What is it about the Anglo Saxon era that has drawn you in and kept you attracted: Is it the period or your characters?
David Hemmings played Alfred the Great in the period movie alongside Michael York (I’ve seen all of his movies) who played King Guthrum. Of course, Hollywood tends to glamorize historical events, and historical accuracy is rare, but the audience is still transported back into another time, when brave warriors fought beside their king against the tyranny of the marauding Vikings. The film did pique my interest, which prompted me to read Eleanor Shipley Duckett’s “Alfred the Great: The King and His England.” However, I was already enthralled by the Viking era after seeing such films as “The Vikings” and “The Longships”, to name but a few. I had always wanted to write my Erik the Viking story, and what better setting than in King Alfred’s kingdom of Wessex. My characters and the period are a perfect blend in my mind - it is impossible to separate the two.
When you write within a historical time-frame, does this affect how your story develops?
First, I research the years I’m considering to set my stories in. For example, the first novel takes place in 878, the second novel is set in 880 and the third novel in 882. My story line reflects the political climate of the times, but I also mention actual events, which are referenced in Author’s Notes.
For example, the climatic sea battle in The Briton and the Dane: Legacy: Alfred the Great did engage the Danish fleet at sea on numerous occasions, his first victory occurring in
mary Ann Bernal