Updates

So, I was reading Rise and Fall of the Third Reich for my upcoming historical fantasy novel set in World War II. Reading about the chaotic conditions in Germany in 1919 after the defeat of World War I, I had an insight into what the climate must be like in my OTHER historical fantasy novel, when the king uproots his subjects, rather like Henry VIII did by imposting Protestantism on a Catholic Britain. Clearly, there is not ONE rebel organization–at least not at first–there would be multiple groups rising in protest, unbeknownst to one another. They would have to organize themselves before they could become effective. Upon reflection it seems so obvious: why didn’t I realize it before? Duh!

Back home and digging out from 6 weeks of travels, but I have a meeting with my publisher on Wednesday and need to organize my notes. Luckily, Writers in the House is this weekend and after presenting at the Calgary Young Writers’ Conference (which was, as usual, AWESOME) I’m off to have some concentrated writing time to prepare. Nothing like a timely writers’ retreat. Thanks for organizing, Randy!

Really enjoying the trip–in some ways I hope will never end. But at the same time, I am so inspired, I can hardly wait to get home and roll up my sleeves. I have tons of notes that will need to be organized, but I have a really strong vision of where my story is going. Can’t wait to get back to it!

The tour has been not only informative (our guide is extremely knowledgeable and can answer all the questions that come up for me for the events of my novel) but inspiring: clearly, the climax has to take place during the invasion of Dieppe.

I have a deadline to get a novel in to my publisher in 2 months, and got a ton of work done on the train from Barcelona to Paris. Got all the re-working I want to do organized, but it is on paper. Still need to make it electronic (going back and forth between documents on the iPad is difficult; it was easier to have one doc open and work on paper, and now do the revisions to the second doc).