Ask the Author: Sophie Perinot
Answered Questions (8)
Sophie Perinot
I am as disappointed as you are that it is not out in trade paperback. I do not give up hope of it being so, however. You can be certain as soon as it is, I will make that fact very visible. As for e-book, I cannot explain that. All I can do is apologize. Once a book is purchased by the publisher, we authors have so little control.
Sophie Perinot
I would love to do a follow up because there is so much to tell! But whether I end up doing so or not will largely depend on my publisher and what they think the market wants more of.
Sophie Perinot
Sorry for the delayed response. I am OBVIOUSLY no techo-whiz because I somehow just discovered your question (and several others) today.
So I actually am heading in an exciting new direction--the book I am working on now has dual timeline and one of them is contemporary (London). But never fear, I also have a manuscript drafted that is set firmly and fully in the past (not France though). Wish I could say more but my agent would hit me over the head with something heavy ;)
So I actually am heading in an exciting new direction--the book I am working on now has dual timeline and one of them is contemporary (London). But never fear, I also have a manuscript drafted that is set firmly and fully in the past (not France though). Wish I could say more but my agent would hit me over the head with something heavy ;)
Sophie Perinot
Sorry for the delayed response. I am OBVIOUSLY no techo-whiz because I somehow just discovered your question (and several others) today.
16th Century France is sort of my first love so I actually did years of research on the era before I even thought about writing a novel set in it. There is a great deal of information--the tricky part is making certain to be aware of the bias/or goals of some of it. For example not only were contemporary accounts of the family often more vicious gossip than fact (see my author's note) but 19th century historians quite often took sides in the Wars of Religion when writing their non-fiction histories (the good news is these gentlemen--and given the time the were exclusively male--tend to make a clean breast of their loyalties in their prefaces). Of course Marguerite's memoirs were also important part of the puzzle. But again it is important to remember that she wrote them later in life and that she had personal/political goals that they were intended to serve.
One of the nice things about writing historical fiction as opposed to academic history however is the telling of my tale is filtered through the eyes of my POV character (Margot) so I can allow her to indulge in her prejudices and preconceived notions as she recounts events.
Hope that answers your question. Best, Sophie
16th Century France is sort of my first love so I actually did years of research on the era before I even thought about writing a novel set in it. There is a great deal of information--the tricky part is making certain to be aware of the bias/or goals of some of it. For example not only were contemporary accounts of the family often more vicious gossip than fact (see my author's note) but 19th century historians quite often took sides in the Wars of Religion when writing their non-fiction histories (the good news is these gentlemen--and given the time the were exclusively male--tend to make a clean breast of their loyalties in their prefaces). Of course Marguerite's memoirs were also important part of the puzzle. But again it is important to remember that she wrote them later in life and that she had personal/political goals that they were intended to serve.
One of the nice things about writing historical fiction as opposed to academic history however is the telling of my tale is filtered through the eyes of my POV character (Margot) so I can allow her to indulge in her prejudices and preconceived notions as she recounts events.
Hope that answers your question. Best, Sophie
Sophie Perinot
Sorry for the delayed response. I am OBVIOUSLY no techo-whiz because I somehow just discovered your question (and several others) today.
Personally I would be delighted to return to Valois France in the future but in the short run I am focused on other projects :) Best, Sophie
Personally I would be delighted to return to Valois France in the future but in the short run I am focused on other projects :) Best, Sophie
Sophie Perinot
Some years ago I had the privilege of hearing Bernard Cornwell speak at an HNS Conference. He insisted that this is a business and there is no such thing as writer's block anymore than there is "dentist's block." He asked us to imagine showing up for a dental appointment to be told by the nurse the dentist wasn't feeling up to filling teeth that day. That helped me immensely. During work hours--albeit truncated by other occupations--I sit in my chair and I write. No excuses.
Sophie Perinot
I always have feelers out. When I am researching one book I quite often find ideas for another—for example, THE SISTER QUEENS arose out of a footnote in a book on Notre Dame during some research on a 16th century project. My current wip was sparked by a song, a song so striking that my young son and I had to pull off the road to finish listening. I am gut driven. I need what I like to call a genesis moment.
Sophie Perinot
First off you are right--a lot is left in the notebook and that is as it should be. I think historical novelists need to absorb the period in which they are writing until it is nearly second nature so that when their characters act, speak, dress they will feel authentic. But I think when authors "research dump" the magic is lost. I've experienced that as a reader--gotten to sections of books that feel like the author showing off what he/she has learned for its own sake. I always skim or skip those parts.
As far as making characters approachable goes, I think folks who read historical fiction are pretty knowledgeable and they come to a book understanding that in some ways the past is indeed an alien land. On the other hand what is essential to our humanity hasn't changed, so I believe we recognize the existential struggles of people living in times distant to our own. In fact, I think setting something in the past can make some of life's toughest moments/issues (what does it mean to be a good man? how does one chose between obedience to family and obedience to conscience? what is the essence of love?) more approachable for readers (set in a contemporary novel they might feel too close to home).
As far as making characters approachable goes, I think folks who read historical fiction are pretty knowledgeable and they come to a book understanding that in some ways the past is indeed an alien land. On the other hand what is essential to our humanity hasn't changed, so I believe we recognize the existential struggles of people living in times distant to our own. In fact, I think setting something in the past can make some of life's toughest moments/issues (what does it mean to be a good man? how does one chose between obedience to family and obedience to conscience? what is the essence of love?) more approachable for readers (set in a contemporary novel they might feel too close to home).
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