Rosemary Morris Historical Novelist - N.N. Light's Guest Blogger

Today, I am N.N.Light's guest, blogging about my novel The Captain and The Countess set in the reign of Queen Anne Stuart - 1702-1714.

 http://wp.me/p327dV-3C1

 All the best,

Rosemary Morris

Multi-published historical novelist

The Captain and The Countess by Rosemary Morris

I am delighted to announce that my novel the e-book edition of  The Captain and The Countess set in Queen Anne Stuart's reign, 1702-1714, has been re-published by We Love Books.

It is available at www.amazon.co.uk and www. amazon. com.

The link is B01FCENLKE

Article on Anastasia Pollock's Blog

11^th April. Today I am a guest of Anastasia Pollock, crafts editor and reluctant amateur sleuth, on her blog, Crafty Knitters. My article features naval captain, Edward Howard, the hero of my novel, The Captain and The Countess. Edward’s outstanding artistic ability makes him more perceptive than most gentlemen in Queen Anne Stuart’s reign, 1706-1714. 

LINK:

 

http://www/anastasiapollack.blogspot.com/2016/04/crafts-with-anastasia-guest-author.html

 

Rosemary Morris

Multi Published Historical Novelist

www.rosemarymorris.co.uk

Sepcial Offers $0.99 only on December Second Sweet Historical Romances

 

 

On the 12 days of Christmas my true love gave to me ebooks with food and wine.

For only one day (December 2^nd) my novels are on special offer at $0.99 from:-

 https://museituppublishing.com/bookstore

 False Pretences Annabelle runs away from school into the arms of a charismatic gentleman…but can she trust him to help her to find out who her parents are?

 Sunday’s Child Despite loss and past love, self-sacrifice, brutality and honour, will it be possible for Tarrant and Georgianne to find happiness?

 Tangled Love Tangled Love set in England in 1706 during Queen Anne Stuart’s reign, a story of two great estates, duty, betrayal and passionate love.

 Far Beyond Rubies When Gervaise sees Juliana for the first time, he recognises her, but not from this lifetime…

 The Captain and The Countess.  His heart captured by the Countess only Captain Howard sees pain behind her fashionable façade and is determined to help her.

 To read extracts, view the book covers and the book trailers please visit:

 www.rosemarymorris.co.uk

 

 

Meet Rosemary Morris

Some years ago, I thought I would never have a novel published. Today, I googled: Rosemary Morris at MuseItUp Publishing, and am impressed by my publisher's display of my mini author biography and details of my novels, etc.  With pride I invite my followers to visit me.

Special Offer for only 5 days. 5 Traditional Historical Novels in 1 Bundle

• Special Offer

 

5 historical novels in 1 Romance Bundle by Rosemary Morris.

 

1,313 pages.

 

Special offer.  $4.99  (£3.23)

Full price $29.75

Discount $24.76

 

ISBN:978-7-77127-645-0

 

The bundle will be available from the 28^th November, 2014 to the 2^nd December, 2014

 

Available from https://museituppublishing.com/bookstore  www.amazon.com  www.amazon.co.uk  nook and all reputable vendors.

 

False Pretences.  Annabelle runs away from school into the arms of a charismatic gentleman…but can she trust him to help her?

 

Far Beyond Rubies  When their eyes first meet, Gervaise’s soul recognises Juliana’s and from that moment on, their destinies become inevitably entwined.

 

Sunday’s Child  If Major Tarrant expects Sunday’s Child, a Regency lady, to be a ‘bread and butter’ Miss he will be surprised.

 

Tangled Love  The throne has been usurped by James II’s daughter and son-in-law, Mary and William of Orange. In 1693, loyal to his oath of allegiance, ten year-old Richelda’s father must follow James to France.

 

The Captain and The Countess.  His heart captured by the Countess only Captain Howard sees pain behind her fashionable façade and is determined to help her.

 

 

Too view the book trailers, read the first three chapters of each novel and reviews please visit www.rosemarymorris.co.uk.

 

 

 

 

A Guide to Military History on the Internet

I have borrowed A Guide to Military History on the Internet by Simon Fowler, a comprehensive Introduction for Genealogists and Military Historians, from the library. Historical Novelists and those interested in history will also find it useful.

"There are thousands of websites devoted to British military history...Do you really want to go through all of them to find the one you want?  I have saved you the trouble of trawling through Google to find the one you want. All you need to do is type the website address (URL into your browser."

So far, although I've only dipped into the guide I am impressed. "The scope of this volume is roughly between the Norman Invasion in 1066 and The Good Friday Agreement in 1998, which saw the beginning of the end of British military activity history.

This is a book for me to add to my own library

Organic Gardening

As well as growing herbs, fruit and vegetables I also grow ornamentals, sometimes interspersed with the latter. I'm aiming for an English style cottage garden. Today I planted primulas and pansies in the rose bed to give winter colour, and I re-potted my blueberries in fresh ericaceous compost. Another mild day but the weather is about to change. Nevertheless I hope to get a lot more done before the first frosts.

50% - 80$% Special Offers

MuseItUp is celebrating its 4 Year Anniversary with 50% to 80% OFF specials until the .

The Link is. https://museituppublishing.com/bookstore/index.php/component/content/article/3-about/about-us/470-museitup-4-year-anniversary-specials#top

My historical novels set in the reign of Queen Anne Stuart 1702-1714 are included in the specials.

Far Beyond Rubies. 50% off  £1.90  $ 3.09       When Gervaise sees Juliana for the first time, he recognises her, but not from this lifetime…

Tangled Love. 50% off.  £1.84  $2.99     Tangled Love set in England in 1706 during Queen Anne Stuart’s reign, a story of two great estates, duty, betrayal and passionate love.

The Captain and The Countess 50% off  £1.99  $3.09     His heart captured by the Countess only
Captain Howard sees pain behind her fashionable façade and is determined to help her.

To read the first three chapters and view the book trailers visit www.rosemarymorris.co.uk. Rosemary will be happy to hear from you or receive comments on this blog.

Writer's Year Books

Y is for Year Books

 

The Writers and Artists Year Book, Children’s Writers and Artist and Year Book, The Writers Handbook,  Writers Digest Yearbook, contain lists of agents, publishers and other useful information can be consulted in libraries before deciding whether or not to buy one.

 

e-books available from https://museituppublishing.com, www.amazon.com, wwwamazon.co.uk & elsewhere. Sunday’s Child, False Pretences, Tangled Love, Far Beyond Rubies, also available as a print book, & The Captain and The Countess.

 

Rosemary Morris

www.rosemarymorris.co.uk

V is for Viewpoint

For the reader to identify with the main protagonist in each scene everything needs to be shown through the eyes of the viewpoint character.

For example, the following is a brief extract from my novel The Captain and The Countess, in which Edward, Captain Howard sees the Countess for the first time.

  
    “Lady Sinclair,” someone murmured.
     Edward turned. He gazed without blinking at the acclaimed beauty, whose sobriquet was ‘The    Fatal Widow’.  
    The countess remained in the doorway, her cool blue eyes speculative.
    Edward whistled low. Could her shocking reputation be no more than tittle-tattle? His artist’s eyes observed her. Rumour did not lie about her Saxon beauty.

The reader sees Edward's reaction to the countess and his reaction to her beauty.

Instead of 'head-hopping' - switching from one person to another person's viewpoint - sticking to a single viewpoint makes it clear to the reader which character they should identify with.

Of course, if a short story or novel is written in the first person the entire story is from a single viewpoint.

 

 

H is for Historical Fiction

I dislike fiction set in the past in which the characters act and speak as though they are 21st century people.

I enjoy historical fiction which has obviously been meticulously researched and in which the characters behave realistically according to their time.

In my opinion, it is not possible to recreate the past with 100% accuracy no matter how hard a historical novelist tries to do so. However, it is possible to successfully  present the era in which the characters lived  and to get nearly everything right after careful study of the events and economic and social history.

I write historical novels - not period novels in which the background is skimmed over. Although my main characters are fictional they are very much of their time. I show what they wore, what they ate, their religious and political beliefs and much more.

At the moment I am writing Monday's Child the second in my series set in the Regency era and revising a mediaeval novel set in the reign of Edward II. I have also written three novels set in the reign of Queen Anne Stuart who reined from 1702-1714 and have an idea for a 4th novel set in the same period.

So, what are the main categories of Historical Fiction? They are listed in Writing Historical Fiction. How to Create Historical Fiction and Get it Published by Marina Oliver.

Fictional Biographies, Fiction firmly based on Fact, Series - a connecting theme such as a place or a house, Family series - a connecting theme such as a place or house, Sagas, Regencies, Period, Wartime, Westerns, Adventure, Gothics, Paranormal, Timeslip and Crime.

(I omitted Bodice Rippers from the above list because I think they send out the wrong message - at the worst that rape is justifiable if the heroine subsequently falls in love with the hero.)

Historical novelists are fortunate to have a wide canvas to choose from. Personally, I do not want to become stuck in a proverbial rut when writing. My mediaeval novel has a touch of the paranormal in it, a theme I hope to develop in another novel. I'm also considering writing a saga that begins in the early 20th century and or a timeslip.

To conclude, from a very young age history fascinated me and I enjoy writing, reading and researching historical fiction.

G is for Getting the Point (Grammar)

Getting the Point is "A Panic-Free Guide to English Punctuation for Adults" by Jenny Haddon and Elizabeth Hawksley.

I highly recommend the authors' amusing innovative approach to grammar using stories of "squabbling dragons, the ups and downs of the Whole Nut Café and Cassanova's thoughts on love. There are quizzes - with answers - throughout to help you practice."

Whatever you write this book is an "ideal guide".

E is for Emotion

My mum used to say: The film was wonderful, I cried my eyes out.

I have enjoyed many novels which brought tears to my eyes, and I've suffered some of the following which touch cinema goers and  readers' hearts.

1. A sense of always being on the fringe while observing everything around.

2. The death of a loved person or animal.

3. Being forced to part from a loved one, an animal or a place.

4. Loneliness.

5. The misery of being misunderstood.

6. Rejection.

It's some time since I re-visited my notes on writing, so, as I made this list my imagination took wings. I could write and probably will write more than one scene based on each of the above list.

D is for Dialogue

Wednesday, 11 June 2014

D is for Dialogue

Over the years I have made many notes on creative writing. Amongst them are the following, but, unfortunately I did not make a note of the source so I can't attribute them.

Every line of dialogue in fiction should:

1. Convey essential information.
2. Move the tale forward.
3. Reveal the character and mood of the speaker.
5. Establish the relationship between characters.
6. It should be consistent with the character's historical period, geographical origins and social class.

I write historical fiction so I use dialogue to indicate class distinctions. The upper class use very few contractions -mostly don't to avoid the cumbersome do you not, the middle class use some contractions and the others always use contractions and, sometimes, dialect. However, dialect shouldn't be overdone. I've critiqued several unpublished novels for members of groups I belong to and the worst fictional dialect is a pseudo Scots one. The authors are addicted to ye, dinna, etc, and they don't distinguish between Highland and Lowland Scots and everything else in between.

These basic principles are so simple but sometimes my characters waffle on and need to be controlled.

Discipline - Historical Novelist

Every day I write and engage in 'writerly' activities for a set number of hours in the morning, early afternoon and evening. To complete a novel I need to be self-disciplined, and this includes time spent working on the laptop and computer. I force myself to take a five minute break every half an hour in order to exercise my body in various ways. I roll my shoulders ten times, press my shoulders down then release them slowly ten times, and I stretch up and hold onto the top of the door then allow my body to sag. This stretches my muscles and helps my joints not to stiffen. During some other breaks I choose one activity sorting the laundry and putting it in the washing machine, rinsing dishes and utensils and loading the dishwasher, popping out to water some plants, tidying up a few things, etc.,. The important thing is not to sit in one position for hours on end.

Cold Tea Bags and Cucumber Slices

When we work on the computer or laptop for a long time very often we don't blink. This results in dry, itchy eyes. To maintain eye health exercising them helps. I'm trying to do them three times a day. It only takes a minute or two and result in moistening my eyes,

1. Hold a pencil ten inches from the nose. Look at it and then look into the distance ten times.

2.Roll the eyes to the right ten times.

3. Roll the eyes to the left ten times.

4. Look up to the right corner of the eyes and then to the left corner ten times.

5. Look to the left corner of the eyes and then the right corner ten times.

6. Finally look up and down ten times.

P.S. Don't forget to close your eyes and apply cold tea bags or slices of cumber to your eyelids whenever your eyes are tired.

Simple measures but we owe it to ourselves to take good care of our eyes.

Pre-Schooler's Quarrel

4 year old+ best friends at pre-school fell out. He called my granddaughter 'smelly nappy' and she returned the insult. From now on they have decided not to play together and are not on speaking terms.

Kick Up The Arts

Yesterday evening I enjoyed an event held by Kick Up The Art at Café Cha Cha Cha, Cassiobury Park, Watford.

I met musicians who play unusual instruments,  a gentleman who works at The Academy of Music opposite the Victoria and Albert Museum, who recycles materials to make 'one off' musical' instruments. He played some of them. The music was different to anything I have heard before.

A talented singer treated us to three songs - each with a very different theme.

There were three craftspeople, a potter, a craftsman who makes amazing items of simulated chain mail, and a lady who makes ornamental books and jewellery studded with metal, jade, semi-precious stones and a few glass beads. The books contain paper made from recycled rags. I succumbed to a necklace, the only one of its kind, with a pendant that is a tiny book. A piece of self-indulgence but there was no way I could resist it.

I took the opportunity to network, discuss my novels amongst other things and distribute postcards which showcase my historical fiction.

A very enjoyable evening. Next time I hope to read an extract from one of my novels.

Time Off & Writing

My new novel was progressing too slowly so I stopped posting for a little while in order to catch up with my schedule. I also took time off to take my daughter's children out during half-term. On Thursday we went to the local museum, which the three of them enjoyed; and I was fascinated by flotsam woven into brightly coloured threads. The artist collects small items from beaches - lobster pot tags,  tiny toys, bottle tops and many other items. Afterwards we had lunch at Café Cha Cha Cha in Cassiobury Park. Next the boys played football and their sister played on the slide etc., in the playground. Tired but happy we went home to have dinner.

On Friday, we visited Butterfly World near St Albans. There are three glasshouses one for butterflies, one for insects and a another for leaf-cutter ants. In the third, one display cabinet was empty. It is thought  ants chewed through the electric cable and the queen, the size of a small mouse, died. The colony was thrown into chaos and most of them died. However there was a second display case and my four and a half year-old granddaughter was fascinated. After a picnic lunch they played in a large children's area before we visited a series of small gardens with different themes. All in all a very enjoyable day out.

Yesterday we celebrated another grandson's forthcoming thirteenth birthday. A very happy get together in my younger son and his wife's house with a large garden where the children could run around.