The Secret Weapon of Historical Novelists: Research That Captivates

I recently read Leigh Bardugo’s The Familiar, a historical fantasy novel. Where Bardugo's Ninth House was a five-star read for me, I'd place The Familiar at four stars. I liked the story, and the main character Luzia grew on me as the story progressed. I didn't love the Hunger Games-type magic show, and though I … Continue reading The Secret Weapon of Historical Novelists: Research That Captivates

More Unlocking the Magic of Writing: A Guide to Completing Your Novel

Are You A Plotter or a Pantster? We see these quizzes online—are you a plotter or a pantster?—and we’re supposed to fit neatly into one box or the other. If you’re not familiar with the terms, a plotter is a writer who plots out the story before writing and a pantser is someone who “flies … Continue reading More Unlocking the Magic of Writing: A Guide to Completing Your Novel

Delve into ‘Victory Garden’ and the Suffrage Movement History

One of My Favorite Books As much as I love the Loving Husband Series and the Hembry Castle Chronicles, one of my books that really stands out to me is Victory Garden, a novel of the American women's suffrage movement. I've been so caught up writing about James and Sarah for the past few years … Continue reading Delve into ‘Victory Garden’ and the Suffrage Movement History

Guest Post: How Lucretia Grindle Writes Historical Fiction

The Importance of Character, Setting, and Situation A friend whose opinion I respect a great deal once told me that all a great historical novel is, is a great novel in a historical setting. I agree. Although that sounds deceptively simple and deserves a little unpacking. Character, setting, and situation are the central components, the … Continue reading Guest Post: How Lucretia Grindle Writes Historical Fiction

Guest Post: Bringing History To Life Through Fiction

Behind the Scenes: How Amy Maroney Brings History To Life For me, there are three integral steps to writing historical fiction: travel, research, and writing. Travel is the magic—the pixie dust that sparks my imagination and gives me story and character ideas. Doing research is endlessly fascinating to me. I love disappearing down rabbit holes, … Continue reading Guest Post: Bringing History To Life Through Fiction

Where I Find Character Inspiration: Sarah Alexander and Elizabeth Wentworth

Where Do Character Ideas Come From? Fans of the Loving Husband Series are familiar with Elizabeth Jones, the greatest love of James Wentworth’s life. She is the woman he sees across the dining room table in Salem Village in 1691, and her beauty and warmth capture his heart forever. But where did the idea for … Continue reading Where I Find Character Inspiration: Sarah Alexander and Elizabeth Wentworth

Character Inspiration For the Loving Husband Trilogy: Mr. Wentworth the Younger

Down Salem Way is Shortlisted For the Chaucer Prize For those of you who don't follow me on Facebook, you may not know that Down Salem Way has been shortlisted for the Chaucer Prize in Early Historical Fiction Pre-1750. I'm very excited. I know it's a cliche to say that it's an honor just to … Continue reading Character Inspiration For the Loving Husband Trilogy: Mr. Wentworth the Younger