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#HistFicThursdays - Well, it's Byron, isn't it?

 As it's National Poetry Day, I thought I'd share a few thoughts on Byron. The celebrity cult of Lord Byron began while he was still alive, boomed when he died, and still continues today. He remains an object of fascination, scandal, and appeal. I've been interested in him since I first read about him in a "Famous People" encyclopaedia. It was a children's book, so it did not explore the more infamous aspects of his life. But it was enough to inspire me to delve further into research on the man and the myth - including the puzzle of the mirror . Ultimately, Byron went on to become a major inspiration for my first published book Day's Dying Glory , right down to its title. His early poems (generally my favourite ones) feature heavily in the book, and I enjoyed weaving in lines and references which Byron-fans would spot where others might not even notice them. Poets and poetry have inspired hundreds of writers. It is fascinating that language can be so power...
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#HistFicThursdays - The Return of #HistFicMay

 It is that time again... Get ready for the return of #HistFicMay!

For the first time, this #HistFicMay will be taking place predominantly on BSky, although I would encourage all writers to share the posts on any and all their social media channels. I'll be around on BSky, Facebook, and Instagram (if I can remember my password!) to share and like as many posts as I can. I am so excited to discover new authors and books, as well as reconnecting with the stalwarts who have been doing #HistFicMay over the last couple of years.

There are a couple of extra optional hashtags this year (#WhatTheyKnowVsWhatTheyShow and #WritingHabits), but the all important one is #HistFicMay
As always, please join in with as many or as few as you would like!

So - choose your gargoyle!
[the list of prompts is also available in text form at the bottom of this blog]









#HistFicMay

1. Introduce yourself

2. Introduce your writing

3. Why Historical Fiction?

4. Do you write in any other genres/subgenres?

5. Introduce your setting

6. Why this time period?

7. Real places and people or entirely fictional?

8. Introduce your protagonist

9. Introduce your antagonist

10. #WhatTheyKnowVsWhatTheyShow Protagonist’s greatest strength

11. #WhatTheyKnowVsWhatTheyShow Antagonist’s greatest strength

12. #WhatTheyKnowVsWhatTheyShow Protagonist’s biggest fear

13. #WhatTheyKnowVsWhatTheyShow Antagonist’s biggest fear

14. #WhatTheyKnowVsWhatTheyShow Protagonist’s ultimate goal

15. #WhatTheyKnowVsWhatTheyShow Antagonist’s ultimate goal

16. Secondary characters: A shoutout to your favourite one!

17. Have you ever written a character based on yourself?

18. Historical accuracy: how much matters?

19. What’s the best research trip you’ve ever had?

20. Share a research gem

21. Historian whose work you would be lost without

22. Research words of wisdom for newbies

23. What is the biggest surprise you’ve found in your research?

24. Sequels and Prequels: Would you ever write them?

25. #WritingHabits Where do you write?

26. #WritingHabits Computer, phone, tablet, typewriter, or pen and paper?

27. #WritingHabits Do you have pictures/items from your story’s time period or place to help inspire you?

28. #WritingHabits Has your story got a song or playlist?

29. #WritingHabits Do you have a preferred time of day or time of year to write?

30. What’s the next HistFic book on your TBR pile?

31. What’s the next HistFic book you’re going to write?


I'm looking forward to reading all your answers and sharing some great Historical Fiction conversation with you in May!

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