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Wednesday, February 10, 2010

Quick Update

I thought I'd give a quick update on what's happening, seeing as I'm waiting on a few guest posts from fellow authors.

First off, my website has been re-designed and I hope you like it. There's a new section under Books with special features for each of my titles, as well as a section called Fun Stuff. I'll be adding more as I get closer to the launch of The Confessions of Catherine de Medici, but if you don't find anything you like to see on my site, please let me know. I'm hoping it's easy to navigate and worth spending a bit of time on.

Second, I'm working on Princess Isabella and in fact just hit 106 pages. Rarely has a first draft poured out of me so fast, and I'm delighted to report that I'm discovering all kinds of interesting information about her that is rarely reported. Isabella was far more dynamic and fascinating than the image of that stern, pious matron that has come down to us through history; and I'm really enjoying walking with her at the moment. Of course, as with all characters I choose, she has a more somber side, but to me, it's this juxtaposition between light and dark that makes her so compelling. She truly was the first queen of the Renaissance, and the systems she fought to set up in Spain, such as a strong centralized monarchy, to which the nobility must bow; a codified system of justice; reorganization of the Church; a civilian police force that could be summoned to serve as a national guard, to cite a few - became the model for the reigns of Western European monarchs to come, including Henry VIII, Francois I, Charles V, and Elizabeth I. Without Isabella's accomplishments, the landscape of European soveriegnity might have looked much different.

6 comments:

Passages to the Past said...

I cannot tell you how excited I am that you're writing about Isabella. She is an incredibly fascinating woman and I just know you are going to write her beautifully, as you do with all of your characters!

I am also stoked about your upcoming released of Confessions and it's taking every ounce of energy I have NOT to jump ahead of myself and read it! Right now, it's on my shelf with that beautiful cover facing me! Love it!

The site looks great C.W.!

Katherine said...

Your new book sounds fascinating! Can't wait until Confessions comes out...

4everQueen said...

looks like my 1st posting never went through (sigh)...Lets try one more time-LOL

It's been fun getting a quick update from you, specially about your great progress with Princess Isabella. Like everyone else I am sure it will be another fascinating read and so I'm looking forward to it.

Your new website looks great, I specially love the Fun Stuff tab =)

I also wanted to mention that it was a lot of fun reading your Author Interview about The Last Queen over at A-Muse-in-the-Fog's blog early this week. Since I read The Last Queen it seems that every bit of information is never enough and I want to know more!! In my humble opinion, I think that Juana is definately a woman to admire not pitty!

~Bella

Unknown said...

Like everyone else, I'm very excited to read your take on Isabella's story. She has interested me since the Christopher Columbus story was told to us as children, selling her jewels to fund the expedition.

I loved The Last Queen which you sent me last week and wanted to share my review.
http://ebogie.blogspot.com/2010/02/they-last-queen-review-giveaway.html

C.W. Gortner said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
C.W. Gortner said...

Thank you! I'm glad the website works.

Amy, go ahead and read :) Thanks Katherine and 4Everqueen; I'm excited about Confessions, too. It's just three months away!
And thank you so much, Elizabeth, for your lovely review. I'll add you to my links here. I really appreciate it