Category Archives: history notes

Advice on How to Write Historical Fiction–Not

Posted on July 13, 2016 by

By the way, did anyone notice that there has been much ‘how-to’ and ‘advice’ offered lately on writing historical fiction ? A perusal of the ‘literature’—and I confess to have done my share—finds that some are more ‘creative’ than others Continue reading →

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The Lusignans of Poitou

Posted on March 27, 2016 by

The recent developments in the Middle East revived academic and public interest in the West’s previous encounters with that part of the world. These events created something of a cottage industry of  histories and novels recounting the crusades, particularly the … Continue reading →

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Starbucks, Mélusine and Me

Posted on December 12, 2015 by

  The ‘brew-haha’ that recently percolated over the 2015 Starbucks holiday cup reminded me of the ever-popular accusation that Starbucks’s logo depicting the legendary Mélusine is ‘in fact’ a demonic image. Historically represented as a bare-breasted woman with the lower … Continue reading →

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…on to Fontevraud Abbey (Pt. III)

Posted on June 18, 2013 by

Fontevraud Abbey: What can one say? The tombs of Henry II, Richard, Isabelle d’Angoulême and Aliénor (dare one be on first name basis with that lady?)  It rained. The countryside is somewhat rolling hills with fields and a few forested … Continue reading →

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…on to Parthenay (Pt. II)

Posted on June 18, 2013 by

Parthenay: We breezed past Saint Maixent-l’École to get to Parthenay, again approached via a fairly flat ground. Parthenay has a population of about 10,000 and I worried, of course, about driving down a maze of streets to find the hotel, … Continue reading →

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Three Simple Rules for Writing Historical or any other Fiction:

Posted on August 12, 2012 by

Advice is cheap—and in the case of advice aimed at writers, plentiful. It is dispensed by authors, writers, publishers, editors, agents, and can be had in the form of a ‘how to’ books on ‘how to’ write books from $9.99 … Continue reading →

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“History is Bunk,” and other Facts of History (with a Bit of Irony )

Posted on May 26, 2012 by

 Recently, I again came across someone quoting that hoary “history is bunk” statement, attributed to Henry Ford.  I have never considered those who quote it worth the effort to engage,  but this time it got me thinking about the facts … Continue reading →

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