by Val Fassnight | Jul 28, 2021 | Uncategorized
If you’ve ever seen the musical Oklahoma! by Rogers and Hammerstein, this word is used when Curly and Laurie are given a charivari after their wedding that culminates in their attack by Judd.
Charivari
Pronounced shee-və-REE
Part of Speech: noun
Origin: French, mid-17th Century
Definition:
- (historical) A noisy mock serenade performed by a group of people to celebrate a marriage or mock an unpopular person
- A discordant noise
Usage in a Sentence:
“The groomsmen broke out into a spontaneous charivari as the reception was ending.”
“The orchestra’s warmup was a loud charivari.”
by Val Fassnight | Jul 25, 2021 | Uncategorized
Hello Hearts Through History members, today I’m talking with HTH member Kimberly Nielsen. Could you tell us a little bit about yourself and what you’ve been working on?
Hi Everyone! I am from Colorado, although I am living in Pennsylvania right now. I have just returned to writing after a long hiatus. I am writing both medieval historical romance and time travel romance in the traditional genres and young adult genre.
Do you write full-time or part-time?
I am writing part time right now, but hope to write full time very soon..
What’s the hardest part of writing?
Not letting the pain of your own personal past keep your characters from being who they were meant to be.
What’s your favorite historical movie?
Oh, that is a very difficult question. My top choices are; The Power of One, Braveheart, Patriot, King Arthur, A Knight’s Tale, and Last of the Mohicans. I guess my absolute favorite would be Last of the Mohicans.
Who’s your favorite historical figure?
Catherine II of Prussia
If you could meet anyone in history, who would it be?
Elizabeth I of England
If you could time travel, what era would you visit?
4th century AD
What’s the best writing advice you’ve ever received?
Write from your heart, not your head.
When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer?
When I was in second grade, I wrote a story about cats who swept away rain clouds with brooms, and I knew that was my destiny.
Are there specific books or authors who have influenced you as a writer?
I fell in love with the Sunfire YA Historical Romance books in middle school in the 80s. There was always a fiery heroine who had to choose between two love interests. When I was in High School, I discovered Zebra Historical Romance books and I loved them so much, especially the time travel stories the best. I was hooked by the happily ever after in each story. The HEA gave me hope. The authors who have influenced me the most in my writing career are: Jacquie D’Allesandro, Cindy Miles, Diana Gabeldon, Julia Quinn, and Lynn Kurland.
Give us a brief rundown of your process. Are you a plotter, a pantser, or somewhere in the middle? I am somewhere in the middle.
I will always start with a set up idea and then I write a “discovery draft”. After reviewing the draft, I will plot the story out to tighten up the GMC, the character arcs, and plot. When I have finished, I will rewrite the draft incorporating all the ideas of the plotting sessions.
Can you tell us a bit about your journey to publication?
I am actually just beginning this journey. I dabbled in writing all through school and college. After I married and started a family, I put writing on hold until my children went to school. This is when I began writing in earnest for a few years until significant life events made me put away the writing again. Now, I am writing again and working towards publication and finally making a career of sharing stories.
Tell us about your latest release and what’s coming next for you.
I don’t have any releases, but I am working on an adult time travel historical romance that takes place in the Dutch West Indies during the 18th Century.
Please include author website, and a few images (book covers, author photos, etc.), social media links.
I do not have any book covers to share, but here is a photo of me. I am an outdoor lover, so nearly all my photos are outside in the wilderness somewhere. 🙂
by Val Fassnight | Jul 21, 2021 | Uncategorized
I love WordGenius’ Word of the Day and often try to use them in something I’m writing as a challenge to myself. This one has appropriate connotations for us historical authors!
Chinwag
CHIN-wag
Part of Speech: noun
Origin: British English, late 19th Century
Definition: A chat
Usage in a sentence:
“I love having a chinwag with my friends and catching up on all the latest gossip.”
“Ursula looked forward to her weekly chinwag with the baker.”
by Val Fassnight | Jul 18, 2021 | Uncategorized
Thanks for including me in this! I’m still an itty bitty, infant writer so I don’t really know how helpful my answers will be to others. I’ve included them below just in case.
Do you write full-time or part-time?
Whatever time I can get! I have an almost 2-year-old and a full time job so not as often as I’d like.
What’s the hardest part of writing?
Learning to silence that inner critic has been the biggest struggle for me. That and finding time while parenting, working full time, and living a 2020/21 life.
What’s your favorite historical movie?
The 1995 version of Persuasion starring Amanda Root and Ciarán Hinds.
Who’s your favorite historical figure?
I can’t pick just one! I can say though that my husband and I chose “Ada” as my daughter’s middle name after Ada Lovelace. Outside of that, Jane Austen (obviously) or Eleanor Roosevelt.
If you could meet anyone in history, who would it be?
Probably Lord Byron! I’d love to follow him around and watch how he interacts with people. Was he really that flirty? Broody? Handsome? Does he want my number?
If you could time travel, what era would you visit?
I want to see what it was really like in Hampton Court during Henry VIII’s time, preferably during Katherine and Anne’s time. I imagine it was more stressful than I’d actually like but I can’t pass up those gowns.
What’s the best writing advice you’ve ever received?
The essay “Shitty First Drafts” by Anne Lamott is the best advice I’ve heard. I find myself rereading it constantly. As a perfectionist, it’s hard to remember that your first round doesn’t have to be good. It’s soothing to hear this from someone else! (If anyone is interested in reading this, it can be found for free here: https://wrd.as.uky.edu/sites/default/files/1-Shitty%20First%20Drafts.pdf)
When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer?
When I was 7, there was a segment on a Nickelodeon show about a 9 year old who was publishing books she wrote. I decided I wanted to do that, too, and instantly gave up on my career choice of being a dolphin trainer to be a writer. I’m especially glad of this because I found out when I was older that dolphins are massive jerks.
Are there specific books or authors who have influenced you as a writer?
Oddly enough, Ernest Hemingway is the author that influenced my writing the most. As a person he was terrible, but he really taught me how to make each word count. I love how he can really convey strong emotions and truths while being economical with his word count and language choice.
Give us a brief rundown of your process. Are you a plotter, a pantser, or somewhere in the middle?
I am currently trying to figure this one out. I was a pantser for years, but I finally had to admit that it didn’t really work for me. I’ve been trying to plot but this also hasn’t been going the way I want, so I’m starting to suspect it’s somewhere in the middle.
Can you tell us a bit about your journey to publication?
It is still a journey in progress!
Tell us about your latest release and what’s coming next for you.
Nothing yet. Watch this space.
Please include author website, and a few images (book covers, author photos, etc.), social media links.
TBD on this one as well.
by Val Fassnight | Jul 13, 2021 | Uncategorized
First round of judging is almost complete for the Romance Through The Ages Contest and it’s looking pretty good! A bumper crop of excellent up and coming authors showcased in our inboxes!
Reminder to all first round judges that your entries are due on July 23, 2021. So get those entries in!
by Val Fassnight | Jun 27, 2021 | Uncategorized
Do you write full-time or part-time?
First, thank you for having me. I am excited to share my writing journey with you.
I write on and off all the time! I am a mother of five, which is a full-time job in itself (a wonderful one). I start writing at 5:30 in the morning, the only quiet time in my house, and keep going during my breaks until the late afternoon.
What’s the hardest part of writing?
Distractions. With all the interruptions, both on- and offline, it can be challenging to stay focused. I love doing Zoom sprints, because it helps me stay on task.
The phone literally rang while I was answering this question.
What’s your favorite historical movie?
I love Pride and Prejudice, and watched nearly all the versions of it. It is fascinating to watch a story that was actually contemporary at the time. It has a strong heroine, an irresistible male and that wet shirt scene.
Who’s your favorite historical figure?
I enjoy learning about the works and life of Leonardo da Vinci. What he accomplished in his time was simply amazing. It is no wonder he is so admired hundreds of years later.
If you could meet anyone in history, who would it be?
Meeting Jane Austen would be a dream. It would be fascinating to learn about her time, and how it felt to live in that world.
If you could time travel, what era would you visit?
I would love to visit the Regency, where my stories are set. There is just something so enchanting about the ton, the balls and the romance. I want to dress in one of those breathtaking gowns!
What’s the best writing advice you’ve ever received?
Keep writing. No matter what happens, if you love to write (and I truly do) then keep at it. You never know when magical things will happen.
When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer?
I’ve been writing since I was a small child. I once made a comment, and had the urge to add “she said” after it. That was when I knew this was my path.
Are there specific books or authors who have influenced you as a writer?
There are so many talented authors out there. Johanna Lindsey was always one of my favorites. I enjoy Stephanie Laurens, Lisa Kleypas, Dara Joy, Jennie Klassel, Sophie Jordan and many others.
Give us a brief rundown of your process. Are you a plotter, a pantser, or somewhere in the middle?
For the most part, I am a pantser. I always have a general plot, with the main plot points. Yet I love the flexibility of crafting a world as it forms. My characters lead the way. There is nothing as exciting as getting an idea and saying “What if…”
Can you tell us a bit about your journey to publication?
Escaping the Duke is my first historical romance. My agent submitted it, and we received a three-book contract from Dragonblade Press, one of the leading publishers of historical romance. Now it is only weeks away from publication, and I am very excited.
Tell us about your latest release and what’s coming next for you.
Escaping the Duke is about a spirited lady who secretly fights for social action, while hiding her true identity from a powerful duke.
Priscilla is a strong, sassy heroine who acts as an informant to the Duke of Bradenton. He doesn’t know the person writing anonymous letters to him is a woman, or that she is the lady he is determined to marry.
It is the first in the series, The Secret Crusaders, about ladies fighting for justice and the powerful lords pursuing them. Each manuscript features a lady who is part of this secret society and an irresistible, alpha hero.
Escaping the Duke is available for pre-order from Dragonblade, and will be followed by the second and third installments in the series. I am just revising the third book now. I cannot wait to see what is next.
I love connecting with people. Visit my website at www.MelanieRoseClarke.com to sign up for my newsletter and receive exclusive goodies. I am also available on the following social media websites:
- Bookbub – https://www.bookbub.com/profile/melanie-rose-clarke
- Facebook – http://facebook.com/MelanieRoseClarke
- Twitter – http://twitter.com/MelanieS_Clarke
- Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/melanieroseclarke/
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