Anne here. I've often said that for me, writing a book is a little bit like archaeology, though generally less muddy. When I start, I have a rough idea of what I think a book will be about, who my main characters are and so on, but really, at this point in the writing process, they're my best guesses. 
Years ago, when I was in Greece, I was fascinated by some of the ancient murals that had been dug up — some were just fragments really, but people had made "best guesses" as to what the overall murals had looked like.
My characters often begin as a very sketchy collection of notes. Things like: he thinks he's a hard man; he believes to show vulnerability is fatal; He's a survivor; he's clever with machinery and calculations; he tries to control everything in his life; he's racked with guilt over what happened to his sisters; he has no idea how to handle them; deep down he's afraid to trust to love. (Sebastian from The Perfect Waltz)
But it's not until they hit the page and start interacting with other characters that they start to come to life, and often, they're not who I imagined they were going to be. And sometimes because of that, I have to rethink my plot.
Why rethink the plot? some of you might wonder. Why not make the characters do what you want them to do, and be who you planned them to be?
Good question. All writers are different, so I'm not saying everyone works like this, but for me, the minute I try to force a character into a preconceived mould, they become a bit wooden, and limp, and refuse to drive the story. It's much better, and more interesting, I think, if the characters drive the plot. 
Characters can surprise me when they say or do something I hadn't expected. For instance, my heroine, Jane in The Spring Bride, where she tells the hero to grow up. Taking him and me by surprise. And revealing more depth to her character.
I love surprises and unexpected insights in a book. I figure if I'm surprised (or the character is) then readers will be surprised, too — hopefully in a good way. It happens mostly when I'm in "the zone" — writing furiously, deep in the story and the minds of the characters. Dialogue will spill out, actions will occur, a secret or a sliver of backstory will pop up that I had no idea existed.
Sometimes a random scene will come to me in the early hours of the morning, or just as I'm about to drift off to sleep. I always write these down in a notebook, because otherwise I'll forget them, and experience has shown that these can be a vital part of my writing process. However I don't always know their significance or even whether they are related to this book.
But then I'll get to a part of the story when I have a lightbulb moment that sends me flipping back through my notebooks to find a particular scene, and lo! It's like finding a missing jigsaw piece. Or part of a buried mural.
The more I write, the clearer my character and my story become to me. Quite often, in the early stage of writing my book I have to pull it apart and rewrite it or even start again from a different point, because I haven't set the story up properly for with the characters that have emerged, or I need to go deeper into them earlier, or reveal something I didn't know earlier.
Sometimes a character doesn't work. I remember I had that problem with the heroine of my second book, Tallie's Knight. My heroine was Serena and I just could not get into her head. I changed her name to to Tallie, and suddenly a whole different heroine sprang to life. It seems silly and a bit superficial, doesn't it, that a simple change of name can result in a whole different character, but that's how it works for me.
Sometimes a story just flows with very little archaeology or excavation needed. His Captive Lady was one that simply flowed onto the page, with very few roadblocks.
Sometimes the character I wanted to write refused to be that kind of man. With The Perfect Rake, my first book for Berkley, I'd been trying to write an alpha hero — you know those strong silent arrogant fellows that are so enormously popular with many romance readers. Instead, the hero who strolled onto the page was Gideon, funny, flippant and definitely no alpha. But of all my heroes, he's still many readers' favorite.
In my new book, Marry in Scarlet, I finally did manage to write a cold alpha hero. But then he surprised me — and the heroine — and I think himself—several times, when she challenged him, and his unexpected reaction revealed a hidden part of him, where the seeds of his redemption were buried. Until that point, I wasn't sure how I was going to get to that vital happy ending.
So, putting together bits and pieces, best guesses, unexpected insights, and digging deeper to find the story — that, my friends, is why writing a novel is, for me, a bit like archaeology.
Did any of this surprise you?
Have you visited any archaeological sites?
Do you have a favorite novel set around archaeology? (My two favorites are Crocodile on the Sandbank, By Elizabeth Peters, and Loretta Chase's Mr Impossible.)
I so enjoy when the Wenches share their thought processes when writing, thank you. We have visited several archeological sites and one of my favorites is Ceide Fields in north County Mayo, Ireland. This is the site of the oldest known stone walled fields (6000 years old) and the visitors center was excellent and really allowed you to picture how the area was inhabited at the time. It struck me as a beautiful, desolate place with spectacular views of the sea. Not archeology but in the same vein as being buried in the mud, Tracy Chevalier’s Remarkable Creatures, a novel on the life of paleontologist Mary Anning is a favorite.
I so enjoy when the Wenches share their thought processes when writing, thank you. We have visited several archeological sites and one of my favorites is Ceide Fields in north County Mayo, Ireland. This is the site of the oldest known stone walled fields (6000 years old) and the visitors center was excellent and really allowed you to picture how the area was inhabited at the time. It struck me as a beautiful, desolate place with spectacular views of the sea. Not archeology but in the same vein as being buried in the mud, Tracy Chevalier’s Remarkable Creatures, a novel on the life of paleontologist Mary Anning is a favorite.
I so enjoy when the Wenches share their thought processes when writing, thank you. We have visited several archeological sites and one of my favorites is Ceide Fields in north County Mayo, Ireland. This is the site of the oldest known stone walled fields (6000 years old) and the visitors center was excellent and really allowed you to picture how the area was inhabited at the time. It struck me as a beautiful, desolate place with spectacular views of the sea. Not archeology but in the same vein as being buried in the mud, Tracy Chevalier’s Remarkable Creatures, a novel on the life of paleontologist Mary Anning is a favorite.
I so enjoy when the Wenches share their thought processes when writing, thank you. We have visited several archeological sites and one of my favorites is Ceide Fields in north County Mayo, Ireland. This is the site of the oldest known stone walled fields (6000 years old) and the visitors center was excellent and really allowed you to picture how the area was inhabited at the time. It struck me as a beautiful, desolate place with spectacular views of the sea. Not archeology but in the same vein as being buried in the mud, Tracy Chevalier’s Remarkable Creatures, a novel on the life of paleontologist Mary Anning is a favorite.
I so enjoy when the Wenches share their thought processes when writing, thank you. We have visited several archeological sites and one of my favorites is Ceide Fields in north County Mayo, Ireland. This is the site of the oldest known stone walled fields (6000 years old) and the visitors center was excellent and really allowed you to picture how the area was inhabited at the time. It struck me as a beautiful, desolate place with spectacular views of the sea. Not archeology but in the same vein as being buried in the mud, Tracy Chevalier’s Remarkable Creatures, a novel on the life of paleontologist Mary Anning is a favorite.
Archeology is a very good metaphor, Anne. We start with pieces and look for all the pieces that will make it into a real story. Unlike you, I don’t pull apart and rewrite early bits–I just tread water and feel depressed until I know what happens next. *G*
Having been lucky enough to have an early read of MARRY IN SCARLET, which will be out next Tuesday, I can see how your process worked to create those characters and that story. Their interactions are amazing, unpredictable and–just right. Writing is never easy, but isn’t it great once the book is done? *G*
Archeology is a very good metaphor, Anne. We start with pieces and look for all the pieces that will make it into a real story. Unlike you, I don’t pull apart and rewrite early bits–I just tread water and feel depressed until I know what happens next. *G*
Having been lucky enough to have an early read of MARRY IN SCARLET, which will be out next Tuesday, I can see how your process worked to create those characters and that story. Their interactions are amazing, unpredictable and–just right. Writing is never easy, but isn’t it great once the book is done? *G*
Archeology is a very good metaphor, Anne. We start with pieces and look for all the pieces that will make it into a real story. Unlike you, I don’t pull apart and rewrite early bits–I just tread water and feel depressed until I know what happens next. *G*
Having been lucky enough to have an early read of MARRY IN SCARLET, which will be out next Tuesday, I can see how your process worked to create those characters and that story. Their interactions are amazing, unpredictable and–just right. Writing is never easy, but isn’t it great once the book is done? *G*
Archeology is a very good metaphor, Anne. We start with pieces and look for all the pieces that will make it into a real story. Unlike you, I don’t pull apart and rewrite early bits–I just tread water and feel depressed until I know what happens next. *G*
Having been lucky enough to have an early read of MARRY IN SCARLET, which will be out next Tuesday, I can see how your process worked to create those characters and that story. Their interactions are amazing, unpredictable and–just right. Writing is never easy, but isn’t it great once the book is done? *G*
Archeology is a very good metaphor, Anne. We start with pieces and look for all the pieces that will make it into a real story. Unlike you, I don’t pull apart and rewrite early bits–I just tread water and feel depressed until I know what happens next. *G*
Having been lucky enough to have an early read of MARRY IN SCARLET, which will be out next Tuesday, I can see how your process worked to create those characters and that story. Their interactions are amazing, unpredictable and–just right. Writing is never easy, but isn’t it great once the book is done? *G*
I went to Egypt this year (got home early March right before the virus hit the US hard) and it amazes me the things they are still finding there. I’m actually reading Mr. Impossible right now mostly because of my trip and I love Crocodile on the Sandbank. Another favorite book featuring archaeology is Susanna Kearsley’s The Shadowy Horses. And maybe My Brother Michael by Mary Stewart.
I went to Egypt this year (got home early March right before the virus hit the US hard) and it amazes me the things they are still finding there. I’m actually reading Mr. Impossible right now mostly because of my trip and I love Crocodile on the Sandbank. Another favorite book featuring archaeology is Susanna Kearsley’s The Shadowy Horses. And maybe My Brother Michael by Mary Stewart.
I went to Egypt this year (got home early March right before the virus hit the US hard) and it amazes me the things they are still finding there. I’m actually reading Mr. Impossible right now mostly because of my trip and I love Crocodile on the Sandbank. Another favorite book featuring archaeology is Susanna Kearsley’s The Shadowy Horses. And maybe My Brother Michael by Mary Stewart.
I went to Egypt this year (got home early March right before the virus hit the US hard) and it amazes me the things they are still finding there. I’m actually reading Mr. Impossible right now mostly because of my trip and I love Crocodile on the Sandbank. Another favorite book featuring archaeology is Susanna Kearsley’s The Shadowy Horses. And maybe My Brother Michael by Mary Stewart.
I went to Egypt this year (got home early March right before the virus hit the US hard) and it amazes me the things they are still finding there. I’m actually reading Mr. Impossible right now mostly because of my trip and I love Crocodile on the Sandbank. Another favorite book featuring archaeology is Susanna Kearsley’s The Shadowy Horses. And maybe My Brother Michael by Mary Stewart.
I have been to several U. S. archaelogical sites, some busy working and some mainly museums of earlier digs. All of them fascinate me.
As to why your characters become wooden when you try to force them. You write character-driven novels (my favorite type); when you try to force the character, you are switching to formula writing. That can work for me as a reader, but I doubt if it would ever work for you as an author. There are some good formula books out there (Rex Stout comes to mind) but all-in-all character driven is what you write and what I enjoy the most.
I have been to several U. S. archaelogical sites, some busy working and some mainly museums of earlier digs. All of them fascinate me.
As to why your characters become wooden when you try to force them. You write character-driven novels (my favorite type); when you try to force the character, you are switching to formula writing. That can work for me as a reader, but I doubt if it would ever work for you as an author. There are some good formula books out there (Rex Stout comes to mind) but all-in-all character driven is what you write and what I enjoy the most.
I have been to several U. S. archaelogical sites, some busy working and some mainly museums of earlier digs. All of them fascinate me.
As to why your characters become wooden when you try to force them. You write character-driven novels (my favorite type); when you try to force the character, you are switching to formula writing. That can work for me as a reader, but I doubt if it would ever work for you as an author. There are some good formula books out there (Rex Stout comes to mind) but all-in-all character driven is what you write and what I enjoy the most.
I have been to several U. S. archaelogical sites, some busy working and some mainly museums of earlier digs. All of them fascinate me.
As to why your characters become wooden when you try to force them. You write character-driven novels (my favorite type); when you try to force the character, you are switching to formula writing. That can work for me as a reader, but I doubt if it would ever work for you as an author. There are some good formula books out there (Rex Stout comes to mind) but all-in-all character driven is what you write and what I enjoy the most.
I have been to several U. S. archaelogical sites, some busy working and some mainly museums of earlier digs. All of them fascinate me.
As to why your characters become wooden when you try to force them. You write character-driven novels (my favorite type); when you try to force the character, you are switching to formula writing. That can work for me as a reader, but I doubt if it would ever work for you as an author. There are some good formula books out there (Rex Stout comes to mind) but all-in-all character driven is what you write and what I enjoy the most.
Thanks for a fascinating post, Anne. I’ve not been to an archeological site; however, it can be impressive to be somewhere that is old relative to one’s everyday life. I’ve lived in the US for much of my life and, in general, it’s a young country. Once when visiting family in England, we went to a pub that had been around since about 1300. That impressed me! If those walls could talk….
Thanks for a fascinating post, Anne. I’ve not been to an archeological site; however, it can be impressive to be somewhere that is old relative to one’s everyday life. I’ve lived in the US for much of my life and, in general, it’s a young country. Once when visiting family in England, we went to a pub that had been around since about 1300. That impressed me! If those walls could talk….
Thanks for a fascinating post, Anne. I’ve not been to an archeological site; however, it can be impressive to be somewhere that is old relative to one’s everyday life. I’ve lived in the US for much of my life and, in general, it’s a young country. Once when visiting family in England, we went to a pub that had been around since about 1300. That impressed me! If those walls could talk….
Thanks for a fascinating post, Anne. I’ve not been to an archeological site; however, it can be impressive to be somewhere that is old relative to one’s everyday life. I’ve lived in the US for much of my life and, in general, it’s a young country. Once when visiting family in England, we went to a pub that had been around since about 1300. That impressed me! If those walls could talk….
Thanks for a fascinating post, Anne. I’ve not been to an archeological site; however, it can be impressive to be somewhere that is old relative to one’s everyday life. I’ve lived in the US for much of my life and, in general, it’s a young country. Once when visiting family in England, we went to a pub that had been around since about 1300. That impressed me! If those walls could talk….
I reckon that writing fiction could be a lot more fun and a lot more hygienic than digging up old bones! Having said that, visits to Stone Henge and Avebury in the UK and the Minoan sites on Crete, did leave me with a sense of awe and gratitude to the archaeologists who had excavated the sites. Likewise after a good read I sometimes have similar feelings for the authors who entertain and inspire! At one time I took a pendulum to dowse the Avebury stones to try and map the energy fields around them. Alas I had a null result, partly due to the high wind blowing the pendulum horizontal! Perhaps in a way, the process you describe is actually a way of dowsing the mind for character traits. Whatever the process or mechanism the results are jewels for us readers to enjoy. 😊
I reckon that writing fiction could be a lot more fun and a lot more hygienic than digging up old bones! Having said that, visits to Stone Henge and Avebury in the UK and the Minoan sites on Crete, did leave me with a sense of awe and gratitude to the archaeologists who had excavated the sites. Likewise after a good read I sometimes have similar feelings for the authors who entertain and inspire! At one time I took a pendulum to dowse the Avebury stones to try and map the energy fields around them. Alas I had a null result, partly due to the high wind blowing the pendulum horizontal! Perhaps in a way, the process you describe is actually a way of dowsing the mind for character traits. Whatever the process or mechanism the results are jewels for us readers to enjoy. 😊
I reckon that writing fiction could be a lot more fun and a lot more hygienic than digging up old bones! Having said that, visits to Stone Henge and Avebury in the UK and the Minoan sites on Crete, did leave me with a sense of awe and gratitude to the archaeologists who had excavated the sites. Likewise after a good read I sometimes have similar feelings for the authors who entertain and inspire! At one time I took a pendulum to dowse the Avebury stones to try and map the energy fields around them. Alas I had a null result, partly due to the high wind blowing the pendulum horizontal! Perhaps in a way, the process you describe is actually a way of dowsing the mind for character traits. Whatever the process or mechanism the results are jewels for us readers to enjoy. 😊
I reckon that writing fiction could be a lot more fun and a lot more hygienic than digging up old bones! Having said that, visits to Stone Henge and Avebury in the UK and the Minoan sites on Crete, did leave me with a sense of awe and gratitude to the archaeologists who had excavated the sites. Likewise after a good read I sometimes have similar feelings for the authors who entertain and inspire! At one time I took a pendulum to dowse the Avebury stones to try and map the energy fields around them. Alas I had a null result, partly due to the high wind blowing the pendulum horizontal! Perhaps in a way, the process you describe is actually a way of dowsing the mind for character traits. Whatever the process or mechanism the results are jewels for us readers to enjoy. 😊
I reckon that writing fiction could be a lot more fun and a lot more hygienic than digging up old bones! Having said that, visits to Stone Henge and Avebury in the UK and the Minoan sites on Crete, did leave me with a sense of awe and gratitude to the archaeologists who had excavated the sites. Likewise after a good read I sometimes have similar feelings for the authors who entertain and inspire! At one time I took a pendulum to dowse the Avebury stones to try and map the energy fields around them. Alas I had a null result, partly due to the high wind blowing the pendulum horizontal! Perhaps in a way, the process you describe is actually a way of dowsing the mind for character traits. Whatever the process or mechanism the results are jewels for us readers to enjoy. 😊
Misti, I’ve read all those romantic archaeology books you mentioned, and loved them all!
Misti, I’ve read all those romantic archaeology books you mentioned, and loved them all!
Misti, I’ve read all those romantic archaeology books you mentioned, and loved them all!
Misti, I’ve read all those romantic archaeology books you mentioned, and loved them all!
Misti, I’ve read all those romantic archaeology books you mentioned, and loved them all!
You know, Anne, that Gideon will always be my favorite hero. I’ve repeated that too many times to count and I imagine you must be getting tired of hearing it, but he was…Perfect 😉
I can’t wait for Marry in Scarlet! I thought he was such a snob so it’s going to be a real delight to see George take him down a couple pegs. But I agree with the archeology comparison. Digging and brushing off the hard bits to find that special quality in a character is a lot like digging and brushing off the hard bits to find the buried treasure.
You know, Anne, that Gideon will always be my favorite hero. I’ve repeated that too many times to count and I imagine you must be getting tired of hearing it, but he was…Perfect 😉
I can’t wait for Marry in Scarlet! I thought he was such a snob so it’s going to be a real delight to see George take him down a couple pegs. But I agree with the archeology comparison. Digging and brushing off the hard bits to find that special quality in a character is a lot like digging and brushing off the hard bits to find the buried treasure.
You know, Anne, that Gideon will always be my favorite hero. I’ve repeated that too many times to count and I imagine you must be getting tired of hearing it, but he was…Perfect 😉
I can’t wait for Marry in Scarlet! I thought he was such a snob so it’s going to be a real delight to see George take him down a couple pegs. But I agree with the archeology comparison. Digging and brushing off the hard bits to find that special quality in a character is a lot like digging and brushing off the hard bits to find the buried treasure.
You know, Anne, that Gideon will always be my favorite hero. I’ve repeated that too many times to count and I imagine you must be getting tired of hearing it, but he was…Perfect 😉
I can’t wait for Marry in Scarlet! I thought he was such a snob so it’s going to be a real delight to see George take him down a couple pegs. But I agree with the archeology comparison. Digging and brushing off the hard bits to find that special quality in a character is a lot like digging and brushing off the hard bits to find the buried treasure.
You know, Anne, that Gideon will always be my favorite hero. I’ve repeated that too many times to count and I imagine you must be getting tired of hearing it, but he was…Perfect 😉
I can’t wait for Marry in Scarlet! I thought he was such a snob so it’s going to be a real delight to see George take him down a couple pegs. But I agree with the archeology comparison. Digging and brushing off the hard bits to find that special quality in a character is a lot like digging and brushing off the hard bits to find the buried treasure.
Thanks, Denise, I’m pleased you found it interesting. I’ve never been to Ceide Fields, but in the area of Australia where my mum’s family come from, there are miles and miles of dry stone walls, and Mum always reminded us kids that people had been building these walls for centuries. She was born in a little town called Port Fairy, which used to be called Killarney, so I guess that Irish connection is still very much there.
When I was travelling in Europe as an adult (as opposed to with my parents), I remember thinking in both the Greek islands and parts of Ireland that I could understand why so many people left their homelands, that you couldn’t live on the beauty of the landscape. These days, of course, you can.
Thanks, Denise, I’m pleased you found it interesting. I’ve never been to Ceide Fields, but in the area of Australia where my mum’s family come from, there are miles and miles of dry stone walls, and Mum always reminded us kids that people had been building these walls for centuries. She was born in a little town called Port Fairy, which used to be called Killarney, so I guess that Irish connection is still very much there.
When I was travelling in Europe as an adult (as opposed to with my parents), I remember thinking in both the Greek islands and parts of Ireland that I could understand why so many people left their homelands, that you couldn’t live on the beauty of the landscape. These days, of course, you can.
Thanks, Denise, I’m pleased you found it interesting. I’ve never been to Ceide Fields, but in the area of Australia where my mum’s family come from, there are miles and miles of dry stone walls, and Mum always reminded us kids that people had been building these walls for centuries. She was born in a little town called Port Fairy, which used to be called Killarney, so I guess that Irish connection is still very much there.
When I was travelling in Europe as an adult (as opposed to with my parents), I remember thinking in both the Greek islands and parts of Ireland that I could understand why so many people left their homelands, that you couldn’t live on the beauty of the landscape. These days, of course, you can.
Thanks, Denise, I’m pleased you found it interesting. I’ve never been to Ceide Fields, but in the area of Australia where my mum’s family come from, there are miles and miles of dry stone walls, and Mum always reminded us kids that people had been building these walls for centuries. She was born in a little town called Port Fairy, which used to be called Killarney, so I guess that Irish connection is still very much there.
When I was travelling in Europe as an adult (as opposed to with my parents), I remember thinking in both the Greek islands and parts of Ireland that I could understand why so many people left their homelands, that you couldn’t live on the beauty of the landscape. These days, of course, you can.
Thanks, Denise, I’m pleased you found it interesting. I’ve never been to Ceide Fields, but in the area of Australia where my mum’s family come from, there are miles and miles of dry stone walls, and Mum always reminded us kids that people had been building these walls for centuries. She was born in a little town called Port Fairy, which used to be called Killarney, so I guess that Irish connection is still very much there.
When I was travelling in Europe as an adult (as opposed to with my parents), I remember thinking in both the Greek islands and parts of Ireland that I could understand why so many people left their homelands, that you couldn’t live on the beauty of the landscape. These days, of course, you can.
Thank you for those very kind words, Mary Jo. As for pulling apart the early parts, I’m on my third pull apart of the first third of the new story, with a whole new beginning and the energy feels so much better. I hope I have it right this time.
I was just commiserating with a writing friend of mine, who’s written stacks of very successful books, and saying “After so many books it doesn’t seem fair that it gets no easier, does it?”
Thank you for those very kind words, Mary Jo. As for pulling apart the early parts, I’m on my third pull apart of the first third of the new story, with a whole new beginning and the energy feels so much better. I hope I have it right this time.
I was just commiserating with a writing friend of mine, who’s written stacks of very successful books, and saying “After so many books it doesn’t seem fair that it gets no easier, does it?”
Thank you for those very kind words, Mary Jo. As for pulling apart the early parts, I’m on my third pull apart of the first third of the new story, with a whole new beginning and the energy feels so much better. I hope I have it right this time.
I was just commiserating with a writing friend of mine, who’s written stacks of very successful books, and saying “After so many books it doesn’t seem fair that it gets no easier, does it?”
Thank you for those very kind words, Mary Jo. As for pulling apart the early parts, I’m on my third pull apart of the first third of the new story, with a whole new beginning and the energy feels so much better. I hope I have it right this time.
I was just commiserating with a writing friend of mine, who’s written stacks of very successful books, and saying “After so many books it doesn’t seem fair that it gets no easier, does it?”
Thank you for those very kind words, Mary Jo. As for pulling apart the early parts, I’m on my third pull apart of the first third of the new story, with a whole new beginning and the energy feels so much better. I hope I have it right this time.
I was just commiserating with a writing friend of mine, who’s written stacks of very successful books, and saying “After so many books it doesn’t seem fair that it gets no easier, does it?”
Oh, Misti, how lucky to visit Egypt. I passed through it as a small child, and have always wanted to go back. Elizabeth Peters’ Egyptian books have not only made me want to go there, but also to dream of taking a trip up the Nile in a felucca.
And of course, there’s my book, set partly in Egypt — To Catch a Bride. I’d forgotten about that.
Oh, Misti, how lucky to visit Egypt. I passed through it as a small child, and have always wanted to go back. Elizabeth Peters’ Egyptian books have not only made me want to go there, but also to dream of taking a trip up the Nile in a felucca.
And of course, there’s my book, set partly in Egypt — To Catch a Bride. I’d forgotten about that.
Oh, Misti, how lucky to visit Egypt. I passed through it as a small child, and have always wanted to go back. Elizabeth Peters’ Egyptian books have not only made me want to go there, but also to dream of taking a trip up the Nile in a felucca.
And of course, there’s my book, set partly in Egypt — To Catch a Bride. I’d forgotten about that.
Oh, Misti, how lucky to visit Egypt. I passed through it as a small child, and have always wanted to go back. Elizabeth Peters’ Egyptian books have not only made me want to go there, but also to dream of taking a trip up the Nile in a felucca.
And of course, there’s my book, set partly in Egypt — To Catch a Bride. I’d forgotten about that.
Oh, Misti, how lucky to visit Egypt. I passed through it as a small child, and have always wanted to go back. Elizabeth Peters’ Egyptian books have not only made me want to go there, but also to dream of taking a trip up the Nile in a felucca.
And of course, there’s my book, set partly in Egypt — To Catch a Bride. I’d forgotten about that.
Sue, that’s a very good point — thank you. Yes, writing to formula has never been my thing. I guess it’s because whenever anyone has set down rules for me to follow—my father was a school principal and very strict, and I had three older, bossy siblings— my tendency is to wriggle around them. I don’t even follow recipes exactly.
So thank you for seeing this as an asset and not a flaw. I must admit, I do enjoy wrestling with my characters to make them reveal themselves.
Sue, that’s a very good point — thank you. Yes, writing to formula has never been my thing. I guess it’s because whenever anyone has set down rules for me to follow—my father was a school principal and very strict, and I had three older, bossy siblings— my tendency is to wriggle around them. I don’t even follow recipes exactly.
So thank you for seeing this as an asset and not a flaw. I must admit, I do enjoy wrestling with my characters to make them reveal themselves.
Sue, that’s a very good point — thank you. Yes, writing to formula has never been my thing. I guess it’s because whenever anyone has set down rules for me to follow—my father was a school principal and very strict, and I had three older, bossy siblings— my tendency is to wriggle around them. I don’t even follow recipes exactly.
So thank you for seeing this as an asset and not a flaw. I must admit, I do enjoy wrestling with my characters to make them reveal themselves.
Sue, that’s a very good point — thank you. Yes, writing to formula has never been my thing. I guess it’s because whenever anyone has set down rules for me to follow—my father was a school principal and very strict, and I had three older, bossy siblings— my tendency is to wriggle around them. I don’t even follow recipes exactly.
So thank you for seeing this as an asset and not a flaw. I must admit, I do enjoy wrestling with my characters to make them reveal themselves.
Sue, that’s a very good point — thank you. Yes, writing to formula has never been my thing. I guess it’s because whenever anyone has set down rules for me to follow—my father was a school principal and very strict, and I had three older, bossy siblings— my tendency is to wriggle around them. I don’t even follow recipes exactly.
So thank you for seeing this as an asset and not a flaw. I must admit, I do enjoy wrestling with my characters to make them reveal themselves.
Thanks, Kareni, I’m glad you found it interesting. For those of us who come from relatively “young” countries — she says, acknowledging that Australian Aboriginal culture has flourished for more than 60,000 years, but meaning young in the continuation of the cultures we’re descended from—where a house that’s 100 years old is something to be celebrated, it’s amazing to visit the places our ancestors came from and find 100 years is mere whipper-snapper-ville.
Thanks, Kareni, I’m glad you found it interesting. For those of us who come from relatively “young” countries — she says, acknowledging that Australian Aboriginal culture has flourished for more than 60,000 years, but meaning young in the continuation of the cultures we’re descended from—where a house that’s 100 years old is something to be celebrated, it’s amazing to visit the places our ancestors came from and find 100 years is mere whipper-snapper-ville.
Thanks, Kareni, I’m glad you found it interesting. For those of us who come from relatively “young” countries — she says, acknowledging that Australian Aboriginal culture has flourished for more than 60,000 years, but meaning young in the continuation of the cultures we’re descended from—where a house that’s 100 years old is something to be celebrated, it’s amazing to visit the places our ancestors came from and find 100 years is mere whipper-snapper-ville.
Thanks, Kareni, I’m glad you found it interesting. For those of us who come from relatively “young” countries — she says, acknowledging that Australian Aboriginal culture has flourished for more than 60,000 years, but meaning young in the continuation of the cultures we’re descended from—where a house that’s 100 years old is something to be celebrated, it’s amazing to visit the places our ancestors came from and find 100 years is mere whipper-snapper-ville.
Thanks, Kareni, I’m glad you found it interesting. For those of us who come from relatively “young” countries — she says, acknowledging that Australian Aboriginal culture has flourished for more than 60,000 years, but meaning young in the continuation of the cultures we’re descended from—where a house that’s 100 years old is something to be celebrated, it’s amazing to visit the places our ancestors came from and find 100 years is mere whipper-snapper-ville.
LOL, Quantum. Old bones (and possibly old diseases) are not what I envisage as my kind of archaeology. I think I fell in love with the idea of it when I was in Crete, and saw all those wonderful mosaics and the Minoan sites. In Elizabeth Peters’ Crocodile on the Sandbank, the heroine works to preserve and copy a beautiful decorated ‘pavement’ — the hero is an archaeologist. (And if you’ve never read it, I highly recommend it. I think you’d enjoy it — and it comes in audio.)
I’m impressed with your dowsing experiment. My maternal grandfather was a dowser, and several times found water sources deep underground — a valuable talent in a dry country. He showed me how he did it once, when I was a kid, and of course I tried, but it didn’t work for me. But I do like the idea of dowsing for character traits. Thanks.
LOL, Quantum. Old bones (and possibly old diseases) are not what I envisage as my kind of archaeology. I think I fell in love with the idea of it when I was in Crete, and saw all those wonderful mosaics and the Minoan sites. In Elizabeth Peters’ Crocodile on the Sandbank, the heroine works to preserve and copy a beautiful decorated ‘pavement’ — the hero is an archaeologist. (And if you’ve never read it, I highly recommend it. I think you’d enjoy it — and it comes in audio.)
I’m impressed with your dowsing experiment. My maternal grandfather was a dowser, and several times found water sources deep underground — a valuable talent in a dry country. He showed me how he did it once, when I was a kid, and of course I tried, but it didn’t work for me. But I do like the idea of dowsing for character traits. Thanks.
LOL, Quantum. Old bones (and possibly old diseases) are not what I envisage as my kind of archaeology. I think I fell in love with the idea of it when I was in Crete, and saw all those wonderful mosaics and the Minoan sites. In Elizabeth Peters’ Crocodile on the Sandbank, the heroine works to preserve and copy a beautiful decorated ‘pavement’ — the hero is an archaeologist. (And if you’ve never read it, I highly recommend it. I think you’d enjoy it — and it comes in audio.)
I’m impressed with your dowsing experiment. My maternal grandfather was a dowser, and several times found water sources deep underground — a valuable talent in a dry country. He showed me how he did it once, when I was a kid, and of course I tried, but it didn’t work for me. But I do like the idea of dowsing for character traits. Thanks.
LOL, Quantum. Old bones (and possibly old diseases) are not what I envisage as my kind of archaeology. I think I fell in love with the idea of it when I was in Crete, and saw all those wonderful mosaics and the Minoan sites. In Elizabeth Peters’ Crocodile on the Sandbank, the heroine works to preserve and copy a beautiful decorated ‘pavement’ — the hero is an archaeologist. (And if you’ve never read it, I highly recommend it. I think you’d enjoy it — and it comes in audio.)
I’m impressed with your dowsing experiment. My maternal grandfather was a dowser, and several times found water sources deep underground — a valuable talent in a dry country. He showed me how he did it once, when I was a kid, and of course I tried, but it didn’t work for me. But I do like the idea of dowsing for character traits. Thanks.
LOL, Quantum. Old bones (and possibly old diseases) are not what I envisage as my kind of archaeology. I think I fell in love with the idea of it when I was in Crete, and saw all those wonderful mosaics and the Minoan sites. In Elizabeth Peters’ Crocodile on the Sandbank, the heroine works to preserve and copy a beautiful decorated ‘pavement’ — the hero is an archaeologist. (And if you’ve never read it, I highly recommend it. I think you’d enjoy it — and it comes in audio.)
I’m impressed with your dowsing experiment. My maternal grandfather was a dowser, and several times found water sources deep underground — a valuable talent in a dry country. He showed me how he did it once, when I was a kid, and of course I tried, but it didn’t work for me. But I do like the idea of dowsing for character traits. Thanks.
Thanks, Theo, that’s lovely of you. A lot of people love Gideon, and I confess he’s a favorite of mine, too.
The duke in Marry In Scarlet did start off as a terrible snob. You know, I hadn’t actually planned to write him as a hero, but when I was talking to Mary Jo one time, before I’d started to write George’s story, she said something like “And of course the Duke will be George’s hero.” And I went “Oh? “and “Wow!” and “I actually hadn’t thought of that.” But then, when I did toss the idea around in my head, and looked back at the duke interactions in Marry In Secret( which was finished and with the printer by then), I realized that my subconscious was well ahead of me, and that the duke was already set up to be the perfect foil for George.
Maybe that’s something I should have mentioned in this post — how the muse can sometimes help you out.
Thanks, Theo, that’s lovely of you. A lot of people love Gideon, and I confess he’s a favorite of mine, too.
The duke in Marry In Scarlet did start off as a terrible snob. You know, I hadn’t actually planned to write him as a hero, but when I was talking to Mary Jo one time, before I’d started to write George’s story, she said something like “And of course the Duke will be George’s hero.” And I went “Oh? “and “Wow!” and “I actually hadn’t thought of that.” But then, when I did toss the idea around in my head, and looked back at the duke interactions in Marry In Secret( which was finished and with the printer by then), I realized that my subconscious was well ahead of me, and that the duke was already set up to be the perfect foil for George.
Maybe that’s something I should have mentioned in this post — how the muse can sometimes help you out.
Thanks, Theo, that’s lovely of you. A lot of people love Gideon, and I confess he’s a favorite of mine, too.
The duke in Marry In Scarlet did start off as a terrible snob. You know, I hadn’t actually planned to write him as a hero, but when I was talking to Mary Jo one time, before I’d started to write George’s story, she said something like “And of course the Duke will be George’s hero.” And I went “Oh? “and “Wow!” and “I actually hadn’t thought of that.” But then, when I did toss the idea around in my head, and looked back at the duke interactions in Marry In Secret( which was finished and with the printer by then), I realized that my subconscious was well ahead of me, and that the duke was already set up to be the perfect foil for George.
Maybe that’s something I should have mentioned in this post — how the muse can sometimes help you out.
Thanks, Theo, that’s lovely of you. A lot of people love Gideon, and I confess he’s a favorite of mine, too.
The duke in Marry In Scarlet did start off as a terrible snob. You know, I hadn’t actually planned to write him as a hero, but when I was talking to Mary Jo one time, before I’d started to write George’s story, she said something like “And of course the Duke will be George’s hero.” And I went “Oh? “and “Wow!” and “I actually hadn’t thought of that.” But then, when I did toss the idea around in my head, and looked back at the duke interactions in Marry In Secret( which was finished and with the printer by then), I realized that my subconscious was well ahead of me, and that the duke was already set up to be the perfect foil for George.
Maybe that’s something I should have mentioned in this post — how the muse can sometimes help you out.
Thanks, Theo, that’s lovely of you. A lot of people love Gideon, and I confess he’s a favorite of mine, too.
The duke in Marry In Scarlet did start off as a terrible snob. You know, I hadn’t actually planned to write him as a hero, but when I was talking to Mary Jo one time, before I’d started to write George’s story, she said something like “And of course the Duke will be George’s hero.” And I went “Oh? “and “Wow!” and “I actually hadn’t thought of that.” But then, when I did toss the idea around in my head, and looked back at the duke interactions in Marry In Secret( which was finished and with the printer by then), I realized that my subconscious was well ahead of me, and that the duke was already set up to be the perfect foil for George.
Maybe that’s something I should have mentioned in this post — how the muse can sometimes help you out.
Wow, Anne, this is one of the most intriguing and helpful author-creative-process posts I’ve ever read. And fun, too.
This is going in my file of stuff to read when I’m stuck!
Cheers & more thanks,
Faith
Wow, Anne, this is one of the most intriguing and helpful author-creative-process posts I’ve ever read. And fun, too.
This is going in my file of stuff to read when I’m stuck!
Cheers & more thanks,
Faith
Wow, Anne, this is one of the most intriguing and helpful author-creative-process posts I’ve ever read. And fun, too.
This is going in my file of stuff to read when I’m stuck!
Cheers & more thanks,
Faith
Wow, Anne, this is one of the most intriguing and helpful author-creative-process posts I’ve ever read. And fun, too.
This is going in my file of stuff to read when I’m stuck!
Cheers & more thanks,
Faith
Wow, Anne, this is one of the most intriguing and helpful author-creative-process posts I’ve ever read. And fun, too.
This is going in my file of stuff to read when I’m stuck!
Cheers & more thanks,
Faith
Anne, it sounds like you may have been the last to know the Duke was the H for George. I think I recall reading somewhere early on that you were matching her with someone else and thinking, “NOooooooo.” Kudos to Mary Jo for getting your head straight. 😉
Great post, BTW.
Anne, it sounds like you may have been the last to know the Duke was the H for George. I think I recall reading somewhere early on that you were matching her with someone else and thinking, “NOooooooo.” Kudos to Mary Jo for getting your head straight. 😉
Great post, BTW.
Anne, it sounds like you may have been the last to know the Duke was the H for George. I think I recall reading somewhere early on that you were matching her with someone else and thinking, “NOooooooo.” Kudos to Mary Jo for getting your head straight. 😉
Great post, BTW.
Anne, it sounds like you may have been the last to know the Duke was the H for George. I think I recall reading somewhere early on that you were matching her with someone else and thinking, “NOooooooo.” Kudos to Mary Jo for getting your head straight. 😉
Great post, BTW.
Anne, it sounds like you may have been the last to know the Duke was the H for George. I think I recall reading somewhere early on that you were matching her with someone else and thinking, “NOooooooo.” Kudos to Mary Jo for getting your head straight. 😉
Great post, BTW.
I thank you so much for this post. I have never been to a dig. But, between Agatha Christie and Elizabeth Peters, I have considered that this must be a most wonderful adventure.
I have picked up fossils and have a stash of rocks which hold treasures within them.
And considering the creation of a story seems as though peeling back the layers would be quite similar. You have given me an entirely new outlook.
I thank you so much for this post. I have never been to a dig. But, between Agatha Christie and Elizabeth Peters, I have considered that this must be a most wonderful adventure.
I have picked up fossils and have a stash of rocks which hold treasures within them.
And considering the creation of a story seems as though peeling back the layers would be quite similar. You have given me an entirely new outlook.
I thank you so much for this post. I have never been to a dig. But, between Agatha Christie and Elizabeth Peters, I have considered that this must be a most wonderful adventure.
I have picked up fossils and have a stash of rocks which hold treasures within them.
And considering the creation of a story seems as though peeling back the layers would be quite similar. You have given me an entirely new outlook.
I thank you so much for this post. I have never been to a dig. But, between Agatha Christie and Elizabeth Peters, I have considered that this must be a most wonderful adventure.
I have picked up fossils and have a stash of rocks which hold treasures within them.
And considering the creation of a story seems as though peeling back the layers would be quite similar. You have given me an entirely new outlook.
I thank you so much for this post. I have never been to a dig. But, between Agatha Christie and Elizabeth Peters, I have considered that this must be a most wonderful adventure.
I have picked up fossils and have a stash of rocks which hold treasures within them.
And considering the creation of a story seems as though peeling back the layers would be quite similar. You have given me an entirely new outlook.
I visited the ancient city of Petra, in Jordan, I guess that counts? And also the Roman city of Jerash in Jordan. Both were amazing. Coincidentally, I was just reading about what a hard time the people who live in that area are having, because almost all of them rely on tourism to make a living, and right now there are no visitors.
I visited the ancient city of Petra, in Jordan, I guess that counts? And also the Roman city of Jerash in Jordan. Both were amazing. Coincidentally, I was just reading about what a hard time the people who live in that area are having, because almost all of them rely on tourism to make a living, and right now there are no visitors.
I visited the ancient city of Petra, in Jordan, I guess that counts? And also the Roman city of Jerash in Jordan. Both were amazing. Coincidentally, I was just reading about what a hard time the people who live in that area are having, because almost all of them rely on tourism to make a living, and right now there are no visitors.
I visited the ancient city of Petra, in Jordan, I guess that counts? And also the Roman city of Jerash in Jordan. Both were amazing. Coincidentally, I was just reading about what a hard time the people who live in that area are having, because almost all of them rely on tourism to make a living, and right now there are no visitors.
I visited the ancient city of Petra, in Jordan, I guess that counts? And also the Roman city of Jerash in Jordan. Both were amazing. Coincidentally, I was just reading about what a hard time the people who live in that area are having, because almost all of them rely on tourism to make a living, and right now there are no visitors.
Thanks, Mary — yes once Mary Jo nudged me, it was so obvious, and so right, I wonder what I’d been thinking. And you know, I can’t even remember who it was I’d been thinking might be George’s match. LOL
Thanks, Mary — yes once Mary Jo nudged me, it was so obvious, and so right, I wonder what I’d been thinking. And you know, I can’t even remember who it was I’d been thinking might be George’s match. LOL
Thanks, Mary — yes once Mary Jo nudged me, it was so obvious, and so right, I wonder what I’d been thinking. And you know, I can’t even remember who it was I’d been thinking might be George’s match. LOL
Thanks, Mary — yes once Mary Jo nudged me, it was so obvious, and so right, I wonder what I’d been thinking. And you know, I can’t even remember who it was I’d been thinking might be George’s match. LOL
Thanks, Mary — yes once Mary Jo nudged me, it was so obvious, and so right, I wonder what I’d been thinking. And you know, I can’t even remember who it was I’d been thinking might be George’s match. LOL
Thanks, Faith, I’m glad you found it interesting. I have more craft-of-writing articles on my website if you’re interested. https://www.annegracie.com/writer-resources/
Thanks, Faith, I’m glad you found it interesting. I have more craft-of-writing articles on my website if you’re interested. https://www.annegracie.com/writer-resources/
Thanks, Faith, I’m glad you found it interesting. I have more craft-of-writing articles on my website if you’re interested. https://www.annegracie.com/writer-resources/
Thanks, Faith, I’m glad you found it interesting. I have more craft-of-writing articles on my website if you’re interested. https://www.annegracie.com/writer-resources/
Thanks, Faith, I’m glad you found it interesting. I have more craft-of-writing articles on my website if you’re interested. https://www.annegracie.com/writer-resources/
Annette, I’d forgotten the Agatha Christie books set in Egypt. It’s been so long since I read them. But Elizabeth Peters — especially the first in the series, Crocodile on the Sandbank is an all-time favorite.
I’m also a collector of rocks and things. Not many fossils, though.
Annette, I’d forgotten the Agatha Christie books set in Egypt. It’s been so long since I read them. But Elizabeth Peters — especially the first in the series, Crocodile on the Sandbank is an all-time favorite.
I’m also a collector of rocks and things. Not many fossils, though.
Annette, I’d forgotten the Agatha Christie books set in Egypt. It’s been so long since I read them. But Elizabeth Peters — especially the first in the series, Crocodile on the Sandbank is an all-time favorite.
I’m also a collector of rocks and things. Not many fossils, though.
Annette, I’d forgotten the Agatha Christie books set in Egypt. It’s been so long since I read them. But Elizabeth Peters — especially the first in the series, Crocodile on the Sandbank is an all-time favorite.
I’m also a collector of rocks and things. Not many fossils, though.
Annette, I’d forgotten the Agatha Christie books set in Egypt. It’s been so long since I read them. But Elizabeth Peters — especially the first in the series, Crocodile on the Sandbank is an all-time favorite.
I’m also a collector of rocks and things. Not many fossils, though.
Karin, how wonderful to have visited Jordan. And yes those places definitely count.
I feel sorry for all the places that rely on tourism. I remember being in Ireland after the US had attacked Saddam Hussein, and people in the US were afraid of travelling overseas (everyone seemed to be heading for Alaska instead). The tourism places in Ireland were bereft — they kept saying sadly “The Americans aren’t coming this year.”
Karin, how wonderful to have visited Jordan. And yes those places definitely count.
I feel sorry for all the places that rely on tourism. I remember being in Ireland after the US had attacked Saddam Hussein, and people in the US were afraid of travelling overseas (everyone seemed to be heading for Alaska instead). The tourism places in Ireland were bereft — they kept saying sadly “The Americans aren’t coming this year.”
Karin, how wonderful to have visited Jordan. And yes those places definitely count.
I feel sorry for all the places that rely on tourism. I remember being in Ireland after the US had attacked Saddam Hussein, and people in the US were afraid of travelling overseas (everyone seemed to be heading for Alaska instead). The tourism places in Ireland were bereft — they kept saying sadly “The Americans aren’t coming this year.”
Karin, how wonderful to have visited Jordan. And yes those places definitely count.
I feel sorry for all the places that rely on tourism. I remember being in Ireland after the US had attacked Saddam Hussein, and people in the US were afraid of travelling overseas (everyone seemed to be heading for Alaska instead). The tourism places in Ireland were bereft — they kept saying sadly “The Americans aren’t coming this year.”
Karin, how wonderful to have visited Jordan. And yes those places definitely count.
I feel sorry for all the places that rely on tourism. I remember being in Ireland after the US had attacked Saddam Hussein, and people in the US were afraid of travelling overseas (everyone seemed to be heading for Alaska instead). The tourism places in Ireland were bereft — they kept saying sadly “The Americans aren’t coming this year.”