2026 Reading Challenge

Ask the Author: Leanda de Lisle

“ I'll be answering questions about my new book White King, a biography of Charles I, between now and UK publication in January 2018” Leanda de Lisle

Answered Questions (9)

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I am devouring your books. Thank you for your beautifully researched and fascinating narratives. Could you tell me more about your research process? Do you visit libraries and archives? Do you speak to experts? Do you read manuscripts and, if so, where? I am interested to know more about the process of preparing research for a book. Thank you for being willing to discuss topics with your readers.
Leanda de Lisle Thank you! Please give me a little time to respond - I have a heap of stuff on but dont want you to think I have forgotten you!
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Can you tell us a two-sentence horror story?
Leanda de Lisle
It is a beautiful day and I step onto the stage as I used to on masque night. I can see the crowd awaiting my speech, and beside me now, with his face distorted by fishnet, is the executioner who will take my head, as the traitor and murderer, Charles I.
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The bibliography in the Sisters Who Would Be Queen was one of the longest I have seen in a history book. How do you find so many sources for your books? Do you use other books' bibliographies? Are some of them recommended to you?
Leanda de Lisle Yes and yes, but I also find that as I research I discover more works I ned to read so I go to them and then there are more. Happily not all have to be read cover to cover be they books or manuscripts!
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How do you get inspired to write?
Leanda de Lisle Day dreaming and reading
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What are you currently working on?
Leanda de Lisle A book on Charles I and his family
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What’s your advice for aspiring writers?
Leanda de Lisle Try and try again!
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What’s the best thing about being a writer?
Leanda de Lisle It is amazing when people tell you that your books have given them pleasure. I feel very blessed when that happens
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How do you deal with writer’s block?
Leanda de Lisle I lie on my bed for twenty mins after lunch every day. It re-boots me!
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Where did you get the idea for your most recent book?
Leanda de Lisle My two previous books led me to understand how important the issue of the succession was in Tudor history - and that that is essentially a family story.
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