Christy English

When New Characters Come Knocking

Friday, September 17th, 2010 | The Writing Life, Writing Process | 4 Comments

I wonder how other writers feel when they are deep into a project, fully commited as I am to Eleanor, and as they work, a new set of characters show up like refugees from a burning building who want to tell their story. A new idea has arrived, and I am listening, making notes and thinking through the intricacies of the story. As I wait for notes on my latest Eleanor synopsis, it is exciting to go down a different path, into unexplored country. I wonder what I will find there.

How do other writers feel when new ideas come in the middle of a project? Do they feel overwhelmed? Confused? Or just happy that the Muse is still speaking to them?

The Queen’s Pawn at WHQR: Prologue

Wednesday, September 15th, 2010 | Ben Steelman, Book Clubs, The Queen's Pawn, Video Blog Entries, WHQR | 1 Comment

Can you tell I’m dramatic from my look in the opening shot? Wilmington, NC’s public radio station, WHQR and Ben Steelman of The Star News were kind enough to invite me to participate in their monthly book club, Prologue. Ben and I talked at length last night and took questions from the folks who were there. Here is a video blog of a quote from Reynolds Price that inspired me at a NC Writers’ Conference years ago as well as a question and answer about my writing process.

How do writers schedule their work? It’s different for all of us, and I work differently on each draft. Sometimes I’m strict with myself and sometimes I’m lax, but always, I have to end up back in the chair to get the work done.

Book Clubs and The Queen’s Pawn

Monday, September 13th, 2010 | Book Clubs, The Queen's Pawn | No Comments

I had a great time this morning talking about Eleanor and Alais with a lovely book club in Wilmington, NC. Thank you Lynette, Phyllis and all the other ladies for hosting me and for asking such interesting questions about The Queen’s Pawn. Alais and Eleanor live on again whenever we remember them…thank you for remembering them with me.

The Cloisters: Where I Outlined The Queen’s Pawn

Friday, September 10th, 2010 | The Queen's Pawn, The Writing Life, Video Blog Entries | 2 Comments

I love this place…I have more than a few videos on my blog of The Cloisters in New York. I just can’t get enough…

Susan Holloway Scott’s Newest Book

Wednesday, September 8th, 2010 | Susan Holloway Scott | No Comments

One of my favorite authors, Susan Holloway Scott, latest novel came out yesterday. The Countess and the King tells the story of James II’s reign, and his love for his mistress, Catherine, Countess of Dorchester.  I have never read anything about King James II of England, but Susan made me love Charles II, so I am sure I will come to love James as well. At the very least, I will see why Catherine loved him, which in a love story, is all that matters.

But don’t think that The Countess and the King is only about romance…Susan never fails to detail the politics of her time period. I know almost nothing about James II, so I am looking forward to discovering what he did with the monarchy that his brother fought to restore.