Lavinia Collins's Blog, page 10

THE EDITING DIARIES: Always More to Learn

Book I, Part I

I didn’t think I would be doing another series of The Editing Diaries. Fool that I was, I thought I had learned so much the first time round that I wouldn’t have that much to share. (This is just one of many examples of my not-so-youthful hubris.) So when I settled down to edit part I of my Morgawse, Queen of the North trilogy, The Empty Throne, I thought, dear readers, that I knew it all.

Spoiler: I knew it only some.

Working closely with an editor the first time was great, and I felt like I learned so much about my own writing process. Not necessarily what to write, but how what I had written could be reshaped into something better. That it was OK to cut (and that cutting is the most important part of editing), and that sometimes it just helps to have someone confirm what you know. It’s easy to become self-indulgent when you’re writing for yourself (which is how I started out) and sometimes you just need to kill those darlings! (Sorry darlings.)

The lessons learned this time were very different, and I’ll come to them properly one by one. But overall, without being too lifelong-learning-y about it, my first experience of it was that realisation that there is always more to do. I thought that I had learned so much from editing the Morgan trilogy that I would have this down in a cinch. I worked through my early draft of The Empty Throne, and I thought to myself, I thought: Oh, ho, ho. Joe will be so impressed with me; he will have almost nothing to change. Ho, ho. (Joe is the name of my editor. Hello, if you’re reading this – and thank you.) Well, dear readers, I’m afraid I was rather wrong. Because, you see, what good is an editor who thinks that everything you have written is fine? I’m a big fan of taking a critical view of my own habits (most of which are awful – life habits, I mean, like only doing the washing every two weeks when I run out of clothes), but that doesn’t make it the most pleasant process. An editor’s job is to point out when you can be better, so when you think you’ve taken on the lessons from the first one, you’re giving them the chance to make the next one (hopefully) even better.

And that’s what’s been so great about the second phase of this, I think. I’m certainly getting different comments and advice from what I had for Morgan. And these are worth sharing again, and I am going to share them with you. I hope you’re going to enjoy them!

Love from Lav xxx

Morgawse I, The Empty Throne, out now!

Click here for The Editing Diaries (Part 4) 

This post was originally published at the Chapterhouse Blog. 

*News* MORGAN TRILOGY COMPLETELY FREE *News*

Don’t miss your chance to get the collected version of the bestselling Morgan trilogy completely free for your kindle!



Click here to grab your freebie!

“Once again, Collins has created complex, intriguing characters, and a vivid world that makes you forget the Arthurian legends are just that, legends… Here, Morgan comes forward to tell her own story. And it’s a very compelling one.” History and Other Thoughts Blog

“An exciting and entertaining tale of a woman who is a witch, an enchantress, a seducer, a lover, a leader, a sibling, a friend, a foe, a victim and a perpetrator. Morgan is the embodiment of feminine power and feminine struggle.” Crystal’s Many Reviewers Blog 

The Witches of Avalon, the first instalment of the trilogy, also featured in Crystal’s Many Reviwers’ Top 50 Books of the Year. 

*News*A Fragile Crown Available for Pre-Order *News*

 A Fragile Crown, the second instalment of the Morgawse: Queen of the North Arthurian Fantasy Romance Trilogy is available now to pre-order for your kindle!

Ruthlessly dismissed from Camelot by King Arthur, Morgawse returns to Lothian Castle with her sister, Morgan. Her pregnancy remains a delicate secret from her vile and domineering husband, Lot. But he is endlessly suspicious, and discovers her swelling belly. Fuming with anger, he pledges war on King Arthur to regain what he considers the only thing worth living for – honour.

Morgawse is indifferent about the fate of her husband but she fears terribly for her sons as they join their father in battle. She plans to visit Arthur again to try and persuade him to a peace agreement. Despite his hostility, she reminds him that he is, after all, the father of her child. But Arthur has other plans.

Grab it here! You can also find part I of the trilling trilogy THE EMPTY THRONE on Amazon.

Want to find out more about who Morgawse, the forgotten queen of Arthurian literature, was? Click this link!

What’s with sexist Amazon blurbs and reviews?

I was wandering back through Amazon, rootling in my previous reads looking for more books by an author whose work I’d enjoyed (it was Kate Quinn’s immensely enjoyable Mistress of Rome, pictured left) when I stumbled across something that really f-ing irritated me in the blurb.

Someone had described it as ‘Spartacus for girls’. It stopped me dead in my tracks. Spartacus wasn’t for me? The STARS series was wall-to-wall naked men wrestling each other, and naked women frolicking about. Granted, not to the tastes of all women, but still – I felt that my demographic was being somewhat catered to. I don’t think violence or combat are things that only men enjoy watching. But perhaps they meant the 1960 Kirk Douglas classic movie Spartacus? But I enjoyed that, too. None of that seemed to be men-only.

Like the now-famous Vagenda tagline, ripped from a cringeworthy Cosmopolitan review of the Margaret Thatcher biopic The Iron Lady, it presupposes that ‘girls’ (*ahem* women) need their own special version with a female protagonist, less violence, less graphic sex, and more “girly” things.

The thing that irritates me is the idea that stories with female protagonists are ‘for girls’. Or that there even needs to be a version of things ‘for girls’. Aren’t we past this? Can’t men enjoy whatever books, films, plays, TV shows they want? Can’t women do the same? It’s patronising, irritating and downright stupid to be talking like this. We don’t need a ‘for girls’ version of things. Sure – some things tend to appeal to women, some things to men. But for god’s sake leave those assumptions out of your blurb.

The offending blurb

Femfog gets in your eyes

Take the red pill to stop women stealing your lunch

I’ve found myself very struck by a comment on my Allen Frantzen #femfog post that throws up something which is, in my opinion, a real problem that men and women need to negotiate together.

The commenter makes the interesting point that:

These “red pill” men aren’t appearing out of thin air. They gravitate there because for the most part no where on the political-left tries to, or allows, this discussion. There are all these men who are frustrated that they aren’t able to get or are not satisfied, with their sexual/romantic relationships. Its not a bad thing for them to want to find out how to change that. As long as the only place that discussions occur is the redpill/pua/mra then these places will only grow.

Of course there are some things I don’t agree with in the longer comment. For example I don’t think this is a leftist agenda, or that there aren’t either left or liberal outlets for this (for example, famous feminist site and meninist bogeyman Jezebel.com, though not perfect, is consistently sex-positive, and in a way that avoids gender roles or gives a map for the “right” way to behave in a sexual situation).

But I do think the central point in this paragraph is a sound (and alarming) one. The Red Pill/PUA/MRA websites are attracting millions of followers. And if that’s the only available dialogue or discussion forum for men who want to have sex with women, then I think that’s pretty bad news.

I’ve lived my whole life as a woman, so I don’t have a strong frame of reference for what it feels like to be a man who is afraid of hurting women and ashamed of his sexuality. But we women do know what it feels like to be made to be ashamed of your sexuality in a different way; to be expected to be chaste and passive. To be afraid to want without being called a slut. It’s not the same, but if we can try to understand one another, and negotiate this problem collectively, that’s got to be better.

I’m put in mind of a conversation I once had with a close male friend. We were talking about sex and expectations, and he brought up that it made it uncomfortable when his (long-term and much beloved) girlfriend said she was, in theory, up for it, but wanted him to “convince [her]”. He didn’t want to get freaky with someone who needed to be “convinced”. I think this is something of the same problem that the commenter, (who gave the name Karl, but whose email address wasn’t valid), was describing. Fear of falling into that sexually aggressive male role. But here’s the thing – it cuts both ways. Why do women want that? Because women are brought up to believe that any active sexuality – any desiring – on their part is slutty. If someone seduces you, that’s OK because you’re still acceptably passive. Of course, two consenting people can enjoy a fantasy like this, and that doesn’t make it bad or wrong, but it’s rooted in something long-standing and problematic.

This isn’t to say that this isn’t a real problem for men – it is to say that men and women are both holding different ends of the same problem. And like I said in my original post, we’re better together. “The Patriarchy” isn’t a bunch of men in suits planning to do horrible things to women. “The Patriarchy” isn’t anyone – it’s a descriptive term about the uncomfortable and unequal pattern our lives have in modern society. It’s a pattern that gives men certain freedoms that it doesn’t give to women, but it also constrains men. If you want a great example of the crippling expectations of masculinity, you can just turn to Breaking Bad. 

Frantzen’s post – and many of the comments I have received on it, including a particularly bizarre one that informed me that because of me and my feminism the men would “leave the village” and women would have to “fend for themselves” in the fem-fogged-up future I had (apparently) demanded – makes matters unhelpfully adversarial. Men vs women. Men vs feminism.

There are plenty of men who are kind and respectful to women, who treat them like humans and equals, and who have loving and fulfilling relationships with them. It’s a PUA myth that the ‘nice guy’ loses. But it’s a convincing victim narrative – once upon a time I believed in the ‘Nice Guy’. It allows us to believe in our own specialness, our own exceptional nature.

Karl’s comment is a perfect example of what good work feminism could do for everyone. In a gender-equal society, anyone could express what they wanted (or didn’t want) to anyone safely – without fear of harm, or causing harm. But it’s a big dream, but it’s one of the dreams of feminism. Imagine a world, heterosexual men, where any woman who wanted to have sex with you could just come out and say so, without fear or shame. Where anyone could safely express what they did or did not want. Where sexual openness, mutual respect and consent were day-to-day occurrences. If that sounds good, maybe the femfog isn’t really blocking your vision, after all.

I tried to reach out to the commenter via email to suggest a discussion post, but the address bounced.

You can read the full comment here:

The Problem With Allen Frantzen’s FemFog Post

This is what ‘femfog’ looks like, probably. 

 

They say that you should never meet your heroes. Well, you should also probably never read their blogs either.

Giant of Anglo-Saxon scholarship, Allen Frantzen – someone whose work has influenced me a lot, and someone for whom I had a lot of admiration – has shocked, offended and annoyed a large portion of the online medievalist community with a bizarre blog post addressed entirely to men (perhaps assuming that no women read his website?) urging them to free themselves from the fog of feminism – ‘femfog’ as he calls it – and “grab their balls” and use data (confusing mix of advice there IMO) to defeat feminism.

You can read the whole thing here: http://www.allenjfrantzen.com/Men/femfog.html

It’s not pretty.

The crux of my objection to this post is that, despite claiming to be about equality, politics and freedom, it’s actually about sex. How do you get women to have sex with you without having to go to the trouble of pretending you view them as equals? Franzten suggests it is by grabbing your balls and using data.

There are lots of facts and figures about men underachieving, male fatality in combat, men in hazardous jobs. I agree – men dying is bad! I like men! Men are people! I like people! But women are also people, and this is what this post fails to recognise.

It’s littered with the aggressive rhetoric of PUAs and MRAs from the bowels of the internet, urging men to ‘choose the red pill’ and free themselves from the fog of feminism. Then we get to this absolute gem:

 Life in femfog is the price a man pays for women’s acceptance and approval. These are goals many straight men desire, even crave, because men want to have sex and they know that adored women are more likely to grant sexual favors. I suggest below that you might have a better sex life out of the femfog than in it.

This is the crux of it; you don’t need to be a feminist to have sex with women. So why do it?

I have plenty of male friends who believe in the social, political and economic equality of the sexes, almost none of whom I have had sex with. And yet they continue to believe in it, and to talk about it with me! Why, I hear you all cry. Why?

Because we’re better together. And that’s the really sad thing about this post. It’s saturated with adversarial men-versus-women language, and it consistently assumes that women ought to be subservient or at least cowed by a man with one hand occupied on his balls and some ‘data’. It suggests that female emancipation is male slavery. It suggests that feminism requires men be disposable. It’s resulted in a lot of angry medievalists on twitter giving Franzten what for, because he deserves it.

But here’s the kicker; in the eternal words of the parent, I’m not angry, I’m just disappointed. How many female PhD students has he supervised? Interviewed for jobs? Listened to their papers? Accepted them onto courses, into conferences? Knowing that all the while, this respected man who has had so much to contribute to the world of scholarship has never viewed women as capable of the same contribution is immensely sad.

Who is Morgawse?

This week, the first book of my latest series Morgawse, Queen of the North comes out, and for the first time I’m not just writing from the perspective of a character from medieval legend, but a little-known one, and one who – in fact – makes it into almost no modern adaptations.

Morgawse, sister to Morgan le Fay and half-sister to King Arthur (both of whom are household names to anyone who loves fantasy or folklore), is very little known, except by those who’ve read the medieval originals, or fans of Marion Bradley’s The Mists of Avalon. But Morgawse (or as she’s sometimes called, Morgause) loses out here, too, as she’s sidelined in favour of Morgaine, and Bradley makes Morgaine rather than Morgawse Mordred’s mother. 

In the medieval versions, Morgan le Fay and Morgawse are completely

Helen Mirren as Morgan, seducing Arthur with the help of wicked magic, in the 1981 film Excalibur.

distinct. Often, in adaptations, all of Morgawse’s functions are blended with Morgan’s, and the conception of Mordred all becomes part of some evil plot against Arthur. This makes the story simpler, draws the lines between good and evil more clearly, and most of all avoids people having to deal with two sisters with similar names.*

But Morgawse has her own unique history and significance in the legends. As queen of Lothian (and sometimes Orkney), and wife of the mythical King Lot, who (supposedly) gives his name to the area of (now) Scotland known as Lothian. As one might expect, then, Morgawse is a figure more popular in romance texts written north of the Scottish border, which also show a strong preference for her son Mordred as legitimate heir to the throne rather than wicked usurper.

Malory, too, in Le Morte Darthur gives Morgawse her own storylines and influence; she’s important as a mother to the knights Gawain, Aggravain, Gaheris, Gareth and Mordred. She’s important as a queen in her own right with a role – an exciting espionage-based role – to play on the political sphere, and as a scandalous sinner in the private sphere. Like many other Arthurian queens she takes lovers, deals with dangers, and negotiates complex political scenarios.

I think it’s about time her story was heard.

 

*(A few medieval versions call Morgawse ‘Anna’, but this is much less common).

 

News! New Release

Fresh off the press – the first part of my Morgawse, Queen of the North trilogy is available on kindle from today!

THE EMPTY THRONE tells the previously untold story of Queen Morgawse.

***

A gripping new take on a secret treasure of medieval romance hidden in Arthurian legend

Old King Uther is dying. Morgawse’s greedy and ambitious husband Lot plans to take over and seize the crown. But a strange young boy is found claiming to be the rightful heir to the throne. Overwhelmed with anger, Lot sends Morgawse to the court at Camelot to spy on young Arthur.

As Morgawse gets more and more involved with Arthur she doesn’t realise the dangerous path she is treading.

Morgawse enjoys herself in the elaborate banquets in the great hall, the music and the dancing, and her new found freedom. She hates the old King Uther, but she is glad at the brief opportunity to get away from her capricious husband. A relationship with Arthur quickly develops, despite the risks. Morgawse senses a chance at a better life in Camelot. But the thought of her sons back in Lothian Castle troubles her. And then her mother Igraine arrives in Camelot with some deeply shocking news.

Whilst young King Arthur must prove himself if he is to defend his kingdom and secure lasting peace in the realm, Morgawse must stay strong and defiant .

“I could not put this book down. I cannot wait for the next in the series” Richard Ellis, Glastonbury

THE EMPTY THRONE is the first title in Morgawse, The Queen of the North Trilogy by best-selling historical romance and fantasy author Lavinia Collins. In this extraordinary retelling of the cherished King Arthur tales, follow the tenacious Morgawse on her journey through the intense and fascinating medieval world of jealousy, love, war and witchcraft.

Lavinia Collins is the author of two other epic chronicles of women in Arthurian legend. Check out her GUINEVERE and MORGAN trilogies, both available as single editions on kindle, and in collected versions on kindle and in paperback.

 

NEWS! Bargain ebook alert!

THE WARRIOR QUEEN is 99p for a short time!

Grab it while you can – from now until the 14th get this #1 Arthurian Bestseller for just 99p.

To read reviews before you buy, click here!

My Top Reads of 2015

I’ve been a busy gal this year, but I did find time for plenty of reading, from the informative to the erotic! Here I’ve gathered together my favourite reads of 2015 – if you’ve read something wonderful this year, do add it in the comments! I’m always on the lookout for new reads.

I’m planning to make my fave reads recommendations a regular page on the blog (you can see it here) so if you think there’s something missing from it that you’d like to make 2016’s list you can drop me a line! News about books is always good news. 

And where are your own books, Lavinia, I (possibly) hear you cry? They have their own home here – this section is for me to share what I’ve loved reading, rather than what I’ve been writing!

 

 

Great scholarly yet popular history of the ancient world! A must-read for classical history lovers.

 

Empowering erotica that I would strongly recommend for all ladies who like to be in charge. (According to Chaucer, that’s all of us, by the way).

 

 

Young Adult fantasy romance with fairies, intrigue and plenty of heat.

 

 

Truly unique mystery novel – recommended to all lovers of interesting characters and intrigue across time.

 

 

 

Great fun from the lovely Julie – strongly recommended!

 

 

 

 

Old English Intrigue, Sex and Scandal. Great historical novel with incredible period detail.

 

 

 

 

Accessible popular history of royal sexuality.

 

 

Salacious historical fiction featuring everyone’s (second) favourite crazy Emperor, Domitian.

 

 

 

Young Adult novel – I couldn’t put it down. It’s not “fun” as such, but it’s incredible writing. Not for the faint-hearted!

 

 

Don’t see your book here, and think I’d like it? Drop me a line here.