Creative Writing, Sentence Length and Structure

Creative Writing, Sentence Length and Structure

I recently posted about Leslie Charteris and his Simon Templar books. I have now finished Sharon Kettering’s biography of Charles d’Albert, and I have started reading Enter the Saint. I’m enjoying it, but one thought crossed my mind in the first few pages: ‘when is...
Siri & Louis XIII

Siri & Louis XIII

I will come to Siri, but I’m going to start with Louis XIII. I have just finished reading Sharon Kettering’s biography of Charles d’Albert de Luynes. It has certainly changed the way I was thinking about my next book, the fifth in the Sir Anthony Standen Adventures....
The First Crusade & The Battle of Ascalon

The First Crusade & The Battle of Ascalon

The Battle of Ascalon was fought on 12th August 1099. It was the last battle of the first crusade, but accounts of it vary. The crusaders had already taken Jerusalem when they learnt that a much larger force, led by Vizier Al-Afdal-Shahanshah, was approaching. Godfrey...
Oxford University

Oxford University

I thoroughly enjoyed giving my Canadian cousin Bill and his wife Sue a tour of Oxford this April. Bill must have started painting some of his fabulous watercolours, because he’s started his research to describe his subject. He sent me these facts today. The University...
Simon Templar and James Bond

Simon Templar and James Bond

Simon Templar will come, but another fictional character must come first. James Bond has probably been an influence on my depiction of my family’s spy, Sir Anthony Standen. Kirkus say that The Spy who Sank the Armada has a ‘James Bond-esque atmosphere, whilst staying...