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"I don’t change the facts to enhance the drama. I think of it the other way round, the drama has got to fit the facts,
and it’s your job as a writer to find the shape in real life."
Hilary Mantel


Sep 21, 2016

The Very Bad Baron

My latest article for English Historical Fiction Authors. A truly terrible individual, who has a cameo appearance in A Pledge of Better Times. High on my list of candidates for Worst Person of the Stuart Age!





 
 

Sep 11, 2016

Travels & Research

With September's arrival I left behind city home and lake cottage, where I've been hard at work on the next novel, for the first of two research trips.

During my time away I was living in a palatial residence of the sort familiar to my protagonist during a significant period of her life. Here are some photos of my splendid surroundings:

Dwarfed by the splendour!

The ballroom from the balcony

The largest of the dining rooms

Another area sometimes used for dining

The gallery

Detail in one parlour

Detail of fireplace mantel

Practising ballet moves in front of mirrored wall


As you see, a beautiful location. And the weather was ideal!

Already looking forward to my next journey . . . .