Roman and Celt it is!
Thanks to everyone who replied to my newsletter blog post saying what kind of story you would like to see. We had a three way tie between the Roman/Celt idea, the Victorian tattooist idea, and Pacifist Prince meets H. Rider Haggard.
I’ve got to say the idea of H. Rider Haggard or any of his muscular explorers meeting my pacifist prince character is a delight, and I personally would love to write that most of all. But in the spirit of first come, first served, it seems the Romans have it.
Story stage – assembling the ingredients.
As I don’t actually know anything at all about the Celts, and very little about the Romans. I need to take a while to narrow down where this is likely to be set, when, who would be involved and what exactly they would be likely to be doing. Then I need to research the heck out of all of it. So this week will be devoted to looking things up and trying to get enough of a feel of the setting to allow me to vaguely see the shape of what kind of a story it could be.
I will post a newsletter on Friday containing an update of my progress, any interesting research I might have come up with, and the usual selection of news about all my other projects (of which there now seem to be many!)
I’m going to have to get some form of time planner to keep track of it all. Anyone have software they can recommend for an author trying to keep track of lots of different projects at the same time?
Software: most people recommend Scrivener but I found it difficult. I use Trello to organise myself and my work. It has boards, lists and cards and you can move things around. The only trouble is that you have to be online to use it properly though you can refer to it when you aren’t logged in.
I would have like the Victorian story (wasn’t online to comment in time) but I’m sure you’ll write it eventually and meanwhile we can look forward to the Romans and Celts. Have you read Manda Scott’s Boudica quartet? If not – do.
Oh thanks! No, I haven’t read the Boudica quartet. It’s funny you should mention Boudica. My initial scan of possible settings and characters today turned up Cartimandua, the Brigantean queen and I was defnitely tempted to get her in the story somehow 🙂
I have Scrivener and I think I’m just starting to get to grips with it, though it’s been a nightmare to learn. I hope it’ll be worth it eventually! But I haven’t been impressed with its handling of research, so I’ll look into Trello. Thank you!
I’m going to end up writing them all, I think – Victorian one next. So yes, I’ll get there eventually!