Paul Jariabek's Blog: Personal Site of Paul Jariabek, page 3

Who Was Francis Drake? Exploring the Legend Behind the Historical Fiction Novel Sic Parvis Magna

Francis Drake’s name conjures images of high-seas adventure, epic naval battles, and legendary exploration. His exploits as a sailor, privateer, and navigator during the 16th century made him one of England’s most iconic figures. 

Drake was also associated with the Hawkins slave trading business, supported the attack on Rathlin Castle that resulted in murder of 600+ people, and does not appear to be motivated beyond personal interest. 

So, who was Francis Drake? To understand and accurate...

Book Review: Historical Mystery Novel Vicar Brekonridge by Richard Helms

The historical mystery novel Vicar Brekonridge by veteran author Richard Helms recreates the murder trial of Daniel M’Naughten, who pled insanity and whose trial defined legal precedence for over 100 years. 

Helms skillfully weaves the history into the story and attempts to shed light on the mystery of M’Naughten’s motivation and explore the charade of his trial. I thoroughly enjoyed the book.

Summary – Historical Mystery Novel Vicar Brekonridge

Helms expertly weaves in the political an...

Sic Parvis Magna Meaning

As I was reviewing some stats for my site, I was surprised about the level of search that appears to be occurring about Sic Parvis Magna meaning. In this article, I will both define the phrase, and talk about the reason why the upcoming historical fiction novel Sic Parvis Magna is the start of my historical fiction series Adventures of Francis Drake.

Sic Parvis Magna Meaning

The actual translation of Latin statement Sic Parvis Magna is from small things, greatness. We also see it translate...

Historical Fiction Novel Sic Parvis Magna

Do you enjoy cannon-blasting, cutlass-clanging, impossible odds sea adventure stories?

Set in the tumultuous 1550s, the historical fiction novel Sic Parvis Magna is the coming-of-age story of Francis Drake—a farm boy before his notoriety as a swashbuckling pirate who spectacularly raided the Spanish Main, or his fame as a circumnavigator and bold admiral who “singed Phillip’s beard.” 

The introduction of the new English Prayer Book during the regency of Edward VI kindles the wildfire of ci...

Historical Fiction Character Sketch of Pirate Captain Guichenot

“Je suis Guy Alphonse Guichenot, Comte de Montreuil. Capitaine du Hailaetus,” he executed a hand flourish, but without a bow.

And so the last villain of the upcoming historical fiction novel Sic Parvis Magna walks onto the page.

This is a very dark character, in many ways representing the world of some 500 years ago where right was determined by might in the true Machiavellian sense.

Guichenot claims to be a peer of France, for whom courtly life is too dull. He bought and outfitted his...

Historical Fiction Character Sketch of Guichenot, Captain of the Haliætus

“Je suis Guy Alphonse Guichenot, Comte de Montreuil. Capitaine du Hailaetus.” He executed a hand flourish, but without a bow.

And so the last villain of the upcoming historical fiction novel Sic Parvis Magna walks onto the page.

This is a very dark character, in many ways representing the world of some 500 years ago where right was determined by might in the true Machiavellian sense.

Guichenot claims to be a peer of France, for whom courtly life is too dull. He bought and outfitted his...

Historical Fiction Book Review: Ben’s Bones by Joseph C. Gioconda

In the historical fiction novel Ben’s Bones, author Joseph C. Gioconda pulls off one of my favorite “tricks,” that is, to present a lively account of history while teaching me something. This is the story of Dr. Hewson, who contributed to the discovery of fibrin, a key protein involved in blood coagulation, at the dawn of hematology as a science.

Summary of Ben’s Bones

Ben’s Bones starts with William Hewson as an assistant in the medical anatomy school of Dr. William Hunter. There is a sec...

Review of Historical Fiction Novel Ben’s Bones by Joseph C. Gioconda

In the historical fiction novel Ben’s Bones, author Joseph C. Gioconda pulls off one of my favorite historical fiction “tricks,” that is, to present a lively account of history while teaching me something. This is the story of Dr. Hewson, who contributed to the discovery of fibrin, a key protein involved in blood coagulation, at the dawn of hematology as a science.

The story starts with William Hewson as an assistant in the medical anatomy school of Dr. William Hunter. There is a second Hunte...

Historical Fiction Villain Sketch of James Reynard

Historical fiction villains add the necessary conflict to the story. I am continuing my revision work on my novel Sic Parvis Magna — correcting details, making it more visual, and deepening the characters and sharpening the conflict in the story.

Sic Parvis Magna is the origin story of Francis Drake. It kicks off the historical fiction series by exploring what experiences could have produced the real historical person. Aside from the natural difficulties like storms, learning to sail and leak...

A Character Sketch of James Reynard, a Historical Fiction Villain

I have not updated on the progress of historical fiction novel Sic Parvis Magna for a while. At almost 95,000 words, the first revision is about half done, and a has a lot of work correcting the details, making it more visual, and deepening the characters and sharpening the conflict in the story.

Sic Parvis Magna is the origin story of Francis Drake. It kicks off the historical fiction series by exploring what experiences could have produced the real historical person. Aside from the natural ...