Life can interrupt the creative process, from something as simple as a phone call to family commitments, from the unexpected to the obligations of...
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Blog Posts by C.V. Lee
Q&A – Holiday Traditions of the Past
Holiday traditions link the past and the present—a special family recipe handed down from generation to generation, singing classic carols, or displaying beloved decorations.
A ‘Beloved’ Dynasty that Almost Wasn’t
Life often seems so random. A chance encounter that turns into a beautiful friendship. An overheard conversation that destoys trust. A passage in a book that changes our view on an issue. Seemingly little things can change the trajectory of an individual’s life, a nation’s future, or spark a worldwide catastrophe.
Bookshelf Confessions of a Wannabe Minimalist
What remains on my bookshelves are the books most important to me. So what is left after all my purging?
Q&A – Have you ever visited a place because it was featured in a book?
Our world is filled with amazing places just waiting to be discovered. Through reading—especially historical fiction—I’ve learned about quaint towns, ancient buildings, and hidden treasures that I’d never heard of before.
DIY Writing Retreats
I am trying something different when it comes to writing retreats this year. Since I am currently unable to travel, I am enjoying at-home writing retreats this summer—sort of like a staycation for authors and writers.
Her Noble Groom
Five Tips for Crafting Memorable Villains
Simply having the villain commit evil deeds is not enough. Part of the fun of writing from the villain’s point of view is diving into their psyche, getting to know them at a deeper level. Just like the protagonist, they have motives, wounds, and flaws. They also have fears, enemies, secrets, regrets—and relationships.
Q & A – Myths About Writing Historical Fiction You Should Stop Believing
All I knew was that I had a story I wanted to put out into the world, and I was determined to get it done no matter how long it took. It took a long time, meaning five years from when I initially sat down to write until I had a final product that I could be proud of.
Research With Limited Source Material
When writing fiction of about any era, historical records can be inaccurate, even contradictory. Think about all the media and news sources available now, and imagine trying to sift through all that information in the future to write a historical novel. There are so many different perspectives and interpretations written about a single event. Because personal experience and core values color the recounting of any incident, it will be difficult to narrow it down to just the facts.
BIG LOVE: Famous Couples, Historical and Fictional
What better represents BIG LOVE than famous couples, legendary love stories remembered long after their death or publication date? These stories have intrigued generations because they include more than acts of devotion, but are fraught with challenges, including great sacrifice, betrayal, or overwhelming odds.
Q&A – Which Romantic Couple in Historical Fiction has Intrigued You Most?
Novels often contain some form of love story, whether as the central plot or an engaging subplot. Love can take many shapes—for example, love of...
Holiday Legends: Fact or Historical Fiction
On long days of winter, what could be more enjoyable than cozying up by a fire with a mug of hot chocolate, a plate of holiday Christmas cookies, and a delightful holiday read that transports to another place and time? Our ancestors have blest us with many wonderful legends, some based on real people, others figments of a great imagination. Folklore often varies by country and even by region, so there are plenty of tales to entertain us throughout the dark days of winter.
Q&A Which Historical Fiction Character Would You Celebrate the Holidays With?
All my life I have been fascinated by cultural differences—things like the disparate ways nations celebrate the same holiday, as well as celebrations and festivals unique to a country or ethnic group. These are things that make our wonderful, diverse world such a magical place to explore.
C.V. Lee’s Historical Fiction Short Story Picks
Since becoming an author, I have discovered a special place for short stories in my writing.
Not every moment of a character’s life shows up on the page; only those relevant to the tale we are weaving. But as their creators, we need to know and understand the significant experiences which molded their world view; their unique backstory that explains their thoughts, words, actions, and reactions.
Q & A: What Historical Fact Influenced the Narrative or Characters in Your Novel?
Research is an essential while preparing to write a historical fiction novel. The challenge for the author lies in the decision about what and how much to include, and what edit out. After uncovering some fascinating historical fact or details, we want to share it with our readers. Unfortunately, not every bit enhances or propels the story narrative forward, but instead too much exposition or irrelevant tangents irrelevant can bog down the pacing. But then, sometimes there is that amazing, little-known tidbit that changes everything—a piece of information, perhaps a prevailing belief or event, that influences how your character thinks or behaves and enhances the storytelling in ways we never imagined.
29 Historical Fiction Books Set in the English Channel Islands
Located off the coast of Normandy, France, the English Channel Islands are rich in history. When visiting these islands, it feels like stepping back in time. Before travelling to a country, I enjoy reading novels set in that locale. If you plan to visit the English Channel Islands, or just want to learn more about them, I’ve compiled a list of historical fiction books (and a couple of non-fiction books) for you to choose from.
Q & A – What Sparked You to Write That First Novel?
Perchance I am an unlikely novelist. In school, I was never particularly interested in writing although I was always an avid reader. The idea for writing my first book came when I was helping my middle son research his ancestors for a genealogy report when he was in the 2nd grade in 2001. I did some preliminary, but very minimal, research, and then set it aside. Then one day in 2017, I was super bored and decided maybe I should revisit that old idea of writing a book. Five years later, after hours and hours of research and numerous edits
Women of the Reformation
My current work-in-progress is set in the 16th century during the Protestant Reformation. In the Western World, we still recognize names of...
Q & A What does Literary Success Look Like to You?
Defining success can prove challenging! What one individual epitomizes as the ultimate achievement may hold no appeal to another. For example,...
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