Reader Questions for Sharon Penman

boswellbaxter · Post by **boswellbaxter** » Sun October 19th, 2008, 5:33 pm

[quote=""sharon""]I have run into a problem. I typed up a response to the last query, and cannot get the computer to send it. I keep getting a cryptic message saying the message is too short and I need at least ten more characters???? I tried adding another sentence, but it still won't send it. I am not even sure this one will come through. If it does, I'll then answer your question. Any one have any ideas how I can get the blocked message to go?[/quote]

That's odd! I've had the board reject one-word messages, and messages that are very long, but not any other message. If it doesn't let you through, you can use the private message feature to send it to me, and I'll post it. (To use private message, you can click my user name, and there will an option that states "send private message").

sharon · Post by **sharon** » Sun October 19th, 2008, 5:33 pm

[quote=""sharon""]I have run into a problem. I typed up a response to the last query, and cannot get the computer to send it. I keep getting a cryptic message saying the message is too short and I need at least ten more characters???? I tried adding another sentence, but it still won't send it. I am not even sure this one will come through. If it does, I'll then answer your question. Any one have any ideas how I can get the blocked message to go?[/quote]

Okay, this one went through. It has not been a good year for me, healthwise. But fortunately I have ailments that are treatable. Despite a truly horrendous stay in the hospital last month, I have a profound appreciation for modern medicine. This is especially true whenever I am researching a medieval ailment. It amazes me that Eleanor lived to be 80 in the 12th century, and apparently remained in good health until the end of her life.
As far as motivation is concerned, I've found that the need to pay my mortage always helps! Seriously, I feel blessed in that I genuinely love what I do. So even on days when I am not feeling all that well, I can still derive pleasure from the research or the writing.

LCW · Post by **LCW** » Sun October 19th, 2008, 5:36 pm

I just thought of one other question! I've loved the titles of all your novels. That's initially what attracted me to your work. I came across "Here Be Dragons" and thought it was such an unusual title and somewhere found out that it's what map makers put on areas of the map that were unknown and were thus shrouded in mystery and a bit of fear. Also most of your novels there is a quote or a reference to where you got the title from such as When Christ and His Saints Slept or Falls the Shadow. Where did the title Devil's Brood come from? If there ever was an appropriate title for a novel then surely that is it, lol! I'm just curious as to how you came up with it.

Ash · Post by **Ash** » Sun October 19th, 2008, 5:43 pm

Thanks so much for spending your valuable time talking with us! Its such an honor to have you here!

I still have some unread posts, but wanted to respond to this:

[quote=""sharon""]But Here Be Dragons is my own favorite of my books. After spending twelve years on Sunne, it was lovely to have people left alive at the end of the book! And it really was a powerful and true love story.[/quote]

Oh I totally agree with you - that was the first of your books I had read and tho I have loved all of your books, this is my favorite (and was almost turned off by the bodice ripper cover at that time; Im so glad I got beyond that!) I fell in love with Joanna and Llywellen, and actually found myself seeing John as a much more complex character than I had imagined. This by the way is what I so admired about this latest book - Henry and Eleanor both became so very human and complex. Their inner thoughts and conflict not only worked for the characters, they worked for the time period. I came to feel so much sympathy for Henry at the end; even tho he drove his sons to their rebellions, they were just the serpents tooth (teeth) that Lear laments about.

Speaking of sons: I never knew much about Hal, and expected him to be a self centered brat. But the more I read of his paranoia, self doubt, and ego the more I wondered if there was something more of a mental illness going on here. Do you think Henry knew that? If so why on earth would he have been made king? Oh, and you mention in your AN about the reasons for the death of Hal and Henry; I couldn't find it on your site. Would you mind telling us here?

Were the scenes with Geoffrey and Constance similar in your mind to Eleanor and Henry's early marriage? They just had that spark that I imagined in E&H.

BTW I finally got to meet you several years ago when you came to the Poison Pen to speak and sign in Scottsdale. Any chance you'll be down this way again?

One more question then I need to catch up - is the Maud in Devils Brood the same one in Dragons? .

Ash · Post by **Ash** » Sun October 19th, 2008, 5:55 pm

Oh, another comment: there were some scenes that literally moved me to tears: Henry's visit to Thomas's tomb, Constance finding out about Geoffrey, Henry and Eleanor's last meeting, and his death. I remember asking you back when you had written the Reckoning, if it was hard for you to write what you find history dictates. Do you ever want to say to hell with this lets keep this one alive just a little longer? (and btw, I am very glad that you keep accurate as much as possible. Your author notes are invaluable, as are the maps and cast of characters. Wish more HF writers would follow suit!)

sharon · Post by **sharon** » Sun October 19th, 2008, 5:55 pm

[quote=""1lila1""]Hi Sharon! Thanks so much for stopping by. I've read six of your novels and just love them. Here Be Dragon's is one of my favorite books of all time and Devil's Brood follow's close behind. I'm anxiously awaiting your next one.

I had a question about the relationship between Henry and Eleanor while she was his prisoner. I was surprised the in Devil's Brood she never just came out and demanded or asked Henry to release her, esp. during those years where they were getting along fairly well and her stature had improved somewhat. Was that just way beneath Eleanor or did she know that Henry would never have agreed and so didn't bother to debase herself like that?

I also had a question about Constance from Devil's Brood. The scene where she finds out Geoffrey has died was just heartbreaking! They were two of my favorite characters and I'm so looking forward to reading more about her. Will she play a major role in Lionheart? And what was it about her that

attracted you to her initially?[/quote]

I tried to send a reply but it won't go through. I wanted to let you know that I am having a major problem, so I'll see if this one goes through okay.

sharon · Post by **sharon** » Sun October 19th, 2008, 5:58 pm

[quote=""sharon""]I tried to send a reply but it won't go through. I wanted to let you know that I am having a major problem, so I'll see if this one goes through okay.[/quote]
This one did, but two of my last three messages wouldn't go through and a third was wiped clean. So I am leery of trying again. It might be safer if you e=mail this query to me directly, same with any others I have been unable to answer. Okay?

sharon · Post by **sharon** » Sun October 19th, 2008, 6:01 pm

[quote=""Ash""]Oh, another comment: there were some scenes that literally moved me to tears: Henry's visit to Thomas's tomb, Constance finding out about Geoffrey, Henry and Eleanor's last meeting, and his death. I remember asking you back when you had written the Reckoning, if it was hard for you to write what you find history dictates. Do you ever want to say to hell with this lets keep this one alive just a little longer? (and btw, I am very glad that you keep accurate as much as possible. Your author notes are invaluable, as are the maps and cast of characters. Wish more HF writers would follow suit!)[/quote]

I am having real problems posting replies, with several not getting through and one being erased entirely before I could even try to send it. These are such good questions, too--damn!

boswellbaxter · Post by **boswellbaxter** » Sun October 19th, 2008, 6:05 pm

[quote=""sharon""]I am having real problems posting replies, with several not getting through and one being erased entirely before I could even try to send it. These are such good questions, too--damn![/quote]

I sent you a PM--you should see the notification on the upper right hand corner of you screen in the "Welcome" area. Also, you can always send me your replies in a PM, and I'll post them.

Anyone else having problems posting today?

EC2 · Post by **EC2** » Sun October 19th, 2008, 6:06 pm

I have to disappear to cook

I've been really enjoying reading the questions and answers - sorry that you're having a problem posting.
I'll doubtless catch up with you anon. It'd be great if you stayed as a forum member. I love it here and everyone's terrific and very switched on to historical fiction.
I was going to ask if you have started writing Lionheart, or are you researching it at the moment? Do you research and then write, or do both together? I admit to the latter.