This post is part of a game begun by Debra Brown and passed to me by Sue Millard who lives relatively near me in Cumbria in the North of England.
The posts are designed for readers to gain an insight into what writers are working on at the moment. Because my book is part of a series and all the books aren't finished there are some details I don't want to reveal yet, but here is an inkling of what has been taking up my time since I finished 'A Divided Inheritance.'
What is the name of your character?
My main character is seventeen-year-old Lady Katherine Fanshawe. She is a real historical person but also she features in a legend about her double life as noble lady and as a notorious highwaywoman. Find out more about the real person and the legend of The Wicked Lady here
When and where is the story set?
I'll be taking you back in time to the English Civil Wars, in the mid seventeenth century, a time so turbulent it was known as 'the world turn'd upside down.'
What should we know about Lady Katherine Fanshawe?
She comes from an illustrious and noble family but when she loses her parents she is forced by her stepfather to marry his lacklustre nephew. This enables her stepfather, Sir Stephen Fanshawe to take control over her land and wealth. She is rebellious, and takes to a secret life of highway robbery to replace her lost fortune.
What is the main conflict she must face?
Whilst disguised as a maid she falls in love with local boy, Ralph Chaplin. Ralph is determined to build a new world in which everyone is equal, where there is no aristocracy, following the ideals of the Digger movement. Ralph hates the nobility and would be horrified to find the girl he thinks of as 'Kate' is really Lady Katherine Fanshawe. He would be even more horrified if he knew what she got up to at night!
What is the personal goal of this character?
Kate is courageous and craves adventure and danger, but often does not look before she leaps. She is determined to escape her controlling stepfather, to be free of society's demands, and to love who she pleases. At the same time she is reluctant to give up the life in which her status gives her privileges and she definitely does not want to give up ordering people about!
When will this book be published?
Actually, this is three books - a series of three novellas, which make up The Highway Trilogy. This is a set of books suitable for adults and young adults of 14+. Each book is about 200 pages. The first book is told from the point of view of Lady Katherine's feisty maid, Abigail, the second from Ralph Chaplin's point of view, and the third from Lady Katherine's (Kate's) point of view. I thought it would be fun to write some shorter books for young adults in between my bigger books.
Publication date yet to be confirmed. The working title of the first book in the series is 'Shadow on the Highway', the next one will be 'Ghost on the Highway,' and the third 'Revenge on the Highway.'
Pictures relating to the books are on my Pinterest Site
Now I need to pass the baton on to these lovely historical fiction writers:
Ah, what a great new character! I enjoyed meeting Kate. She really had a rough break--but what a way to make up the money. It will be interesting.
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