no need to
start now) I've been whizzing through scenes of intrigue and
betrayal, inns and court, kirtle and... well, you get the picture.
Having spent all of 2014 in dedicated research, by January I was
ready to write. By late June I had a strong working draft and by
September, I had an edited version for my trial readers.<br />
<br /><br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Now that most of the dust has settled
and book one is drafted and edited (currently going through another
edit), the timing of the Historical Novel Society's 2016 Oxford
conference tickets being on sale was just right. I've booked my place
at the conference, accommodation and evening costume gala, which, I
do believe means I'll be the only one in my group of historical
fiction friends who will be dressed as a Tudor; the rest of them seem
to be Georgian-heavy. As I'm used to sticking out like a sore thumb
everywhere I go, this is probably a good thing (or, at least, in my
comfort zone). This means getting out the continuing work-in-progress
known as the Tudor gown and getting some appropriate Tudor
undergarments (Elizabethan era rather than early Henrician as my
story is set, but hey).<br />
<br /></div>
<br />
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
With England in my sights again, I've
also put together a Tudor tour so I can go back to both Hever Castle
and Framlingham Castle (book two is set mostly at Framlingham Castle)
since my photos were lost in transit due to a bad memory stick and a
defunct laptop; my current WIP was the only thing to go smoothly in
the past twelve months.<br />
<br /></div>
<br />
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Which, somehow brings me back to the
manuscript. I had sent it out to US agents and also one UK agent who
had invited me to submit at the last HNS (still pending a response, I
know they are busy) and I wasn't sure if I was going to be happy
having my book with US spelling (something I'm not fond of), so I've
made the decision to keep it to UK English. Sounds like such a simple
thing, but writing Tudor era stories with a modern edge to keep the
speech intelligible to the general public is hard enough, dropping
the extra vowels that are so unique to UK English is a soul-killer.</div>
<br />
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
I've also finally joined the Historical
Novel Society as a member and am looking forward to getting more
involved and writing up more research-based blogs. Happy days!<br />
<br /><br />
<br /></div>
<br /></div>
Lizzy Drakehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07424262505973681815noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8358986602498311732.post-1290953850988623492015-06-18T08:26:00.000-07:002015-06-18T08:29:21.505-07:00Long Haul<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bt4fGKS3HcE/UMNmcatZfvI/AAAAAAAAAHE/xHIIzEUKAvw/s1600/ocean%2Bprofile.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bt4fGKS3HcE/UMNmcatZfvI/AAAAAAAAAHE/xHIIzEUKAvw/s320/ocean%2Bprofile.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
Here we are, halfway through 2015 and I'm finally getting back to my blog post. It's been an unusual few months - international move, new everything, new way of doing things and more computer complications (I'm currently writing this on my IPad rather than the new ACER computer... let me say I really, really miss my old DELL).</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
All my research from last year was packed on the container ship along with my personal research library. My computer had crashed, but I'd backed up all my files and photos on a memory stick as I knew I didn't have much time (as all good things must go, including the 8 year old laptop). Then I accidentally left the memory stick with my things to be shipped on the container (which took over 3 months).</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
So, I'm pleased to announce that despite all the setbacks, the historical fiction WIP that I'd spent all of last year researching for, is nearly drafted. Just 7000 more words to write (ish) which, at my current schedule means the middle of next week. Hoorah! Bliss! </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
I'm a little sad that I've lost about 300 photos I'd taken during my research (Tudor strongholds, castle grounds, etc) as the memory stick apparently doesn't do photos very well. But that just means I have an excuse to go back and take more. So what if I'm on the other side of the planet - what's life without a little travel? Historical Novel Society 2016 will be in Oxford and I'm very excited about attending.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
I would write more... about Catherine of Aragon, about my character Elspet and the cipher she's discovered, but well... I just need to finish a few more scenes. TTFN</div>
<br />Lizzy Drakehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07424262505973681815noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8358986602498311732.post-49478012888999133902014-10-03T02:41:00.000-07:002014-10-03T02:41:08.483-07:00Catherine of Aragon's missing letters
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DbxuEWHwSWU/VC5upx5HMZI/AAAAAAAAAMk/ZeCuyEGBW2U/s1600/Shakespeare's%2BCipher.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DbxuEWHwSWU/VC5upx5HMZI/AAAAAAAAAMk/ZeCuyEGBW2U/s1600/Shakespeare's%2BCipher.jpg" /></a></div>
(photo from Shakespeare's Secrets: A Hidden Cipher - wondersandmarvels.com)<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
Having spent some time looking through various letters to
and from the English court in 1513, I’d found (or not found) some surprising
things.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Firstly, Wolsey and Thomas
Howard appear to be very tight in their alliance, Henry VIII is a poor
correspondent to his queen, Margaret of Savoy seems to have the biggest
political hand in the events of the time, and Catherine of Aragon is rather
absent.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Or, at least her letters for
many months do not at all represent the correspondence of a Queen Regent. </div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
These missing letters are what I’d been searching for. While
many documents were lost in fire, misplaced through time, or just so difficult
to transcribe that they are skipped over, I had been expecting many lengthy
personal letters between Catherine and Henry in regards to her becoming regent
in his absence (fighting in <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">France</st1:place></st1:country-region>).
There were a few short messages from Catherine to Wolsey, Howard to Catherine,
or vice versa – Catherine asking for more updates on her husband, or Wolsey
giving a very basic update on Henry’s whereabouts. A much lengthier letter from
Catherine appears in the records after the battle of <st1:place w:st="on">Flodden</st1:place>.
</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
In September, 1513, Queen Catherine writes to Henry VIII
about the victory at the Battle of Flodden. She writes: “Sir, My lord Havard
hath sent me a letter to open to your grace within one of mine by the which ye
shall see at length the great victory that our Lord hath sent your subjects in
your absence: and for this cause it is no need herein to trouble your grace with
long writing…”</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
Looking closely at the wording of Catherine’s letter, she
suggests that there is an additional letter from her to be read in conjunction
with Lord Havard’s letter. Yet, she has already told Henry she would not bother
with long writing (which suggests to me, although this is the longest letter in
record during for these few months from her, that her other letters might have
been longer). So where are these longer letters (if any)? </div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
It has been noted by some historians that Catherine started
writing in cipher when she was betrothed to prince Arthur.</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
S. Tomokio writes in his article ‘Earliest English
Diplomatic Ciphers’: “It appears that Catherine used a cipher different from
that of the Spanish ambassador, considering Bergenroth noted during the middle
of his research that Catherine's cipher was one of the three ciphers that he
did not yet understand. On the other hand, it appears, as noted above,
Catherine let De <st1:state w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Puebla</st1:place></st1:state>
decipher Ferdinand's letter to Henry VII sent to her. Examination of the
manuscript is desired (<a href="http://www.h4.dion.ne.jp/~room4me/america/code/henryvii.htm)"><span style="color: blue;">http://www.h4.dion.ne.jp/~room4me/america/code/henryvii.htm)</span></a>.”</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
This wonderful extract in Tomokio’s article shows us some
excellent reference to the cipher used by Catherine and Henry: “‘<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Has learnt by her letter in cipher, and by
the letter in plain writing of the King of England, that it is his intention to
prevent the utter destruction of Venice,....<br />
.....<br />
‘The King of <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">England</st1:place></st1:country-region>
must therefore henceforth write in his letters nothing but such things as the
French may read without danger. All other communications must be made by her,
and be written in her cipher, or in the cipher of the ambassador, until the new
ambassador arrives. Has always observed, and will in future observe the same
rule, namely, to write in common writing only what the French may see, and to
write all that is important in cipher.<br />
‘In answer to the contents of the letter of the King, and of her letter in
cipher, there is little to be said, except ....</i>’ Ferdinand to Catherine, 18
November 1509, (Calendared in Bergenroth pp.25-26)”</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
The newly published online (previously only in print) 'Henry
VIII: April 1513, 1-10', Letters and Papers, Foreign and Domestic, Henry VIII,
Volume 1: 1509-1514 (1920)’ lists and transcribes all the letters in record for
this time, but if a letter is in French, German, Latin or any other dialect,
including cipher, it is noted as such and not transcribed. Many ‘in cipher’
letters appear (and sadly letters ‘too damaged to decipher), which leads me to
think how wonderful it would be to find the key to unlock Catherine’s ciphered
letters.</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
Whatever the reason, the archives have a scarcity of letters
from Catherine which is a thrilling little mystery in its own.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Six months as Regent of the country, a
decisive victory and the death of the Scottish King would surely amass more
than a handful of stinted letters from this very powerful and passionate woman.</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<o:p> </o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<o:p> </o:p></div>
Lizzy Drakehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07424262505973681815noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8358986602498311732.post-15783126031694869062014-09-18T01:15:00.000-07:002014-09-18T01:15:06.797-07:00Battle of Flodden<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DnsefVyiE2c/VBqTfHSou1I/AAAAAAAAAMU/3beJVc8tWkg/s1600/flodden2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DnsefVyiE2c/VBqTfHSou1I/AAAAAAAAAMU/3beJVc8tWkg/s1600/flodden2.jpg" height="133" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
The Battle of Flodden, which took place in Northumberland’s
Brainston Moor, was a victory for <st1:country-region w:st="on">England</st1:country-region>
and the death of <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Scotland</st1:place></st1:country-region>’s
King James IV, who died in the battle. Although the English forces were headed
by the Earl of Surrey (Thomas Howard, 2<sup>nd</sup> Duke of Norfolk), it was
Queen Catherine who, heavily pregnant, rode out in full armour to address the
troops before battle.</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
War with <st1:country-region w:st="on">Scotland</st1:country-region>
was personal – it was the King’s brother-in-law, James IV who declared war on <st1:country-region w:st="on">England</st1:country-region> while <st1:country-region w:st="on">England</st1:country-region>
was making war with <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:country-region w:st="on">France</st1:country-region></st1:place>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>James IV wrote to Henry VIII on 24 May, 1513,
stating that he had received word from <st1:country-region w:st="on">France</st1:country-region>
that <st1:country-region w:st="on">England</st1:country-region> might invade,
and that if Henry invaded <st1:country-region w:st="on">France</st1:country-region>,
<st1:country-region w:st="on">Scotland</st1:country-region> in turn would
invade <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">England</st1:place></st1:country-region>.
<st1:country-region w:st="on">Scotland</st1:country-region>’s alliance (known
as the Auld Alliance) supported <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">France</st1:place></st1:country-region>
and were anit-Papist reformers. More specifically, <st1:country-region w:st="on">England</st1:country-region>
and <st1:country-region w:st="on">Spain</st1:country-region> were allies with
League of the Cambrai, the Catholic League, which was under attack from France
who was invading <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Italy</st1:place></st1:country-region>.
While <st1:country-region w:st="on">England</st1:country-region> attacked <st1:country-region w:st="on">France</st1:country-region>, <st1:country-region w:st="on">Scotland</st1:country-region>
supported <st1:country-region w:st="on">France</st1:country-region> by
attacking <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">England</st1:place></st1:country-region>.
Queen Catherine, a daughter of <st1:country-region w:st="on">Spain</st1:country-region>
and devout Catholic, kept Henry’s <st1:country-region w:st="on">England</st1:country-region>
highly influenced by <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Spain</st1:place></st1:country-region>
and the Pope until she fell out of Henry’s favour many years later. Adding to
this was the already turbulent relationship between <st1:country-region w:st="on">Scotland</st1:country-region>
and <st1:country-region w:st="on">England</st1:country-region> which, never a
strong alliance, had reached critical breaking point when Robert Kerr, a
Scottish East March warden was murdered (not to mention that Henry outraged
James by claiming <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Scotland</st1:place></st1:country-region>
as one of his territories).</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
Fighting on two or more fronts always weakens an army, so
when the King and his troops gathered arms and fought for two years in <st1:country-region w:st="on">France</st1:country-region>, it was up to Queen Regent, Catherine of
Aragon to sort things out on the northern borders of <st1:country-region w:st="on">England</st1:country-region>
while <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Scotland</st1:place></st1:country-region>
was trying to invade. Catherine proved herself to be a trustworthy Regent and
leader at the time. The Battle of Flodden was not the end of Anglo-Scots
tension or wars, but with James IV dead and his son and successor only 17
months old, it cooled their attack for many years to come.</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
Catherine may have succeeded in rousing troops to victory,
but her joy was short lived as her newborn child died only days after he was
born in October.</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<o:p> </o:p></div>
sources:<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"> 'Henry VIII: May 1513, 21-31', Letters and
Papers, Foreign and Domestic, Henry VIII, Volume 1: 1509-1514 (1920)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Scottisharchivesforschool.org</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">and Wiki</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<o:p> </o:p></div>
Lizzy Drakehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07424262505973681815noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8358986602498311732.post-59039841853782354172014-09-12T02:01:00.000-07:002014-09-12T02:01:01.117-07:00Margaret of Savoy<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LeFmUYLdeTA/VBK1bejp98I/AAAAAAAAAME/SKioCD5j-hk/s1600/margaret%2Bof%2Bsavoy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LeFmUYLdeTA/VBK1bejp98I/AAAAAAAAAME/SKioCD5j-hk/s1600/margaret%2Bof%2Bsavoy.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<o:p> </o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
It’s been an exciting few weeks – firstly, the Historical
Novel Society weekend was very illuminating.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>And it’s been good motivation as well. I have less than one year to
finish my research and write my first draft of the Tudor murder mystery novel.
I’m loving the research, but it is difficult to not get sidetracked.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ve been looking into Catherine of Aragon
and whilst reading papers from Henry VIII court in 1513, I kept coming across
some familiar names, but what caught my eye was Margaret of Savoy. Of course
there have been a few women of that title over time, but only one alive in 1513
and the more I read about her (see, distracted) the more I came to love her.</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
The letter that caught my eye last night was from Mary,
Princess of Castile to Margaret, thanking her for the costume patterns for the
women in her court, of which she hopes to introduce the fashion very soon. I
love this very girly sharing of patterns and style, but it goes much deeper
than that as sneaky Margaret has a very large hand in dealing out textiles as
well as fashions – not just out of a feminine vanity, but to add to the
political and financial strength of her country. </div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
Margaret of <st1:state w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Savoy</st1:place></st1:state>
(or, Margaret of Austria, Duchess of Savoy) made new ground with what women
rulers could do in a very male dominated world.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>She was widowed twice and was allowed to live in her own right and
having a hand in European politics. She negotiated a treaty of trade with
England that favoured Flemish cloth interests and even helped to form the
League of Cambrai in 1508 (a Holy League that held vast political and Papal influence
throughout Europe) and later, the Treaty of Cambrai (known also as Ladies’
Peace).</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
I’d love to see what sort of relationship Margaret had with
Catherine of Aragon, as both women held immense political sway and influence.
But that must wait for another day. For now, I must read more papers and
letters from 1513, note what I can (as I’m looking for Catherine’s letters
from, to, or about her as her early life as Queen and especially Regent is very
vaguely documented).</div>
Lizzy Drakehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07424262505973681815noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8358986602498311732.post-64356008791470287772014-09-08T07:09:00.002-07:002014-09-08T07:09:19.881-07:00HNS and missing teen readers...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-s0TOeYhUDqw/VA239wW6gDI/AAAAAAAAAL0/KelaG3MfZq8/s1600/HNS%2Bconference%2Bpic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-s0TOeYhUDqw/VA239wW6gDI/AAAAAAAAAL0/KelaG3MfZq8/s1600/HNS%2Bconference%2Bpic.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
(I'm in the stripes)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<o:p> </o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
What a great three days – my first Historical Novel Society
Conference touched on so many aspects of the industry.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The best though was meeting so many
like-minded authors (even though Tudor era writers were highly underrepresented).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As I was travelling with my friend Laura
Purcell (Queen of Bedlam author), somehow I ended up adopted by a largeish
group of Georgian writers and learning all about William Pitt’s brother John
from Jacqui Reiter (who took the photograph above and is sitting to my right).</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>My
Christmas list has grown with books I want to read – Juliet Greenwood is at the
top of my list with her late Victorian novels that just look so good (not to
mention she was in the top 5 list for kindle historical fiction books which is
rather impressive). I also splurged on a copy of The Miniaturist and the
author, Jessie Burton was kind enough to sign it for me.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>There were
so many excellent speakers, but also an illuminating session with traditional
agents, publishers and sales reps of the industry. One of the most less helpful
aspects of this session was when I asked about the teen market for historical
fiction and was promptly told by several of the panellists that ‘teenagers just
don’t read’.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Which of course, is pretty
much nonsense but has given me the gumption to re-write some of my previous work
for the adult market.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Teen readers (yes,
they do exist!) that I’ve met purposefully avoid children’s fiction but will
read adult novels.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So, eh.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Doesn’t matter too much I suppose as I’m
jumping ship on the whole writing YA. I may return to YA when Briardarke
officially takes on Faeries, but for now I have until December to research 1513
and everything Tudor and from January to June to crank out draft 1 of my first
Tudor Murder Mystery (under a pen name).</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>So now that
school is back in session (thank heavens for my 15 hours a week in which to
work) I expect my future blogs to be history heavy. Fun times!</div>
<br />Lizzy Drakehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07424262505973681815noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8358986602498311732.post-12663704498097312382014-08-17T11:27:00.000-07:002014-08-17T11:27:43.402-07:00The Body in the Courtyard
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YXqw5r1fRxg/U_DztMl8IgI/AAAAAAAAALk/taXeOj27pjk/s1600/Catherine%2Bof%2BAragon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YXqw5r1fRxg/U_DztMl8IgI/AAAAAAAAALk/taXeOj27pjk/s1600/Catherine%2Bof%2BAragon.jpg" height="320" width="235" /></a></div>
(above portrait is of a young Catherine of Aragon)<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
Now that I’m no longer in between novels, I finally feel
like things are back to normal.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Except
that they aren’t.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Instead of working on
my next teen fiction, I’m researching the early 1500s for the setting of my
next series; a Tudor Murder Mystery series for adult readers under a pen name
(which will be disclosed upon release of book 1).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The main character will be/is fictitious, but
the story revolves around historic events, so although it’s a fiction, I
absolutely must get the setting and history right.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Which means a lot of research, which I love
doing.</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
I’ve always wanted to write a whodunit and I’ve always
wanted to explore the Tudor era in more depth (the Masters degree was in Early
Medieval Archaeology, so anything past Conquest was too late for me).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now that I’m more engaged with the latter
medieval, I find myself getting sucked into the era. The more I learn, the more
I want to know.</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
Which brings us to 1513, the year my novel is set.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I knew a bit about the first wife of Henry
VIII; that she was treated pretty roughly towards the end when his wandering
eye took his interest (and hopes for a son) to Catherin’s lady-in-waiting, Anne
Boleyn. I also knew she bore many children although only one survived (to
become Queen Mary).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I didn’t know that
she’d been assigned Regent for six months while Henry was away in France, that
heavily pregnant, she donned full armour, rode north to address her troops who
were due to invade Scotland.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><st1:country-region w:st="on">England</st1:country-region> had been at war with <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Scotland</st1:place></st1:country-region> for
some time and she and her army won the war. Her child, however was born in
October and lived only 52 days.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Small
wonder, reading about what she’d been through. Catherine of Aragon was much
more than just wife number 1.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She was
the strength that the King depended on, trusted to run the country for him
while he was away.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And that trust was
not misplaced (now if only she could have trusted him).</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
But Catherine of Aragon is not my protagonist – she’s just
part of the background tapestry of my setting. My main character is a young
woman of no real consequence.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Her father
is a Lord, her fiancé is in <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">France</st1:place></st1:country-region>
fighting along side King Henry, but her life is about to make some unexpected
changes. Not only is her fiancé reported fallen in the battlefield, but her
parents ship her off to the countryside to care for a bedridden great aunt that
she’s never heard of.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And then there is
that body in the courtyard…</div>
Lizzy Drakehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07424262505973681815noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8358986602498311732.post-34370790953252777302014-08-12T07:51:00.000-07:002014-08-12T10:35:31.221-07:00Blood Tide's new launch!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NziK02EO7z0/U-oppCAqqYI/AAAAAAAAALU/cKXzsE_JTZQ/s1600/Blood%2BTide%2B1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NziK02EO7z0/U-oppCAqqYI/AAAAAAAAALU/cKXzsE_JTZQ/s1600/Blood%2BTide%2B1.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
It’s finally out in print and I can’t believe how wonderful
it feels.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After years of rewrites,
making small changes, edits and feedback from some very amazing readers, it’s
pure concentrated love in triangle paperback form. Springbok Publications, my
publisher for the book, has also sent me to my first e-launch.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I had no idea what to expect and I was
sweating for the three hours before it started.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>However, once live, it was good fun and I had the chance to engage with
my readers and potential readers for a few hours.</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
Something someone asked me on the night was, ‘what made you
want to write about slavery in 1733?’ Valid question.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was a very convoluted answer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The primary reason was that I felt Black
History Month became a bit boring for teenagers at school.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It seemed to be the same list of names, dates
and atrocities and I had the distinct feeling they’d become num to it all.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I wanted to engage these young adults with a
new tale – a fictional tale using the elements of historic slavery with a
character they could follow (and was new to them).</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
Of course, there was also that amazing charcoal sketch of a <st1:place w:st="on">Caribbean</st1:place> woman at my grandmother’s house which inspired
Amber’s mother, Precious.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is her
story too, although most of it is about Amber fighting her way to freedom
alongside her fellow captors.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And, of
course, who could resist the urge to write about pirates?</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
There was only one successful revolting slave ship in
history, and that was the Amistat. Slaves on the ship managed to escape the
hold, take the ship and live for a short time as pirates.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>With several historic points as inspiration,
I wove a tale that (hopefully) tempts newcomers to history, leaving them
wanting to research their own histories and learn more.</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
Blood Tide is available now on Amazon, but should, in just a
few weeks, be available to order from Waterstones and most bookstores.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For a signed copy, visit
www.springbokpublications.com.</div>
Lizzy Drakehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07424262505973681815noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8358986602498311732.post-14563523141677470902014-06-05T11:27:00.003-07:002014-06-05T11:27:51.182-07:00Blog Hop
<br />
<div style="background: white; margin: 0cm 0cm 12.45pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="color: black; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">It’s been a while again. Yes, I let time slip
away (and, I must admit, research did take up a lot of my time). However, my
good friend and fellow writer, Berni Stevens </span><span class="yiv3791212600apple-style-span"><u><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #144fae; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><a href="http://www.bernistevensdesign.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">http://www.bernistevensdesign.com/</span></a></span>, </u></span><u></u><u><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #144fae; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><a href="http://bernistevens.blogspot.co.uk/" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">http://bernistevens.blogspot.co.uk/</span></a>
</span></u><span lang="EN-US" style="color: black; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">has pushed me back on track by asking me to
participate in this year’s blog hop.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div style="background: white; margin: 0cm 0cm 12.45pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="color: black; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">So, I’ve got some questions to answer and a
link to post, then some authors to nominate.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>However, me being rather busy (and perhaps a bit lazy) I’ve only managed
to coerce one author into participating instead of the expected three.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All I have to say is, ‘Thanks Tim! You were
always my most punctual of author friends and once again you got back to me in
record time.’<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div style="background: white; margin: 0cm 0cm 12.45pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="color: black; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Right, the questions: <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div style="background: white; margin: 0cm 0cm 12.45pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="color: black; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><br />
1) What am I working on?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div style="background: white; margin: 0cm 0cm 12.45pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="color: black; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">I’m working on… ah, bells, do I really have to give a direct
answer?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m in limbo, truth be
told.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Three books coming out with three
different publishers and I’m in the process of researching for a new series of
books that will be under a pen name.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
books are set in Tudor England and will have a murder mystery slant to them.
They are for adult readers (no, not naughty, but not aimed at my usual children’s
and teen audience) and therefore under a different name.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="background: white; margin: 0cm 0cm 12.45pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="color: black; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">2) How does my work differ from others of its genre?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div style="background: white; margin: 0cm 0cm 12.45pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="color: black; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Curses, I think I’ve already answered that question. How am I to… ah,
nevermind.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s adult historical
fiction, not children’s fantasy or teen urban fantasy or teen historical
fiction.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div style="background: white; margin: 0cm 0cm 12.45pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="color: black; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><br />
3) Why do I write what I do?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div style="background: white; margin: 0cm 0cm 12.45pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="color: black; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Why? Because I can’t live if I don’t.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I’d shrivel up and die in a corner. Why else would anyone sit at their
computer day in and out, waiting upon some chance in Hades that a big agent
will someday commission the work that took years and excluded all social
activities? In one word, delusional.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Yup, that’s me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And every author
I know.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div style="background: white; margin: 0cm 0cm 12.45pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="color: black; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><br />
4) How does my writing process work?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div style="background: white; margin: 0cm 0cm 12.45pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="color: black; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">I write, I sit, I write, I sleep, I write, I edit, I write, I sleep a
bit, wake up with a new idea for a subplot, then write some more.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then I edit a whole lot, then when it’s all
done I open a bottle of champagne and pray someone will be interested, then I
send it to agents, then I get the rejection letters, then I cry a bit, then I
edit some more, then I beg friends to read it and give suggestions, then I edit
again, then I have a new idea and start it all over. Any questions?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="color: black; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Okay, nomination time! Tim Reed, over to you! Thanks for being a good
sport :-)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Tim Reed has been
published several times in the short story and novella field, in the <st1:country-region w:st="on">USA</st1:country-region> and <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:country-region w:st="on">UK</st1:country-region></st1:place>, spreading his net on the
fantasy, weird tale and horror genres. He works as a technical author and does
freelance proofreading in his spare time.<span style="color: black;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="msid2353" style="background: white; line-height: 13.65pt; margin: 1em 0cm 7.5pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">He has a love of
well-written fantasy and supernatural fiction - both old and modern - and cites
Algernon Blackwood and H P Lovecraft as his primary literary inspirations. His
current ongoing works-in-progress include a modern retelling of 'The Magic Faraway
Tree'; he will always write...even though his constant daydreaming continues to
infuriate his nearest and dearest.<span style="color: black;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="color: black; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Blog link:
www.timreedauthor.com<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="color: black; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
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<o:p> </o:p></div>
Lizzy Drakehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07424262505973681815noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8358986602498311732.post-49954423316688976592014-03-20T02:52:00.000-07:002014-03-20T02:52:56.115-07:00To Talliston we go!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_GsljEJeCK4/Uyq20k4EBBI/AAAAAAAAAK8/bWPP4DWfNdo/s1600/romans.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_GsljEJeCK4/Uyq20k4EBBI/AAAAAAAAAK8/bWPP4DWfNdo/s1600/romans.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
Just a few more weeks until the Murder Mystery party at Talliston. With a Roman theme, I've been busy making Roman jewellery and costume (Ignore the stripy shirt under my tunica lol).<br />
<br />
It has been very long since my last blog, but to be fair, I've had to hold back in regards to what's going on with my writing. And I've been busy with Seadrake Creations, my jewellery business (<a href="https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=676296549101105&id=376134102450686&aymt_tip=1#!/SeadrakeCreations">https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=676296549101105&id=376134102450686&aymt_tip=1#!/SeadrakeCreations</a>)<br />
which has been keeping my hands from typing (forming, soldering, hammering silver is pretty amazing and fun).<br />
<br />
On to writing. So much has changed. Faeries will be on hold for a little longer as the publisher is still setting things up and making sure all legalities are in order. It's going to be a good company, I can feel it, and I'm very excited for the new director and owner... it brings back memories of when Wyvern Publications was new. It also gives me some breathing space to finish my other projects because as soon as she takes on Faeries, I'll need to crack on with book two.<br />
<br />
Blood Tide is still with Springbok Publications and I've just finished reviewing the e-proof. I can't believe how much it's improved since the manuscript was left with them... I truly am blessed to have great indy publishers!!! It will be released as soon as it's ready - I know myself how long these things can take and I'll post links to the book as soon as it's up.<br />
<br />
My third publisher (really, three??? I'm either doing something very right or very wrong) has taken my last children's stories for the anthology and is reviewing the changes now. It's been a boon having a dedicated children's e-publisher, and now these stories are going into their own dedicated anthology with an emphasis on my Cornish storyteller collection. It will be out when it's out and I'll post those links too.<br />
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As for random anthology contributions, I think I'm finished with those. I've lost count of the number of collections I'm part of and although I loved doing it, it takes time from my larger projects.<br />
<br />
Write, write, write, make jewellery, prep the house, create the Tudor style garden, work on the putting together the natural looking playground, blog, argh, it's all a spin. Some big changes are about to take place and when I'm at liberty, I'll write about them. But for now, it's all work and very little play. Oh, and some good publishing :-)<br />
<br />Lizzy Drakehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07424262505973681815noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8358986602498311732.post-31438447494946380172013-07-10T23:23:00.000-07:002013-07-10T23:23:49.969-07:00July Ink and Beyond...
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-W9nWKSk002Q/Ud5OjutMpXI/AAAAAAAAAKs/KQTa_FAXGZ0/s1600/lookin+up.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-W9nWKSk002Q/Ud5OjutMpXI/AAAAAAAAAKs/KQTa_FAXGZ0/s320/lookin+up.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
We've booked our winter escape from the future cold! Muahahahhaaaaa... palm trees here we come, time for grandma to spoil the little one (and us!). But that's months away. For now, it's glorious weather here and the only downside is that it's keeping the toddler up late at night which digs into my writing time. And I still have to see that jeweller about doing an internship while I'm out there (didn't want to contact him before we had the dates set firm).<br />
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I’ve got just the rest of the month to draft
out the rest of Downtrodden and then send it to an agent… I wasn’t intending on
sending it out, but a glorious writer I know has suggested I do it (although
the deadline is my own and will probably extend into next month).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She is currently working as an intern for
said agent.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I dare not get my hopes up –
Downtrodden is not the standard novel and it’s not written in third person
limited in a single voice; it’s third person limited from many voices in many
sections (yes, yes, as I said earlier, it’s not normal – it’s like a miniseries
on TV).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Which is why I can’t get my
hopes up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ve broken rules…</div>
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Yet seeing the end to the draft will mean my celebrating – I
started Downtrodden years ago, first as a flash fiction competition submission
when I very first started writing seriously in 2008 after finishing (I use ‘finishing’
in the loosest of terms as I didn’t bother going beyond the fiction section as
at that time there was no individual course for just fiction, let alone
children’s and teen fiction… yet I’ve made my money back and then some, which
is the only way to get a ‘pass’, but I’ve never bothered to send in for my
certificate, I’m THAT lazy) Writer’s Bureau course.</div>
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If said agent isn’t interested, or is just shocked that I’ve
send in something so abominable to the written word, I’ll publish it on kindle
as a short series of four ‘books’, every other to be a free download – if
people like it, then they can buy the next instalment, etc.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At any rate, it will be a fun experiment <span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span></span></div>
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As for the rest of writing, knowonder no longer pays staff
writers which is a shame but understandable.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>They are, however, still paying general writers, so if anyone other than
staff was considering submitting, don’t be put off. I’ll be spending more time
of Highlights submissions in the future; it’s such an established magazine, I
don’t expect it will have too many cuts (gulp… famous last words?)</div>
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The Isabella edit is taking longer than expected (did I say
that last time too?) but the finished product will be very nice.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As for Three Women… it will be done on time
(really, it will!) but Isabella is taking most of my hours and I’ve not even
done anything for Seadrake this month – except pull my work from both high
street shops.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m putting it all on etsy
with sale prices to flush it out before I start on a new line. Onwards and
upwards, yada yada…</div>
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<o:p> </o:p></div>
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<o:p> </o:p></div>
Lizzy Drakehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07424262505973681815noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8358986602498311732.post-23172649217523564802013-06-28T07:26:00.000-07:002013-06-28T07:26:17.082-07:00New Books and Doomy WeatherI'm in a new anthology! Look, here is the cover as it looks on amazon: <br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HnjoUue82oM/Uc2cqtXMVTI/AAAAAAAAAKM/-CuX6JBrots/s300/spread+your+wings!.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HnjoUue82oM/Uc2cqtXMVTI/AAAAAAAAAKM/-CuX6JBrots/s300/spread+your+wings!.jpg" /></a></div>
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It’s the second day of official summer and it’s been pelting
it down with rain (it takes me a bit of time to get round to posting these
blogs).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I don’t mind – it just adds to
more writing time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And there has been a
dramatic increase in writing time which I hope does not wane.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The new regime is this: an hour in the loft
huddled on a pillow under the roof window while I write fiction until my
battery runs out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There are no internet,
TV, child or food distractions.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No cat
jumping on my keyboard, no little nips to my phone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Just pure writing with the occasional play on
mahjong while I think about plot and structure between chapters.</div>
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<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I still
have editing and my nonfiction to write during the day but once the evenings
draw in, I smuggle my laptop upstairs while hubby watches an action film (I
catch the end or beginning with him).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>1000 words a weekday, means in 60 working days, I’ll have a 60,000 word
novel.</div>
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<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Well, it’s
not everyday, I admit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And there are
some days when I just stare at the screen and try not to succumb to the pull of
the internet, which is like a black hole for my time.</div>
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<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Over the
past few weeks I’d been stuck in a lull – my motivation was a bit down and I
was thinking of properly giving up Seadrake, even without waiting until the end
of the financial year.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’d had a
rejection too.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Funny thing is, I don’t
even remember what it was for.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But then
I got payment for one of my knowonder stories and I realised that I just needed
a little spark of hope to keep me going. Now my writing is back in full force,
Seadrake is back into play (and with a whole new business plan and the new,
shiny, revamped website will go live before the end of the year which will
focus more on cast sterling rings and necklaces) and all is right in the world.</div>
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<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I think
it’s that way for most writers (not to mention jewellers).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s hard times for fiction writers and even
the most established of writers are wondering if they’ll have to look for new
work and put down their pens (or just use their laptops for solitaire and candy
crush).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Nobody seems to know the way
forward anymore, and it’s certainly not the main publishers – anyone who’s
attended the London Book Fair in the past five years would have noticed a
worrying trend of empty stalls.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Nobody
seems to be buying books much anymore (unless it’s celebrity slush).</div>
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<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I’d love
(like all authors) to get a fab contract.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>A three-book contract with six digit royalties… and it might even happen
to someone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m fairly certain it won’t
be me; I’m not mainstream enough.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But I
can produce some beautiful reads.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They
might be with indie publishers, they might be popped up on kindle or nook, but
they’ll be out there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Which I suppose,
for now, is enough. And on that note, I’m pleased to announce that Downtrodden
is very near the end and near completion.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>My aim is to have it out on kindle before the end of the year and the
cover is being worked on too.</div>
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<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I am
wondering about having the book separated into quarters and having the first as
a free download, the second ‘instalment’ as a basic £1.50 download, etc.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If it does well, it can continue as a
series.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>More things to think about.</div>
Lizzy Drakehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07424262505973681815noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8358986602498311732.post-27322565206148171922013-06-18T08:35:00.000-07:002013-06-18T08:35:44.233-07:00Inky Victorians<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KX-61oK_QGs/UcB7wzVrxYI/AAAAAAAAAJ8/BVaxMD1rJgw/s1600/victorians+dreaming+big.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="205" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KX-61oK_QGs/UcB7wzVrxYI/AAAAAAAAAJ8/BVaxMD1rJgw/s320/victorians+dreaming+big.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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This is the photo that started my stories within the
Isabella anthology.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At the end of this
blog, I’ll add a bit of my work as a taster – the novel is due to be released
within the year if all goes well, with Springbok Publications.</div>
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It’s been a funny old week.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Firstly, I must say that I’ve stepped back in time – no longer in my
little spiral tower of inky doom where I normally do my time travelling by way
of writing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I mean really, truly, I
walked into a place and was jetted back to the Victorian era.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m talking of course, of one of the magical
rooms at the Talliston House and Gardens.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It’s the most magical place I’ve been to in a long time and I do believe
I left half my soul in The Watchtower.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It’s my aim to go to the writer’s circle (now that I have my driver’s
licence).</div>
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</div>
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But a long and strange week has melded into another and the
edits are at a slow pace.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My Three Women
in Asylum is on halt and my Gothic Horror is my guilty pleasure, indulged in
when the toddler is prepping for bed and husband allows me to sneak away up
those stairs.</div>
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Now I’ve got to decide which works to bring to Talliston’s
Writer’s Circle.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My fairytales book,
Gothic horror novel, Three Women, or my children’s book… hmmm.</div>
<br />Lizzy Drakehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07424262505973681815noreply@blogger.com0