The Paula Brackston Fan Group discussion

Hello Paula Brackston Fans!
For a chance to win an early copy of THE RETURN OF THE WITCH, ask Paula a question in the comment thread below! She will be stopping by the group to answer your questions directly!
Ask away! Good luck!

Hi Paula!
I just read "The Witch's Daughter" and loved it! I'm just curious why you chose Greensleeves as Gideon's song.

And thank you for taking the time to answer questions! :)

Hi Paula!
I love your books! I am reading "Lamp Black, Wolf Grey" at the moment. I love the way you "paint" the scenery with words. I am just wondering where do you draw inspiration?What do you do in order to get into the mood to create such beautiful work?

Hi Paula,

Love your books. They are the best kind of escape and your writing is deliciously evocative. Question for you...what interests you most about writing in different time periods? Which time period was your favorite to write?

Hi Paula!

Thanks so much for answering our questions! I just love all of your books and I have to ask the dreaded question: if you could be any one of your witches, which would you choose?

Hi Paula! I think your books are fascinating - I'm curious what do you find most and least enjoyable about including witches and magic in your work?

Hi, Paula. I've always wanted to visit Wales--obviously a source of inspiration in your writing. Have you always lived in Wales? Are there any other places you're inspired by?

Brianne wrote: "Hi Paula!
I just read "The Witch's Daughter" and loved it! I'm just curious why you chose Greensleeves as Gideon's song.

And thank you for taking the time to answer questions! :)"

Hi Brianne,
I'm so glad you enjoyed The Witch's Daughter.
The tune of Greensleeves was written about a hundred years before Bess was born, and it would have been popular then still. There were several versions of the words. At one time it was thought to have been written by King Henry VIII, but there's some doubt about that now. I wanted to use something that was 'of the time'. Not sure how well known Greensleeves is in America. Were you familiar with it? I found myself humming it a lot while I was writing the book.

Tonya wrote: "Hi Paula!
I love your books! I am reading "Lamp Black, Wolf Grey" at the moment. I love the way you "paint" the scenery with words. I am just wondering where do you draw inspiration?What do you do ..."

Hi Tonya,
Lamp Black is very personal to me because I set in right in the house where we were living when I wrote it. Blaencwm is real, and is so far off grid we didn't have electricity when we lived there. The landscape around here is very inspirational, but the buildings too. That house was built somewhere between 1400 and 1800, so imagine the lives that had been lived in it!
I'm afraid I don't do anything special to get in the mood for writing. In fact, I don't think I have a writing mood! The thing is, my stories and characters are whirling around in my head all the time, so as soon as I get the chance to sit down and write they are there, ready to leap out. I think it would be dangerous to wait for certain conditions, or a certain feeling, before starting work. I often don't feel very creative, but I just set to it, and slowly the words will start to flow. Some times more easily than others! Do you write, Tonya?

Kim wrote: "Hi Paula,

Love your books. They are the best kind of escape and your writing is deliciously evocative. Question for you...what interests you most about writing in different time periods? Which tim..."

Hi Kim,
I love to hear of people escaping into my books! I'm so pleased to be able to take people out of the everyday, if only for a little while.
I'm not a historian. My academic background is philosophy, art, and creative writing. I think this is why I like to explore different historical periods in my writing. I completely understand the specialists who stick with one era and are experts on that time, but that's not me. I love to research new times, new places, new people.
Having said that, yes, I do have favourites. I'm a great Dickens fan, so 19th century London appeals to me, but I also love the architecture and philosophy of the seventeenth century, so I'm drawn to that too.

Karen wrote: "Hi Paula!

Thanks so much for answering our questions! I just love all of your books and I have to ask the dreaded question: if you could be any one of your witches, which would you choose?"

Hi Karen,
Not a dreaded question at all, in fact I don't think I've ever been asked that before! You've got me thinking now. I think I'd be terrified if I had to do what Lilith does, even though I would love to have her glamorous life style. And I'm too much of a natterer to be Morgana! I think I'd like to be Seren. She is so fearless and independent, and I love the way she is completely at ease in her environment. Am I allowed to say that about my own character? I also (contrary to what I said about Lilith!) love the simplicity of her life.
Which witch would you be, Karen?

Leigh wrote: "Hi Paula! I think your books are fascinating - I'm curious what do you find most and least enjoyable about including witches and magic in your work?"

Hi Leigh,
The revelation for me has been discovering just how many different types of witches, and different kinds of magic, there are! It's been fascinating exploring and researching witchcraft through the ages and in different parts of the world to come up with ideas for my books. It means more work than just sticking with one sort, but it makes it more interesting to write, and I hope to read, about.
I don't think there are anythings I really don't like about it. My main concern is to write characters that fit the magic they are given, and to stay consistent and believable. And I worry about getting things wrong. People who practice magic are understandably annoyed if writers make mistakes with something that is important to them. I've learned a lot, and my children are hoping I will teach them some spells one day.

Milkcandy wrote: "Hi, Paula. I've always wanted to visit Wales--obviously a source of inspiration in your writing. Have you always lived in Wales? Are there any other places you're inspired by?"

Hi Milkcandy,
I was born in Dorset, in the south west of England (where part of The Witch's Daughter is set) but my family moved to Wales when I was five. I think the place where you grew up and were schooled is always home. I've lived in other parts of Britain too (particularly London) but I've spent enough time here to just about be accepted as a 'local girl' now. This is where I've chosen to settle with my own family. It certainly is a land filled with magic and history and wild places - perfect for a writer.
I do get inspired by other places too, though, even ones I have never visited, and you'll see this is especially true of The Return of the Witch.
Hope you get to visit Wales one day!

Brianne wrote: "Hi Paula!
I just read "The Witch's Daughter" and loved it! I'm just curious why you chose Greensleeves as Gideon's song.

And thank you for taking the time to answer questions! :)"

Hi Brianne! You're the winner of an ARC of RETURN OF THE WITCH! Message me with your mailing address and I'll send you your copy. :)

Paula wrote: "Brianne wrote: "Hi Paula!
I just read "The Witch's Daughter" and loved it! I'm just curious why you chose Greensleeves as Gideon's song.

And thank you for taking the time to answer questions! :)..."

Hi Paula,
Wow, I didn't know it had such a history. It's funny because a little while before I read the book, I downloaded a bunch of different versions of Greensleeves! I think I heard it when I was younger, but I didn't recognize it.

Angelique wrote: "Brianne wrote: "Hi Paula!
I just read "The Witch's Daughter" and loved it! I'm just curious why you chose Greensleeves as Gideon's song.

And thank you for taking the time to answer questions! :)..."

Thank you!!! :) I'm so excited and can't wait to start reading!

Paula wrote: "Tonya wrote: "Hi Paula!
I love your books! I am reading "Lamp Black, Wolf Grey" at the moment. I love the way you "paint" the scenery with words. I am just wondering where do you draw inspiration?W..."

Thank you for answering my questions Paula! I finished Lamp Black, Wolf Grey and I loved it! I have read a few other of your books also and you have never let me down. I also found at the end of the book was the answer to my question. The scenery where I live is not very appealing to the senses. I love to escape inside a good story with lots of description. I can spend time with nature although truethfully I am surrounded by brick, concrete and asphalt. I am a reader, not a writer. Although I am a creative soul. I love to paint and make jewelry at the moment. I am always trying something different as long as it is beautiful or meaningful.