Tuesday's Child - Traditional Regency Romance & Back Story

My new novel is Tuesday's Child, a traditional Regency Romance, by which I mean I don't open wide the hero and heroine's bedroom door.  It is a follow on novel from Sunday's Child and Monday's Child, which will be published in spring, 2016. It is a stand alone novel but because the heroine was a minor character who played an important part in Sunday's Child the back story is crucial. Back story is always tricky. I think I've solved the problem by the heroine observing a scene and reflecting on the effects of past events effects on her present and introducing conflict.

Mediaeval Novel - Summer Holiday

Determined to finish my mediaeval novel I stopped posting messages. I have finished it and submitted it to literary agents. Phew!

I then went on holiday with my daughter and her three children which I enjoyed,  although more fine weather would have been welcome.

On our last morning the wind gusted across the beach at 50 miles an hour. From the window of the café that overlooks Woolacombe Bay I watched surfers wearing wet suits riding the waves. I also looked down at intrepid parents trying to erect a windbreak and their hopeful children holding buckets and spades. A few hardy people attempted to walk along the shore.

While we were away I took my shorthand notepad everywhere and amongst other things noted the colour of the sky and sea when they changed according to the weather. Such observations are often useful when I am writing a novel. 

Priorities

Summer seems to have arrived. I love long sunny days when I get on in the garden after I write from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m. with a break for breakfast.

Today the sun shone while I filled two more troughs with John Innes No.3 compost and planted 3 strawberry plants in each. My two year old strawberry plants in the front garden are fruiting well.  This morning I picked a few sun ripened ones that smelled so fragrant that they made my mouth water.

I tidied up the garden, putting odds and ends in the shed. I watered the plants in the greenhouse. I've put tomatoes outside to harden off before I plant them in the garden, and I potted up sweet Williams. By the way the flowers can be added to salads.

I always feel very peaceful when I work in the garden and also appreciate the results. At lunchtime I enjoyed a green salad made with baby lettuce, dandelion leaves, shepherds purse, and chive flowers, which I ate with new potatoes cooked with mint, and dressed with vegetarian mayonnaise and dill from the garden. Delicious with sliced tomato sprinkled with salt, pepper and a pinch or two of sugar, and brie. I really enjoy crisp, freshly picked lettuce which tastes so much better than lettuce from the supermarket.

Yesterday and Today

I've no idea why but yesterday I was so tired that I literally couldn't keep my eyes open. I returned to bed and slept for hours. Then it was a rush to get ready to attend my 14 year-old grandson's birthday in a Mexican restaurant. Eighteen members of my family got together to enjoy each others' company and a delicious meal. Afterward we went to an Italian Ice-Cream parlour which also serves cookie dough, cakes, cheesecakes and other desserts. The children like the banana splits and other treats

After a good night's sleep I continued to line edit the printed copy of my mediaeval novel. I really have almost finished tweaking it and, with the second volume of the chronicles in mind, am re-reading Kathryn Warner's Edward II.

My writing stint completed I worked in the garden. It's time to plant out as much as possible from the green house. I tipped a bag of horse manure and a large bucket of home made compost onto a 4foot square raised bed and then planted leeks in it.

Now I'm fed up because I wasted a lot of time trying to find out how to cancel a job listed on the printer. I've given up for now and am blogging etc., before I watch Spring Watch on television.

Tuesday's Child: False Start. The Wrong Point of View

I made several false starts when I began to write Tuesday’s Child. I had decided to write an author’s note to explain some of the events in Sunday's Child. After I finished the note, I began the novel, but no matter how often I wrote and rewrote the first page explanations about events in Sunday's Child were necessary

 

I needed a fresh approach. While I worked in the garden I considered the two important characters I had introduced in the first paragraph. Only one of them knew what happened in Sunday's Child so it became obvious that I should write from his point of view which would make it unnecessary to refer to previous events. .

Yesterday evening, after dealing with a lot of other ‘writerly’ business, I deleted the author's note and the first page. I then rewrote page one. As you can imagine, it's a relief to have solved the problem.

 

 

 

 

Roland Makes a Bow in False Pretences A Romantic Regency Mystery

False Pretemnces A Romantic Regency Mystery

 

By Rosemary Morris

 

Roland, hero of False Pretences, a traditional Regency romance, makes a low bow in appreciation of Great Historical’s review. He is delighted because the reviewer thinks he will linger in the reader’s memory.

 

Amazon Review. 5.0 out of 5 stars. A sweet and suspenseful Regency Romance. Kindle edition.

 

“Rosemary Morris has penned a delightful romantic story about a young woman named Annabelle in search of her family. Raised in a boarding school, with no contact with any family, and in the charge of a guardian she has never met, she runs away only to find herself in danger. Roland, a handsome man of means, saves her from imminent danger. He takes her under his wing and together they unravel a web of lies until the shocking truth of Annabelle's past life is revealed.

Rosemary Morris writes with ease and readability. Her characters are well rounded, evolving as the plot unfurls. This novel has a bit of everything - an endearing romance, a hint of mystery, dastardly villains, plenty of suspense, and a memorable hero and heroine who will stay with you long after you finish reading. The ending is intense as all the secrets are revealed, leading to a highly satisfying conclusion. A lovely sweet romance worthy of all age groups!”

 

www.amazon.co.uk and www.amazon.com False Pretences B009YK1MFO

 

Barnes and Novel, AppleiBookstore, Kobo, Blio, Google Play, Overdrive, Omnilit, All Romance E Books, Bookstrand, Coffee Time Romance, Scribd, Smashwords, Flipcart – India, Tolina

 

You may read more chapters and view the book trailer at;  www.rosemarymorris.co.uk

Half Term and Bank Holiday Weekend.

During half term and the bank holiday weekend, I've continued to write and deal with 'writerly' matters and keep up with mundane chores, cleaning, tidying the house, shopping etc. I've also enjoyed time with my grandchildren.

On Bank Holiday Monday, my daughter's children stayed for the night at my house. In the morning, I made a packed lunch and we went to Cassiobury Park. My granddaughter played on the swings slide etc., in the playground while the boys played football. After lunch my granddaughter played football with the boys. Before we went home I had a latte and the children had ice creams.

On Tuesday I looked after the children while my daughter had an appointment. The younger two and I played snakes and ladders and Rummy Cub. Granddaughter has learned to cheat so she won't have to go down the snakes. Lots of fun and laughter!

On Wednesday we went to the Aqua Pool in Aylesbury. There's a whirlpool that sweeps swimmers around an artificial island, an outdoor swimming pool, indoor pools suitable for everyone from toddlers to adults, jacuzzis around the pools and flumes. My five year-old granddaughter hurtles down them with her Mum behind her. She's very confident. All of us enjoyed the visit and our picnic lunch in the café which we enjoyed with an addition of potato wedges followed by treats for the children.

Today, I've got a doctor's appointment after which I shall do the week's shopping.

Tomorrow, weather permitting I shall work in the garden, if not I shall cook and freeze some meals. The children will stay with me for the night. If the weather is good we shall have a picnic at Rickmansworth Aquadrome on Sunday morning. After a walk around the lake with granddaughter using her scooter, we will have our picnic and then enjoy drinks and treats in the café.

Tuesday's Child, Author's Notes and First Paregraphs.

Characters from Sunday's Child and Monday's Child, my Traditional Regency Romances in which the hero and heroine's bedroom door remained closed, will appear in Tuesday's Child. The novel is not a sequel. It is a follow on novel in which Harriet, Lady Castleton and her son Arthur were introduced at the end of Monday's Child, so there is no need for the previous novels to be read in order to follow the story.

My first attempt to begin the novel was an extract from Monday's Child that partially introduced Harriet's recent past. I wrote a page and a half, then realised it didn't work. Next I wrote a brief author's note, in which I refer to Monday's Child to introduce the circumstances which led to the fraught situation in the opening paragraphs. I might change my mind later but, at the moment it seems an excellent solution.

The remainder of Harriet's immediate past can be revealed through conversation, body language and her thoughts.

I'm really looking forward to 'getting to grips' with the story which is taking shape in my mind.

I am J.M.Maurer's Guest.

I'm delighted to be J.M.Maurer's guest today. To find out more about me and my traditional historical novels - by which I mean that I don't open wide the hero and heroine's bedroom door - please visit:- http://www.jmmaurer.com/blog.html  Thank you, I hope you enjoy it.

Mediaeval Novel by Rosemary Morris

I thought I had revised and edited the final version of my Book One of my mediaeval saga set in the reign of Edward II. To make sure, before I submit it to an agent in accordance with the submission guidelines, I printed a copy. It was the right decision. So far I have found gerunds to get rid of, a few awkward phrases to rewrite and one or two grammatical errors.

Deep, deep sigh, sometimes I think the novel will never be finished; and when it is I will write volume two of the saga.

Heroine of Tuesday's Child and The Zodiac

After filling in the character profile for Harriet, the heroine of Tuesday's Child, my new Regency Romance, I have strengthened it by consulting the Zodiac and decided she is a Cancerian.

According to The Hamlyn Encyclopedia of Fortune Telling by Francis X. King, "The psychological nature of the pure Cancerian is rather like the physical nature of the crab and other crustaceans; a hard outer shell conceals an interior that is soft and vulnerable to injury. To outsiders Cancerians present a hard appearance, giving the impression that they are rough and unsympathetic; to those who know them well they are gentle and compassionate. A sea crab is totally attached to his/her home - his/her life is centred on partners, parents, children and their surroundings."

There is much more which is useful and has helped me to make Harriet a rounded character.

Zodiac and the Hero of Tuesday's Child

I spent hours thinking about writing my new Regency novel, Tuesday's Child, which I am nearly ready to begin.

Before I begin a new novel I must know the hero and heroine's names. Their names have to be appropriate for the era in which the novel is set.

After I have named the main protagonists, I visualise them and complete a character profile. When I have filled in all the details, I strengthen it by consulting their sign of the zodiac and adding to their profile.

Dominic, aka Dom, is a Sagittarian. The summary of Sagittarians in The Hamlyn Encyclopedia of Fortune Telling by Francis King under the heading Life Style is:-

"Sagittarians are always versatile and it is quite common for them to change from one career to another that, on the face of it, calls for quite different qualities. But both careers will have in common freedom from dull routine work and will give the Sagittarian a change to use his/her versatility and intelligence. Challenge is important to the Sagittarian...."

Sagittarians are also described as happy-go lucky.

There is much more in the book about Sagittarians. I have made good use of it to bolster Dom's personality.

Birthday, Editing, Writing, Gardening

Yesterday was my twin son's birthday. I enjoyed lunch at The Loving Hut, in Edgeware, a vegan Chinese restaurant that serves delicious food.

 This morning,  I got up at 5.45 a.m. I read through and edited a printed chapter of my mediaeval novel set in the reign of Edward II. Next, I lugged the hosepipe out to the front garden and turned on the hosepipe. Then I loaded the washing machine and turned it on. Back at the laptop, I completed the character profile for the hero in Tuesday's Child. I now have a clear vision of his appearance, background, character, what makes him tick etc.

After I turned off the tap and lugged the hosepipe to the back garden I hung out the clothes and then made a healthy breakfast - porridge with strawberries, black grapes and blueberries with almond milk and organic honey.

At ten o'clock, after another session on the laptop when I worked on the character profile of the heroine in Tuesday's Child, I turned off the laptop and worked in the garden. I swept the greenhouse floor, planted out French Beans and did much more.

A Birthday, Writing, Gardening

Yesterday was my twin son's birthday. I enjoyed lunch at The Loving Hut, in Edgeware, a vegan Chinese restaurant that serves delicious food.
 This morning,  I got up at 5.45 a.m. I read through and edited a printed chapter of my mediaeval novel set in the reign of Edward II. Next, I lugged the hosepipe out to the front garden and turned on the hosepipe. Then I loaded the washing machine and turned it on. Back at the laptop, I completed the character profile for the hero in Tuesday's Child. I now have a clear vision of his appearance, background, character, what makes him tick etc.

After I turned off the tap and lugged the hosepipe to the back garden I hung out the clothes and then made a healthy breakfast - porridge with strawberries, black grapes and blueberries with almond milk and organic honey.
At ten o'clock, after another session on the laptop when I worked on the character profile of the heroine in Tuesday's Child, I turned off the laptop and worked in the garden. I swept the greenhouse floor, planted out French Beans and did much more.
 

Cooking and Writing

Yesterday I looked after my daughter's children after school and fed them - vegetarian shepherd's pie made with soya mince flavoured with leeks and Bisto, with rhubarb and apple crumble making use of rhubarb from the garden. Usually, Serena refuses to eat anything she is not familiar with, but she enjoyed watching me pick the rhubarb and prepare it that she couldn't wait to eat it.
 
Deep sigh. This morning two my daughter's sons popped in to have breakfast with me. Deep in researching signs of the zodiac to strengthen Harriet, Lady Castleton's character, I gave up and fed them porridge made with organic milk, organic honey, black grapes and blueberries.
 
I then tidied up the house, checked on the cauliflowers and French bean plants I put out to harden off before planting them. They are fine. Phew! They have survived. By then it was time for me to have breakfast.
 
I've decided to shop for groceries and then consult my copy of The Hamlyn encyclopedia of Fortune Telling by Frances X. King.  If the sun shines I hope to do so in the garden.

 

Tuesday's Child - Regency Romance - Chracter's Motivation.

When I answer the questions and answers on the character profile forms I fill in details about a character's appearance, abilities, education, likes and dislikes, family, eccentricities, body language etc.

 

I also give careful consideration to my choice of what drives them: Ambition Duty, Fear, Greed, Hatred, Jealousy, Loneliness, Love, Politics, Psychology, Revenge, Vanity and Self-Sacrifice.

 

This morning I completed the character profile of Harriet, Lady Castleton, a widow with a four year-old child. However, to further strengthen her profile, tomorrow, I shall consult the signs of the zodiac and choose the one which suits her best.

 

By the time I finish the profile Harriet will live in my imagination until her story is told in Tuesday's Child.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tuesday's Child, Traditional Regency Romance, Research

Since I wrote my first Traditional  Regency Romance I have accumulated a lot of non-fiction books about the era. Today I piled them up around me and began to answer the question when, i.e. when were the main characters born, when did the hero go to school, when did he go to university, when did the heroine's husband die, when was her posthumous son born, etc.

Sunday's Child ended in 1815 when news of Napoleon's escape from Elba arrived. So it's a question of working backward to fill in the correct dates on my character profiles.

Tuesday's Child - New Regency Novel - Chapter One

I had a very enjoyable, but busy weekend that left me with not time to write, but I thought a lot about the opening paragraphs of Tuesday's Child. I had planned the beginning of the novel, however, the heroine, Harriet, Lady Castleton's past is crucial. I realised that I had decided to begin the novel at the wrong time in her life. Today, I jotted down the contents of the first couple of pages and am almost ready to write Chapter One.

Tuesday's Child - Character Profile

This morning I began filling in the character profiles for characters who will appear in Tuesday's Child, a follow on novel from my Regency Romances, Sunday's Child and Monday's Child.

The heroine is Harriet, the Dowager Viscountess Castleton, a widow, who has a four year old son, Viscount Castleton. I spent some time choosing his Christian name and chose Arthur.

At that time Arthur was popular because it was the future Duke of Wellington's Christian name.

After choosing the name, I spent an enjoyable fifteen minutes filling in various details on the character profile.

Character Profiles - Tuesday's Child

This morning I began filling in the character profiles for characters who will appear in Tuesday's Child, a follow on novel from my Regency Romances, Sunday's Child and Monday's Child.

The heroine is Harriet, the Dowager Viscountess Castleton, a widow, who has a four year old son, Viscount Castleton. I spent some time choosing his Christian name and chose Arthur.

At that time Arthur was popular because it was the future Duke of Wellington's Christian name.

After choosing the name, I spent an enjoyable fifteen minutes filling in various details on the character profile.