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Author Roberta Trahan

~ Murder, Mayhem, and Mystical Mystery

Author Roberta Trahan

Tag Archives: historical fiction

The World of the Dream Stewards: Creature Feature #3 – The Faerie Folk

19 Monday May 2014

Posted by robertatrahan in Creature Features

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47North, Brownies, Celtic mythology, Cornwall, Cymru, epic fantasy, Faerie Folk, historical fiction, Hywel Dda, Knockers, Piskies, Roberta Trahan, Spriggans, The Dream Stewards, The Keys to the Realms, The Well of Tears, Wales

“They all had names, or so she expected, though she hadn’t asked. She thought becoming too friendly might make them more difficult to resist. Not that the faerie folk were baddies, really, but they could be troublesome. No matter what task Eirlys had set for herself, they did their best to keep her from it. It was sure and certain, though, that wherever she went, she never went alone. In the Frisian isles where she was born, the gnomes had been her childhood companions. Here, in her mother’s homeland, she had encountered several new faerie tribes. The pixies, who were mischievous and fun-loving, were her favorites.”

In THE WELL OF TEARS, the whimsical young daughter of the heroine does not inherit her mother’s magical heritage – instead, she shares her father’s affinity to the fey. Eirlys has blood ties to the faerie folk, a gift from her grandmother who was a tangie (a water sprite). As a result, Eirlys can see and hear things that others cannot. Celtic mythology is rife with faerie folklore. The article below is a reblog of a piece I wrote for Fairyroom.com last year. Be sure to read (or scroll) all the way to the end for this week’s trivia challenge!

THE FAERIE FOLK OF CORNWALL

By Roberta Trahan

Perhaps one of the most romanticized of all the Celtic homelands is Cornwall – birthplace of such legends as Arthur, Tristan & Isolde, and Jack the Giant Killer. A natural peninsula located at the southwestern tip of the United Kingdom, Cornwall is an ancient region that predates the Neolithic era. A distinct Celtic nation with its own language and unique history, the proud people of Cornwall still work to maintain their separate identity and culture, while acknowledging their sisterhood with Great Britain.

Cornwall also has a mythology that is all its own. Cornish folklore centers largely on giants and little people, which historians have theorized may have originated as a folk-memory of an ancient Bronze Age race that was conquered by the larger, taller Celts (who might well have been perceived and demonized as giants). But by far the most whimsical characters to evolve throughout the centuries are the small folk (known collectively in Cornwall as faeries):

The Piskies – Often known in Germanic cultures as ‘pixies’, these small sprites lived in secret, isolated places and were considered by and large to be benevolent spirits. Largely thought of as good natured and fun-loving, they were also reputed to have a mischievous side. Though especially kind to the old or infirm, piskies were known to lead able-bodies travelers astray (known as being “piskie led”) for sport. They are described in folklore and old literature as having the appearance of old men, being very small statured (a few inches tall) and dressed in clothes made of the fabrics of the earth such as moss, grasses, and lichen.

The Browneys – Similar to piskies, Browneys were household sprites living closely alongside mortals but rarely seen or heard. They were known to be kindly and helpful, taking every opportunity to benefit their adopted family. Perhaps the closest thing to what is more widely thought of as a traditional fairy, Browneys are often described as gentle, harmless, and always beautiful. They would visit the homes of the poor or sick, tending their gardens or leaving wild flowers.

The Spriggans – The more ill-tempered cousin of the piskie or browney, Spriggans were especially spiteful to those who offended them. Reputed to be the security force of the faerie society, they stood ready to measure out justice to those who would harm their otherworldly brethren. Some of the punishments believed to have been doled out by the Spriggans were storms sent to blight crops, and the leaving of changelings in place of stolen mortal children. They were most often found in old castle ruins and barrows, guarding buried treasure. Spriggans are described in literature as grotesque, with wizened features and crooked skinny bodies. Though small, they were purported to have the defensive ability to expand themselves to gigantic proportions.

The Knockers – These little folk were the unseen underground inhabitants of the tin mines. Many were reputed to have been discovered by miners who heard their singing and the knocking of their magical pickaxes. Usually Knockers were considered helpful, working ahead of the miners and leading them to rich ore veins. But they could be mean when disrespected or treated unfairly. The wise miner would leave a share of his daily meal (usually a piece of his pasty), or else suffer a string of inexplicable misfortunes.

Knockers are described as dwarf-like, with large heads and the faces of old men. Their name comes from the knocking sound on mine walls that occurs just before a cave-in, believed to be a benevolent warning from the fey.

As is true of most Celtic cultures, history and legend were largely passed on through the bardic oral tradition. The earliest and most well-known written documentation of Cornish mythology can be found in several mid to late 19th century folklore compilations that can still found in print today. The following were resources for this article: Popular Romances of the West of England (1865) by the renowned scientist and folklorist Robert Hunt, Traditions and Hearthside Stories of West Cornwall (3 vols. 1870, 1873, 1880) by William Bottrell, and Folklore and Legends of Cornwall by Margaret Anne Courtney.

In addition to its mystic places and magical history, Cornwall is a popular travel destination and home to such modern day attractions as the Eden Project (a global conservation and educational effort) and the Daphne Du Maurier arts festival. To learn more about Cornwall, go to http://www.visitcornwall.com/

Dream Stewards Trivia Challenge:  The Dream Stewards saga is set in the mystical land of Cymru – which is a Welsh word meaning — ?.

(Hint: You can Google this one. There are 2 correct answers.)

Post your answer in the comments section below to enter. If you also like and/or share this post and mention where in your comment, you’ll get an extra entry – but the extra entry only counts if you also answer the question correctly :). One lucky winner will be chosen at random from all the correct entries received by midnight on Monday, May 26th. The prize is a $10 Amazon gift card!!

The History Behind the Fantasy ~ Hywel dda, the Ara Pacis, and a FB Party!

29 Wednesday Jan 2014

Posted by robertatrahan in Guest Blogs, The Goddess In Me

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A Novel of Cleopatra's Daughter, Ara Pacis, Cleopatra Selene, Daughters of the Nile, historical fantasy, historical fiction, Hywel Dda, Roberta Trahan, The Dream Stewards, The Keys to the Realms, The Well of Tears

Hywel ap Cadell, the legendary king at the root of the mythology in The Dream Stewards series, was an intelligent, learned leader who modeled his leadership after the successful rulers of reference in his day. A pilgrimage to Rome in the early days of his reign is often credited as the point of inspiration behind Hywel’s greatest legacy – the codification of a written body of law that long survived him.

The reach of the Roman Empire was vast, and has naturally inspired and influenced the writing of many of my fellow history lovers. Author friend Stephanie Dray has invited me to help her celebrate the release of her new historical fantasy. DAUGHTERS OF THE NILE!

Join me and many other historical & fantasy authors for a full day of fun discussions, contests, and prizes!

On January 30th, from 12pm EST to 10pm EST, an impressive roster of historical fiction authors and bloggers are hosting a Facebook party in honor of historical fiction, the 2,023rd anniversary of the Ara Pacis, and the release of Stephanie Dray’s newest book, Daughters of the Nile: A novel of Cleopatra’s Daughter.

Readers can win free books, lunch at the next Historical Novel Society meeting, swag, gift cards, and other prizes from some of the hottest authors of the genre. Please join us, and RSVP!

Hellequin for the Holidays

20 Friday Dec 2013

Posted by robertatrahan in 47North Authors

≈ 2 Comments

Tags

47North, Amazon Publishing, fantasy fiction, Hellequin Chronicles, historical fiction, Infamous Reign, King Richard III, Merlin, Steve McHugh

My 47North author friend Steve McHugh recently published a novella in his Hellequin Chronicles series. Just in time for the holiday gift giving. For the historical fantasy lover in your life (who already has MY book, of course), I give you Infamous Reign :

Infamous Reign Cover

In late 15th century England, two young princes are given over by Merlin to the protection of their uncle, King Richard III. They soon vanish from sight, igniting tales of their demise at Richard’s hand and breeding unrest throughout the land. 

Nathanial Garrett, also known as Hellequin, is sent to London to decipher fact from rumor and uncovers a plot to replace the king. But his investigation quickly becomes personal when he learns that an old nemesis is involved. He soon finds himself racing against time to rescue the boys before their fate, and the fate of all England, is sealed in blood. 

Infamous Reign is a novella in the bestselling Hellequin Chronicles series, mixing gritty and action-packed historical fantasy with ancient mythology.

~~~

Steve McHugh photoSteve McHugh has been writing from an early age, his first completed story an English lesson. Unfortunately, he had to have a chat with the head of the year about the violent content and bad language. The follow up ‘One boy and his frog’ was less concerning to his teachers. A decade that he started work on his first publishable novel – the action-packed Urban Fantasy, Crimes Against Magic.

Steve lives in Southampton on the south coast of England with his wife and three young daughters. When not writing or spending time with his kids, he enjoys watching movies, reading books and comics, and playing video games.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hellequinchronicles

Twitter: https://twitter.com/StevejMchugh

Website: http://stevejmchugh.wordpress.com/

The Week in Review – Book News & Upcoming Events (and a review reward program)

03 Saturday Aug 2013

Posted by robertatrahan in Book News

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47North, Amazon Publishing, Arthurian Fantasy, Author Branding, celtic traditions, Denise Grover Swank, epic fantasy, Fantasy, historical fiction, Jeff Wheeler, Muirwood, Novel Writing, Roberta Trahan, The Curse Keepers, The Dream Stewards, The Keys to the Realms, The Naked Truth About Self-Publishing, The Well of Tears

wine 3

I’m about to sit down with a glass of wine and a bit of stinky cheese, to celebrate an awesome week. Care to join me? I’m pouring a lovely Washington State Shiraz…

And now for the news!

COMING SOON!

First up is something I’ve been waiting weeks to reveal – the publication date for the long awaited sequel to THE WELL OF TEARS (The Dream Stewards #1) is officially set in stone!

THE KEYS TO THE REALMS (The Dream Stewards #2) will be released via 47North on May 6, 2014. More info coming soon – including a cover reveal blog party and all sorts of good stuff.

If you haven’t already read the first book in the series, now’s the time to catch up. Get your copy of THE WELL OF TEARS here or here or here. As a little added incentive, I’m offering a little giveaway.

FREE GIFTS WITH PURCHASE (yes, there is a string attached)

If you buy the book, read the book, post an honest review (good or not so good) on Amazon.com , BarnesandNoble.com, or GoodReads.com and then let me know by posting a comment in this thread, I will send you a limited edition bookmark, signed custom book plate, and a 47North temporary tattoo sticker.

Already read the book? All you have to do is post your review and claim your reward! Quantities are limited, so don’t delay!

RECENT HAPPENINGS & SPECIAL GUESTS

Next, I’m thrilled to announce a series of guest author posts starting next month. A group of my fellow 47North authors will be hosting and posting news and features for each other. My first special guest will be the brilliant Jeff Wheeler. His Muirwood series is one my favorites. More details when I have them.

~

Just today I had the great pleasure of meeting in person another of my 47North cohorts. Author Denise Grover Swank was in Seattle today taking part in a panel presentation given by the best-selling authors of THE NAKED TRUTH ABOUT SELF-PUBLISHING, an event sponsored by Writer.ly to benefit Seattle Free Lances, a long-standing writers organization of which I have been a member (and board officer) for many years. Denise’s urban fantasy The Curse Keepers will be released in November. Check it out! 

~

With that, I raise my glass and bid you all a wonderful weekend!

Awen á bendithion…
(inspiration and blessings)…

Marketing Monday – The Truth About the Roaring Twenties (Guest Post by author Stephanie Draven)

10 Monday Jun 2013

Posted by robertatrahan in Marketing Monday

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47North, Author Branding, author marketing, Best-selling Author, Erotic Romance, Flappers, historical fiction, Marketing Monday, Novel Writing, Prohibiton, Roberta Trahan, Romance, Stephanie Draven, The Roaring Twenties

Myths and Misconceptions about the Roaring Twenties: It Wasn’t All One Big Party

by Stephanie Draven

Chances are that when you think of the 1920’s you think of wild liquor-soaked parties in speakeasies, incendiary Jazz music, and flappers wearing feather headbands dancing the Charleston. Consumers embraced new gadgets and inventions, the stock market was soaring and a Renaissance broke out in Harlem. All of these things are a true reflection of the time, but they’re only part of the picture. Underneath the glitz and glam, a turbulent culture war took place in the country–one we’re still fighting, in many ways, today.

The Roaring Twenties were a time of sexual liberation, experimentation and exploration. Having just won the vote, women were at the forefront of social causes and societal change. In spite of—or perhaps because of—Prohibition, the Twenties were boom times. Young women attended college, flocked to major cities to find work and lived on their own in numbers never before seen in the history of the nation. Homosexuality was more public and more tolerated. Rules for dating changed. Non-marital sex became common and women began to demand and use birth control.

Flappers changed the world of business, fashion, politics and popular entertainment. The Hays Code wouldn’t be adopted and enforced until 1930, which meant major Hollywood films pushed the boundaries of propriety and gave the country some of its sexiest stars, including Clara Bow.

In short, the Twenties were a period of social transition—one of those pivotal times in history when women took one step forward, before being shoved two steps back. People from all walks of life came together to agitate for progressive change in the Twenties and, in many instances, African Americans led the way.

At the same time, the era was marked by the resurgence of the Ku Klux Klan, inspired by D. W. Griffith’s race-baiting incendiary film of 1915, The Birth of a Nation. Immigration was suppressed and racial tensions rose. Even the nascent birth control movement was caught up in it, with Margaret Sanger arguing on behalf of eugenics. The suspicion of foreigners helped lead to the execution of two Italian immigrants, Sacco and Vanzetti, under suspicious circumstances. And the general fervor led to a red scare against suspected communists.

Much of the liberation of women in the twenties came about as a rebellion and reaction against the mores of previous generations. Whereas the women of the 1910s fought for the right to vote, the women in the 1920s had it–and didn’t do terribly much with it. The Equal Rights Amendment was introduced in 1923, but was never passed. And while women entered the workforce in great numbers, most of them left it upon marriage.

Another thing that harshed the buzz of the 1920s was the mob. Mob violence rose dramatically with Prohibition and organized crime used the ban on liquor sales to create criminal empires.

Of course, all this social turmoil makes the era not entirely unlike our own–and a perfect backdrop for fiction!

~~~

ON SALE NOW!

They vibrated with incendiary Jazz. They teemed with sexual abandon. The Twenties were roaring and the women–young, open, rebellious, and willing–set the pace and pushed the limits with every man they met…

In the aftermath of a wild, liquor-soaked party, three women from very different social classes are about to live out their forbidden desires.

Society girl, Nora Richardson’s passionate nature has always been a challenge to her ever-patient husband. Now he wants out of the marriage and she has just this one night to win him back. The catch? He wants to punish her for her bad behavior. Nora is offended by her husband’s increasingly depraved demands, but as the night unfolds, she discovers her own true nature and that the line between pain and pleasure is very thin indeed.

Meanwhile, Clara Cartwright, sultry siren of the silent screen, is introduced to a mysterious WWI Flying Ace. If Clara, darling of the scandal sheets, knows anything, it’s men. And she’s known plenty. But none of them push her boundaries like the aviator, who lures her into a ménage with a stranger in a darkened cinema then steals her jaded heart.

Working class girl Sophie O’Brien has more important things on her mind than pleasures of the flesh. But when her playboy boss, the wealthy heir to the Aster family fortune, confronts her with her diary of secret sex fantasies, she could die of shame. To her surprise, he doesn’t fire her; instead, he dares her to re-enact her boldest fantasies and Sophie is utterly seduced.

One party serves as a catalyst of sexual awakening. And in an age when anything goes, three women discover that anything is possible…

~~~

About the Author: Stephanie Draven
is a national bestselling and award-winning author of historical, paranormal, and contemporary romance. Her newest project, IT STINGS SO SWEET is a collection of 1920s historical erotic romances that celebrate sex, women, and the Jazz Age. Stephanie is currently a denizen of Baltimore, that city of ravens and purple night skies. She lives there with her favorite nocturnal creatures–three scheming cats and a deliciously wicked husband. And when she is not busy with dark domestic rituals, she writes her books.

Buy Stephanie’s Books

Newsletter | Twitter | Website & Blog | Goodreads | Facebook

Marketing Monday – Ask the Author! Marketing Tips from Valerie Bowman

20 Monday May 2013

Posted by robertatrahan in Marketing Monday

≈ 3 Comments

Tags

Amazon Publishing, Author Branding, author marketing, historical fiction, Marketing Tips, Roberta Trahan, Social Media, Valerie Bowman

So we authors all know we need to market ourselves and our work, but so many of us don’t know where to start. I recommend that writers build a marketing plan – a list of select tasks within a limited (and/or regular) time frame – for each book. Sounds easy enough, but before you can build a marketing plan you have to identify your audience, and then find marketing opportunities that will reach that audience. Sounds a lot easier than it is.

Well, today I’m going to help you out with that, at least a little. My internet author friend Valerie Bowman recently published a great how-to guide that has a lot of helpful tips. While Valerie’s experience is largely with the Romance genre, most of her advice is genre non-specific.

Valerie’s guide to “Painless Marketing for Busy Authors” is well worth the small investment and is a great place to start planning your marketing efforts. Valerie’s book includes the same savvy suggestions you’ve read on this blog (and others) like build a website, brand yourself (not your books), don’t bite off more than you can chew, and set a realistic budget and goals. All of this is sound advice and bears repeating.

Valerie also offers some resources and cost-saving ideas like:

  • Author-Author.net – where you can buy copies of your books at cost. If you buy them here, you can resell them and keep 100% of the revenue. I’ll add that some publishers (like the Amazon Publishing imprints) often offer special pricing   to their authors for purchasing their own books.
  • Worldcat.com – tells you which libraries ordered your book
  • FreeBookFriday.com – a great website to get Twitter followers and Author Page likes for a minimal cost
  • Novelrank.com – you have to sign up for this on release day but it tracks your sales
  • Ninth Moon – great promotional products for authors
  • AuthorCentral.com – Amazon sales tracking site. You can see your rank and sales but only for print books (unless you self-publish) as reported by Nielsen BookScan. Updated Friday mornings.
  • Tweetchat.com/hashtag – site where you can see all tweets related to a certain hashtag.
  • Hootsuite – an application that can analyze when your Twitter followers are online the most. You can then schedule your promo tweets accordingly. You want to tweet about promotion sparingly.
  • Mailchimp.com – manages email subscriptions for newsletters. Free up to first 2,000 subscribers.

And that’s not all. If you’re looking for a basic how-to guide to help you get your marketing plan off the ground, you might give Valerie Bowman’s “Painless Marketing for Busy Authors” a try. Blurb and links to buy below.

Got questions? ASK VALERIE! Just include your question in your comment to this post. Valerie has graciously offered to stop by and respond!

***

PainlessMarketingCov2“Painless Marketing for Busy Authors”

by Valerie Bowman

The A-Zs of book marketing covering the good, the bad, and the surprising!
  • Why promotion really is your problem even if you have a publisher
  • What is the goal of all marketing and promotion?
  • Why negative reviews don’t matter and why you should welcome them!
  • How to find your readers
  • What is branding and why should you do it?
  • Specific things you can do to promote your books…and more!

***

ValerieBowmanauthorphotohires

About the Author

Valerie Bowman is an award-winning author who writes Regency-set historical romance novels aka Racy Regency Romps!

Valerie’s debut novel, SECRETS OF A WEDDING NIGHT, is the first in the Secret Brides series. Book two, SECRETS OF A RUNAWAY BRIDE, was released March 26, 2013 and SECRETS OF A SCANDALOUS MARRIAGE will be released Oct 1, 2013. A SECRET PROPOSAL, a related novella, was released 1/1/13.

Valerie has a B.A. in English Language and Literature with a minor in history from Smith College. By day, she is a technical editor at a computer software company. By night, she combines her love of writing, history, and romance to craft stories about people falling in love.

Want to buy the book? Find links to Amazon, B&N, and Kobo at http://www.valeriegbowman.com/for-writers/

Want to learn more about Valerie? Visit her website for more info and links to her Twitter and FB accounts: www.valeriebowmanbooks.com

***

Marketing Monday – It Takes A Village and Other Thoughts on Mutual Marketing Efforts

19 Tuesday Mar 2013

Posted by robertatrahan in Marketing Monday

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47North, Amazon Publishing, author marketing, Blogging, Booksworn, fantasy fiction, Fringe, Grim Oak Press, historical fiction, Jacqueline Carey, Naomi Novik, New Wave Authors, Patrick Rothfuss, R.A. Salvatore, Rob Kroese, Roberta Trahan, Shawn Speakman, Tara Bennett, Teresa Frohock, Terry Brooks, Triberr, Writing

Right off, let me first acknowledge that this installment of Marketing Monday is two weeks and a day late. My apologies, especially to those of you who are following this blog. Occasionally other demands on my time get in the way of keeping on schedule, but please know that I do make every effort to post here every week.

I’ve been thinking a lot about creative community lately, and why I believe a commitment to it should be a core value for all artists, especially writers. We all need the support and encouragement of others who think and feel the way we do- for creative support, for business information, but also to experience a sense of  belonging.

Another benefit to seeking out and participating with groups of like-minded people are the opportunities this kind of networking creates for marketing. I’m thrilled to see grassroots projects popping up all over the place – from group blogs to indie-author information sharing sites, topical message boards, crowd-sourcing, and more. 

In my opinion co-op marketing is just plain smart and practical. It makes sense, it feels good, and when done right, it is powerful. The combined efforts of the group exponentially broaden each participating author’s reach while simultaneously lightening the burden on the individual. The whole is greater than the sum of the parts, as they say.

I first noticed this happening in the world of romance writers and historical fiction authors, and now see it trending everywhere. Authors helping other authors and thereby helping themselves. And let us not overlook the charity drives, public awareness campaigns, fundraising, and the general spreading of good will. Love it. LOVE it.

I’m going to spend the rest of this post giving a shout out to a few of the SFF authors I support, cuz, like, you know, these are my peeps. But these particular folks are also committed to community building and shared marketing, and doing it particularly well.

But first, one recommendation for co-op marketing that you might not have heard about. If you aren’t familiar with or using Triberr, take a look. Awesome tool. Really.

Group Hugs

This week one of my favorite fantasy authors Teresa Frohock is touting the launch of a genre / publisher specific collective author site designed to promote and support its members and their books. The kick-off includes an innovative giveaway. SFF fans should check out Booksworn (click here) for some of the most interesting new voices in fantasy fiction from Nightshade Books. Also, if you haven’t read Teresa’s debut dark fantasy MISERERE, I highly suggest that you check that out too! Click on the book cover art to be taken to the Amazon book page.

Last week I had the privilege and the pleasure of attending a local signing by one of my literary heroes – Terry Brooks. Terry was sharing the spotlight with the well-known fantasy artist Todd Lockwood, and his web druid turned author / publisher Shawn Speakman. Shawn, who has been managing Terry’s website and other marketing for years, is a cancer survivor facing mountains of treatment related debt. In an effort to dig out from under, his imprint Grim Oak Press is releasing a fabulous short story anthology featuring the work of some of the best voices in fantasy fiction – including Terry Brooks, Patrick Rothfuss, Jacqueline Carey, R.A. Salvatore, Naomi Novik and many more. To pre-order UNFETTERED, click here.

nwaNEW WAVE AUTHORS is a cooperative e-zine created and hosted by my fellow 47North author Rob Kroese. Rob publishes this site as both a promotional vehicle in support of all Amazon Publishing authors, and as an educational hub for  writers. Amazon Publishing authors contribute  content on a broad range of publishing related topics. Rob has also created a cross-roads at which many Amazon Publishing authors meet and go on to build friendly networks of mutual support across all the social media channels.

And last, a special shout out to colleague and friend, entertainment writer Tara Bennett, who is an A-lister when it comes to networking and mutual marketing. Her latest endeavor, FRINGE: September’s Notebook (the authorized companion guide to the TV series) was released last week. If you are a Fringe fan, you can get the book here .

The Inspiration Behind the Fantasy in THE WELL OF TEARS: Stradey Woods

21 Thursday Feb 2013

Posted by robertatrahan in The Dream Stewards

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47North, Arthurian Legend, celtic legend, Celtic Lore, Celtic mythology, Coffee & Writing, enchanted forest, fantasy fiction, George Meredith, Gwyn ap Nudd, historical fiction, Hywel ap Cadell, mystic origins, Roberta Trahan, Stradey Woods, The Dream Stewards, The Well of Tears, The Wild Hunt, The Woods of Westermain, Wales

Thousand eyeballs under hoods
Have you by the hair.
Enter these enchanted woods,
You who dare.
 

~ George Meredith, The Woods of Westermain (1883)

I can imagine no more mysterious and mystical a place. Is it any wonder that so many tales of magical quests and dark adventure take place in these secretive, shadow-shrouded stands of ancient majesty? From fairy tale to fright-fest to full-fledged fantasy, the most dangerous evils tend to lurk in the misty, mossy, dense and dank depths of a forest.

When the world of The Dream Stewards began to take shape in my mind, at the heart of it was always an enchanted forest. I wanted to draw inspiration from reality wherever possible in order to ground my fantasy adventure with historically accurate roots. My research led me to a local historian who knew of just the place.

Located between what is now the town of Llanelli and Burry Port still stands a forest of ancient origins called Stradey Woods. At the bottom of the woods is a very old village called Pwll, named for a sacred pool that once existed there. Even today the woods are purported to be haunted, and often veiled with a white, misty fog – all of which adds to its unique mystery.

And as if that coincidence wasn’t magical enough, legend has it that Gwyn ap Nudd, the Welsh god of the Underworld and the Wild Hunt, had a palace deep in the heart of the woods. There are also stories of an underground tunnel that ran all the way to Glastonbury Tor, another haunt of Gwyn ap Nudd. And this is how Stradey Woods and its fantastical history became the inspiration for The White Woods, the home of The Dream Stewards.

Here is a glimpse into this magical place, by photographer Mike Richards:

 ≈

Many, many thanks to local resident and writer Lynne Lewis of Cornwall, who graciously lent me her knowledge of the history, geography, legend, and lore of the land. A fellow lover of the past, Lynne studied history and art at the University of London, and has authored many historical stories. Most recently, she completed a novel based on the life and career of Hans Holbein, court painter to King Henry VIII, entitled, “Dance of Death.”

Celebrating with Spirits – Medieval Ales & Wines

19 Wednesday Dec 2012

Posted by robertatrahan in The Dream Stewards

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47North, aleberry, Alwen, Arthurian Legend, celtic traditions, Dream Stewards, Fantasy, historical fiction, holiday traditions., Hywel Dda, Lambs Wool, lambswool, Lily of the Nile, medieval beverages, medieval drink, mulled wine, pagan traditions, paganism, recipe, ritual, ritual ales, ritual wines, Roberta Trahan, Song of the Nile, spiced ale, Stephanie Dray, The Well of Tears, Wales, Wassail, Wassailing, Writing

It wasn’t until the book was in print that I realized that my heroine is a bit of a lush. Alwen, the noble and determined sorceress at the center of THE WELL OF TEARS, has a tendency to turn to a particular medicinal concoction in times of great stress. And sorrow. And celebration. And worship. And when entertaining. And, well, pretty much every time anything at all happens in her world.

THE WELL OF TEARS is set in early 10th century Wales, and centers on the rise to power of a medieval king whose legacy has persisted to modern day.  As was true of  the ancient agrarian based religions of the time, food and drink are essential elements in both social tradition and spiritual practice in my novel.

HippocrasHistorically speaking, the ritual consumption of ales and wines at all sorts of occasions is well documented. This is especially true in observing important seasonal events. Mulled wines and spiced ales have been on the holiday menu for centuries. References to celebratory spirits such as pimen and hippocras date to the early days of the Roman Empire, often also attributed with medicinal and aphrodisiacal properties.

Although pagan traditions in Britain began to disappear or become absorbed into Christian practice after the 3rd century, recipes for ritual beverages continued to appear in descriptions of ancient rites through the Dark Ages and beyond. Spirits have also long been noted as recommended treatment for everyday ailments from the common cold to gout and depression. A nip now and then has been a part of the human experience since the beginning of recorded history.

Early mentions of aleberry (ale + bree [broth]) in my research, a domestic remedy for cold or flu, were so intriguing to me that I made the brew the favorite guilty pleasure of my heroine.

Including this drink in a story taking place in the early 10th century seemed appropriate, but a true and historically accurate recipe for the drink has never been discovered. Known to have been made by boiling ale with nutmeg, cinnamon, sugar and bread sops, strained and then drunk hot, aleberry is not unlike other beverages referred to in Medieval texts. So, to be as authentic as I could, I decided to ’borrow’ a recipe from a similar beverage that still is used today.

Lamb’s Wool is ale mulled with spices and sugar mixed with the pulp of roasted apples. The fruity pulp creates a lumpy froth that is said to resemble the wool of a lamb. A traditional beverage still today enjoyed on Halloween, Christmas Eve and Twelfth Night, Lamb’sWassailing Wool was first a pagan ritual beverage used for ‘apple howling’ or wassailing.

In the ceremonial blessing of the orchard, which occurred during the winter solstice, the drink was poured on the ground and on the trunks of trees to awaken the first stirrings of life in the land and chase away evils spirits. Thus, the next season’s bountiful harvest was ensured. The ritual pouring took place amidst the chant of ‘waes hael’, (OE., ‘be well’ or ‘good health‘)–today recognized as wassail.

Below is a contemporary, Americanized version of a more traditional Old English recipe that is quick and easy to make. If you’d like to try your hand at the more authentic old-world brew, click here:  http://recipewise.co.uk/lambswool

Lamb’s Wool (Wassail)

Ingredients: 

  • 3 apples, peeled, cored & finely choppedLambswool-Wassail-6
  • 3 tablespoons butter
  • 3 (12 ounce) bottles dark beer
  • 1/2 cup firmly packed brown sugar
  • 1 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 1 teaspoon ginger

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a casserole dish, bake apples and butter for 30 minutes, or until the apples are soft. Then, in a large saucepan, combine the roasted apples, beer, brown sugar and spices. Heat until hot, and serve (unstrained) in large mugs.

—

Song-of-the-Nile-680x1024

An earlier version of this article appeared last year on the blog of celebrated historical author Stephanie Dray.  Stephanie’s novels LILY OF THE NILE and SONG OF THE NILE are tales of Cleopatra’s daughter Selene. She has recently completed the third and final installment in the series. You can learn more about Stephanie, Selene and the Roman era at http://www.stephaniedray.com

 

Practicing What You Preach – Or, How I Almost Broke the Cardinal Rule: “Thou Shalt Not Argue with a Reviewer”

08 Saturday Dec 2012

Posted by robertatrahan in Deadlines & Other Demons, Marketing Monday, The Dream Stewards

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

Alfred the Great, Athelstan, author marketing, Bad Reviews, Celtic mythology, Druids, Edward, Else Roesdahl, epic fantasy, Fantasy, FantasyLiterature.com, historical fantasy, historical fiction, James Reston Jr., Medieval history, paganism, Peter Berresford Ellis, Reviews, Roberta Trahan, The Well of Tears, Vikings, Wales, writing advice

Yes, I confess. I was a pounding heartbeat away from committing the unforgivable sin – posting a comment in response to a bad (and grossly inaccurate) characterization of my book. I actually went so far as to type out a lengthy diatribe politely detailing counterpoints (i.e. justifications) for what the reviewer presumed to be historical inaccuracies and omissions, with annotations indicating my historical sources, no less.

Just before I hit “post comment”, my better judgment stepped in (thank the gods) and reminded me of the advice I have always given to other writers. A book review, good or bad, is the reviewer’s legitimate opinion. It is based on their personal experience with your book, and on their individual expectations of the story. If your book doesn’t live up to those expectations, the reviewer has every right to express that dissatisfaction. The reviewer is not wrong.

However, in some cases, a reviewer’s knowledge base is – wrong, that is – which can lead them to make some erroneous presumptions and conclusions about your work that they then publish to the world in well-respected genre publications. This can be frustrating, and even insulting – especially for an author who prides herself on the exhaustive research she did in fact do.

In this case, the reviewer in question admittedly did not finish the book, but still felt entirely comfortable writing a review challenging the historical context of the entire story – based on what could only have been the first 50 or so pages. The review goes on to accuse the author (me) of doing my research at the local renaissance faire. Heh. A bit snarky, wouldn’t you say? Especially since her opinion is based on what appears to be a romanticized (and not very accurate) understanding of the period and place (10th century Wales).

Setting the (Historical) Record Straight

The reviewer in question takes issue with two specific points – Vikings and Druids. Let’s start with the Vikings, of which there are none in my book (at least not the marauding kind) – something the reviewer correctly points out.

Really, you say? No Viking horde in THE WELL OF TEARS? Yes, I know. Crazy talk. Everyone knows the Vikings were raping andpop_hist pillaging all over the place in 10th century Britain. Right?

Yeah, not so much. By 950 AD, the last of the Viking rulers had essentially been expelled, conquered or killed by Alfred of Wessex and his successors. The remaining Scandinavian invaders had for the most part become settlers, and eventually were subsumed under British rule. The repelling of Viking incursions had been going on for quite some time and by the turn of the first millennium (900-910 AD) the Saxons had handily defeated the Danes in several major battles and regained control of the larger kingdoms. With the exception of Erik Bloodaxe in Northumbria, the days of the Viking marauders overrunning the entirety of Britain were over – especially in Mercia & Wessex. You might want to read THE VIKINGS by Else Rosedahl, dear reviewer. It was very helpful in the researching of this book. I also highly recommend THE LAST APOCALYPSE by by James Reston, Jr. – another insightful resource.

DanelawInterestingly enough, THE WELL OF TEARS takes place in the Welsh provinces (circa 905 AD), which were never fully invaded by Vikings or subject to Danish rule. Hywel ap Cadell, who is the king at the center of THE WELL OF TEARS was successful in protecting his borders (which were never even threatened by raiders) by seeking an alliance with the British kings Edward and Athelstan. Edward and Athelstan, and Alfred the Great before them, contained the Danelaw to Northumbria and northeastern Mercia – which essentially protected Wales from the worst of the incursions.

Contrary to popular belief, the North Sea was not teeming with Viking longships at this time, and it is more than possible (even probable) that the crossing of the narrow channel between the Frisian isles and the southeastern shore of Britain undertaken by Aslak and Alwen in the early chapters of THE WELL OF TEARS would have taken place without encountering invading Norse fleets. I will concede that the likelihood of coming face to face with bands of raiding Viking horseman while passing through Mercia was pretty high – however, my travelers were already hiding from other sinister forces and could have easily made their journey without facing the horde.

Now for the Druids. What, no DRUIDS? Yes, I know – absolutely heretical. But it’s true. Aside from a generic reference to a title (Ard Druidh, which is Old Welsh for “first priest/druid”) there are NO DRUIDS in my book. Another historical misstep, you say?

Well, here’s the thing. The druids and most pagan practices were long gone from the British Isles by the 10th century – the Romansstonehenge did a pretty good job of eradicating them about 500 years earlier. And, what little ACTUAL HISTORY that is documented relies largely on anti-Celtic propaganda written by Roman-era scholars. “One person’s Druid is another person’s fantasy” – well said, Peter Berresford Ellis. Ellis’ book THE DRUIDS is a particularly good source on this subject. I suggest you read it, dear reviewer. And, not for nothing, Druidism was also predominantly an Irish (and possibly Scottish/Gaelic) cultural phenomenon – not so much Welsh. Did I mention my book is set in 10th century Wales?

And while we are on the subject, let me be clear so as not to mislead anyone – there is no depiction of druidism or any specific practice of what is commonly considered Celtic paganism in my book. The spiritualism in THE WELL OF TEARS is an amalgamation of the many agrarian-based beliefs that persisted in the Brythionic (not Gaelic) cultures. The magic system in the book is entirely fabricated, albeit loosely based on general pagan practices, as is the magical order of sorcerers I named the Stewards. That was an intentional (and educated) world-building decision on my part.

THE WELL OF TEARS is an epic fantasy based in historical context – a context, which I have stated before, is largely without documentation. The history of Cornwall and Wales in the 9th and 10th centuries is generally without verifiable record. Very few documents from that era have survived, and those that have are conflicting – as are the prevailing scholarly opinions.

Celtic ArtIn creating the world of the Stewards, I drew from a compilation of research on the cultural and mythological truths of the time using the best sources available. If you are looking for an in-depth historical account of Wales in the 10th century, you won’t find it in this book. The truth is, you are going to have a tough time finding any definitive record anywhere. And, if you are looking for a historical fantasy recounting tales of Druids as popularized in contemporary Wiccan philosphy, this book is sure to disappoint. Instead, I explore the concept of paganism (which is quite literally a generic term that refers to all polytheistic and/or indigenous religions) in a much broader sense.

Fact or Fiction?

Which brings me to the point that all historical fiction is a blending of fact and fantasy.  This is especially true of historical fantasy. Novels in this sub-genre are by definition a re-working of what is known (or widely believed) to fit a particular author’s creative vision. History, like everything else, is subject to interpretation. Whether or not it rings true for you depends upon the sources from which your own knowledge is gleaned – it just might be that your sources are different than mine. That’s ok. Heck, even the scholars agree to disagree.

Naturally I hope what I have written will entertain and enlighten you. However, if it doesn’t, and you feel compelled to complain about it in a review, feel free. You have my sincere gratitude for having given my book a try. But before you get all high-minded and start casting aspersions on the accuracy of the history within, be sure you’ve done your own research. I can help with that – I’ve got a great bibliography, if you’re interested :).

For more about the world of the Stewards and  THE WELL OF TEARS, you might enjoy this post: THE HISTORY BEHIND THE FANTASY IN THE WELL OF TEARS

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Best-selling author of the quasi-historical epic fantasy and post-apocalyptic science fiction. Dragon Seeker, Myth Maker, Coffeechocoholic & Antique Jewelry Hoarder.

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