Conversations 
My dream of becoming a novelist came to fruition after forty years of work and struggle (I’m actually 50 years old, but for the first ten years of my life I wanted to be a spy, like Natasha on Rocky and Bullwinkle), and it has been everything that I imagined it to be…and so much more. There have been ‘moments’ and experiences that I never expected, and yet I count them among the sweetest.
What at first petrified me has proved to be one of my most eagerly anticipated activities…the book club group appearance. From schools, to libraries, to churches, to senior centers, my visits with these fictionally fond factions has brought some of the more fulfilling and stirring conversations I’ve yet encountered. There is something particularly satisfying about being in the midst of truly dedicated readers; it’s like group therapy and we all have the same affliction, love of the written word.
So, fellow literary lovers, in the fertility of my imagination, I have pictured us gathered around a wonderful outdoor fire pit, sparks flying up into a sparkling summer night sky like iridescent birds newly freed from a cage, a sweet glass of wine in our hands as we have a conversation about my book, writing, and stories in general.
My debut novel, THE COURTIER’S SECRET, is dedicated, in part, to my dearest friend of almost thirty years. She gave me her unwavering loyalty and the use of her name, Jeanne Yvette Mas du Bois (can’t get much better than that when naming a heroine for a French historical), but I’m often asked if the character is based on her as well. Her mother is relieved to hear that the answer is no. The Jeanne of my novel is all me. Her inability to keep her mouth shut during circumstances when less is more is definitely mine. Her desire to be more than the limits of her gender dictate, and the frustrations when those desires are repudiated, is also very much mine.
Some of the other characters in my book are based on real people in my life; I have too often encountered the catty women who make Jeanne’s return to court so difficult (thought I won’t name them). I have NOT met any man who has beaten his wife and children.
Discussion-Round One: How often do you feel writers base their characters on real people? Do you think it is done with greater frequency and ease for the ‘evil’ characters?
Readers are often intrigued by an author’s road to publication and mine has been a bit bumpy, a tad curvy, and often uphill, but it is the greatest journey I’ve yet to encounter. Like many writers, I started at a young age, became waylaid by life and the path to ‘earning a living,’ and then finally got down to business. The first novel I ever wrote took me seven years to produce (while giving birth to my two sons, working a part time office job, and writing short fiction, book reviews, and non-fiction articles) and still sits in my hopeful drawer, a medieval fantasy full of hope. My second work, and what would become my first published novel, took nine months of research, nine weeks to write the first draft, six months to find an agent, and four months to find a publisher. HOWEVER (yes, caps) I had to completely rewrite the ending to make the sale and accept a cover I wasn’t crazy about (looks much more romance oriented as opposed to historical, which is more accurate).
Discussion-Round Two: Should artists be willing to sacrifice for their art? And should they hold that art to a principle and be unwilling to compromise its content for the sake of its commercial viability?
Why historical fiction? This is one of the most often posed questions and one that is easily answered. It is not only what I love, it is the sound of my voice. All writers have a voice and finding that voice can be part of their artistic evolution. My first published short stories were actually horror, but I was often rejected in the genre for having ‘too formal a voice’. Then I turned to my other love, the historical, and found it to be a perfect fit for my voice. I adore learning of characters, conflicts, and conditions of earlier eras and am amazed, time and time again, of the parallels that exist with modern day life. How often, I wonder, will humans make the same mistake? How can we learn from them?
As a writer of historical fiction, there is always a fine line between how much historical fact to include—what serves the story—and how much should be included just because it is an astounding event?
Discussion-Round Three: For those who love historical fiction, how much fact is too much; how much is not enough? For lovers of other genres, what is it about those genres that keeps you coming back?
Yes, I know, that’s a lot to talk about, but as I said, such talks have become one of the greatest gifts that have come my way as a writer. Join me in discussing any (or all) of these topics and enter to win a copy of THE COURTIER’S SECRET. Let’s clink our glasses together…to life and the stories written about it!
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Please leave a comment to enter to win THE COURTIER’S SECRET. To read the back cover copy of THE COURTIER’S SECRET and to check out Donna’s bio, please refer to yesterday’s post (cleverly situated just below this one). To learn more about Donna and her books, please visit her website.
Entries accepted until midnight PST.
Great interview. The cover for The Courtier’s Secret is lovely, and she definitely sounds like the kind of charcter I like as a heroine.
Hey Edie,
Thanks for popping in (and a big thanks to Cindy for having me here as well). Jeanne is a very relatable heroine. She shows courage in the face of challenges and yet she’s not perfect. We can all see ourselves in her. Flawed but fabulous!
Great interview Donna! Everytime I hear you’re 50 I just shake my head. I swear when we met I thought you were in your late 30’s early 40’s at most. The book sounds terrific and seeing as the author is I’m sure it will be a great read.
Now that’s what a girl likes to hear first thing in the morning when her hair is still frizzy from yesterday’s rain and sticking out in all directions! Thanks Tina!
Cindy–what a terrific interview!
Donna–it’s lovely to “see” you here :). I really enjoyed reading about how you named your main character and also about your journey to publication. I must say–although I realize you did months of research before writing your first pubbed novel, to have drafted it in 9 weeks is unbelievably impressive!! Way to go!
I enjoyed the interview. Your generous friend who gave permission for you to use her beautiful name must be a real sweetie. One thing I relish when reading a romance novel is the squirm factor, both in the sexual tension and the uncomfortable situations in which the characters find themselves. Hey, better them than me! LOL!
Gail, raising her glass to clink and toast The Courtier’s Secret! And because you’re a fan, Donna, I’ll also raise my glass to toast ‘Moose and Squirrel.’ 🙂
Hi everyone, and welcome to Donna!
Marilyn, I can’t take credit for the interview. Donna did all the work.
Donna, you have a gorgeous cover. It’s very rich.
Hi Marilyn,
Yes, those 9 weeks were some of the most memorable I’ve ever experienced. I felt possessed, as if the story already existed and the computer existed, and I was merely the conduit to the creation. I burned so many dinners when in the ‘zone’. My boys always forgave me (and enjoyed all the take out as well).
Thanks Gail! Jeanne is a great friend. Between us, we’ve experienced just about every joy and sorrow life has to offer and we’ve done most of it together. Someday it will make a great book (or a Lifetime movie of the week)!
I love the cover and the story sounds terrific. Cindy, thanks for hosting Donna here so we can learn more about her and writing.
What a beautiful cover! Great blog, Donna. As for your discussion questions, I tend to mix and match more than actually use a person as a character. As a habitual eavesdropper and incurable people watcher, I steal traits and mannerisms from real life and mix them up with other stuff or twist them in some way.
Congrats on all your accomplishments!
Great interview. I always love to hear about an author’s journey to publication especially since I can relate to being waylaid by life. The book looks fun and I love cover too.
Donna,
Great to meet you! Congratulations on your book. I’ve read lots of historical fiction. It’s always an adventure to indulge in when I have the time. The cover is beautiful and appealing and I hope it catches the eyes of readers everywhere. Good luck to you!
Jeanmarie
Thanks for all your kind words Natale! I love to people watch as well. Sitting in restaurants, on public transportation, it’s all fodder. My kids will chastise me as a busy body; I shush them and tell them its all in the name of research!
Hey Kelly Ann,
I think many people can relate to the wayward paths that life can take us on. But at the same time, they can be inspired when they hear of someone digging in their heels and sticking to the road they were born to tread. Best to you.
Hello Jeanmarie,
I love to hear from historical fiction lovers. You mentioned the cover…as a reader of the genre, do you think it looks too romance and not enough historical (as I’ve been told by others)? I’d love to hear what you think of my debut offering (you can reach me through my website). Cheers!
Hi Donna,
What a lovely cover and great post! I really like the name of your heroine (and your friend). What a daring gal she is–your friend, that is. During what era of history does your book take place?
Love the imaginary fire pit and writers talking, btw. 🙂
Donna,
I knew it wasn’t a romance cover because the woman is alone. There’s no handsome guy with her. It’s a catchy cover though with the brightly colored skirt and necklace dipping over her chest, and will encourage readers to pick it up. The title inspires many intriguing questions.
Jeanmarie
Donna, I love the discussion questions (and the wine!). I completely agree with the voice and historical fiction concept. I started out in historical and wrote a couple of contemporaries before moving back to my first love. I’m much more comfortable there. Writing a book is hard enough (but I’m totally in awe of your writing a draft in nine weeks!) but when you have to fight each word you’re trying to put down on the page, it makes it that much more difficult. Great article, thanks!
Donna,
Wonderful interview. The addition of how much historical info to add is an intriguing one, and one of my favorite. As a major plotter, I tend to weave a story around a significant historical event. I think you must let the muse rule as what’s enough vs. too much. I wish you every success!
Diana Cosby
Romance Edged With Danger
Hi Mary,
Fire and wine are such a relaxing combination, don’t you think? The Courtier’s Secret is set in 1682; the year Louis XIV (in my imagination, when they make the movie, he’ll be played by Johnny Depp!) moved his home and the government to the Chateau Versailles.
Hey Jennifer,
As much as I enjoy reading contemporaries, I could never write them. I have such a formal voice, they would only come out sounding stilted. I greatly admire writers who can change it up. Best of luck.
Thanks Diane. I’m a HUGE plotter and like you, need that actual event to plot around. I’ve been asked by many people if there will be a sequel to The Courtier’s Secret, brought on by their love of the characters. I’d love to bring them back, but I can’t find that pivotal circumstance in which to thrust them. I think it’s out there though!
I loved visiting Versailles…way back in the day. Haven’t been there in over 20 years! Also love the idea of Johnny Depp playing your Louis XIV!
I was there three years ago with my oldest son and my mother. The visit took place after the first draft and the revision draft. It was an incredible experience. I knew which room I was in, what took place within its walls. Goosebumps!
Hi Donna – wow, your book sounds really good 🙂 Will have to keep my eye out for it. I just love French history.
Enjoyed reading your interview and learning more about you!
BTW, I can’t seem to access your website 🙁
Hi Teresa, Cindy here.
Donna’s website was working earlier. But I just checked, and I can’t access it at the moment, either. Maybe we overloaded it!
Great cover! Story sounds wonderful. Suffering for ones art. What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger. And gives you great material for writing.
Hey All,
I’m not sure what happened earlier, but the website is up and running. I thank all who stopped by and hope those wo didn’t get in, try again. My thanks again to Cindy and every one for the great conversations. I’ll see you all again by the fire!
Donna, I’m glad to hear the website is running again. Isn’t it just like a web host to have trouble just when you’re doing promo? Agh. Thanks so much for visiting! And happy sales!
Congratulations to Gail Fuller! The Magical Roll-Top Desk Dice declares that you won the copy of Donna’s book! Look for an email from me in your inbox so we can arrange receipt of your copy.
Enjoy the read!
Oh, wow! That is so cool! Thank you!! I can’t wait to read it, and I’ll definintely imagine Johnny Depp while I’m reading. 🙂
Wishing you all the very best,
Gail 🙂