Arthuriana -- all things King Arthur ! discussion

If authors participating as Arthuriana members would like to share insight on their writing, please add as topics in this folder. We welcome hearing about your interests, views, inspirations, etc.

Thank you! I'd certainly like to share my thoughts on writing.

It's a challenge, but lots of fun, to write an Arthurian novel. Because you're working within a well-known tradition, everybody knows--or they think they know, anyway--what's going to happen. There's no sense of surprise in your book.

I tried to get around this disadvantage in two ways. First, I went to sources that most readers aren't aware of--the Welsh poems "Preiddeu Annwn" and "Yr Afallennau," for example, or the tale "How Culhwch Won Olwen" from "The Mabinogion."

The second trick is to absolutely capitalize on the fact that your readers know what's going to happen. For example, the "wolf" in the title of my book is the Brittonic warrior queen Budicca (which I spell Boudicea, to differentiate my creation from the historical person).

No matter how you change history, you can't have Budicca successful in her final battle with the Romans. But her impending tragedy casts a kind of feeling of tragedy over her relationship with Merlin.

The same goes with the more traditionally-used characters. We know that Merlin will eventually have some connection with the fifth-century Arthur; but here he is, a contemporary of the first-century Budicca.

Hopefully, curiosity about such questions keeps the book moving, and keeps readers interested.

Cheers,
Mark Adderley,
Author, The Hawk and the Wolf.

Thank you, Sarah, I'd love to share my influences.

I had a slow start with reading - I needed exta lessons at about 8 - but once I got going I particularly enjoyed myths and legends, especially British ones. I think Roger Lancelyn Greene had a big influence on me as my first proper introduction to King Arthur, including lots of stories about his knights and beautiful illustrations.

Through school I was introduced to 3 books that were able to mix myths and legends with the modern world - a long time before Harry Potter (sorry J K Rowling!) - bringing them vividly to life. It was something I then wanted to do. Those stories were "The Eight Days of Luke" by Diana Wynne Jones, "The Dark is Rising" by Susan Cooper, and "The Weirdstone of Brisingamen" by Alan Garner. All of which I would still recommend to readers today.

During one long summer holiday I watched a special edition of the BBC's Jackanory (a story reading programme). I immediately fell in love with the story, had to read it myself and all the others that went with it. That book was "The Hobbit" by Tolkien. "The Lord of the Rings" is still a favourite and probabley reflects my interest in completely made-up worlds, myths and legends of my own.

Fortunately I had a brilliant English teacher and I was just reading fantasy - I was heavily into real WWII stories at the same time as reading Tolkien. She also encouraged my reading of poetry and plays - Tennyson to Euripides!

Not surprisingly, I found the perfect university course at Exeter: English including Medieval Studies. Not only did I get to read Anglo-Saxon poetry like "Beowulf" but I took a whole paper on Arthurian Romance. I loved the different strands that developed during the history of the legends, different presentations of characters like Gawain. One of my favourites is "Sir Gawain and the Loathly Lady". I also love the "Alliterative Morte D'Arthur" which follows the older traditions of the story where Arthur marches on Rome (and no Lancelot in sight).

I always wanted to writ but didn't really have much time as a busy teacher until I stopped work to bring up mu children. My first attempts at writing were children's stories involving Camelot but they came to nothing. (I was told once by someone in the business that King Arthur was too old fashioned - I wonder if she watches "Merlin"!) Now I create my own worlds.

I fear there are many other books I haven't mentioned (e.g. "The Crystal Caves" by Mary Stewart) - I hope you all enjoy some of those I have named, too.

Annette Hart,
Author, "Blood and Allegiance".