I am just back from Dartington Hall in Devon where I spent three happy days immersed in the world of historical fiction. Keynote speakers were Bernard Cornwell, Diana Gabaldon and S.G. Maclean. There were great sessions on dialogue, research, inspiration and much more.
Writing is a solitary occupation so it is so nice to be reminded there are lots of us beavering away and that we share many of the same concerns. I particularly enjoyed chatting to fellow writers. On the final evening I was lucky enough to be sitting at a pub table with Diana Gabaldon, S.G. Maclean, Tracey Warr https://traceywarrwriting.com and V.E.H. Masters https://vehmasters.com
Clearly, Bernard and Diana need no introduction but I thought I would tell you about my other new friends!
V.E.H. Masters (Vicki) is a prizewinning writer of historical fiction set in sixteenth century Scotland and Europe. The Seton Chronicles comprise four books so far and start in 1546 when Scotland is under attack by Henry VIII but by the fourth instalment we find ourselves in Italy 1555 during the infamous Inquisition.
Tracey Warr writes about early medieval Europe and was kind enough to give me a copy of Daughter of the Last King featuring a 12th century Welsh princess caught up in a power struggle with the Normans. She is currently writing a series of medieval murder mysteries featuring a female troubadour in southern France. She also writes about art. Despite all of this, she found time to organise the HNS conference at Dartington Hall which was a triumph.
The next conference is to be held in Las Vegas... one can but dream!
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