Meredith Allard's Blog, page 18
October 14, 2019
Spooktacular Giveaway 2019
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You already know what I’m going to say…
It’s that time of year again!
I’m even more excited about the Spooktacular Giveaway Hop this year because I can share Down Salem Way with the winners. Whether you’re a James and Sarah/ Elizabeth superfan or a new reader who loves historical fiction and/or paranormal fantasy, I think you’ll enjoy this story set in Salem in the Massachusetts Bay Colony in 1692.
To celebrate the newest edition to the Loving Husband Trilogy series, I’m giving away 10 copies of Down Salem Way in your choice of ebook or paperback. Fill out the simple form below to enter. That’s it. There’s nothing more to do. Winners will be announced on November 2, 2019.
Best of luck to everyone who enters. If you’d like to see what other great bookish gifts are being given away, click on any of the links below and follow along with the Spooktacular Giveaway Hop.
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BookHounds
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BookHounds YA
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Sapphyria’s Books (US)
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All the Ups and Downs (INT)
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Maureen’s Musings
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Angela Christina Archer~Historical Romance Author
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Literary Rambles (INT)
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More Than a Review reviews w/content ratings (US)
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The Kids Did It
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The Mommy Island
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Mysteries and My Musings – US
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Craves the Angst Book Blog
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Glistering: Bs Blog
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Life Within The Pages
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Love is a Lifestyle
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Nicolie-Olies Meanderings (US) ~
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Christy’s Cozy Corners
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Nancy Gideon
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October 4, 2019
What I’m Reading
Here’s a bit of what I’ve been reading lately.
Bad Feminist
I’ve heard much about Roxane Gay, mainly because, like me, she’s an academic who writes for a more general population. Bad Feminist is the first book I’ve read from Gay, and I’m glad I finally took the plunge. According to Gay’s definition, I would probably be categorized as a bad feminist as well. Not all of Gay’s essays are specifically about feminism, but they’re still engaging, and I love her easy, conversational style and her sense of humor. I already have her memoir, Hunger, downloaded onto my Kindle.
Just Like Someone Without Mental Illness Only More So
So here’s the funny part…it didn’t even occur to me that Mark Vonnegut, M.D. was Kurt Vonnegut’s son when I saw his name on the cover. A friend recommended the book to me so I decided to read it from word of mouth. This memoir is Mark Vonnegut’s sometimes meandering account of his life with his famous dad, his life with mental illness, and his life as a pediatrician who still struggles with mental illness. For anyone dealing with mental illness who thinks mental illness has to be the sole defining aspect of their lives, this memoir may help you think otherwise.
The Story of the Jews–Part I
I freely admit that I adore Simon Schama. I love his books. I love the documentaries he hosts. I love that he loves art. Simon Schama is one cool dude as far as I’m concerned. I’ve read several of his previous books, so perhaps it’s odd that this Jewish person (me) hadn’t yet read his history of the Jewish people. Since my mother is Jewish, we’re more cultural Jews than religious (in case you didn’t know, Jewish people trace their lineage through their mother. You know how it goes. You always know who your mother is. Your father, not so much…). While I’ve learned bits and pieces about the religious side of Judaism over the years, Schama’s well-researched tome helped me connect the dots about my heritage. And I love that you can hear Schama’s voice come through the pages. I haven’t yet seen the documentary that goes along with The Story of the Jews, but I’ll definitely be watching.
Small Victories
Sometimes, I need to read something inspirational. Sometimes, I need someone to admit, you know what, life is hard, people drool, but we suck it up and do the best we can anyway because we’re capable of doing better than we are. When I need that kick in the pants, I read Anne Lamott. Her book Small Victories was just what I needed when I needed it. After a tough summer that I still haven’t emotionally recovered from, Lamott reminds me that it’s okay to feel bad when things go wrong but keep going anyway because small victories matter in the long run.
September 16, 2019
Charles Dickens Meets Downton Abbey
With the release of the new Downton Abbey movie this week, I thought I’d repost the interview I did with Many Books about my experience writing When It Rained at Hembry Castle, a sweet Victorian romance inspired by my love for Downton Abbey. Enjoy!
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Meredith Allard fell in love with Charles Dickens’ work when she was in college and after watching every Downton Abbey episode multiple times, she decided to create a work inspired by her favorite author and TV show. When it Rained at Hembry Castle is the perfect marriage between the humor and mystery of Dickens’ work and the upstairs/downstairs world of the English aristocrats. Allard tells us more about what made her want to write a book set in the Victorian era, how she makes her characters come to life and how Hembry Castle has been brewing in her mind for 20 years.
Please give us a short introduction to When it Rained at Hembry Castle
When It Rained at Hembry Castle is set in Victorian England in 1870. It’s the story of American Daphne Meriwether, the granddaughter of the Earl of Staton. When the Earl dies, Daphne and her father Frederick return to England. It’s a challenge for Daphne, learning to live in the upstairs/downstairs world of her father’s family. And she may fall in love with the aspiring writer Edward Ellis while she’s there. Of course, obstacles get in their way. Hembry Castle is a love story at heart, though it has an interesting cast of characters who make life interesting for Edward and Daphne.
Why Victorian England? What fascinates you about this time period?
I fell in love with the novels of Charles Dickens and the Victorian era when I was in college and I always wanted to write a book set during this time. The Victorian era is interesting because it’s a time that is both historical and yet in some ways it feels modern. I love learning about history, and writing historical fiction is a great way for me to do that.
Did it require a lot of research to keep your novel historically correct? Which part of the research did you find the most interesting?
This was one historical novel that I didn’t have to do a ton of research for because I already had a lot of knowledge about the Victorian period from reading Dickens and other books about the era. I did double check everything I wrote, but since I knew where to look for the information that made it a shorter process than usual for me. I was able to travel to London twice as part of my research, and I absolutely loved that. London is a great city. In fact, I’ve walked many of Edward’s walks through the city. I think being able to visit and see the places for myself make the story much more realistic.
What, would you say, makes the English aristocrats so interesting to read about?
When It Rained at Hembry Castle was partially inspired by Downton Abbey, and the popularity of Downton Abbey is largely based on the curiosity people have about the upstairs/downstairs world of English aristocrats. In America, the upstairs/downstairs world is not part of our culture the way it is in Britain, and I think that accounts for the fascination about that lifestyle. It’s an introduction to a world we knew nothing about.
Privilege and class division are recurring themes in When it Rained at Hembry Castle. Why?
Since Downton Abbey was such a big influence on Hembry Castle, it seemed appropriate that privilege and class division should play a part in the story. My love for all things Dickens also inspired the novel, and privilege and class division are often themes in his stories. While I love watching Downton Abbey and am fascinated by the lifestyle of the upper classes, I can’t imagine ever having to live according to such arbitrary rules and regulations. Daphne represents the way I would look at that lifestyle if I were thrust into that world—with a sense of detachment and maybe some humor about it all. The fact that Daphne falls in love with the butler’s grandson when her grandmother means for her to marry a duke allowed me to probe a bit deeper into class division.
How did you manage to describe England’s countryside and other locations in your book so vividly?
Partially it was through reading, partially it was through photographs on Pinterest, but mainly it was my imagination. I was able to picture the scenery in my mind’s eye and I did my best to describe what I saw. And watching every episode of Downton Abbey many times helped!
Which classic author do you admire the most?
Charles Dickens, if you haven’t already figured that out. I read Dickens for the first time in college and knew that that’s what I wanted to do—write stories that were entire worlds unto themselves. I love his sense of humor, his spot-on observations, his way of pointing out things that were wrong in his world, many of which are still wrong in our world today. He’s the smartest, funniest writer I’ve ever read. Dickens has been the biggest influence in my own writing.
When it Rained at Hembry Castle contains many hilarious scenes. Why do you find it important to use humor in your writing?
This goes back to my love for Dickens. Dickens was a hilarious writer, and from him I learned that if you’re going to write truthfully about people then you have to include the light as well as the dark. People are funny. We do and say funny things all the time (sometimes without meaning to do so—which makes it even funnier). And besides, a sense of humor goes a long way in making a story fun to read.
Your book has a very Downton Abbey feel to it. Was that intentional? Are you a Downton Abbey fan yourself?
I love Downton Abbey and it was absolutely intentional to include the upstairs/downstairs feel of the show. In fact, Downton Abbey gave me an angle from which to tell the story. I came up with the original idea for Hembry Castle about 20 years ago (no joke) when I decided I wanted to write a story set in Victorian England about a writer who would be loosely based on a young Charles Dickens. I went on to write other novels and kept the Victorian story on the back burner for years. After I fell in love with Downton Abbey I realized that I could take elements from that TV show and use it to bring my Victorian story to life.

What are some tricks you use to create such believable characters?
Mainly, I use my imagination. It took me longer to write Hembry Castle than I thought it would because it took me some time to get to know all the characters. I can’t write about a character until I get a sense of his or her personality. Hembry Castle has a larger cast of characters than I usually write about, and it took me some time to get them all straight in my head. Really, it’s about not thinking too much during the first draft, allowing the characters to materialize in front of me, and then writing down what I see. Sometimes I’ll put a favorite actor in the “part” of that character and imagine that actor acting out the scenes. That helps me get a sense of cadence when the character speaks, the types of movements the character might do, and so on. But really, it all boils down to allowing my imagination freedom.
Besides writing, what other secret skills do you have?
Writing is my most obvious superpower, but when I’m not writing I love to read. I also love to cook, and I just started art journaling, which I really enjoy.
Where can our readers discover more of your work or interact with you?
The best place to find me online is my website, www.meredithallard.com. I’m also on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/authormeredithallard/. My favorite social media is Pinterest, and you can find me at https://www.pinterest.com/meredithallard/. I could stay on that all day!
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Missing Downton Abbey? A lush historical novel set in Victorian England, When It Rained at Hembry Castle is the story of an aristocratic family, secrets that dare not be told, and the wonder of falling in love.
[image error] Now $2.99 at Amazon
August 22, 2019
Down Salem Way Free on Amazon
If you’ve been wanting to read Down Salem Way, it’s available for free on Amazon today, 8/22, and tomorrow, 8/23.
Since we’re at it, the Loving Husband Trilogy and When It Rained at Hembry Castle are also free today and tomorrow. If you’ve been wanting to read any of my books but don’t have Kindle Unlimited, now is your chance to read them for free.
Also, Down Salem Way is available on NetGalley for the next month, so if you have a NetGalley account you can access it there as well.
August 19, 2019
Down Salem Way FAQ
I’ve been getting a lot of questions and comments about Down Salem Way through email at meredithallardauthor(at)gmail(dot)com and the Contact form on this website. Here are my answers to some of the most frequently asked questions. Keep the questions coming. I love them!
Was it hard to write in James’ voice?
No, it really wasn’t. Remember, the Loving Husband Trilogy was written from both James and Sarah/Elizabeth’s perspectives so I’ve been using James’ voice all along. In the Loving Husband Trilogy, it was third-person narration, but each chapter was still told from either James or Sarah/Elizabeth’s point of view, which made it easy to step into James’ shoes for Down Salem Way. Granted, Down Salem Way is James’ diary, so it’s all James all the time, and he’s a much younger man here (he’s 30 instead of 300+ pretending to be 30), but I enjoyed the opportunity to delve more deeply into his thoughts and feelings during the Salem Witch Trials.
About the whole woman writing from a man’s point of view debate, between friends, I couldn’t care less. The reason I write fiction is because it allows me to let my imagination run wild. That whole “write what you know” advice is hooey. Or, to paraphrase Natalie Goldberg, I know James because I say I know James. Of all the characters I’ve written, he’s the one I most closely identify with, so why not write from his point of view? Any writing advice that tells you to stifle your imagination and creativity needs to go back down the narrow-minded hole it came from. You’re never going to please everyone, so you might as well write your story the way you feel it needs to be written.
Why the delay between Her Loving Husband’s Return and Down Salem Way ?
After Her Loving Husband’s Return was finished, I thought that was the end of the Wentworths’ story. I hadn’t planned on writing anything else in the James and Sarah/Elizabeth world. Then I wrote When It Rained at Hembry Castle, set in a completely different Victorian-era world inspired by Downton Abbey and Charles Dickens, and then I did this little thing called a Ph.D. Completing my Ph.D. in four years took just about everything I had (including most of my brain cells) out of me, but I did come up with the final idea for Down Salem Way during that time. A couple of months after I finished my dissertation, I turned my focus onto Down Salem Way. At that point, it took about a year to complete. I’ve never been what you’d call a fast writer. I need to live with an idea and kick it around a bit before I can do any story justice.
Down Salem Way was hard for me to finish because it has such a sad ending. I wasn’t sure if I’d be able to push through.
I know this isn’t a question, but I’ve been getting this a lot from readers so I thought I’d share it here. I know. Trust me, I know. I shed a lot of tears writing this book. Fans of the Loving Husband Trilogy shouldn’t be surprised by the ending. Still, it’s much more difficult reading what happened to Elizabeth in exacting detail, especially since it’s so heartbreaking the way it played out. It’s not an exaggeration to say I was shattered writing this book. But like I said in the notes at the end of Down Salem Way, the bitterness is alleviated by the sweetness of what we know is coming in Her Dear and Loving Husband. I’d say Down Salem Way is even more heartbreaking than Her Loving Husband’s Curse, and that was a tough one. Remember, this is a novel about the Wentworths’ experiences during the Salem Witch Trials. It couldn’t end any other way, especially since Elizabeth’s story was established in Her Dear and Loving Husband. But I agree…this is a tough one. Get your box of tissues ready!
That is Geoffrey, right?
Yes, that is Geoffrey lurking in the shadows in Down Salem Way. Poor James didn’t know what he was in for when he went off alone with Geoffrey that night, but he’ll come to know Geoffrey much better throughout the trilogy. Miriam also makes an appearance–several appearances, in fact, along with her sisters. If you haven’t read Her Loving Husband’s Curse yet, you’ll meet Miriam more closely and see how she stays connected to James throughout the stories–and the years.
Will there be more Loving Husband Trilogy books?
Yes, there will more James and Sarah books. I have an idea to take my original plot for Down Salem Way and turn it into another Loving Husband story. I also have an idea for a magical realism story about Grace, James and Sarah’s daughter. How long will it take for me to write these books? I can never answer that question with any accuracy so it’s always better for me to just say stay tuned. Follow me here or on any of my social media accounts for the latest news on my books. Next up on my agenda is the new Hembry Castle story and I’m excited to visit with Edward and Daphne again.
August 7, 2019
An Interview With New in Books
Here’s the interview I did for New in Books where we talk a bit about Down Salem Way. Here’s the link if you’d like to read it directly on their site. Also, New in Books featured Down Salem Way as a great read in literary fiction. Let’s face it, Down Salem Way is literary fiction disguised as a historical novel. And I’m okay with that.
Enjoy!
What can you tell us about your new release, Down Salem Way?
Down Salem Way is set around the Salem Witch Trials in 1692. While Down Salem Way is the prequel to the Loving Husband Trilogy, it was written as a stand-alone novel so you don’t need to read the trilogy to understand the story. In Down Salem Way, we see two of the characters readers love from the Loving Husband Trilogy, James and Elizabeth Wentworth. They are newly married in January 1691 and they are in the process of creating a warm, loving life together. As time passes, the madness of the Salem witch hunts starts to invade their lives. James and Elizabeth try to keep themselves out of the problems, but inevitably they are caught up in the madness. Readers of the Loving Husband Trilogy know that James and Elizabeth form a bond that will transcend time. While Down Salem Way is literary historical fiction, there are paranormal elements such as vampires and witches, and the love story between James and Elizabeth is central, so there’s a little something for everyone.
What or who inspired you to become an author?
I’ve wanted to be an author for as long as I can remember—since elementary school, certainly. I was lucky because my teachers frequently told me I was a good writer, so I grew up thinking I was a good writer. At first, I thought I’d become a journalist, then I thought I’d become a screenwriter, but I realized that with my interests and skills I was best suited to writing novels. Reading Charles Dickens in college helped me see what kind of novelist I wanted to be—I wanted to write stories that were entire worlds the way Dickens did.
What’s on your top 5 list for the best books you’ve ever read?
I’ve read so many books that I’ve loved that it’s hard to narrow it down to five, but I’d have to say my top five are:
1. David Copperfield by Charles Dickens
2. I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou
3. Leaves of Grass, a collection of poetry by Walt Whitman
4. Beloved by Toni Morrison
5. Writing Down the Bones by Natalie Goldberg
Say you’re the host of a literary talk show. Who would be your first guest? What would you want to ask?
I’ve been lucky enough to interview some of my literary idols. I interviewed John Jakes almost twenty years ago, and I’ve also interviewed Jean M. Auel. They were both lovely enough to answer my questions about their writing and researching processes. My favorite response came from John Jakes when I asked him what his next writing project was. He said he had too many ideas for too many books and he’d never live long enough to write all the stories he wanted to. I remember that answer all these years later because I realize how true that is. I also have so many stories I want to write, and I also doubt I’ll get to write them all.
What’s your favorite thing about writing?
I love that I can take these crazy ideas in my head and share them with others. I love that creative writing is about creating new worlds. One of my favorite parts about being an author is hearing from fans all over the world. Thank the literary gods, but the Loving Husband Trilogy has found a devoted audience all over the world. Connecting with people who have read and loved my books is really a treasure I cannot describe.
What is a typical day like for you?
I find I’m most productive in the morning, so I start my own writing first thing (after coffee, of course). I’m also a freelance writer and editor, so my afternoons are usually taken up with writing and editing for others. It’s a great schedule because it allows me my own creative time to write my own books and articles, but it also allows me time to help others with their writing, which I love.
What scene in Down Salem Way was your favorite to write?
Even though Down Salem Way deals with a difficult subject, the Salem witch hunts, it was a joy to write in many ways. Down Salem Way allowed me to look more closely at James and Elizabeth’s life in Salem during the witch trials. Their time in Salem is touched upon in Her Dear and Loving Husband, the first book in the Loving Husband Trilogy, but there wasn’t space to examine that time in much depth in Her Dear and Loving Husband. In Down Salem Way I was able to step back and see what their life was like in the late 17th century. If I had to pick one scene that I particularly enjoyed writing, it is the scene toward the beginning of the novel where James helps to teach Lizzie how to read and he prompts her to read Anne Bradstreet’s “To My Dear and Loving Husband” on her own. Yes, Bradstreet’s poem is where the title Her Dear and Loving Husband comes from, so there’s an obvious connection between the two books.
Do you have a motto, quote or philosophy you live by?
I love that quote from Walt Disney, “If you can dream it, you can do it.” I’ve found that to be true in my own life. You just have to be brave enough to let your imagination soar.
July 29, 2019
What I’m Reading
Reading is a grand thing any time of the year, but summer reading always has a special place in my heart. Maybe it’s the memory of those childhood summers when I’d spend entire days lost in a book.
Here’s a bit of what I’ve been reading this summer.
Down Salem Way
I’m sure it seems a little self-serving to read my own book, but between friends, that’s one of the most wonderful things for me–when I can read my own book and get lost in the story like any other reader. That’s how I know a book is finished–when I can read it just to read it, just to enjoy the characters’ journeys, without needing to tweak anything.
London: The Biography
I wanted to visit London this summer, but it didn’t work out so I contented myself with reading about it instead. Peter Ackroyd wrote one of my favorite Dickens biographies, and I loved this insight into my favorite city in the world.
Everything is F*cked
I loved Mark Manson’s first book, The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck, and this second book also goes a long way in helping readers see what has genuine value in our lives and what doesn’t. As a culture, we spend far too much time worrying about things that don’t really matter all that much. Like Manson’s first book, I’d call Everything is F*cked an anti-self-help book, which is good because I’ve grown numb to all the self-help books out there.
How To Be Alone: If You Want To, and Even If You Don’t
I had a few moments this summer when I felt as if I had not one other person on this planet to help me when I needed it, so I could relate to Lane Moore’s book far more than I care to admit. This book is for anyone who has ever felt completely alone in the world, for whatever reason, which I’m pretty sure is most of us at one time or another. I think Lane was extremely brave to write this book, and I for one am grateful that she did.
I’m always looking for book recommendations, so if you have any, drop them below.
July 26, 2019
Loving Husband Trilogy Free on Amazon Today
Just a quick note to let everyone know that the Loving Husband Trilogy Complete Box Set is free on Amazon today, Friday, 7/26/19.
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As of right now, the LHT Box Set is #44 free overall and #1 in both of its categories. Thank you to all the James and Sarah fans for your continued support!
July 22, 2019
Writing Historical Fiction: Mr. Wentworth the Younger
One of the challenges of writing Down Salem Way was showing the James Wentworth we know and love from the Loving Husband Trilogy but also revealing what he was like as a much younger man. How would you change between the ages of 30 and 300+?
We already know a bit about James’ life from the Loving Husband books. We know that James is his father’s assistant in the mercantile trade. We know that James completes his doctorate since he’s a professor when we meet him in Her Dear & Loving Husband. We know how James meets Elizabeth, and we know that Elizabeth is a farmer’s daughter. We also know that James never forgets his beloved wife. The memory of Lizzie keeps him going until he finds Sarah.
As with any coming of age story, there has to be growth. The characters have to develop some new understanding along the way. In a sense, Down Salem Way is James’ coming of age story. Bildungsroman is a fancy-pants way of describing a story where the psychological and moral growth of the main character is a central theme. Since Down Salem Way is a prequel, we don’t get the full impact of James’ psychological and moral growth until Her Dear & Loving Husband. But even in Down Salem Way we can see the beginning traces of the man James Wentworth will become.
Fans of the Loving Husband Trilogy know John Wentworth as a kind, loving father. In Down Salem Way we see John in his full glory as his merchant business thrives. Throughout the story, James is referred to as Mr. Wentworth the Younger. James recognizes that he doesn’t have an identity of his own because others see him only as John Wentworth’s son. With Lizzie’s help, James realizes, perhaps for the first time, that he can live his life on his own terms.
Aspects of life during the late 17th century may seem wrong to modern-day eyes. For most of history, women were expected to be seen and not heard. You can argue that’s still true to an extent, but I’d much rather be a woman today with all our problems than any other time in history. In Salem, under Puritan rule, women couldn’t speak for themselves. When a woman claimed to be attacked by someone’s shape, a man had to file the complaint on her behalf. Women had no legal rights, and every aspect of their lives was determined by men. There are times in Down Salem Way when James puts his foot down as the head of his small family. Though Lizzie bristles, she gives in, which would be expected of a 17th-century goodwife.
Outlander author Diana Gabaldon said (and I’m paraphrasing here) that historical novelists are afraid to write about the truth of the past because that truth often doesn’t fit with our current way of thinking. But if we’re going to write historical fiction then we must be honest about the time we’re writing about. James is the head of his family and he can forbid Lizzie from attending the trials. The rum John Wentworth sells overseas is traded for human beings who are sold as slaves. Family members would accuse each other of witchcraft, even when those claims resulted in the accused languishing in prison or being hanged. It isn’t pretty, but that’s the way it was. If readers want to read about perfect worlds where all people are treated fairly and equally, historical fiction is not for you. Probably most anything you read or watch is not for you. As a society, we’re still struggling with the same issues that have plagued us all along—false accusations and gender and race inequality being high on that list. The things James writes about in the 17th century are not the same things he writes about in the 21st century. But that’s what happens when you’ve lived more than 300 years—you learn a little something along the way, if you’re lucky.
So who is Mr. Wentworth the Younger? He’s a newly married young man finding his way in the world. He’s learning what he doesn’t want—working with his father in the mercantile business—and he’s learning what he does want—to return to university with his wife by his side. He’s more insecure than the older James, but most of us are more insecure when we’re younger, aren’t we? The James Wentworth we know and love is found in his love for Elizabeth. His affection, his devotion, and his passion for his wife are limitless. In this dear and loving husband we find the love story that will transcend time.
July 16, 2019
Making Changes
A few years ago I wrote this post about the joys of having a day job. When I wrote it, I meant every word of it. For years I needed the security of having a steady paycheck, and believe me—steady paychecks are a glorious thing. I’ve been a teacher for the past 25 years, teaching everything from kindergarten to middle school and high school English to university to writing workshops for students of all ages. I received an MA degree in English and a PhD in Education. My writing has been published in journals and magazines worldwide, and I’ve been the executive editor of a literary journal for 20 years, working with the best up and coming writers as well as established names. I’ve written four bestselling novels with a brand new prequel to my name and I’ve sold over 300,000 copies of my books.
I say this not as a humble-brag, but only to point out that
I was able to accomplish a few things while holding down various full-time
teaching jobs. True, teachers work 10 months a year, but if you know a teacher
you know she or he packs 12 months or more of work into one school year. After
my teaching day was done, when I got home in the afternoon, no matter how tired
I was, which was plenty tired most days, I sat down at the computer and worked.
I’ve always believed that if you want to write badly enough, or if you want to
draw or sing or dance or act or volunteer or whatever it is, you’ll find a way
to do it. It’s hard, but if that is what your heart is telling you to do, then
it’s worth it.
Now, after a lot of thought and quite a bit of planning, it’s time for a change. I had come to the point where I felt like I’ve done everything I can as a full-time teacher, at least for now. There were no more challenges to reach for, and I’m the kind of person who needs a challenge. After 25 years, I decided to see what else is out there for me. As it turns out, there’s a lot, and I’m looking forward to new opportunities. I’m fortunate in the sense that I’ve honed a number of skills over the years. As a PhD, I learned the ins and outs of scholarly research, which are useful beyond writing historical fiction. As an editor, I learned about editing and proofreading, and as a writer, I learned about copywriting and writing articles for various markets.
I’m looking forward to having more time to work on aspects of my writing that were pressed aside due to my full-time jobs. Yes, I had summers off, but trust me, two months go by in the blink of an eye when you’re writing a book. Whatever writing time I had was dedicated to my novels. Since I write historical novels that require a lot of daydreaming, a lot of planning, and a lot of research, writing a book took time. Down Salem Way, once I got going, was a two-year journey. Now I’ll have time for the nonfiction articles and books I’ve been wanting to write.
When I left my last job I didn’t have another job waiting for me, which was unusual for me. Instinctively, I understood that the school where I was teaching wasn’t a good fit for me. I wasn’t sure at that time where my future was, but I knew it wasn’t there so I left. Several of the teachers I worked with said, “You’re so brave to leave without another job. I wish I could do what you’re doing but I can’t.” I understood what they meant because that was how I felt most of my life—I couldn’t leave somewhere unless I knew where I was going. Acknowledging the truth about what I wanted (or in this case what I didn’t want) gave me the courage to see what else life might have in store for me.
It was time, that’s all. I’ve always believed that everything happens in its own time. If I had made this jump 10 years ago, even five years ago, I don’t believe it would have worked. Now, I know what I have to offer and I’m finding work as a freelance writer and editor while still leaving time for my own writing, both fiction and nonfiction.
I’ve been reading a lot about making changes in your life. When To Jump: If the Job You Have Isn’t the Life You Want by Mike Lewis is one book that has helped me along this journey. While there isn’t a lot of actionable advice in this book, it’s filled with anecdotes from others who have jumped from one life to another and lived to tell the tale. Career Change by Joanna Penn guides you through understanding what it is you really want from your life. I’m fortunate in the sense that I already knew what I wanted: to work at home editing, researching, and writing. But if you’re stuck in a job you don’t like and you’re looking for a change, Joanna’s book is a great place to start.
I still have a day job because I’m editing, researching, and writing for others, but I’m working at home and I have control over my schedule in a way I never have before. And I have more time for my own writing, which is a grand thing. Things are different, which is a good thing when it’s time for a change.