Erika Robuck's Blog, page 37

Review: Claude and Camille

"He always began in apprehension.  If it worked, there would be a time when the painting took him, when it reached out and he became it, when he smelled of oil and mineral spirits, when he and the air became one."

Claude and Camille , Stephanie Cowell

Claude and Camille, by Stephanie Cowell, was published in April of 2010 and is 352 pages.  It is the story of the impressionist painter, Monet, his love and muse, Camille Donceaux, and his rise to prominence .  It spans most of his life, finely...

In Defense of Historical Fiction

Is it a symptom of extreme naivete or simple egocentrism that it's just come to my attention that there are many critics of historical fiction, and even fiction, itself?

I first got wind of this form of literary prejudice while selling my historical novel, Receive Me Falling, at an art festival last year.  When a man came up to my table to ask about the genre of my book and I replied that it was historical fiction, he literally turned up his nose and said, "I never read fiction.  What's the...

Interview: Hyatt Bass

1.  Your stark, realistic portrayal of a family—with all of its angst and flaws—is what most drew me in to The Embers. ...

Review: The Vanishing Point

"A mere optical illusion, Hannah," her father told her, referring to the vanishing point on the horizon. "In truth, the ship does not disappear. The vessel is still there, even if we on the shore cannot see it." So it transpired that both people and ships could become ghosts without ever dying or sinking beneath the waves. (Prologue, The Vanishing Point)

The Vanishing Point, by Mary Sharratt, is 364 pages and was published in 2006.  It was a gift from my beloved writing critique partner,

Interview: Allison Winn Scotch

I found Allison on Twitter and have since added her blog to my favorites. Allison's novels often tackle serious subjects with humor, have strong female protagonists with strong voices, and inner journeys every bit as engaging as the characters' external journeys. The beauty of reading her novels is watching these women grow, change, and reevaluate life's priorities. Her books stay with you and leave you just a little sad at the end because it's like saying goodbye to a friend.

Allison was...

The Lull

Well, folks, I'm down.

I just finished a third draft of my Hemingway book, it's off to the critiquers, and I feel lost, nervous, frantic, unsettled, unsure…you get the picture. Giving a ripe, young manuscript away is a bit like sending off your child to Kindergarten.  You've done as much as you can to prepare her, but it's out of your hands until she gets home.  (I'm being a little dramatic and breaking my rule of comparing writing to any process involving birthing or children, but it's that k...

Giveaway! Free Book!

It's Friday and it's time for a giveaway!

In a recent discussion with some friends, we talked about our favorite books of last year.  Many of us named Kathryn Stockett's The Help as our favorite.

The Help is set in the south in 1962 as civil rights issues are simmering to a boil.  It unflinchingly explores the relationships between black housekeepers and the white women for whom they work.  (Click here for a full review.)

I've always been drawn to books about race relations, from slavery to...