Ask Philippa Gregory discussion

Here's your opportunity to have your questions answered by queen of historical fiction, Philippa Gregory. Philippa will be answering your questions about her new books, Fools' Gold (the third book in her YA series, Order of Darkness) and The White Princess (publishing in paperback on 27th February).

Philippa will be answering questions on 21st February - so leave your question on the forum!

What got you interested in Tudor history?. And what inspired you to write about the Tudors?

You often say that history is speculative, there are many gaps in history and as an author you try to fill these gaps with the 'most likely' true version of events in your novels. I've always wanted to ask you, if you could go back in time and be 100% certain of ONE speculative event in history (e.g. what happened to the princes in the tower, were Mary Bolyen's children fathered by King Henry etc) what event would you choose?

Samantha, Australia

I love all of your books. The books are the reason I have fallen in love with the Tudor family as well as the other older royal families... How do you do your research?

Okay, I'm dying to know the answer to this question, and I need some hope. Will Luca ever find out who he met in the garden? Because this is killing me. Thanks :)

You are my all time favorite author and I absolutely love your books. I even got The Other Boleyn Girl in one of my tattoos because it is my ALL TIME FAVORITE BOOK! I'm curious as to what new books we can expect to see from you in the future or who you would like to write about next?

I've loved your books since I first picked up 'The Other Boleyn Girl' and it's played a huge factor in getting me into Tudor and Platagenet history. There are so many versions of the same events ( Mary Boleyn's affair with King Henry, Anne's rise to power and her fall, etc.) how do you interpret these events and how do you choose which versions to include and which to discount?

I loved "The White Queen" TV series, will the story continue on TV with "The White Princess"?

Estella, Texas

You started with the Tudors and went back in time for the Cousins' War. Do you think you will go further back in time or will you move forward? I would love to get your perspective on the time period leading up to the Cousins' War, specifically the sons of Edward III. Although a book on Charles I would be appreciated too!

I loved all your Plantagenet books, and felt you really tearing at my heartstrings with your portrayal of "Perkin Warbeck". You were also sympathetic towards Richard III. How did you feel when the body identified as his was discovered in the car park in Leicester?

I was wondering at what age and what event made you so interested in history?

I have just completed my Doctorate at the University of Manchester in History and I would love to use my PhD thesis to provide the basis for a fictional novel about the impact of women in the sphere of nineteenth century war when women had no defined place in society. I think it is essential to bring through the 'voices' of women in history as they were not politically significant players and as such there are minimal testimony available barring personal letters, diaries etcetera and their 'voices' are often lost to the public male elite. Do you think it is important to women's history to tell the 'female side of the story' so to speak? As your books seem to give me 'the other women's side' of the adopted patriarchal history.

Charlotte, UK

You really bring your characters alive and make the settings extremely realistic, inasmuch as you feel that you are there with the characters. Have you always had an interest in history and what set you about writing historical novels in the first place?

I was fascinated by the idea that Perkin Warbeck really was Richard Duke of York - was your idea based on any specific historical research or was it purely a good theme for your book?

After you finish your books on the Plantagenets, do you plan to return to the Tudors and write about Catherine Parr and Jane Seymour, or do you plan to shift your focus to another British royal family, like the Stuarts?

How long do you research for your books?

So you plan to write any more books about any of the other descendent of Elizabeth of York and Henry Tudor? Say Margaret Tudor or Mary Queen of Scots? Also, what is the most challenging part of your research when you embark on a new topic for a novel? - Andy McMillin

In your your adult books you explore the dark ages do you plan to take on the Renaissance for your next Young Adult series?

When comes "The white Princess" in german???? I wait very impatienty for it.
Can I also hope to see the TV-Series "The white Queen" in german?

Thank you so much for your books, and please MORE BOOKS of the Plantagenets, the Tudors, and also of the Stuarts if possible ==> I love them all.

Will you ever write a series in another genre aside from Historical Fiction- have you ever considered writing a children's/teen/YA series? A big fan of your work x Anna

I love all your books,and mostly they are about the Tudors. But if you were to focus on another period in english history to write novels about, which one would it be and why? I love The White Queen series. Why isn´t the series shown in all European countries?

The White Queen got some quite bad reviews in the UK, maybe the BBC isn't ready to share! But I think it will in time be viewed as a classic. I ''m now watching again on DVD, and enjoying it even more second time round. The depth of historical research, texture, colour, all superb.

We know that there are talks of continuation the TV series - The White Queen, but is it possible not only to adapt The White Princess but also to create the prequel with The Lady of the Rivers? I have to admit that Jacquetta's story is so interesting that it deserves it too! Another unknown character whose life has not been noticed but yet her role was so significant!

Another question but about totally different thing. Have you thought of writing about a French royal figure from the period? Who would that be: a rather "known" person or maybe you have already come across some undiscovered important one?

Best regards from Poland!

Is there a long journey between wanting to become a fiction writer and then actually start writing something classical? I am asking this thing because no other writer can ever explain the process of writing so clearly as you do. I really like the calrity of your thoughts and explanation. I also want to say that your novels have inspired me to know history of women in the royal courts of Mughals in India. Thanks for writing and giving me inspiration to know about my history.Your fan from Pakistan.

What made you choose to look mostly at the Yorkists over the Lancasterians in the Cousin's War series ?

Do you always write the books for yourself, as a hobby- or at some point has any book you've written been driven by the public?

How much of an influence does criticism have on your work, either positive or negative?

Would you ever consider writing about other famous (or infamous) women in history? For instance Marie Antoinette, Mary Surratt, Lucretia Borgia,
Madame Curie, Florence Nightingale, Lizzie Borden?

What subject are you planning on writing about after you finish the king's curse? Love your books!

I'm writing a historical fiction set in the Tudor period and I'd like to know if you think it is okay for a writer to use some artistic license or whether you feel it is really crucial to get historical events, the language, dress, manners of the time etc... really spot on?

First thank you for sharing your lovely books with all of us! As readers we fall in love with the stories & characters you portray.
I was wondering do you ever see yourself in your characters. If so I would love to hear which one you relate to the most.

I love history even as a child . So you have any idea why the history of England gets so much attention around the world ? And who is your favourite author when it comes to History ?

Warm greetings from Anna in Holland ( love your books )

Hi. I have read all of your books including the non-fiction on the Rivers/Tudor Families. I was intrigued by the book "A Respectable Trade". What was your inspiration in writing the book? How did you decide to have the characters have a relationship during the time of slavery and prejudice? Please keep writing all these fabulous historical fiction books. You're one of my favorites. Thanks you. Tina

We enjoy your books, but what books do you enjoy?

Many times you have been criticized for not being 100% historically accurate in your novels. What is your process for picking what historical facts to use and what you create from your own imagination?

First of all I want you to know that I can't wait for each of your novels to come out.. You have been my favourite author for many years.. Have you ever had the desire to have lived in any of the eras that your books were written in? In particular the Plantagenet and Tudor years.. And do you have a favourite of any of these amazing ladies that you've written about?

I loved the Tradescant novels. Did you fictionalize the sexual relationship between John Sr. and the Duke, and if so why? I thought it very brave and compelling of you. Also are you through with the Wideacre characters?

Dear Philippa,

Thank you so much for giving us this opportunity to ask questions. Your books have inspired me and gave me the passion to try writing myself.

I am writing an Egyptian Fiction series and wondered if you could give me any helpful hints on outlines. Do you outline or do you fly by the seat of your pants?

Thank you again for spending time with us. I'm honored to have met you.

Claire

I love your books. They take me away from my dull reality to exciting, sometimes frightening, places and times. Your characters are so full of life. Do you use people you know as models, or just make them up?

How long does it take you to research and write your amazing novels? Do you ever get side tracked into writing a different story before finishing the one you're actually working on? How do you decide who to write about next?

Where is the first place you usually go when you have inspiration for a new novel?

Congratulations on your success. I love reading your books. In your opinion, what happened to the two princes in the tower and was Margaret Beaufort responsible?

Will you be writing about another English monarch family? I loved the plantagenet/ Tudor books. You are one of my favorite authors writing about my favorite times in history. :-) you make the world come to life, so thankyou! :-)

Do you think Richard the 3rd had the two Princes killed? If not, who did? Is it possible Margaret Beaufort is responsible?

Are any of your novels being considered for a future major motion picture? I enjoyed The White Queen series on cable.

How do you go about "putting words into real people's mouths". Most of your characters are real people, so how do you handle having to think as they did and act as per their personality so that the story sounds plausible? How hard is it?

The first time I read one of your novels I thought of Raymond Williams' "lived experience." And then I saw where you you had studied history. You are the only writer of historical fiction who captures what it was like for women to make choices within particular structures of power and somehow also brilliantly manages to tell a great story. I see you as one of the most influential feminists and progressives of our time. I also wrote a blog about you as a closet goddess writer (The Wideacre series in particular) Do you see yourself as having a mission or a responsibility in the writing of your fiction besides that of entertaining?

First of all, I oh so love your books. And secondly, would you ever consider writing a teenage fiction with a historical twist to it? Changeling is kinda like it but would you consider writing another one?

You've written so many books, what one was the most fulfilling to have published?

Hi Philippa,
I love your novels! I'm an aspiring novelist and I was wondering how long it takes you to do research for your novels?

I too would like to find out more about your research process.

I have read many of your novels but what one is your favorite.your research is great. Where do you do it?