RosemaryMorris.HistoricalNovelist

  Thoughts about Writing a Novel Theme and Plot The theme of a novel is different to the plot. It is the subject. The plot is action, it shows the reader what happens and answers the questions, Who, What, When, Where and How. The theme is often abstract and drives the plot forward. It might focus on the cause of conflict or a main character’s goals. An effective theme should not overpower the plot. It should be used as a background - the characters’ experience, the author’s individual style and word pictures which tie theme and plot together. The beginning of the novel should indicate the theme. Some themes can be applied to any time and at any place e.g. conflict between family members, others are specific such as an event that could only take place in a country during a particular time, for example, the London Blitz in the 2 nd World War or an issue such as women’s suffrage. Religious intolerance or another form of intolerance also provide strong themes. Emotion is a thr...

  Rocky Path to Publication by Novelist, Rosemary Morris.   Many people daydream about what they would like to accomplish. I am fortunate because my dream of becoming a published historical novelist has come true. Looking back, it seems that since childhood I prepared to share my tales of times past. Maybe, while I was in my cot, a good fairy blessed me with a vivid imagination. If so, it was too lively for my parents, who couldn’t relate to it. They wanted a child with her feet firmly planted on the ground. Instead, my head was either filled with history, make-believe people, or the book I was reading.   So many obstacles intervened between my dream and reality. I have three very painful memories connected with writing and reading. The first, is my mother’s refusal to give me some paper on which to write a story when I was ten years old. The second is of borrowing a book every day from the library, and the librarian’s doubt that I had read all of them. The third ...

  My love affair with history, reading and writing began when I was very young. At five, I agonised over a peasant woman scolding King Alfred for burning the cakes.at a very early age. I agonised over the story of King Alfred burning the cakes. I thought he should be seated on a throne, dressed beautiful clothes, and imagined a gold crown studded with jewels on his head. Aged ten I wept at my image Princess Elizabeth, daughter of Anne Boleyn and Henry VIII, seated on the stairs outside Traitors’ Gate at the Tower of London for fear that like her mother her head would be chopped off.   she would be executed like her ill-fated mother. Later, I thrilled to Elizabeth’s famous speech which began: - I know I have the body of a weak, feeble woman; but I have the heart and stomach of a king, and of a king of England too . As a teenager I visualised myself in love with a dashing cavalier, who fought for King Charles I of England, and booing Oliver Cromwell, who sanctioned regicide...

  About Rosemary Morris   Writing a book is a solitary occupation. Every day, alone with my laptop, I work for eight hours.   During that time, I write, post on face book and elsewhere, and read historical non-fiction to research my new classic historical romance rich in period detail. Before self-isolation and lock down I visited places of historical interest to convey the lives and times of the protagonists in my tales of times, who are not 21st characters in costume. As a historical novelist I don’t think it is possible to portray every minute fact about the past accurately, but I have a responsibility my readers to thoroughly research the era in which my novels are set. When my words flow well, I am tempted to work for many hours without a break, which would be detrimental. Writing is mentally and physically tiring, so I have a five-minute break every hour, during which I stretch and exercise my eyes. If the weather permits, I work in my organic garden. Prior ...

  Rosemary Morris Historical Novelist Multi-Published Author   There is a gigantic canvas for a historical novelist to choose from. My classic romantic novels, rich in period detail, are set in the ever- popular Regency era, the reign of Charles II’s niece, Queen Anne Stuart, who reigned from 1702 to 1714, and in Edward II’s era.   I chose these periods because each one affected the course of history. If the Duke of Marlborough had not won The War of Spanish Succession, and Napoleon had defeated The Duke of Wellington at The Battle of Waterloo, the history of Britain and Europe would be different. Defeat would also have had far-reaching world-wide consequences. Had Edward II had triumphed at the Battle of Bannockburn, it is feasible that he would have conquered Scotland and, perhaps, as it is claimed, he would not have been murdered. The more I read about my chosen eras the more fascinated I become, and the more aware of the gulf between the past and present. ...