I've long been a fan of Philippa Gregory's fiction based on the Royal families of England, and this latest instalment in her Cousins' War series didn't disappoint. The Kingmaker's Daughter tells the story of Anne Neville, a real life historical figure who played a vital role in various conflicting plots during the War of the… Continue reading Thursday Titles: The Kingmaker’s Daughter
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Writer Wednesday: The Secret Life of Characters
Ever find that your characters lack dimension? That they seem more like cardboard cutouts than real people? Or maybe you find the opposite - your characters are so alive they do or say things you didn't expect. As a writer, you've probably experienced both. Even if you're not a writer, I imagine there are plenty… Continue reading Writer Wednesday: The Secret Life of Characters
Tuesday Critique: Uilleam’s Call
Here's a first excerpt from Sons of Alba, book 3: Son of Courage. Uilleam, the son of middle daughter Ealasaid from Daughter of Spirit, is contemplating his future: After his grandfather died, Uilleam waited crouched under the eaves of the house for the better part of the day. He watched the comings and goings, saw… Continue reading Tuesday Critique: Uilleam’s Call
Monday Motivation: Get Stressed
If you're anything like me, you have days when you have tons to do, but still feel bored. Nothing challenges you, nothing sparks your creative juices. What if I was to tell you that you weren't stressed enough? Now, I'm not talking about that unhealthy stress we all know - you know, the kind that… Continue reading Monday Motivation: Get Stressed
Friday Fact: The Cele De
Before the Reformation, before the Roman Catholic tradition we know today, there was a vibrant, active church called the Cele De, or Culdees - the Clients of God. When you think about St. Patrick's Ireland and St. Columcille's Scotland, this is the tradition you're picturing. It's also the tradition in which I placed my character… Continue reading Friday Fact: The Cele De
Tuesday Critique: Son of Redemption
Okay, this is it! I'm pretty sure I'm done Sons of Alba, Book 2: Son of Redemption. So here's one last excerpt for your reading enjoyment before I get started on book 3. The house was snug, its fire roaring merrily on the new hearth, as the winter wind howled at being barred outside. In… Continue reading Tuesday Critique: Son of Redemption
Monday Motivation: Give it a Rest
In our fast-paced, task-oriented world, very often there's something missing - something that could make all the difference in our productivity. Resting. I'm just as guilty of this as anyone - gobbling my lunch at the computer, moving from one task straight to the next, realizing at the end of a long day that I… Continue reading Monday Motivation: Give it a Rest
Writer Wednesday: Sketching a character
Where do great characters come from? How do we take a lack-luster character and make it something special? When I come up with a new character for a story, 9 times out of 10 I draw them. Usually my drawing will tell a fragment of a story, and the whole book goes from there. But… Continue reading Writer Wednesday: Sketching a character
Tuesday Critique: Seumas hits bottom
Monday Motivation: Take Heart
Heard a great sermon yesterday about the stages of discipleship and it really applies to a lot of things, so I thought I'd share a bit of it here. Are you the kind of person who sets out with great intentions and plenty of confidence, but once you realize your limitations you want to quit?… Continue reading Monday Motivation: Take Heart
Erin E. M. Hatton 