We’ve had some terrific blog posts this last week and, if I hadn’t been in London, I would have commented more because there has been some great advice. Yesterday James made the observation that it takes a great deal of courage to be a writer and I think it’s a particularly difficult brand of (non-lethal…) bravery that is required – because in the world of writing the public and the personal overlap. Publishing means that your work is out for all to see (for better and for worse) and, if criticism of you work feels personal, praise feeds your dreams and ego in a way that no other job ever could.
Being in London the week before Remembrance Day has meant, however, that my own writing has been informed by the courage of those who have served and died in the service of their country. I came to London to celebrate my birthday as well as undertake some research at 
the Imperial War Museum. As it turned out, I have been surrounded by references and material relating to the First World War that has (serendipitously) fed into almost all my books: from my current WIP which is set against the backdrop of the outbreak of war in 1914; to the sequel to Lady Coppers and the fourth Ursula book which are both set in the midst of ‘the Great War’.
the Imperial War Museum. As it turned out, I have been surrounded by references and material relating to the First World War that has (serendipitously) fed into almost all my books: from my current WIP which is set against the backdrop of the outbreak of war in 1914; to the sequel to Lady Coppers and the fourth Ursula book which are both set in the midst of ‘the Great War’.The excitement of undertaking research never fails to inspire me. At the Imperial War Museum, I was reading the diary of a female policewoman stationed at a munitions factory during the First World War and was delighted to find a special pass for her dog ‘Rip’ in the files (along with an official studio portrait of the dog!). Only this kind of hands-on research can reveal the eccentricities of the real people who help me create my characters. It seems strangely appropriate that everywhere I turn at the moment there is a reminder of Edwardian Britain. Indeed, sometimes I have to wonder – did I pick the historical period for my books or did it pick me?
Unlike my fellow bloggers I don’t have any pearls of wisdom to share, but rather a couple of questions: Have you ever felt a period, place or person resonate so acutely that you were drawn to write about it? What real people or real events inform your writing?
For me, it would seem that it is the Great War that is calling me and, especially as Remembrance Day approaches, the ghosts of the past insist that I heed the call…Lest we forget.
I wrote a novel that had a WWI section in it. It’s a period that hasn’t been covered all that much, so go for it, Clare.
As for me, I someday want to write a novel that takes place in late 50’s Los Angeles. There’s just something about that period that draws me.
One of my long-percolating WIP’s has an American Civil War aspect to it. There was no getting away from the influence of that war when I was growing up with two Alabama-born parents. When my father’s family home was being remodeled in the 1930’s, they found a Civil War sword hidden in the walls, totally sealed up. That sword was the object of much conjecture over the years. Recently, my dad “solved” the mystery with the aid of modern science. He was able to do a high-resolution analysis of the letters on the side of the scabbard, and tracked down the person and Confederate regiment it had belonged to. He was even able to find its original owner’s military record! I think now he’s trying to track down any descendants of the soldier. How it wound up in our family home’s walls, of course, remains a mystery.
Thanks for this post. Took me back to poppies and England and memories.
I have just discovered that two of my Great Uncles might be among the WW1 Aussie soldiers who were recently found at Fromelles. As I am the one remaining female relative along a purely female line, they are sending me a kit for DNA analysis. How exciting is this?
I have lots of background about them for you Clare! Maybe Alf and Sid will end up in one of your novels!
These revelations about long-lost family members have really brought home to me how strongly we are connected to our past. Even your twins have a connection to these brothers who were diggers so long ago!
WWII and Alexander the Great’s conquest of Persia have always drawn me. I love to read about those topics and watch movies (though the movies usually disappoint), but I’m not sure I would write a book set in either period. Fear of messing it up I suppose. Maybe someday.
Thanks everyone! Sorry I didn’t have a chance to comment earlier – I just got in from London:)
Sorry, I’m a day late. Busy day yesterday. Kathryn, the book I’m sending out now has a Civil War aspect to it. It takes place in Gettysburg.
I’ve always loved the WWII era. My mom and dad only knew each other for a couple of weeks and got married right before he shipped out. I’d like to work that into a story one of these days.