This book is available in kindle format HERE. Give it a thumbs up if you feel like it.
Historical series are a challenge to write... always. How much history, how much fiction, how much emotion compared to action and battle scenes? How many love scenes if it's a romance...
It all depends on the specific genre. If you are writing true history with a gritty feel, if you know your audience, and they are all about the historical details, by all means give them a chuckful of them. If the focus of the story is romance or legends, however, or if it's a young adult story, other factors should be at the forefront at all times. Also consider the age and level of education of the reader. Will you have to explain every medieval word you use? Will they need a lexicon at the end of the book? You don't want them to be checking the dictionary at every page.
If that's the case, you may be in trouble. Because if you use fewer historical words and make sure they are illustrated in context, you should not need to explain anything.
When I started this series a few years back, after a decade of research and travels to Europe, I didn't really know how to define it, since it is based in authentic legends. It really didn't fit any mold. It was history, fantasy, legends, romantic, full of action... but with adult subjects. Publishers were interested, they liked the writing, but they didn't know what to do with it. But with the rejections came interesting comments. Once a NY agent told me there was a dichotomy between the modern narrative and the formal dialogue. So I had to unify the entire work. I simplified the dialogue, and formalized the narrative, so that the difference wouldn't jar the reader.
Finally, after many rewrites, I found the right tone for dialogue and narrative, the right amount of old words, just to give it the right flavor (historical fans like them). And I am proud to announce that Books We Love Ltd just releasee this first novel in the Curse of the Lost Isle series... PRINCESS OF BRETAGNE (here again I am taking a chance with a French word in the title, but it's all about taking chances).
You can find the book in kindle format HERE. Give it a thumbs up like if you feel like it.
Good luck in your own writing endeavors.
Vijaya Schartz
Swords, Medieval knights, Romance with a Kickhttp://www.vijayaschartz.com/
Historical series are a challenge to write... always. How much history, how much fiction, how much emotion compared to action and battle scenes? How many love scenes if it's a romance...
It all depends on the specific genre. If you are writing true history with a gritty feel, if you know your audience, and they are all about the historical details, by all means give them a chuckful of them. If the focus of the story is romance or legends, however, or if it's a young adult story, other factors should be at the forefront at all times. Also consider the age and level of education of the reader. Will you have to explain every medieval word you use? Will they need a lexicon at the end of the book? You don't want them to be checking the dictionary at every page.
If that's the case, you may be in trouble. Because if you use fewer historical words and make sure they are illustrated in context, you should not need to explain anything.
When I started this series a few years back, after a decade of research and travels to Europe, I didn't really know how to define it, since it is based in authentic legends. It really didn't fit any mold. It was history, fantasy, legends, romantic, full of action... but with adult subjects. Publishers were interested, they liked the writing, but they didn't know what to do with it. But with the rejections came interesting comments. Once a NY agent told me there was a dichotomy between the modern narrative and the formal dialogue. So I had to unify the entire work. I simplified the dialogue, and formalized the narrative, so that the difference wouldn't jar the reader.
Finally, after many rewrites, I found the right tone for dialogue and narrative, the right amount of old words, just to give it the right flavor (historical fans like them). And I am proud to announce that Books We Love Ltd just releasee this first novel in the Curse of the Lost Isle series... PRINCESS OF BRETAGNE (here again I am taking a chance with a French word in the title, but it's all about taking chances).
You can find the book in kindle format HERE. Give it a thumbs up like if you feel like it.
Good luck in your own writing endeavors.
Vijaya Schartz
Swords, Medieval knights, Romance with a Kickhttp://www.vijayaschartz.com/
Didn't know about "Like" before. Now, I do, and yes, I do like it. The blend of history and story was incredible, because I know enough to recognize a lot of research. The fight scenes were well done, and the exploration of history and myth is fascinating. I can also see how the publishers, who are stuck in a rut of only taking sure things, would be unwilling to take a risk, but I'm looking forward to this being successful.
ReplyDeleteThank you for liking this book, Judy. I appreciate your comments. Thank you also for your kind wishes. Since this is the first in a long new series, others will follow soon. Book Two, PAGAN QUEEN is scheduled for later this month from Books We Love Ltd.
ReplyDeleteHi, Vijaya, I loved the blurb of Princess of Bretagne, the number one in Curse of Lost Isle series (I read the blurb and a kindle sample in Amazon). Unfortunately, I don't have a kindle and, sincerely, I prefere read in old and good paper. Then, I would like to know if these fantastic novels will be releases anyday in print, or, if I can buy a digital copy in other file form (pdf, for example, in Smashwords or in the other seller). Thanks for your attention and success always. Sincerely, CRistina Machado.
ReplyDeleteThanks for commenting, Cristina. At this point in time, this series is only being released in eBooks. Possibly down the line, it will appear in print, but there is no plan of that happening soon. Right now it's an Amazon kindle exlusive, but starting mid June it will also be available in nook from B&N and at All Romance eBooks in various formats, including pdf.
ReplyDeleteThanks for your answer, Vijaya. I will hope anxious to June, can't wait to read Pressine's story and, of course, the other novels in Lost Isle saga.
ReplyDelete