writing process

Newsletter Coming!

Tuesday, June 19

It’s something I’ve been meaning to do for YEARS, but am only now (with COURTING DARKNESS finally put to bed!) getting to: a newsletter!

I know, I know. Does the world really need another newsletter? Maybe not. But if you are hungry to know more about the His Fair Assassin world, the mythology, the history, occasional outtakes, insights to the writing process, and occasional author thoughts on writing and Life In General, then this is the place for you. Oh! And did I mention that newsletter subscribers will be THE VERY FIRST to see the new paperback reprint covers? As well as have access to exclusive content, writing workshops/worksheets, deleted scenes, and sneak previews?

And if all of that doesn’t tempt you, all subscribers will be entered in TWO drawings. One for a  COURTING DARKNESS advanced reading copy and the second one for a set of the new paperback reprints when they publish in October. Everyone who subscribes before June 30 will be entered. (Yes–even those of you who signed up YEARS ago when the subscription form first appeared.)

The newsletter is tentatively titled The Inner Sanctum, although if you have any title ideas, let me know in the comments! If I use your idea, I will thank you with an ARC of COURTING DARKNESS. You can sign up HERE or in the sidebar.

And to whet your appetites just a little bit, here is a teaser preview of the new DARK TRIUMPH cover:

DT Cover Crop 2

 

Also, feel free to mention what topics you’d like to read about in a newsletter. It’s for you, after all.

Ta Da!

Sunday, June 24

DARK TRIUMPH, she is done–whisked away to copy editing just in time. Of course, it will be back on my desk in two weeks and I will then need to go through it with a fine tooth comb, a pair of tweezers, and many brightly colored pens and post-its, but until then, I can call it done.

Truly one of the best feelings in the world. Especially with regard to THIS book, The One That Nearly Killed Me.

It’s not that I can’t write a 400 plus page manuscript in nine months. It’s just that it takes me  a minimum of six or seven drafts to produce a book that I’m happy with, and writing SEVEN drafts of a 400 plus page manuscript in nine months is a bit of a pressure cooker.

(And lest you doubt that I have been truly working, here is the evidence:*)

 

 

Note to Universe: In my next life, I want to be a more efficient writer.

And before you ask, word on the street is that ARCs will probably start going out in late September/October.

Also, I have made a Pinterest Board for Grave Mercy and will be starting one soon for DARK TRIUMPH.

 

* And please ignore the messy desk. That was the first thing I did once I finished the book–cleaned off my desk!

I have been thinking a lot about historical accuracy as I work on these medieval French assassin books so I thought I’d talk a bit about it here.
But first, a warning: I am not a purist. If you are looking for someone who holds up pristine historical accuracy as the One True Shining Purpose, I am not your girl. For one thing, I am already drawn to the murky, under explored parts of historical periods—their folk beliefs, superstitions, relationship to Other, and their spiritual anomalies—things that most real historians have traditionally steered clear of.

Secondly, I think historical accuracy is an elusive beast, especially the farther back in time you travel. But that very elusiveness is exactly why so many historians tackle time periods that have been written about before: because things change. Sometimes it is the actual information and facts that change—new discoveries are made, new methods of dating or interpreting old facts emerge. But other times it is merely US who have changed, our perspective on history. A great example of this was the influx of histories in the seventies that were told/viewed through the eyes of women or minorities who’d been involved in the historical events, but whose side hadn’t yet been told.

There is also great disagreement on a lot of historical concepts and facts. Just trying to define the middle ages or medieval time period for example, can lead you on a long and twisting goose chase. Some declare it ended in the middle of the 14th century, while others claim it ended in 1450, where still others claim it ended in 1492. You can find solid historical arguments for each of those dates. The truth is, you can often find a variety of sources that will support an even wider variety of interpretations.

So which does a writer choose?

The one that best serves the story they are trying to tell.

Some writers are writing in order to convey absolute historical detail and accuracy and take great pride in that, as well they should because it is so tricky. But others (like me) are mostly interested in evoking the sensibilities and flavor of a time period. I don’t mean that we slap historical costumes on 21st century characters and calling it historical, but rather we try to explore the mindset and worldview of earlier times, but in a way that is accessible to readers.

The His Fair Assassin books have been challenging, not only because the time period was recorded in such a subjective manner, but because most of the earliest sources are in French! Middle French at that, and I simply wasn’t willing to wait long enough to learn that language before writing the story.

What I am doing for this book is dipping my hand in the cauldron of what we know of the events at that time and pulling out those that are most relevant to the story I want to tell. There are vast amounts of historical facts and details I am not even touching—to do so would turn an already huge book into an encyclopedia! But even more important, they aren’t relevant to the story itself.

My own guidepost, touchstone, call it what you will is that the history serves the story.