Q&A with Michael Brown discussion

Dear Readers,

Happy new year! And welcome to my first author Q&A for my first novel, William & Lucy. I'm excited, and well, new at this, so bear with me...

"William & Lucy" centers on one of literary history's most enduring mysteries: the identity of Lucy Sims, the young muse who inspired William Wordsworth to write the famous Lucy poems that began the Age of Romanticism in English literature.

One of my favorite Wordsworth poems is "She Dwelt Among the Untrodden Ways." I was intrigued with Lucy, the young woman in the poem that ended with the words: "...and, oh the difference to me!" I read everything about this relationship but I still could not "find" Lucy. That initial research, however, gave me the "bones" of my novel.

Are any of you Wordsworth fans? Or have you ever been curious about a literary love affair? Do you ever imagine what life the characters lead off the written page? These are all ideas that intrigue me.

I hope you'll check back here during the week as I talk more about Wordsworth, my novel, and anything else you want to talk about!

Thanks for coming by.

Best, Michael

I'm not a Wordsworth fan, but I like the idea of this book and I look forward to reading it. I love the notion of what happens behind the scenes in myths or history. Like Camelot or Girl with a Pearl Earring. There was also that work about Henry VII's love affair with Anne Boelyn's sister. I love stuff like that. I may end up picking up Wordsworth's work now. You've intrigued me. Any other historical eras you're interested in exploring this way? Are you working on another book that's similar in approach?

Hi Ramona,

Thanks for your comments. As far as writing another novel in the same genre, I'm going to wait and see how much interest this one generates. If the reaction is positiveI will certainly write another historical novel.
In the meantime, I have writen a really off-the-wall slap-stick comedy being published by Sunbury Press this spring, it's called, "LOVE, SEX, and other NEAR DEATH EXPERIENCES". It's today's comedic genre.

I hope you enjoy "William & Lucy"

Warm regards,

Michael.

Hi Michael. Congratulations on the release of William and Lucy. Unfortunately I haven't had the chance to read it yet, but I know I am going to love it. It's a very captivating story. As a reader fond of historical fiction and love stories, I am already hooked. In which ways could this novel appeal to contemporary fiction readers as well?

I love Wordsworth.

I noticed in your bio you were a film editor previously. How has that skill helped with your writing? Do you visualize scenes and sequences like a film? thanks.

Congratulations on your first novel! What was like to go from co-authoring a non-fiction work, where you had real-life experiences to draw from, to letting your imagine flow with this novel?

Hi Mina,
If you believe in love at first sight, be it historical or contemporary, then the relationship between William and Lucy will transcend the years.
While prejudice against independent women and the upper, middle and lower social classes are no longer as relevant as they were in 1798, the struggles young lover’s face today have many similarities; finances, employment, sexual harassment, and sacrificing all for the pursuit of one’s artistic endeavors.
Mina, I hope you’ll find William and Lucy characters enthralling, fun, sad, and, hopefully, a worthwhile read.
Warm regards, Michael Brown.

I found this to be a wonderful read. I especially enjoyed the way you tied everything up at the end...did you ever think about writing a mystery novel?

Hi Gina,

Being an editor helped a great deal in the timing and rhythms of the chapters. As an editor one learns not to add superfulous dialog and discriptions, to keep the pace of the story lean and exciting. I believe my editing experiences helped to make "William & Lucy" a page turner for all of its 358 pages!

Hi Diane,

I found a world of difference between writing historical fiction and non-fiction. While keeping within the bounderies of history the historical fiction author is free to 'create' characters, feelings, situations, drama and comedy. For instance, I discovered there was an Agent sent by the Home Office to gather evidence to have Wordsworth hung as a French spy. Research told me little but the man's name. This allowed me to build an interesting back story. I made this agent a failed poet, jealous and resentful toward Wordsworth - it really works in the story and helps the drama as this man is now obsessed with proving Wordsworth's guilt. Other examples exist throughout the novel, all adding to the fun of story telling!

Hi Diane (message # 8)

Yes I have thought of writing a mystery novel! Actually it's going to be a thriller mystery.
I'm on page 7, so I have a ways to go! But I did write a second novel, this time a silly, sexy, slap-stick comedy that is very contemporary. It will be published this spring by Sunbury Press and is titled: "LOVE, SEX, and other NEAR DEATH EXPERIENCES".

I think by the description (you had me at silly, sexy, slap-stick), that will be on my list for MUST READ!! Also, very much looking forward to the mystery. I am sure it will be great, based on how much I enjoyed William and Lucy.