I’m excited to be the
debut author for Prairie Rose Publications’ new medieval imprint. Although PRP is best known for its Western romances, the new imprint isn't as out of place as you might think. Knights in
dented armor and cowboys in not-quite-white hats are equally appealing heroes, even if they inhabit different worlds.
I write predominately
in the 12th century, the era of Henry II, Eleanor of Aquitaine, and
Thomas of Beckett. A renaissance in learning, trade, and culture began in this
period as the violent migrations of the previous centuries ceased and people
could begin living, loving, and traveling in relative safety.
Like the Old West,
the era was one of expanding possibilities, but the limits of those
possibilities were much, much closer.
Individuals, loners, and people seeking a do-over populated the West. Whereas in Medieval Europe places to make a fresh start were in short supply.
Additionally, marriage was the means in
which land would pass without chaos from one generation to the next in the Middle Ages. Because chaos
meant war, war meant famine, and famine meant starvation, sickness and death, your role as an individual was to do your duty to prevent chaos.
Actually, the idea of
an “individual” didn’t exist. That’s not to say that individuals didn’t have
wants and needs or that individuals didn’t strive to have these fulfilled, but
the shared values of society didn’t emphasize the individual and the individual
certainly didn’t supersede the needs of society. Doing so was a sin.
That said, our medieval counterparts still desired love, passion and connections.
The beauty in this lack of opportunity and tightly control social structure is it provides great conflict. In all my stories, the hero or heroine—often both—struggle against expectations and their own sense of duty as much as they fight against a villain.
Getting them to a happy ending within the confines of this world is always a challenge, but I love it when story comes together and my knight errant gets his woman--even if he doesn't ride off into the sunset with her.
The beauty in this lack of opportunity and tightly control social structure is it provides great conflict. In all my stories, the hero or heroine—often both—struggle against expectations and their own sense of duty as much as they fight against a villain.
Getting them to a happy ending within the confines of this world is always a challenge, but I love it when story comes together and my knight errant gets his woman--even if he doesn't ride off into the sunset with her.
So do you read Westerns, contemporaries or historicals? What societal elements do you like best in your romances?
Keena these books were just wonderful. I kept having to go back re-read to be sure I was EDITING rather than just getting lost in a great story. I'm looking forward to the next one.
ReplyDeleteI read everything (of course!) in my editing, but for pure pleasure I love historicals of every time period. I always learn something. Right now, I am reading LaVyrle Spencer's book, Morning Glory. Not a time period I usually read (just before WWII) but it is just enthralling--more from the societal standpoint, values, social mores and taboos. And love is going to triumph over EVERYTHING.
I do think there is a lot of connection between historical western times and medieval days and heroes. Very interesting to think about!
Enjoyed this blog very much! And as I said, I'm looking forward to getting to read ENTHRALLED and see how everything comes out in the wash. LOL
Cheryl
Thanks, Cheryl. I think you'll enjoy how it all wraps up.
DeleteHmmmm. From my perspective, Westerns are a uniquely American genre. The loner who makes it by himself. The huge, empty landscape. Still, the idea of the "knight in shining armor," does have something in common with the lone gunman fighting for right, even though Westerns are rooted in individuality and medieval in the societal idea of order and chivalry. Interesting topic!
ReplyDeleteI do wonder what our Knight would do if he'd found himself out in the American West. It might be as fun as taking one to a modern grocery store.
DeleteHey, Keena--I'm so glad you spelled "y'all" correctly, not being a Westerner and all....
ReplyDeleteI never knew the Medieval mindset was that individual had no rights. I suppose it doesn't surprise me, but still...something I had not thought about.
Oh, yes, the good Cowboy of the West certainly did have much in common with the Knight of those long gone ages. Congratulations to you for getting in with Cheryl and her wonderful publication company with our Livia. I wish you luck and believe you will do well. Celia
Hi, Celia. I don't think it's a case that the individual had no rights as much as it was a case of community being more important than any one person. AS Spock said, "the needs of the many outweigh the needs of the one."
DeleteBy the way, we say y'all in the South where my family comes from.
DeleteThe thing I believe transcends all stories, the need to love, be loved and belong. Whether in an individual centric society or a group mentality, humans were and are human. I did enjoy your comparison of the two societies. What really intrigues me, how we put our modern concepts into our interpretations of the past. Thank you for a very enjoyable post. Doris McCraw/Angela Raines
ReplyDeleteIt's hard not to interpret the past through our eyes. And though I try to be true to the spirit of the era in my writings, I also don't want to make the setting so alien that readers can't connect to the world. But I so agree that the need to love and be love is universal. That's the need I always aim for.
DeleteWelcome to the PRP Blog, Keena! Great post. I was a huge King Arthur fan as a child. I write westerns because that was the landscape in which my first character appeared to me, but I do enjoy them all--westerns, medievals, contemporaries. I've picked up a copy of Anam Cara and look forward to reading it.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Kristy. I hope you love ANAM CARA as much as I do. When i was a kid, I played Robin Hood in the woods behind my house. Yes, I was Robin Hood. Even tried to make a bow.
DeleteI loved Robin Hood too!!
DeleteCongratulations on your new release, and welcome to Prairie Rose, Keena. Thank you for the interesting tidbits in your blog about history before America became colonized. It was really quite fascinating.
ReplyDeleteWhat state do you come from? Now that I know another southerner has joined the team I'm all eager and interested.
I wish you success and happiness.
Keena, I love to read most romances, mostly historical whether medieval or regency or western cowboys. I write westerns, some cowboy, some just out west, and hope in the future to write a medieval as good as Anam Cara--really enjoyed it. Wishing you the best. And thanks so much for sharing the fascinating connection of cowboys and medieval heros--great post.
ReplyDelete