Carlene Havel's Blog: Carlene - Posts Tagged "wip"
The Next Big Thing
The Next Big Thing is a game authors play, and Tag! I'm it! Here's how it works: I answer the set of questions about a work in progress. Then I'll tag another author, who will address the same questions about his or her WIP. Ready to play? Here goes...
What is the working title of your book?
Daughter of the King
Where did the idea come from for the book?
I wanted to write the story of a Biblical woman. Ruth and Esther are always obvious choices. However, their stories are quite complete in the books of the Bible by those names. I preferred the framework of a plot that left plenty of room for imagination. When I read of a spat between King David and his wife Michal, it occurred to me she might be the character I wanted. The more I researched and read about Michal, the more excited I became. Who wouldn’t want to write the story of a princess who loved and married one of the most famous kings of antiquity?
What genre does your book fall under?
That’s never easy for me to answer. The characters in Daughter of the King lived during the Bronze Age, and the story is about Princess Michal’s great love for King David. So labels such as “romance” and “historical” would apply. I suppose either historical Biblical fiction or historical romance would be appropriate.
Which actors would you choose to play your characters in a movie rendition?
Both Angelina Jolie and Charlize Theron have the cool, elegant beauty I envision for Princess Michal. George Clooney could be King David.
What is the one-sentence synopsis of your book?
The Princess whose love endured against all odds.
Will your book be self-published or represented by an agency?
I’m happy to say Prism Book Group is publishing Daughter of the King.
How long did it take you to write the first draft of your manuscript?
Longer than usual for me, probably about a year. Realizing I had neither the skill nor the desire to do the research required for historical authenticity, I got stuck. The solution was right in front of me! Sharon Faucheux, my best friend for many years is a history buff, loves doing research, and is an excellent writer. Having shared a two-person office for several years, we already knew we could work together. This fast-paced writer reluctantly learned patience co-authoring with my meticulous friend.
What other books would you compare this story to within your genre?
I hesitate to put myself in this league, but I see many similarities between The Red Tent by Anita Diamont and Daughter of the King.
Who or What inspired you to write this book?
The Bible is my favorite source of inspiration. It presents so many women I would love to write about. In fact, Sharon Faucheux and I are collaborating now on another book of this same genre.
What else about your book might pique the reader's interest?
I’m struck by the richness Sharon put into this book through historical details. For authenticity, we quoted the King James Bible at the beginning of each chapter of Daughter of the King. Otherwise, I suspect there might be times when a reader might doubt that one woman’s life could include so much drama.
Another point of interest to me is the comparison of then and now. There are vast differences between their and our food, clothing, transportation, and so many other environmental factors. Yet inside people remain the same. Across the ages, faith, love, hate, greed, betrayal, and joy are still what life is all about.
What is the working title of your book?
Daughter of the King
Where did the idea come from for the book?
I wanted to write the story of a Biblical woman. Ruth and Esther are always obvious choices. However, their stories are quite complete in the books of the Bible by those names. I preferred the framework of a plot that left plenty of room for imagination. When I read of a spat between King David and his wife Michal, it occurred to me she might be the character I wanted. The more I researched and read about Michal, the more excited I became. Who wouldn’t want to write the story of a princess who loved and married one of the most famous kings of antiquity?
What genre does your book fall under?
That’s never easy for me to answer. The characters in Daughter of the King lived during the Bronze Age, and the story is about Princess Michal’s great love for King David. So labels such as “romance” and “historical” would apply. I suppose either historical Biblical fiction or historical romance would be appropriate.
Which actors would you choose to play your characters in a movie rendition?
Both Angelina Jolie and Charlize Theron have the cool, elegant beauty I envision for Princess Michal. George Clooney could be King David.
What is the one-sentence synopsis of your book?
The Princess whose love endured against all odds.
Will your book be self-published or represented by an agency?
I’m happy to say Prism Book Group is publishing Daughter of the King.
How long did it take you to write the first draft of your manuscript?
Longer than usual for me, probably about a year. Realizing I had neither the skill nor the desire to do the research required for historical authenticity, I got stuck. The solution was right in front of me! Sharon Faucheux, my best friend for many years is a history buff, loves doing research, and is an excellent writer. Having shared a two-person office for several years, we already knew we could work together. This fast-paced writer reluctantly learned patience co-authoring with my meticulous friend.
What other books would you compare this story to within your genre?
I hesitate to put myself in this league, but I see many similarities between The Red Tent by Anita Diamont and Daughter of the King.
Who or What inspired you to write this book?
The Bible is my favorite source of inspiration. It presents so many women I would love to write about. In fact, Sharon Faucheux and I are collaborating now on another book of this same genre.
What else about your book might pique the reader's interest?
I’m struck by the richness Sharon put into this book through historical details. For authenticity, we quoted the King James Bible at the beginning of each chapter of Daughter of the King. Otherwise, I suspect there might be times when a reader might doubt that one woman’s life could include so much drama.
Another point of interest to me is the comparison of then and now. There are vast differences between their and our food, clothing, transportation, and so many other environmental factors. Yet inside people remain the same. Across the ages, faith, love, hate, greed, betrayal, and joy are still what life is all about.
