Choosing a time period.

How do we go about choosing a time period to write in? For me there are certain periods of history I connect with. I love the Scottish Highlands and because I grew up hearing stories of the highlands, I love this time. My roots lie in Scotland and England. I always wanted to write in the regency period, but I wanted to get the time period right. After a trip to London, reading many historical books about the period, I felt as if I had done enough research to feel at ease writing at this time. And the old west, what American historical writer couldn't fall in love with this time? Endless possibilities exists for romance.

My fellow Rogues Angels wanted to pose the question, why did each of us choose the time period or the setting for our first anthology? I've always wanted to write about the War Between the States. Even as a child in school when studying this period, I was fascinated. When I began writing, the big houses in New York had already made this period a taboo. They weren't going to publish any more Civil War novels. So I put away my research and started on my westerns.

The Gift, my portion of the anthology, is set during the war. I was thrilled to be able to write something that had been simmering in my head for over ten years. (a shortened version however)

Look for the Rogues Angels Valentine anthology this February. Enter to win a copy of Highland Song. All you have to do is leave a comment. Tell us your favorite time period or the historical time you like to write about. The drawing will be held October 31 (Halloween).

Allana Angel

Procrastination is my name

Hello all,

Sable Angel here. I'm sitting in my study checking Craig's list, looking at apartments, writing my wise father angel, everything but putting my fingers to keys so I can finish the dragon book. After losing then gaining employment, barely making ends meet and trying not to allow it to blacken the cloud where I live, I find myself sitting and staring at the computer.

No, it's not writer's block. I don't believe there is such a thing. I think all writers have a time when the fire to write seems to be banked. There is still a small spark, but it needs fanning and another log to bring the flames roaring back. I'm at the banked stage right now. Maybe it's best. I have three novels to edit and get ready for galleys before October 15. And yet... my muse will not be silenced.

During my lunch hour at my new employment, I wolf down my food and the urge to put pen to paper takes over. I'm writing but not on the dragon piece. I've realized I need silence to allow my dragons to speak to me. A cafeteria filled with workers complaining about their jobs and life in general doesn't bode well for intense scenes. So Sable Angel is writing a story of romance gone awry--not sure if it will be a novella or full length novel--about the first time she encountered a mass murderer. Oh yeah, gives her chicken skin just thinking about the incident.

Long before Kip Kinkle or the boys in Columbine, Salem, capital of the State of Oregon, experienced a mass shooting. Four people were killed and 19 were wounded. The horrific incident made international news but at that time, those kinds of news stories didn't live for months on end. They were reported and quickly swept under the carpet. As the shooter never gave a reason for his rampage, I, Sable Angel, have taken on the task of fictionalizing a story which will explain what happened. It is FICTION. I have no knowledge why the young man pulled his weapon and killed and wounded so many of my friends, but I need, as do so many others, some closure on this incident.

Most of us were young bucks living the good life and partying. Now we're grandparents putting our time in at baseball games and ballet recitals. Settling down and watching children and grandchildren grow makes us reflective. It's time to put a period at the end of this chapter in Salem's history.

After the dragon story is completed, I'll finish this tale and see if my publisher is interested. Like life, getting books published is never a guaranteed deal.

Now I've warmed my fingers up, I'll take on the world of the sapien draconi.

Sable Angel

Faeries & More

Saturday, August 1, I felt as if I fell into a time warp or hitched a ride on a time machine back to the late '60's. Oops I gave away my age. Only this time everyone, well almost everyone, was dressed in costumes--faeries were predominate but there were also lots of elves and some pirates and just costumes. The shops were fun and full of celtic art. (bought some christmas presents). I'm trying to be organized.

So the purpose of anything like this is to return inspired. So was the journey to faerie world successful? Absolutely. I entered a world I knew nothing about and have returned somewhat enlightened. Would I recommend the experience? Only to the adventurous at heart.

Now I have to write. The photo show following are pictures I took and clip art I downloaded. And I saw and almost bought (I controlled myself) a faerie house. I am becoming a believer.

Faerie World fun research

I'm so excited about going to the faerie festival and learning lots about leprachauns, faeries, and gnomes. I will post pictures later. Can't wait to finish my St.Patty's day anthology and to see how all three stories go together. (Right now I'm clueless) For those who live in Oregon, I think it's a lot like the country fair in Eugene earlier in the summer. We will see...