History

I had someone ask me at the RWA conference why I chose the time period I did (13th century) to set my books. Especially since I had chosen the years just prior to the appearance of a certain rather renowned Scot--William Wallace. I don't think I answered the question very well at the time; I said I couldn't recall.

But thinking on it further, I remembered the truth: I actually declined to write about Wallace, because he was already famous. In fact, that whole time period (late 13th century, early 14th century) has been written about quite alot. Instead, I chose to write about the rule of a king hardly anyone had heard about--Alexander III...and I remember why. I'd heard a very interesting story of how this king had died tragically in 1286 while riding home in a storm to reach his relatively new bride, Yolande, with whom he was absolutely besotted. I figured if that wasn't fodder for a romance, what was? And although I haven't written the story of Alexander and Yolande yet, it percolates in the back of my head, and I have a sense that one day it will come to life on the page.

Now, of course, I'm in love with the 13th century. How about you? Do you love a particular time in history, and can you remember what lit the spark?

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