Alex C. Vick's Blog, page 598

History Reimagined

As I advance further into the Legacy of Androva series, it got me to wondering about how often fiction reimagines the facts of the past. My own books, for example, offer readers a potentially different history for our world, where the present remains unchanged.

But just how reliable is 'real' history? I thought I would illustrate how difficult it is to know for sure, with a bit of information about Anne Boleyn. King Henry VIII of England had six wives, and she was the second.

She was born in 1501, and died in 1536. We can suppose that there must have been something special about her, because Henry broke with the Catholic Church in order to make her his wife. A very big deal. And he first started writing love letters to Anne in 1526, but did not marry her until 1533. That's a long time to hold the interest of a King!

Henry had her beheaded for treason. Five men, including her brother, were also executed. This information, in and of itself, appears to be undisputed. But everything else about what happened, including who was innocent or guilty, is not completely certain.

Here are some extracts from contemporary accounts of Anne's execution, to show that even right at the time it happened, there were several versions of the truth.

The Tower of London, early morning on 19th May 1536. Anne, formerly Queen of England, is brought to have her head cut off. She made a speech. But what did she say?

The Queen suffered with sword this day within the Tower, upon a new scaffold, and died boldly.

Letter, John Husee to Lord Lisle
The said Queen (unjustly called) finally was beheaded upon a scaffold within the Tower with open gates. She was brought by the captain upon the said scaffold, and four young ladies followed her. She looked frequently behind her, and when she got upon the scaffold was very much exhausted and amazed. She begged leave to speak to the people, promising to say nothing but what was good. The captain gave her leave, and she began to raise her eyes to Heaven, and cry mercy to God and to the King for the offence she had done, desiring the people always to pray to God for the King, for he was a good, gentle, gracious, and amiable prince.
The Vienna Chronicles

"I here humbly submit me to the law as the law has judged me, and as for my offences I accuse no man … I beseech Jesus save my sovereign and master the King, the most godly, noble and gentle Prince there is, and long to reign over you" … which words were spoken with a goodly smiling countenance.Wriothesley’s Chronicle

"Do not think, good people, that I am sorry to die, or that I have done anything to deserve this death. My fault has been my great pride, and the great crime I committed in getting the King to leave my mistress Queen Katherine for my sake, and I pray God to pardon me for it. I say to you all that everything they have accused me of is false."
The Spanish ChronicleQuite a range of different accounts, and all written by people who were around at the time! Of course, it makes things much more interesting for us readers. Any one of the many different retellings could be correct. Our imaginations are incredibly powerful. Which version do you think is most likely to be true? Thank you for reading!

Tour Week Nine!

[image error] Welcome to the ninth week of my blog tour! You can find all of the stops here: Stealing Magic Tour

Today, Monday 13th March, T's Stuff is featuring my book and an author interview.

There were a couple of questions I particularly enjoyed answering, including which book I would choose if I could have been the author of any book ever written, and also how I would spend a day with one of my characters.

Follow the link below to enter the giveaway and have a look around the website - there are some great books to discover!

A dragon that isn't a dragon?

The Legacy of Androva series is very much contemporary fantasy in a modern setting. However, I am a fan of magical creatures and accessories, and all of the incredible world building that is found in high fantasy books. Which got me to wondering, as I was writing the third book in the series, if there was a way that I could introduce a magical creature without the story turning into high fantasy.

Dragons seemed like a great place to start, simply because there is no definitive view on exactly where all the myths and legends came from. Yet, across our world, from Europe to China, stories about dragons appear throughout history. I found the idea of creating my own magical explanation quite appealing!

That's how the world of Imbera ended up with dragons. Although, without revealing too much of the story, there is more to them than meets the eye. The ruling house has this statue on its roof. It's a reminder to everyone about the power of the evil magician in charge of the Gathering. Of course, no-one really needs the reminder, but that doesn't stop my fictional villain from reinforcing his authority anyway!

Tour Week Eight!

[image error] Welcome to the eighth week of my blog tour! You can find all of the stops here: Stealing Magic Tour

Today, Monday 6th March, Books Direct is featuring my book and an author interview.

There were some very interesting questions for me to answer, including which other writers have influenced me the most, and what kind of comments I've had from readers!

Follow the link below to enter the giveaway, and you never know, you might also find your next great read on the Books Direct website!

Books Direct - Author Interview

Interview with Galen, set after Seeking Magic

Seeking Magic is the third book in the series. If you haven’t read any of the books yet, there are no spoilers, just a bit of scene setting and an introduction to his character!

Me: Thank you for talking to me today.

Galen: (raises eyebrows) I’m curious. I had not thought to speak to anyone else from Jax and Shannon’s time.

Me: Can you tell the readers a bit about yourself?

Galen: (smiles with amusement) That is a very open question. How much do you want them to know? There is a lot to tell.

Me: You’re right. Not too much then. Enough so that they can picture what you’re like.

Galen: (grins) As if I were holding a looking glass up to myself? Very well. I am of age, but not by much. My hair is black. My eyes are blue, except when I am projecting my force field, and then they are more like silver. I used to work at the Foundation for Research on Androva. I like inventing new spells. Is that enough?

Me: (nodding) That’s perfect. And where do you live now?

Galen: I would rather not tell you that. I am moving around a bit.

Me: But you are on Earth, I mean, Terra?

Galen: I am.

Me: Have you visited…?

Galen: Are you referring to the promise I made to Jax and Shannon? Yes, I have created the spell.

Me: What year is it on Terra now?

Galen: For me, it is the year 81.

Me: Then the events described in Stealing Magic have not happened yet?

Galen: Not yet.

Me: So you are still a magician?

Galen: I will always be a magician.

Me: (speechless for a second) That’s not possible.

Galen: (calmly) Isn’t it?

Me: I would have said no, but I’m not sure now.

Galen: Tell me… did Jax and Shannon make it back? Time travel is never the same twice, so I can’t be sure…

Me: (looks apologetic) I can’t answer that here. It’s not fair on anyone who hasn’t read the book.

Galen: Alright. Do you have any additional questions for me?

Me: Only one. Do you miss Androva?

Galen: (looks thoughtful) Sometimes. But I don’t believe in regrets.

Me: Thank you for talking to me today.

Galen: (nods politely) You’re very welcome.

You can read more about Galen's character in Seeking Magic.

Interview with Jax and Darius

Interview with Jax and Darius, one week prior to the opening chapter of Stealing Magic.

When the first three books in the Legacy of Androva series became available on Amazon, I thought it would be an interesting idea to meet two of the main characters, just before the events of the first book get started. So I 'interviewed' them. To set the scene, here is the blurb again:

What would you do? Would you open your eyes, if you were the one that heard them? Two magic-takers from another world, arguing about whether they can collect what they came for before you wake up. It sounds like a crazy dream, or a practical joke. But what if the air around you started to vibrate with an invisible force field? What if, all at once, it felt terrifying yet familiar too?
You would have no way of knowing that your life would change forever. That this discovery would set you on a path no-one from our world has taken for centuries. Towards a deadly enemy, and a fight that you will almost certainly lose. All you know is that your heart is beating so fast you’re worried they will hear it, and your brain is starting to buzz as the force field reaches it. Would you open your eyes?

(Jax and Darius are those two magic-takers, by the way).

Me: Thank you for agreeing to do this interview.

Jax: (rolls eyes) Not like we had a choice, is it? Given that we’re your characters.

Darius: (looks embarrassed)

Me: (tries not to laugh) OK, fair point. But if you’re my characters, how come you sometimes do and say things that I don’t expect you to?

Jax: I could tell you, but then I’d have to project a Distraction Spell so that you didn’t remember. Those are the rules. So why bother? (looks cheeky) Maybe I’ve told you already…

Me: You’re quite sure of yourself, aren’t you?

Jax: Obviously. I am the best underage magician on Androva.

Darius: (sniggers) Modesty being one of his more hidden qualities.

Jax: Modesty is for girls like you.

Darius: (pushing Jax on the shoulder) Remind me again why I’m friends with you?

Jax: (grinning) For my sense of humour, probably.

Me: (trying to get the interview back on track) Can you tell the readers something about yourselves? Like why they should download Stealing Magic, for example.

Jax: Stealing is a strong word. Is it really stealing? (turns to Darius)

Darius: It depends on whether you come from Androva or Terra, I suppose.

Me: Well, the readers will be from Terra.

Jax: (shrugs) I don’t think it’s stealing. It’s not as if anyone on Terra even knows it’s there. Perhaps if they knew…

Darius: (looking nervous) They can’t, Jax. We’ve talked about this before.

Jax: (avoiding Darius’s gaze) Yeah, I know.

Me: (changing the subject) Tell me a bit about Androva. Imagine you’re talking to someone who isn’t a magician.

Jax: Someone who isn’t a magician? You mean a Terran.

Me: Yes. At the moment, there are no magicians on Terra.

Jax: (raising eyebrows) At the moment? Interesting…

Darius: (shaking his head) Don’t get any ideas.

Jax: (innocent look) I wouldn’t!

Darius: (frowning) Yes, you would.

Me: Can we return to the question please? What’s it like on Androva?

Jax: We’re all magicians, and we don’t do much without using magic. It’s everywhere. Your brain would probably find it hard to handle. If you ever went there for real, of course.

Darius: (covering face) Please don’t insult the person who is telling our story. I don’t want to be written out before anyone’s even read the first book.

Jax: I don’t think the book would work without me. I’m pretty sure I’m one of the main characters.

Me: You can be a bit of a brat, can’t you?

Jax: (grinning) Isn’t that part of my charm?

Darius: (groans) Can we stop the interview before he says anything else?

Me: What about the part of Androva that you don’t know?

Jax: (warily) What do you mean?

Me: There are a lot of secrets, aren’t there?

Jax: (reluctantly) Maybe.

Me: How far would you go to find out what they are?

Jax: (looking intrigued) I don’t know. You tell me. How far would I go?

Darius: (warningly) Jax...

Me: Thanks very much both of you. I’m going to have to stop the interview there because we’re out of time.

Stealing Magic is the story of what happens to Jax and Darius next.