Four Years Past and More….
This novel was published in 2016. During my MFA studies in 2008 I stumbled across the account of a 16th century Englishwoman. It became my thesis novel. Writing about Anne Askew was painful but I'm glad that I did. She was a woman of deep conviction who valued...
How Do We Heal?
While researching the early history of Boston, Massachusetts for my latest novel, Daughter of Anne-Hoeck, I found the first American-made ship. It was named The Desire. It was a slave ship. It probably looked like this one: In 1637, the same year that Anne Hutchinson...
Jane Austen and the Nature of Humans
During this shut in time I've been watching all my Jane Austen movies and reading her novels. Since the 1995 BBC adaption of Pride and Prejudice they have been my go to's when I want to put myself in another time and place for awhile. I often feel it now. I thought I...
Interview for my novel, Daughter of Anne-Hoeck
Thanks to friend and author Ora Smith, for this interview on her blog, Writing About Ancestors. Best wishes on publishing your fine novel about John Lotthropp. Link
Yesteryear and Whimsy
In his book, "On Fairy-stories," Tolkien said: “History often resembles myth, because they are both ultimately of the same stuff.” That helped answer my question about why, as an historical author, I'm currently writing a story that includes both historical and...
And and But and Other Bad Words
I'm editing my latest manuscript. Looking for words that are used too much. I put "but" into the word search. Two hundred and ninety two times. 292 buts. Horrifying. Something almost magical happened as I removed each one: my voice became stronger, less passive. I'm...
What Goes Around Comes Around
During this pandemic shutdown, with daily life slowed down and simplified, my inner creative life has not followed suit. I spend my morning hours in my writing loft. Just before the world altered, my fourth historical novel, Daughter of Anne-Hoeck, was released. I am...
On Living Now and Then
In the afterword of "Daughter of Anne-Hoeck," I reflected on what I learned from studying the unusual life of Susanna Hutchinson. It seems particularly applicable to the time in which I find my own self living. It is too easy to feel the angst over circumstances I...
A few reviews for Daughter of Anne-Hoeck
"Great read for this time. Hard at times because of what Susanna went thru, but great messages and lessons learned. Let's all find that place in between! All of Carol's books have been very touching and thought provoking! Please keep writing." "Paul and I have been...
Come Spring
The first day of spring came and went this year without my noting it as I usually do. These are strange times. Tales of fear all around, of grief and loss that makes me weep. It feels as though the grip of a cold winter will not go away. I've been taking lots of...
