Ask the Author: E.M. Powell
Answered Questions (13)
E.M. Powell
Hi Colin Thanks for your question. I’m very pleased to be able to tell you that there is indeed a fourth Stanton and Barling novel in the works. It’s called THE FOREST MURDERS. That would be Forest in the medieval sense, i.e., royal hunting grounds with their own special laws and officers. There’s no sign of Robin Hood but outlaws do feature! I’m hoping for a late 2023 release but don’t have a definite date yet. As soon as I do, the book will appear here on GR.
E.M. Powell
Hi Lucy, thanks so much for your lovely comments on my books! In answer to your question, yes, I have to do a lot of research. That's the case for many writers but it's especially so in historical fiction. I want to make my fictional world as credible as possible and so have to find out as much as I possibly can about it. I'm very fortunate that there are wonderful historians out there who do the primary research, like looking at documents in the original Latin. They then write a history book about their findings that I can actually understand, which is great. I honestly love research. Yes, it's a lot of work and takes a lot of time. But often, I can be stuck with a plot or not sure about a character. Then I come across a historical fact that gives me a real 'a-ha' moment. So it can inspire me as well as problem solve, which is great!
E.M. Powell
I felt the spider's tickle on my cheek. And then I went deaf in one ear.
E.M. Powell
I don't think my life is that exciting! But there is one great mystery that I'm sure many fellow writers can relate to: how do vital household appliances sense an upcoming deadline and promptly start working?!
E.M. Powell
It would have to be Tess Gerritsen's Rizzoli & Isles. Okay, maybe homicide detective Jane Rizzoli and medical examiner Maura Isles don't quite qualify as a couple. But as a crime fighting partnership, they're second to none. For fellow Goodreaders who haven't yet discovered Gerritsen's superb thrillers, I have only this to say: Go find. Go find now. https://www.goodreads.com/author/show...
E.M. Powell
Great question, Jasher- thanks! As with so much in historical fiction, research can help a lot. Even as far back as the 12th century, you had chroniclers at court who wrote about people they witnessed. By reading their accounts, I found out that Henry II, for instance, had a terrible temper and spurned luxury. Hugh de Lacy, Henry's first Lord of Meath in Ireland is accused by Gerald of Wales as being "greedy for gold and more ambitious for his own advancement and pre-eminence than was proper."
Now, while all this factual background information helps, it's then the job of the novelist to make these people come to life. We interpret as many of the facts we have to create our fictional characters. So I create their own life stories up to the point of when the novel starts. That helps me to shape their motivation and their own internal challenges, as well as those that life is throwing at them. And they will often take on a life of their own- even I get surprised at what they get up to!
Now, while all this factual background information helps, it's then the job of the novelist to make these people come to life. We interpret as many of the facts we have to create our fictional characters. So I create their own life stories up to the point of when the novel starts. That helps me to shape their motivation and their own internal challenges, as well as those that life is throwing at them. And they will often take on a life of their own- even I get surprised at what they get up to!
E.M. Powell
Hi Rose Apologies over the glitch! I've sent you a reply to your question on my Facebook Author Page. In case you don't get that, please e-mail me at elaine@empowell.com and I'm sure we'll be able to make our arrangements. Best wishes, Elaine
E.M. Powell
With medieval history research, it's a case of how could you not get inspired? It's such an exciting time, with so many extraordinary events and wonderful characters. For instance, when researching The Blood of The Fifth Knight, I discovered that the medieval menagerie at The Tower of London actually had its origins at Henry II's Woodstock hunting lodge. And Woodstock was one of the places Rosamund Clifford lived. So we now have lions, lynxes and a leopard in the England of 1176. Such fun!.
E.M. Powell
The next book in The Fifth Knight series- working title is The Fifth Knight: Lord of Ireland. It's based on John's (youngest son of Henry II who will one day become the despised King John) disastrous campaign in (yes, you guessed it!) Ireland in 1185. Palmer is sent by Henry to keep watch on the impetuous John. But Palmer uncovers a plot by John to make his mark on the Lordship of Ireland by appalling means. John has to be stopped at all costs, with only Palmer standing in his way...
E.M. Powell
Don't give up. It took me eleven years and three completed manuscripts (with enough rewrites to fill the British Library!) before I landed an agent. He then went on to sell my first two Fifth Knight novels. The other piece of advice is learn your craft. Read books on character, plot, dialogue etc. I personally favour Writer's Digest publications because they are so informative and reliable. But learn it you must (oops- was that a bit Yoda?) and those solid foundations will get you there.
E.M. Powell
Telling a story that brings people to what I call 'that reading place.' You know when you're so immersed in a book, that the world almost disappears, and it feels like a jolt when you finish and you're back in reality? If I have done that for a reader, then that is the highest compliment. It is truly amazing for me that I have done that for others, just as my favourite writers have done it for me.
E.M. Powell
By writing! Seriously: I put words down on the page. They might be awful and later deleted.But as the saying goes, you can't edit a blank page.
E.M. Powell
It's called The Blood of The Fifth Knight and is the sequel to my #1 Amazon Bestselling historical thriller, The Fifth Knight. In The Blood of The Fifth Knight, Sir Benedict Palmer is summoned to serve King Henry II again. Someone is trying to kill Henry's beautiful young mistress, Rosamund Clifford. Henry charges Palmer with finding out who is responsible. Release date is scheduled for December 09 2014!
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