The Ick Factor in History
On the not so nice parts of history and their inclusion in historical fiction
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cplesley
- Aug 9
- 6 min
The Traveling Salesmen of History
On the value of merchants' travel accounts as sources for historical fiction, or what we can learn from the traveling salesmen of history
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cplesley
- Aug 2
- 4 min
Interview with Michelle Moran
Interview with the author Michelle Moran, whose latest novel, "Maria," explores the true story behind "The Sound of Music"
8 views0 comments
cplesley
- Jul 26
- 4 min
The Rabbit Hole of Historical Research
The joys and perils of historical research when writing fiction, with special attention to the author's next Songs of Steppe & Forest novel
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cplesley
- Jun 28
- 5 min
Interview with Ellery Lloyd
Written interview with the husband-and-wife team who publish as Ellery Lloyd, about their latest suspense novel, just out from Harper
16 views0 comments
cplesley
- Jun 7
- 2 min
Another Stage, or Life in Retirement
Life in retirement takes some getting used to, so here are thoughts about the decision to slow down and ways to occupy that freed-up time
9 views0 comments
cplesley
- May 17
- 5 min
Interview with Audrey Burges
Interview with author Audrey Burges about her latest novel, A House Like an Accordion
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cplesley
- Apr 19
- 6 min
Co-writing The Merchant's Tale
Interview about co-writing conducted by Joan Schweighardt with C. P. Lesley and P.K. Adams, discussing The Merchant's Tale
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cplesley
- Feb 23
- 2 min
Food and Character
An exploration of food as an indicator of character in novels, citing Ruth Reichl and her work
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cplesley
- Jan 19
- 3 min
The Writing Vacation That Wasn't
On how what was supposed to be a writing vacation turned into a vacation from writing, and why that may not be a bad thing
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cplesley
- Jan 5
- 3 min
Writing Plans for 2024
A look at my writing plans for 2024, as well as other book and editing news
13 views0 comments
cplesley
- Dec 29, 2023
- 4 min
The Why of Writing
The why of writing fiction, and thoughts about whether it is best to focus on the story or the sales
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cplesley
- Dec 22, 2023
- 3 min
Cats Find Peace, if not Love
An update on the evolving relationship among the author's cats as they prepare to spend their second Christmas together.
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cplesley
- Dec 8, 2023
- 3 min
Adjusting to Co-Writing
Thoughts on the pluses and minuses of co-writing and what it adds to a novel project
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cplesley
- Nov 22, 2023
- 3 min
A Deeper Look at The Merchant’s Tale
Deeper look at The Merchant's Tale, a historical novel co-written by P.K. Adams and C.P. Lesley and released in mid-November 2023
8 views1 comment
cplesley
- Sep 29, 2023
- 6 min
Interview with Heather Redmond
Interview with Heather Redmond, author of numerous mystery novels, most recently "Death of the Sisters"
30 views0 comments
cplesley
- Aug 11, 2023
- 6 min
Connecting with My Characters
Discussion of how I connect with my characters at the start of a new novel
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cplesley
- Jul 28, 2023
- 3 min
Historical Invention Redux
Revisiting the question of historical invention with a specific example from my own work in progress, Song of the Steadfast
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cplesley
- Jun 16, 2023
- 3 min
Historical Invention
On the challenges of telling a story when real life offers more drama than making stuff up
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