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#HistFicThursdays - Gothic Horror - Memories of the Grand Tour

Arthur Rackham's timeless illustration (from Wikipedia )  There was a big push a few years ago to rewrite fairy tales. Snow White and the Huntsman got a less than warm reception, but Maleficent was more kindly received. Not wanting to be left out, I also had a go at rewriting a fairy tale, although I think I was a little bit late to the party. Memories of the Grand Tour was based on the Grimm Brothers’ fairy tale, Hansel and Gretel , and features my only female narrator. I don’t know particularly why I chose a woman’s voice for this one. Generally, I find men in Gothic Horror to be easier to write about, simply because they had more possibilities and options during the time in which I set most of my writing. A Victorian woman sitting alone in a pub, for example, would say a great deal about her character before the story even starts, whereas male characters in the same situation wouldn’t even invoke a raised eyebrow. Strangely, by contrast, both Gothic Horror novels which I am cur...
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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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