Stories of Inspiration
(historical fiction writers trace their journeys
from starting point to finished work)
edited by Suzanne Fox
I've been looking forward to receiving this book (whose production was a little delayed by Hurricane Matthew) enormously. Partly because I have a piece in it - who doesn't look forward to seeing a book they're in? But also to read the other essays in the collection, which introduces some writers who are new to me, and some I know well. In particular, three History Girls -
Michelle Lovric, in The Venetian Novels, writes "No matter what I think I'm going to write about, Venice always snatches the lead role in my novels." She then takes us on an informative and entertaining walk around that most seductive of cities.
Sue Purkiss tells us about a series of serendipitous encounters and discoveries that lead to her writing the story of Alfred and his daughter Aethelflaed in Warrior King.
Celia Rees writes about "the deadly spores of fear and superstition" out of which Witch Child and Sorceress grew.
And I find myself being interviewed about Silver Skin by someone who seems to know me quite well.
The back story of novels and their creation is always fascinating, and I would thoroughly recommend this anthology to readers and writers of historical fiction.
(Well, I would, wouldn't I. But it is extremely interesting!)
Joan Lennon's website.
Joan Lennon's blog.