Book Review: Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, an American Slave and Other Writings
Book Review: Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, an American Slave and Other Writings Blurb: "This dramatic autobiography of the early life of an American slave was first published in 1845, when its young author had just achieved his freedom. Douglass'...
“My Hair!” A Birthday Adventure
Yesterday was my birthday and I learned something new. I usually love learning something new. Yesterday’s lesson—not so much. Have you heard of 4DX? Neither had I. Until yesterday. But let me set this up. I have a few modest birthday traditions. I try not to work on...
A Day at the Pompeii Arena
A Day at the Pompeii Arena It’s a sunny day in Pompeii on April 8th in this first year of the reign of Imperator Titus Caesar Vespasianus Augustus (AD 79). The crowds surge toward the amphitheater for the games given by D. Lucretius Stater Valens, a lifelong priest to...
Busting Gladiator Myths
Busting Gladiator Myths Before I researched my novel, Sword of the Gladiatrix, I got most of my ideas and impressions of gladiators from the media: Russell Crowe in Gladiator and (for those of us of a certain age) Kirk Douglas in Spartacus. More recently Starz had a...
Women Gladiators? Really?
Women Gladiators? Really? Yes, really! Whenever I pitched Sword of the Gladiatrix as my “lesbian gladiator novel,” I encountered raised eyebrows and skeptical snorts. The first question everyone asked: “Were there really lesbian gladiators?” My answer: “Of course!” We...
Food in the First Century Roman Empire
Food in the First Century Roman Empire Prism Book Alliance pitched me the guest post topic: “If your character could only eat ten foods for the rest of her life, what would they be and why?” I was initially stumped then delighted. Historical fiction writers are...
How I Die a Dozen Deaths
How I Die a Dozen Deaths “How do you think you would do in a battle arena?” When I got this suggested topic, I thought to myself, “Great! Shortest blog post ever—I die!” Then I thought about it and realized there are a few—very few—situations where I might survive....
Boudica, Queen of the Iceni: Two books
Boudica, Queen of the Iceni: Two books We authors—especially of historical fiction—cannot get along without our research books. (We also like to visit the places we write about, explore museum exhibits, and participate in archaeology and reenactments, but this...
Boudica, Warrior Queen
Boudica, Warrior Queen It’s Women’s History Month and I’ve exhausted my favorite topic of Hypatia, Lady Philosopher of Alexandria. Time to move on to another fascinating woman who has been extensively mythologized: Boudica, Queen of the Iceni (a British Celtic tribe)...
Book Review and Giveaway: “Hand of Fire” by Judith Starkston
Book Review and Giveaway: "Hand of Fire" by Judith Starkston I get pitched a lot of books. I usually accept about one a month. I like most of them and write a paragraph or two on GoodReads.com, LibraryThing.com or Amazon.com. A very few get the full blog treatment....
Writing Process Blog Tour!
Writing Process Blog Tour! I see these things going around the internet all the time: “Name ten things that no one else knows about you.” “Name five books that changed your life.” AND “Tap ten of your nearest and dearest to answer the same question.” Shades of chain...
The Other Lady Philosophers
The Other Lady Philosophers It's Women's History Month and I'm back with the latest installment on my favorite Lady Philosopher, Hypatia of Alexandria. This year I'm tackling Hypatia's sister philosophers. Hypatia didn't spring from her father's forehead fully girded...