A King Under Siege: Book One of The Plantagenet Legacy By Mercedes Rochelle

5/4/2019

Multi-volume author, Mercedes Rochelle, introduces us to the first volume of her series, The Plantagenet Legacy, A King Under Siege:
Richard II found himself under siege not once, but twice in his minority. Crowned king at age ten, he was only fourteen when the Peasants' Revolt terrorized London. But he proved himself every bit the Plantagenet successor, facing Wat Tyler and the rebels when all seemed lost. Alas, his triumph was short-lived, and for the next ten years he struggled to assert himself against his uncles and increasingly hostile nobles. Just like in the days of his great-grandfather Edward II, vengeful magnates strove to separate him from his friends and advisors, and even threatened to depose him if he refused to do their bidding. The Lords Appellant, as they came to be known, purged the royal household with the help of the Merciless Parliament. They murdered his closest allies, leaving the King alone and defenseless. He would never forget his humiliation at the hands of his subjects. Richard's inability to protect his adherents would haunt him for the rest of his life, and he vowed that next time, retribution would be his.

What a great talent author Mercedes Rochelle has! She has taken some dusty, dry old bits of history and crafted a wonderful and exciting story! I was on the edge of my seat. Such a pleasure to read.
King reads just like a modern-day, political thriller. Plots and scheming abound in the castle and in many other centers of power. Intrusions by foreign governments and secret military actions occur regularly.
Exquisite scene-setting, intricate plotting, wonderful dialogue and realistic characters at so many levels. The extensive research Mercedes has done makes this story come alive!
I give A King Under Siege a score of 4.9 stars!

54 Comments

Mercedes Rochelle link

5/4/2019 01:54:56 pm

Glad to be back with my next book. Richard II has proved to be much more complicated than I ever expected and continues to be even more so in the next volume, which I am working on today. Thanks so much for your great review!

Mark

5/4/2019 05:46:17 pm

You are very welcome. It was a pleasure to read your book.
First question.
Please, tell us a little about yourself.

5/5/2019 10:15:24 am

I live in rural New Jersey (yes, there is such a thing!) near the Delaware River in a log home we built 17 years ago. My vocation has always been writing, though I didn't really apply myself until I became semi-retired. I'm a solid Anglophile and I write historical fiction about medieval England. This current book is my fifth; the first four took place in the eleventh century. Now that I've jumped forward 300 years, I had to start all over with a new batch of research. Luckily, I love this part, though I do miss my trips to the library. The internet has taken care of that!

5/5/2019 11:32:06 am

Very nice. Do you write non-fiction also?
Would you tell us a little bit about your previous books?

5/5/2019 01:01:05 pm

The only non-fiction I write is on my Blog: http://www.historicalbritainblog.com/ which is mostly the history behind my fiction. Since I don't have any letters behind my name, I feel that I don't qualify!

My last three books are part of a series I call THE LAST GREAT SAXON EARLS. I start with Earl Godwine, the first Earl of Wessex under King Canute, who was the father of Harold Godwineson, the last Anglo-Saxon king. Godwine was a self-made man and became the most powerful subject of his age after the king. He was the father of a king, a queen, and four earls—quite an accomplishment for a commoner. And yet, after only two generations, this great family became almost a historical cipher once the Normans took over.

My first novel, HEIR TO A PROPHECY tells us what happened to Fleance from Macbeth; as the Jacobians knew, Banquo was the ancestor of King James I. While writing this book I was inspired to go back and research Earl Godwine.

5/5/2019 01:34:25 pm

Thank you. I reviewed the book about Harold Godwineson last year. Here is the link: https://www.wordrefiner.com/book-reviews/godwine-kingmaker-part-one-of-the-last-great-saxon-earls-by-mercedes-rochelle, you will have to copy and paste or use the search box at the top of the page.
When I was younger, I went to college about six times, to six different schools, I wanted that degree. Now, it doesn't really matter to me. I know what I know, I am good at what I do; just as you are. I love your writing, it brings history to life.
Thanks for sharing about your other books.
New questions.
Why did you choose this genre, or do you feel the genre chose you?
Why did you jump 300 years ahead from your first series?
Who designed the cover of your book?

5/5/2019 03:15:12 pm

Funny how that degree matters, then it doesn't! Ironically, when I went to college I didn't have any interest in history. I got my degree in English Literature which I didn't really use until I started writing. At least in those days we didn't spend a fortune to go to a state university.

My interest in history was sparked by a chance meeting with a medieval reenactment group called the SCA (Society for Creative Anachronism). It was the first time I ran into the concept of living history, and since the SCA covered the middle ages, I fell into that period. It wasn't planned, but who can resist knights in shining armor and all that? So when it came time for me to start writing, I chose the period I knew, and my research brought everything else into focus. Actually, I worked on my first novel on-and-off for thirty years (mostly off) and during all that time I was active in the SCA. My specific interest in the 11th century came from Macbeth; the rest was a lucky find. Before that I never put Macbeth and the Norman Conquest together, but I knew a good story when I found one!

The reason I jumped forward to Richard II was again attributed to Shakespeare. I saw that play (Richard II) on television when I was in college—back in '79 I think. It was a BBC production with Derek Jacobi. I had never heard of Richard, but by the end of the play I was smitten. I carried Richard around with me for thirty years (while I worked through my Great Earls series), and when I had thoroughly exhausted the 11th century I was ready to move on to him. It was a good thing I waited, too; I had no idea how complicated the research was going to become! You know, in the Anglo-Saxon days a man had one name. In the 14th century, a nobleman's name changed every time he got a promotion! For instance, even with King Henry IV, first he was (Earl of) Derby, then he was Bolingbroke, then he was (Duke of) Hereford, briefly Lancaster, and finally king. Depending on what year a historian wrote about, that would be the name he was given. Multiply that assortment of names times about 15 or so, you are dealing with the same issue for every major character in the book. It took me over six months just to sort out who was who, and I still have to look them up.

The cover of the book was designed by Jean Froissart! Well, not actually. The picture is from a manuscript illumination in Froissart's Chronicles owned by the British Library. When you think about it, every surviving Froissart manuscript is illuminated by a different artist, so each book is a one-of-a-kind. We are very lucky that the British Library permits duplication of its illuminations (for a small fee).

5/5/2019 05:13:33 pm

I saw a medevial reenactment group in the 70s. It was called the Renaissance Faire and went on for several weekends every summer in the San Francisco Bay area. There was a similar thing between Thanksgiving day and Christmas called the Charles Dickens Faire, that was very holiday oriented and everyone was selling something. Lots of character actors in both events.
In the eighties, a good friend was heavily involved with the SCA as a blacksmith. He loaned me two of his smithing books from the SCA and I used them to design and hand-build a 13th century pothelm for a project when I was a third-year, sheet metal apprentice.
You can see a picture of what I built, elsewhere on my website, just type "helmet" in the search box at the top of the page. I still have those books, my friend died almost 15 years ago.
The naming thing is sure difficult! Did you use a spreadsheet to track all of those changes?
New questions.
Have you entered any writing contests?
Have you won awards of any kind for your writing?

5/5/2019 06:26:34 pm

I just looked! Took me back to my early days, for sure. Not bad for a first effort. You know, I wish I had used a spreadsheet, but I was too overwhelmed to even get started. Now I have a "List of Characters" in the beginning of my manuscript and I consult it pretty regularly.

Writing contests get pretty expensive so I stay away from them for the most part. I had noticed that indie authors were posting so many rewards that the significance started to get lost in the shuffle. Like anything else, they are starting to look like too much of a good thing. I wonder if it matters more to the authors than to the readers? I do favor the "Brag Medallion" award and have been honored with their inclusion my last two books (they only award independent authors, so my first two books didn't qualify). And I have been very lucky to be included in the "Discover Diamonds" award by Helen Hollick. My current book received a "Chill with a Book" award, for which I am most grateful.

5/6/2019 11:10:25 am

I don't blame you about contests, there are some very scammy ones out there. Here is a great blog post from one of my favorite blogs: Beware Bogus Writing Contests! Look for These 8 Red Flags. https://annerallen.com/2019/05/beware-bogus-writing-contests/ via @annerallen
As a reader, I am always impressed by awards. Have you put the awards on your book covers?
New questions.
How do you think your book compares to a book published by a major publisher?
Did you go through the query process or did you go straight to self-publishing, and why?

5/6/2019 11:45:58 am

Thanks for the article; I just put it on my Twitter feed. It made a lot of sense. I do use an award on my book cover for the internet, but not for print. That would require designing the cover with an award in mind! (There's often not an open spot to place it.)

I think the stigma about indies is pretty much dead—or at least I hope so! I've seen plenty of books from the "big five" that I thought were terrible, and I've seen indie books that I though were wonderful. I published my first two novels with a hybrid publisher; in other words, they required some contribution toward the publication. My particular publisher had a scale of contributions depending on their confidence in the writer and in my case I felt my portion was acceptable. By the third book I decided to go off on my own, for a couple of reasons. First of all, I didn't have any input into the pricing, and both books are priced too high to make decent sales in the current market. Second of all, I didn't have any control over promotions. Thirdly, I felt I had to do all the marketing anyway, so why not go indie and control my rights? I don't regret it. Now, if one of the "big five" were to knock on my door, I'm sure I'd do backflips! I feel that the book is good enough, but my feelings don't count.

In the end, I don't think the quality of the writing has as much to do with their choices as the marketability of the title. With rare exceptions, historical fiction (especially the middle ages) just does not appeal to the mass market. If I were writing a book about President Trump, it's bound to have much more oomph than Richard II. How many people have heard of Richard? Almost none. It's an uphill battle, pardon the pun. There's no denying it's all about money.

5/6/2019 02:11:58 pm

I have heard that story many times, an author has little to no control over their book with a publisher. Sometimes a publisher will wait for a year to bring a book to market. Self-publishing makes so much more sense to me. As you said, you were doing all the work already, might as well reap the profits.
I have found spelling errors in big 5 books also.
I have heard some authors tell about querying with no success. They went to self-publishing and a year or two later the agent/publisher wanted to talk, (wanted a piece of the pie). The author turned them down.
I think you are right, middle ages hist-fic is a limited audience. Romance is huge, maybe you could combine the two.
New questions.
Was it hard to find a publisher?
How did you pick your publisher?
There are many unethical practices in publishing, which one is the most unbearable in your mind?

5/6/2019 09:24:27 pm

I have to admit it: I found my publisher with a Google search. At first I was pretty dubious about them, because I heard so often that an author should never pay to get published. But you know, times change. I was fortunate enough to discover an extensive article written about them explaining the "whys and wherefores" — what hybrid publishing is all about. It actually made sense to me; why should a publisher take all the risk on a new author? I don't know; I felt kind of foolish at the time but I was willing to take a risk on myself and it paid off. I've actually received some royalties, and most importantly I had the self-justification I needed. Also, I saw the whole process beginning to end, which was invaluable.

In today's market, I'm discouraged about the downward pressure on book pricing—not to mention the plethora of bootleg sites stealing authors' works. "Free" is king, and it's almost impossible to make a living.

5/6/2019 10:31:49 pm

Amazon has turned the industry upside-down! It's getting harder all the time for publishers to make a profit.
I think you are the first person I have heard with a positive story about hybrid publsihing. You learned a lot about publishing, enough to go solo after the first two books.
So many scammers masquerade as hybrid publishers, all they do is take your money, fold the tent and set up again with a different name.
The downward push on prices is devastating for an author with dreams of making a living.
New questions.
Do you have a favorite book by another author or authors?
Did you have a favorite book as a child?
Which of your books is your favorite, and why?

5/7/2019 09:57:57 am

My all-time favorite book is "The Three Musketeers" by Alexandre Dumas. Reading that book was an "Aha" moment for me; I suddenly realized what historical fiction was all about, and Dumas was a master at characterization. There's no wonder that the musketeers appeal in their own way to every generation. I go back and revisit that book every couple of years and it never fails to invigorate me.

As I child, I remember being so thrilled with "Black Beauty" that I told my mother I wanted to be a writer. She pooh-poohed me—shame on her. But I did go on to love animal books. I loved the Lad, A Dog series and I really think it helped my affinity toward animals.

It's hard to say which of my own books is a favorite, since I put so much into writing them. I guess I'd lean towards FATAL RIVALRY, the last book in the Great Earls series. I really felt that Tostig's story needed to be told; I don't think history has treated him fairly. Originally, I was going to write THE SONS OF GODWINE from the brothers' point of view (except Harold, because it was to be all about Harold). But when I finished the first draft, I knew it was unfinished and I went back and added all of his passages. And, of course, I realized it had to be two books rather than one because there was so much to say. Writing in first person was a revelation to me; I thought I didn't like it until I tried it. I really enjoyed being witty and sarcastic as Tostig, and in FATAL RIVALRY everything comes to a head. Though I admit it: doing first person point of view from different characters in the same book is a grueling challenge and I'll never do it again!

5/7/2019 12:51:42 pm

I was such a scifi snob when I was younger. I have not read The Three Musketeers. Now, I am sure I would love it.
I really enjoy First Person POV writing, when it is done well. No head hopping allowed. Some writers alternate chapters, it's important to have some kind of clean break whenever switching POV.
New questions.
Does writing have a spiritual or healing component for you, does it energize you or make you feel tired?
What do you do to flesh out the characters for your stories?

5/7/2019 03:36:31 pm

I think I have an ambiguous relationship with writing. As I once heard quoted (don't remember who), I don't particularly enjoy writing but I love haven written! That perfectly describes me, for the most part. Unless I'm feeling inspired (rarely), writing is a struggle for me. Once I have the words down, it seems like a snap. What's the big deal? Ha!

In my writing career, I took a 20-year hiatus after having had a bad experience with an agent who let me down. I'm sure it was a matter of having a thin skin, but at the time I was so discouraged I put everything on the closet shelf and bade my writing goodby. Then I went into business for myself, so I tried to funnel my creative tendencies that way. Guess what: it didn't work. I felt pretty unhappy with myself. Something was missing. When my business came to an end (CD-ROM sales), after much deliberation I took up the writing again. My, how things had changed!!!

I find the characters to be the most challenging for me, since the plot is already written in historical fiction. During my first draft, for the most part I stick to the events; that's enough of a challenge. During my second draft, I start fleshing out my characters. The story is down; now I have to bring my people forward. The good news for me is that by then, I already have a good idea how they are going to act, because when writing about the story I often must determine why something happened. Sometimes that takes a lot of head-scratching. So in essence, the characters tell me how they want to act; I just have to add color, emotions, and intentions. Interestingly—and I still can't say why—when I hit a spot that needs "beefing up", I just seem to know it. No matter how much it annoys me, I stop and force myself to add what I call "filler". It's really not filler; it's what makes the story come to life. I know that; I'm just being stubborn!

5/7/2019 05:11:17 pm

Ambigous or ambivalent, the struggle is real. Since you are working within a more or less established, historical narrative, that may be partially why you have trouble connecting with your muse. You don't get to make it up as you go along.
As a reader, I really enjoy your writing, it reads like a novel. Knowing that the barebones of the events actually happened makes it all the more interesting. It's like you have your very own tardis, because I felt like I was present at the events and discussions.
All in all, I think your process delivers a superior product. All the angst and struggle you go through is invisible to the reader.
New questions.
What is one thing you hate about your protagonist and one thing you love about the antagonist?
Which is more fun to write, the protagonist or the antagonist?

mercedes Rochelle link

5/7/2019 11:11:44 pm

Thank you for your kind comments! It's encouraging to think I'm actually getting my intentions across!

Good questions about protagonist vs antagonist. For the most part, I do love a good villain, but in my current novel, I really feel for poor Richard. He is too young and inexperienced to stand up to the forces against him. There are several antagonists against young Richard, but the worst one, his uncle Thomas of Woodstock, is particularly ruthless. I can't understand why he was so popular with the people, but allegedly he was. Sorry to say there's nothing I love about him at all! Now, on the other hand, his future antagonist Henry of Bolingbroke the future Henry IV (one of the less vile villains in this volume) is a much more interesting character. Although while his father, John of Gaunt, is alive, Henry takes a back seat. But when John dies and Henry is outlawed by the king, he comes back with a vengeance to say the least. Does Henry have any choice? Sorry to say you'll have to wait until the next book!

Richard, our protagonist, is a mixed bag. Early on he proves himself brave beyond his years, resilient, and clever. You can't help but feel sorry for him. Still, did he deserve all the resistance from his barons? Probably! He does such impulsive, destructive things you just want to slap him! He shows so much promise but is easily led astray. As an author, he has been very frustrating to figure out. On the one hand, I have to keep him sympathetic; on the other hand, I have to describe what went wrong without condemning him. I think every villain has some good inside, and I think every hero is not entirely lily-white. Finding the balance is a challenge.

5/7/2019 11:25:34 pm

Richard did have the deck stacked against him in so many ways. His mother tried to help along with several others. He did have moments of brilliance, followed by having to eat crap shoved down his throat by his self-aggrandizing counselors. His frustration was palpable.
You are right none are perfect. Every villain is the hero of his own story.
New questions.
What is your writing routine when you sit down to write?
Do you write in a straight line or do you write what ever the muse provides for you at a given moment?

mercedes rochelle link

5/8/2019 10:13:19 am

I love that! Every villain is the hero of his own story. So very true.

I'm cursed with a short attention span. I'm up and down, up and down while I write (perhaps the next thought is percolating). I work well in spurts, so I need to give myself a good stretch of time to fit in a good session. I absolutely write in a straight line. I can skip over minor stuff when I am stuck and come back to it in the next draft, but the major events must be thoroughly hashed out before I move on. And once I've done that, I don't really like to go backwards unless I find a new nugget in my continuing research. By the time I'm ready for the next draft, the same progress resumes start to finish.

5/8/2019 11:10:41 am

I think a lot of writers craft their stories in the same manner. A to B to C... . Others write the easiest parts first. Some even write the end of the story before any other part. There is a interesting guest post on my website about non-linear writing.
At the end of the day, every author has to find the method that works best for them.
New questions.
Did your writing process change much from your early books to your current book or did it stay the same?
Now that your book is published, is there anything about it you would like to change?

5/8/2019 12:35:42 pm

In my early days, with the help of a generous boyfriend, I tried writing full time. It was terrible! I felt like I was in prison, and because I wasn't bringing in any income I didn't want to spend any money. I got a dog to break up the day (lots of frisbee throwing) but that didn't help. So now, I work my writing into my day in a way that doesn't feel forced. That's one advantage of being an indie: no deadlines. Also, I've learned to write standing up so I set myself up a second "work station" with my laptop. It stretches my legs and seems to help my mental process; the moving around keeps me stimulated.

As for your second question, perhaps in a year I will feel differently (after I finish the next volume). So far, I am content. I was expecting some blow-back because of my third person omniscient point-of-view (which is reportedly out of fashion), but so far I haven't heard any objections. While I was writing I felt it was a big risk, but by now I'm very comfortable with it and don't give it much thought. That's good: I expect to continue along the same lines, because this story is so very complicated. I need to jump outside of my protagonist's vantage to explain events fully.

5/8/2019 02:05:41 pm

Grizz says getting a dog was your smartest move.
That sounds like a horrible time. I think that was a wise choice to change your methods. I use a standup desk sometimes, also a lay-down desk. It really helps to break up the day and the stress.
Your use of third person omniscient was well done. It startled me the first time, just a little, because I wasn't expecting it. After that it was no problem at all.
New questions.
How do you think your book relates to the world we live in today?
What is the one thing you hope readers will remember from your book?

5/8/2019 05:18:08 pm

That's interesting! I wonder if most people notice the omniscient POV right away. I wasn't sure how to introduce it, but I borrowed the approach from Mark Twain.

Sorry to say I don't see the book relating to today's world; as writer Leslie Poles Hartley famously said, "The past is a foreign country; they do things differently there." I couldn't agree more! In fact, I think most of us probably get it wrong when attributing modern motivations to medieval people. I'm sure jealousy, love, and hate are pretty much the same, but maybe not resentment, inferiority complexes, or insult. Who knows? That's the problem, isn't it. Luckily, we are writing for the modern reader so in that way it relates!

I'm hoping that readers take away the understanding of how close Richard came to losing his crown. Obviously he lost it at the end of Shakespeare's play, but I never realized that this was the second time he was confronted by his barons. I think it makes him a more sympathetic medieval king.

5/8/2019 05:48:56 pm

Major human emotions don't change much, I agree. If you keep in mind that most people act in their own self-ingterest first, the rest makes more sense.
How well do you think Shakespeare understood Richard the second? I might have read the play in high school, I really don't recall, but it is a big blank for me.
More questions.
What software do you use to write and publish your books, and why do you use those?
Have you ever had the experience of the story swerving in a different direction than planned, as if a character was driving it?

5/9/2019 12:20:44 pm

Interesting question about Shakespeare. His insight into characters' motivations often seem sublime. For Richard II, though, I don't think he was being fair. Richard's behavior toward John of Gaunt was so callous it made me cringe; I don't think he would have acted that way toward someone he felt was his protector. On the other hand, the pathos in his jail cell was extraordinary; that's what captured me in the first place. This is one play (like most of them) that needs to be seen rather than read.

As far as writing, I am a confirmed MS Word user. The formatting can be a little awkward, but I found a perfect guide in Smashwords, believe it or not. They have instructions for formatting to ebook that explains Word better than Microsoft does!

My first book, HEIR TO A PROPHECY gave me a merry chase. I wanted to follow the story of Fleance, son of Banquo after he fled from his father's murderers in Macbeth. In the beginning, I had no idea that Banquo was the ancestor of James I, but I'm certain Shakespeare's contemporaries knew it. Fleance was going to be my protagonist. Imagine my surprise to discover he got himself killed pretty early on, after getting the princess of Wales pregnant. I had to write the story about his bastard son Walter, who carried on the witches' prophecy. My single historical source took him to Normandy and he ended up fighting on the Norman side in the battle of Hastings. That took some fancy plotting on my part, though I needed some help from the witches to move the plot forward. It's the only book I wrote with supernatural agents, and once again you can blame Shakespeare. Interestingly enough, though again I new nothing about it, one of my minor characters, Alain le Rouge, Count of Brittany became one of the wealthiest men of all time (Forbes placed him 9th in the list of most wealthy historical figures). Not bad for an accident!

5/9/2019 12:56:14 pm

That is good to know about Smashwords and ebook formatting.
Pretty interesting about Fleance, his reach beyond the grave was pretty significant.
New questions.
I know there are many ways to build the outline. Do you do it all on the computer or do you get analog at some point with post-its or note cards?
Do you have defined space for writing at home, or are you a coffee-shop writer?
Do you listen to music or have the TV on when writing, or do you need quiet?

5/9/2019 02:26:48 pm

I would probably do better with an outline, but I don't use one. Why not? Blame it on my hatred of grade school! If I need to remember a chronology, I put it in at the beginning of my document which is easy to find. But for the most part, I actually surround myself with history books open to the appropriate passage. As I move on, writing in a linear fashion, I move forward in my books. And yes, this necessitates a defined space with enough room for all my source material. It actually gives me comfort... and support! Unfortunately, there are many times I want to review a certain little fact bouncing around my head, and I can't find it. So I have to go through every book and scholarly article until I locate what I'm looking for. Naturally, this means I'm reviewing everything, which is a good thing! (Though is can be maddening). Oh, and I require quiet or I lose my concentration. Since I'm working in a loft with an open great room, this can be challenging. Luckily there are only two of us.

5/9/2019 02:52:13 pm

We will put the blame where it belongs, in the past! You must have a good sized desk. I love having books open around me also.
Your procedure is close to my heart, If I was a writer my desk would look much the same.
New questions.
Action, dialogue, or narration; which is easiest to write?
Of the five senses which is the easiest to write and which is the hardest?

5/9/2019 04:27:39 pm

Whenever possible, I prefer dialogue. I think it's the best way to "show, not tell". In my current series, especially, much of the explanations come from what the king is thinking. Why is he acting the way he does? How can I get across the implications of his actions? I love to work this out in dialogue, because I can give it every angle and let him choose what to reject. Of course, when possible action can put you on the edge of your seat. Who can pass up a good murder scene? My biggest challenges are depicting a battle. Does one try to watch it from a distance like a general, or should I get into the eyeball-to-eyeball level? Too close and you lose the gist of the battle; however, so do the fighters. Too far and you risk spending too much time in description.

The senses are a good one. Touch and taste are hard for me, mostly because I forget about them.

5/9/2019 06:10:19 pm

I agree, dialogue is an excellent way to show. However, there is too much of a good thing, occasionally. A huge info dump, delivered as exposition can easily come across as unnatural. The same with excessive narration, the reader can get bored. Balance is imortant. In the case of dialogue, just enough to move the story forward. Save the rest for another moment in the plot.
I see your point about a battle scene. That would be difficult. The deciding factor would have to be what moves the story forward the best. A bird's eye view can be delivered in a few sentences of dialogue to a commander. Followed by the choice of strategy to gain victory.
New questions.
Have you ever done any theater, written a play or any screenwriting?
Have you ever thought of adding music to your books, like what the characters listen to or they went to a concert or a ball, as a plot point?

5/9/2019 06:59:45 pm

I wouldn't know where to start! No, I don't think I have an aptitude for a play or screenwriting. The thought frightens me! Ditto with short stories. I don't know how to fit a story into a small space. In my medieval world, I do think of music as background, but not as a focal point. I would fall all over myself trying to describe a medieval instrument and its sound!

5/9/2019 08:25:27 pm

I have heard it said by a few authors, learning to write for screen or stage helped them to tighten up their prose.
I wasn't thinking of describing the music or dance, so much. I was thinking of it as a scene where the plot could be advanced.
New questions.
Did anything in this book come as a surprise while you were writing?
How do you know when a book is finished?

5/9/2019 09:08:02 pm

The biggest surprise for me was just how much destruction was caused during the Peasants' Revolt. It really seemed like the apocalypse! How in the world did the rebels gain access to impenetrable the Tower of London, which should have been defended by a handful of soldiers? It was very difficult to figure out the logistics for that; contemporary historians were not much help, but luckily modern historians are more prone to speculation and a few suggestions opened a path for me. It was amazing how far things went.

Ending a book is certainly a challenge. I've read books where I was looking for the next page; obviously I felt that I walked off a cliff. I've read other books that went too far past the climax (happily ever after) and I felt deflated. In this book, because it is a series, the end to me was the end of Richard's youth. But it wasn't a climax; that had already passed. On the other hand, to end it directly after the climax would have made it seem incomplete. Sometimes life—or history—isn't as clean as straight fiction! Luckily, the epilogue sometimes bails out the author.

5/10/2019 11:16:35 am

It certainly must have seemed like the end of the world to the merchants, landed gentry, and above. The Commons were being screwed no matter which way they turned.
Life is very messy, all kinds of loose ends are allowed to remain. It's no wonder we like our stories nice and neat.
New questions.
Going back in time, did you do any kind of creative writing, even back in grade school?
How early was it that you realized how powerful words can be?

5/10/2019 11:46:50 am

I remember it well; it was in fifth grade when my teacher pulled me aside and encouraged me about my writing. I presume it was an essay, because I don't remember writing any stories then. In fact, I think I wrote one short story in my whole life—and it was terrible. I was inspired by a dream, so I neglected to have a plot. So no, I was a late bloomer. I didn't start writing until I had graduated from college, and BAM! I went right into my first novel. I didn't even take creative writing courses in college; I thought they were silly. So I guess I'm entirely self-taught.

I have to say I wasn't particularly inspired with my reading until my college days. I started out as a Psychology Major (until I got the "medical student's disease" thinking I had every neurosis under the sun). This may have started my thinking process about characterization, however. Then I switched my major to English Literature and I was smitten by the nineteenth century writers, especially Sir Walter Scott, Alexandre Dumas, and Victor Hugo. They were good teachers. I never did enjoy the early twentieth century writers, though. They were too "cut down" for me. I just tried another Hemingway book last summer, and my opinion hasn't changed. I must be a literary heretic!

5/10/2019 01:34:36 pm

Every writer has a different story. Many of them cite an early experience with a teacher as starting them on the path of writing. Sometimes, it's not a teacher but a family member. Many continue writing, some have notebooks full of writing from grade school on.
There is something wonderful about a late bloomer, your talent is evident in your writing.
There is no book that is universally loved. Every book has an audience and those that will not enjoy it. Heretic, not at all. You have your taste that is shared by many. We are all allowed to choose the story we like.
New questions.
Do you have alpha-readers and/or beta-readers to help you smooth out a lot of wrinkles before publishing? If you don’t, why?
If you do, how did you find them?

5/10/2019 06:07:39 pm

I'm sure you heard plenty of stories! You probably have a better inside track to writers than most of us.

It took me a while to find beta readers; they are a very rare breed and worth their weight in gold. One of my beta readers is an old friend who happens to be a writer, so we can exchange favors. I found my next two through social media. I need more that a pat on the back; I need serious suggestions, especially when I am missing the proverbial boat. Hooking up with another writer seems to generate the best results.

5/10/2019 06:17:10 pm

I think it's good to have a mix of writers and non-writers for beta reading. The more the merrier.
New questions.
At what stage in your writing process do you bring in the alpha and beta readers?
What kind of questions do you ask them to get the feedback you want?
Do you reward the beta readers in any way particular?

5/10/2019 10:56:41 pm

Good question. For me, I find that it helps the most if I bring in my beta readers after my second draft. By then, the most important chapters are in place and the characters should be pretty well developed. If I am lucky, at this stage the beta readers will tell me what's not connecting properly, what questions are unanswered, and sometimes what to leave out. I find that their remarks often release a new surge of creativity, and my third draft can be quite enhanced. If I bring them in too soon, I think their efforts might be wasted.

People can be very, very generous. Some people don't want any kind of reward (aside from a signed copy of the finished novel!). Oftentimes, I will return the favor and read their next book. There's nothing wrong with a box of chocolates!

5/11/2019 07:26:22 pm

Chocolates are a wonderful gift, so is a signed copy. It sounds like you have a great bunch of beta readers, and the timing is working for you quite well.
New questions.
What are common traps for beginning writers?
Do you think a strong ego is an asset or liability for a writer and why?

5/12/2019 10:39:07 am

I think the biggest trap for a beginning writer is expecting to make a career out of it. Gone are the days an editor is willing to take on a budding writer and grow with him. They want a best seller right out the door! When I was out of college, I was so sure I would be a professional writer that I refused to consider a "real" job—in other words, a career. I wanted to be free to jump into my writing world the moment an editor or an agent discovered me. This was one of the reasons I moved to New York: to be near the center of the writing universe. When I turned 30 I was beginning to think I made a mistake; when I turned 40 I gave it all up and started my own business. It was too late to start a career! Looking back, I don't know how I could have been so dumb.

As for an ego, I do believe that a strong ego is definitely an asset. We have to believe we are very, very good at what we do. Otherwise the odds against success would be too daunting. It's kind of like the parable about 500 men going into battle understanding that 499 will be killed, and thinking "the poor bastards". I am the one that will survive. I am the one that will succeed. Even faced with not-very-stellar sales, our ego will keep us writing that next book.

5/12/2019 12:13:19 pm

A lot of us suffer from unrealistic expectations when we are young. In one way, it enables us to face apparently insurmountable odds. Sometimes we find success and sometimes we don't.
Ths strong ego is definitely linked to unrealistic expectations. It's necessary to survive and keep writing. Otherwise, you will never find your audience and become someone's favorite author.
New questions.
What can you tell us about your next book, without giving too much away?
How many volumes will this series be?
What do you have in mind after this series is complete?

5/12/2019 05:33:08 pm

Book two in the Plantagenet series is about the second crisis in Richard's reign, his so-called Tyranny and Henry IV's usurpation as we see it in Shakespeare's play. The great bard was very accurate in his depiction of the events, but the background is necessarily lacking. Many of the events in volume one are responsible for the king's retribution in volume two; too bad for Richard that he doesn't know when—or how—to stop. Henry of Bolingbroke (the future Henry IV) is placed in a position where he must march against the king or bust—for he has lost everything. And once he takes the traitor's route, he has no choice but to dethrone Richard II. It is a lose-lose situation for the both of them, and this is the theme I follow in book three, about the unfortunate reign of Henry IV. Because he has deposed the king, it becomes easier for him to be deposed in turn; his reign is a constant struggle against those who are disillusioned with him and a struggle with his own conscience. To make matters worse, his son and heir (the future Henry V) hates being associated with the murder of Richard II, and resists his father at almost every turn. The next book, naturally enough, will be about the reign of Henry V; his premature death leaves behind an infant son and a disastrous ending for the Plantagenet line.

Should I continue with another book about Henry VI? I'm not sure yet; in my eyes this is the beginning of the Wars of the Roses and hence another era in English history. More research is required before I decide! If I can find a slightly different angle, I might tackle it. Otherwise, I have a hankering to go back to my Shakespeare roots and investigate the story of James I, the Gunpowder plot, and Shakespeare's writing of Macbeth; there's a nice little intrigue to untangle!

5/12/2019 06:19:04 pm

I have to say that sounds pretty exciting. Having read two of your books now, I know you will bring these dusty, old characters back to full-color living and vibrancy.
New questions.
Do you have anything you consider to be your writing lucky charm?
Do you struggle with writer's block and how do you overcome it?

5/13/2019 11:19:02 am

No lucky charm here! I wish I had something like that! No, my writing life is pretty low key; I often feel like I am slogging through my WIP. Slow and steady wins the race; that's my motto. I never, ever, count my daily word production. What's the point? The book will eventually get finished and I don't need to beat myself up for not meeting a self-imposed quota. After all, I'm not getting paid (maybe I will eventually) so why worry about it? Sometimes my writing session consists of rereading my history material and producing a whole paragraph. Some days I get a chunk of writing done. If I find confronting my WIP particularly onerous, I'll skip that day contrary to all professional exhortations. The next day, I'll start again whether I want to or not. Usually it helps to go back a page or two and start editing; by the time I get to where I left off, I have kick-started the creative juices. I've learned not to call it "writer's block"; once you've identified it, it becomes a monster. It's just like house cleaning; sometimes you are willing to do it, sometimes you let it go!

5/13/2019 04:11:47 pm

I have used that same proverb throught my life also. When I was a sheet metal apprentice, I had a good friend who was so much faster than me in class. He could make three fittings in the time it took me to make one. The problem was he had to make three, because the first two were always wrong. Most of the time my first one was the only one I had to make.
I think you have found an excellent solution to the monster with no name. There are other solutions also, including reading the previous chapter out loud, working on a side story or background to use on the website, working on a different project entirely, perhaps a different genre, and entering a contest for short stories. There are many more I am sure.
New questions.
Do you see an advantage of writing under a pseudonym, why or why not?
If you branch out into a different genre, will you use a pen name, why or why not?

5/13/2019 05:04:39 pm

It makes sense to use a pseudonym when writing in a different genre. I keep thinking of Anne Rice, who wrote some steamy stuff under a different name, only to "fess up" when she became famous as a vampire writer; now the erotic books say ANNE RICE really big, then "writing as A. N. Roquelaure" in small print. Not bad! Most of us never get that far. But I'm pretty sure those genres appeal to a different batch of reader that mostly don't mix. On the other hand, moving from historical fiction to straight fiction, I suspect, doesn't cause too many shock waves and the pseudonym probably wouldn't be necessary. Not that I've ever tried it!

5/13/2019 05:50:05 pm

I didn't know that about Anne Rice. I have a hunch a lot of writers do the same thing. Some writers use a pen name just because they want to keep their private life private. Like most writers they struggle with the marketing aspect of the writing business.
I have heard os a few writers that use a different pen name for each genre, they buy domains for each pen name and have them all point to one website that houses a page for each pen name and genre. One website is easier than four or five or six. The readers have the opportunity to crossover if they wish.
New questions.
Are there any writing styles or genres that you disliked at first but soon came to like?
Do you think reading, watching movies or listening to music help you be a better writer?

5/13/2019 07:51:13 pm

Alas, i am very consistent. If anything, my preferences have diminished over the years. I used to read science fiction and fantasy, but after Arthur C. Clark and Tolkein, I felt that I had experienced the best and I simply lost interest. I am reading much more non-fiction than ever before (mostly histories, naturally) and I think it's because I'm in practice. After all, they take more concentration. I read my fiction before bedtime and the non-fiction with my morning coffee while I am rested and awake!

I'm certain that reading, reading, reading enhances writing. Though I do admit that watching actors in movies has made it easier for me to project emotions in my characters. There's a reason why great actors get under our skin, isn't there? You see emotions in movies you rarely get to see in real life. Especially old movies.

5/13/2019 08:13:32 pm

I have read Tolkien, starting in junior high. I had read the LOTR three times before graduating from high school. Clarke, Asimov, Poul, Herbert and so many others. CS Lewis has written in many different genres, he even has a sci-fi trilogy with the hero patterened after his good friend JRR Tolkien. Out of The Silent Planet is the name of the first volume.
Good actors have quite a talent displaying emotions that resonate within us much of the time. I think there is a great deal an author gain gain from studying great performances.
I have a new promotion starting tomorrow.
Last questions.
Are there any writing styles or genres that you disliked at first but soon came to like?
Have you ever read a book that changed the way you look at writing?

5/13/2019 11:02:46 pm

As for your first question, i can't think of an answer so I guess it hasn't happened to me. As for your second question, I'd say I am indebted to Sir Walter Scott! I absolutely loved his Ivanhoe, and I think it may be what inspired me to write about the Middle Ages. I came to understand that he was more Romantic than Historical, but I swallowed that book and made it my own. I studied him at great length in college.

Thanks for a great conversation. You brought a lot out of me!

5/13/2019 11:37:48 pm

Thank you, Mercedes, you have been a wonderful guest this week. You have provided some great answers and insight into your writing and publishing experience.
Until next time, I will see you around the Twitter corral.

A King Under Siege: Book One of The Plantagenet Legacy By Mercedes Rochelle

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