Today I have my friend and amazing author Katherine Longshore here to
talk about why she writes Historical YA and also why even though Jon
Rhys-Meyers and Henry Cavil are delicious; she couldn’t get into the Tudors TV
series. Also make sure to enter the giveaway below for earrings inspired by
Anne Boleyn if you look at the book cover they’re really similar! Ok on to the
post!
Why
write historical? If Tarnish was set in modern times do you think that Anne
would a different person? Why or why not?
Because it has everything! Love, loss, friendship, betrayal, growth,
death, sex, violence—you name it. I love
the depth and breadth of history, the psychology of the characters, the ability
to play around with inside jokes and foresight (which is really hindsight, I
suppose). It’s fun! I’m not opposed to
writing contemporary stories—and I have a few ideas for some—but for now, this
is where I am.
And I think that no matter when her story
was set, my version of Anne would be the same character. Her voice came to me all in a rush, and
wouldn’t let go. I knew how she spoke, I
knew what she thought, I knew how she interacted with people. This character could exist in the 16th
century or the 21st. She
might live in an alternate universe. Like
me, and what I write, she is who she is.
And a little detail like setting couldn’t change that. Perhaps her story might be different, but the
character would be the same.
I
know you’re not a big fan of the show The Tudors can you tell us why?
Honestly, I can’t really make a judgment on
the entire Tudors canon because I’ve only seen the first three episodes. Those were lush, stylish, sexy and had
immense visual appeal. But I haven’t
watched any more for three reasons.
1.The show is full of historical
inaccuracies. I had been reading the
history and biographies of these people for years and the imprecision upset my
delicate sensibilities. In the very
first episode—in the very first scene—Henry’s
uncle is assassinated by the French. I
sat there, yelling at the screen, “Henry didn’t have an uncle! Who is this guy?”
In the next episode, Henry’s sister Margaret married the aging duke of
Portugal and later murders him so she can marry (the really rather luscious)
Charles Brandon instead. In reality,
Henry’s sister Margaret married James of Scotland and was an ancestor of the
Stuart kings. His sister Mary married
the aging kind of France, who died rather abruptly and she married Brandon
afterwards. My husband refused to watch
any more with me when I ranted for a full five minutes.
However, now that I have written my own
historical fiction, I can see why the writers made these choices. The murder of Henry’s uncle is a wonderful
inciting incident and gives the audience the impression that Henry’s cause is
just. And I can see why they wanted to
get Francis (the “new” King of France) into the series early—he’s a great foil
for Henry (and the actor who plays him—Emmanuel LeConte is quite dashing). But in order to do that, the writers had to
dispense with the real marriage between Mary and Francis’ father-in-law, Louis. The marriage between the beautiful princess
and the elderly lech was too good to pass up, so they just invented one. I understand, I can see the justification,
but I still chafe at the disappearance of the real Margaret Tudor.
2.Jonathan Rhys Meyers. He’s hot.
He’s sexy. He’s fiendishly good-looking. He has an incredible array of devilish
expressions. But he looks nothing like
my vision of Henry VIII. Sorry,
Jonathan. I think you’ll make a fabulous
Dracula!
3. Lastly, I started writing my own books
about Henry’s court shortly after the first couple of series of The Tudors was
aired. I decided that I couldn’t see any movies/TV
shows or read any fiction about him or his wives for fear someone else’s ideas
about the characters should color mine. So
I have continued to avoid watching for that reason. I think—when all this is over—I’ll go back
and watch them all. I’d love to see how
they portray Thomas Wyatt, George Boleyn, Catherine Howard and Thomas
Culpepper. I’d love to see someone
else’s vision of how story can meet history.
And I’d just like to immerse myself in the beauty of the costumes and
pageantry.
Thanks for stopping by Katy!!!
About TARNISH!
Anne Boleyn is the odd girl out. Newly arrived to the court of King
Henry VIII, everything about her seems wrong, from her clothes to her manners
to her witty but sharp tongue. So when the dashing poet Thomas Wyatt offers to
coach her on how to shine at court—and to convince the whole court they’re
lovers—she accepts. Before long, Anne’s popularity has soared, and even the
charismatic and irresistible king takes notice. More than popularity, Anne
wants a voice—but she also wants love. What began as a game becomes high stakes
as Anne finds herself forced to make an impossible choice between her heart's
desire and the chance to make history.
Katherine Longshore grew up on the northern California coast. At
university, she created her own major in Cross-Cultural Studies and
Communications, planning to travel and write. Forever. Four years, six
continents and countless pairs of shoes later, she went to England for two
weeks, stayed five years and discovered history. She now lives in California
with her husband, two children and a sun-worshiping dog.
Giveaway:
1 winner will receive A pair of Anne Boleyn inspired earrings and a
signed Hardcover of Tarnish
2 winners will receive signed copies of Tarnish
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Check out the
rest of the Tour Schedule for more awesome posts!!!
