Writing novels set in the distant past has its disadvantages. Like when your heroine ends up in a situation where you just know she’s dying for a piece of chocolate – except that chocolate hasn’t been invented yet. Or when the scene you’ve just written calls for cold fingers clasped around the comforting warmth of […]
The devil lies in the details – a reflection on writing historical fiction Read More »
In Sweden, we have a saying: “April snow is like sheep’s dung” – i.e. a valuable fertilizer. Me, I’m more of the “damn it, no snow NOW!!!” approach, but these last few days have been so cold there is a faint possibility we will see snow, when what I want for Easter is sun, budding
A month of showers and snow – my April newsletter Read More »
“Stupid idiot,” I mutter. “You’re killing her!” “Who?” asks hubby, raising his gaze from his chess app. “Rodrigo!” I sigh. “Silly young man. Seriously, he needs to communicate with her.” “He’s what? Nineteen?” hubby asks (see? He pays attention) “What young man at that age knows how to communicate with a woman he’s in love
I’m the writer. You’re invented – a post about the characters that take over Read More »
I have spent most of last week in bed—or on the sofa—feeling sorry for myself. Why? Because I have been struck down by a bad case of flu, with fever, cough and a blinding headache. Problem with headache is that it makes it impossible to read. Or watch TV. So instead, I’ve listened to pods,
In the fair month of May – my monthly newsletter Read More »
The men in my brain have a tendency to ambush me at the most inappropriate moments. Note the men in my brain: in real life, I have only one man, and he is not much given to ambushing me—and when he does, he calls it a surprise, ergo the ambush is a (supposedly) pleasant experience.
Of stereotypes and heroes – a reflection on my leading men Read More »
Today, I’m publishing my 22nd book. Phew . . . Like always, there’s this bubbling feeling of joy as I consider the fact that yet another story of mine is out there. This story has a dark undertone, in that life is hard for my time traveller Erin in 18th century Pennsylvania. When Erin Barnes
Poouf! I’m all worn out! Now, those that know me, know I am rather talkative, but doing a two hour talk has left me a bit drained. So what have I talked about? I was very flattered–and honoured–when HNS (Historical Novel Society) asked me to do a talk about going Indie. Having spent months preparing
I was quite flattered when Alison Morton reached out and asked if I wanted to be part of her ten-year celebration tour. What a silly questiom. OF COURSE I did – I am a major, major Roma Nova fan, as those of you who read my blog regularly probably have worked out. Besides, Alison is
I must begin by apologising for the very loooooong radio silence. I do have a valid excuse in that I had surgery in December and then things didn’t at all go as planned. Where I had assumed I’d be up and about after a couple of weeks, turns out I had seriously understimated how long
Bitten by the time travel bug – a reflection on why I write what I write Read More »
My mother always used to say that concentrating your words to a succinct few was the hallmark of a good speaker—or writer. I’m guessing she’s sighing heavily wherever she is whenever she takes a peek at my work, because dear peeps, it seems to me abbreviation is a skill I am not good at. I
The case of the swelling narrative – or how one book becomes three. Or four. Or ten. Read More »