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| One Yutletide Knight on Amazon |
What started as a fascination with female warriors soon went further into the story of Vikings and their explorations and trading skills.
The journey began with a book called "The Heimskringla, Or, Chronicle of the Kings of Norway" by Snorro Sturleson, translated by Samuel Laing, Esq. originally published in 1844. This book, while bringing the stories of these people to light, also gave glimpses of everyday life. The translator was a defender of the Vikings, which he called Northmen. It was from here the idea of the story "Gunvar's Gift" began to take shape.
Next a study of the various outpost and journey's of the Northmen showed that in addition to the raiding along the Western coast of Europe and in Great Britain, they also traversed the rivers through what is now Germany and into the Empire of Byzantium. It seemed there were less conflicts with the more established governments so I felt the story could progress as I was seeing it.
Next of course was the idea of a female Viking warrior. The jury is still out on this idea, but there are many who believe there were such warriors. As more grave sites are found and new ways of viewing and examining remains, the more the idea seems to be accepted. For me, I know there have always been female warriors throughout history, so I felt comfortable having one of my characters in that role.
The next piece of good luck which brought the story to fruition was a Nova documentary on a special sword, the Ulfberht sword that was prized by Viking warriors. If you are interested, here is a link to that show. Secrets of the Viking Sword
The one thing that all my writing goes back to is history and research. Both are passions and inspire my stories. When writing about the 400 to 1400s, I love the clash of societies, ideas and countries. The clash creates so much drama and when you put the human element in, magic happens, at least for me.
So as you snuggle in this winter and during the holidays, enjoy the eight stories in "One Yuletide Knight". I think you will be glad you did.
To purchase One Yuletide Knight
Doris Gardner-McCraw -
Author, Speaker, Historian-specializing in
Colorado and Women's History
Colorado and Women's History
Angela Raines - author: Where Love & History Meet
For a list of Angela Raines Books: Here
Photo and Poem: Click Here
Angela Raines FaceBook: Click Here
You've inspired me to spend more time looking at the Vikings! I did see that Nova, and you put it well, the clashes of society and cultures in that time period are so fruitful for an author (and a reader). I'm delighted to once again be part of an anthology with you. I haven't read this one yet, but I sure look forward to it!
ReplyDeleteThank you Patti. I'm always excited when I find that 'spark' that ignites the passion for a story. The Vikings are interesting, for they really don't have a lot or written history, so what we do find is fascinating reading. Doris
DeleteInteresting stuff, Doris! I really loved the stories in this collection--and I'm not "just saying that"-- they were all just excellent. I always love to hear about inspiration and research that people did for their stories, too. All so interesting!
ReplyDeleteI knew I wanted to include Vikings in a story, they were so important to early Medieval History in my mind. Once I started researching the pieces just seemed to fall into place. I'm so glad you enjoyed the stories. I know I feel honored to be among such wonderful storytellers. Doris
DeleteDoris,
ReplyDeleteMedieval history is one of my interests, but I don't know enough about it to confidently write a story. That's why I look forward to these anthologies. Best of luck with this anthology.
Kaye, I guess I just jump right in. Of course, Medieval history, especially the little known will keep on the internet, google books and special collections stacks for hours. But lets face it, any excuse to dig into history will make me happy. LOL
DeleteI do hope you enjoy the stories.
Doris
Very interesting. I don't read much about the Vikings, but the Nova article kept my interest. I look forward to reading this anthology of Medieval stories.
ReplyDeleteZina, I think I've always had an interest in their society. I also used to work with a woman from Finland, and her outlook was just different enough it caught my interest.
DeleteI loved the Nova piece. I couldn't stop watching. So fascinating.
Hope you enjoy the stories. Now back to writing. *Smile*
Doris
Mind boggling as all that research was for you, I can dig it because historical writers love research. It's just part of the fun of writing. I'm raising my hand as an addicted researcher.
ReplyDeleteThe research brings the story alive with detail from the era in which we write. We want our readers to believe our story and have them get lost in the world and time we have created.
There are some historical genres I will probably never attempt like Regency. I haven't a clue what title is what or how important it is or isn't. And as much as Vikings were probably in my ancestry back then, I don't think I could ever capture the essence of the Vikings the way you have.
I wish you all the very best with "Gunvar's Gift" in the anthology, ONE YULETIDE KNIGHT.
Research is my catnip. Even when we don't use all of what we find, it does infuse our story.
DeleteLike you, Regency is not on my radar, but I do love the Vikings. I'm trying to figure out how to tell another story with them. *Sigh*.
Thank you for the well-wishes. This was a story that just seemed to want to tell itself. I actually had some trouble keeping the word count down. LOL. Doris
Research leads a writer down so many paths of inspiration. Congratulations on pursuing your idea of female warriors...and I bet the latest Wonder Woman movie will inspire more stories of women warriors. I look forward to reading your story.
ReplyDeleteThank you Elizabeth. I had some very strong women role models when growing up, so having someone like Annika is so natural for me.
DeleteI do hope there will be more women warriors. I find them fascinating. The larger the option for girls to read in stories, I think the more they can find their true selves.
I hope you enjoy the story as much as I did while writing it. Doris
I always enjoy your posts, they are more than a history lesson, you make them so interesting and more than fun. I love finding out more and more of time gone past, esp. medieval and esp. the Vikings, etc.. When I first started reading historical romances back in the 1980's one of my favorite authors was Johanna Lindsay with all her Viking warriors. Loved them and ate all that info abour way back then up. She is one of the authors who stired me to RWA originally when I asked for help where to start if I wanted to write. And I look forward to reading about your warrior woman. Of course you're right. There must have been women warriors back then. Absolutely. Thanks so much for the trip back to Viking time.
ReplyDeleteI'm not in Johanna's league, but I do love the culture and stories of the North people. The more I dig up, the more I want to know.
DeleteI do hope you enjoy 'Gunvar's Gift', it was fun to write and since I'd worked with a lady from Finland named Annika, I had a bit of an idea how she should look. *Smile*
Thanks for the compliment about my posts. I do love sharing what I find. *Smile* Doris
Doris - I love stories of the people of the North, ever since I was a kid listening to tales of Noggin the Nog and great log fires. 'Gunvar's Gift' sounds a gripping tale and now I have the anthology as a paperback I'm looking forward to settling in for a sensational read.
ReplyDeleteMe too Lindsay, when it comes to the stories of the North people. Such a rich heritage. Hope you enjoy Gerold and Annika's story. I loved telling it. I know I'm enjoying the anthology stories so far. Doris
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