by Roseanna White | Aug 25, 2010 | Remember When Wednesdays, Uncategorized
One of the things I found interesting when comparing Persian history as told by the Greeks versus Persian history as told by the Persians is their understanding of the whole polygamous thing. (And I’m not awake yet, so let’s hope this makes sense.)
There are a few places where Herodotus makes mention of Xerxes’ “illegitimate sons” who came with him to the war. Now, given that Xerxes was only in his late thirties during the war, and yet he had a son of marriageable age, we know they must have gotten early starts on their families in Persia–confirmed when his eldest son, Darius, gets married, though he couldn’t be more than 20. It’s perfectly reasonable that these “illegitimate sons” mentioned are in their late teens. Even more likely is that, rather than being “illegitimate,” they’re really just the sons of other wives.
See, whenever Greeks mention the king’s wife, they mean the queen. They will occasionally reference concubines, and I recall one mention of the word “harem.” But they didn’t seem to grasp that the other wives were legal, and that hence their children were legitimate. Curious, eh?
I had to look up as much as I could find on concubines, and all the sources I located agreed that concubines were legal wives, though their contracts were “lesser.” So far as historians could tell, this was because they didn’t have dowries. But their children could inherit.
To further the complication, Persians (at least royal ones) seem to have no concept of incest. Or very limited, anyway. I assume (please, God) offspring was off-limits, but siblings sure weren’t. I actually read a line that said something like “So and so figured his claim to the throne was even stronger than his brother’s, since he was married to their mutual half-sister.” All together now: ew!
All this just goes to show how hard it is to judge a culture not by the standards of ours, but by their own understanding. So when a Persian has an affair with his niece, by their standards it isn’t terrible because of the family connection, but simply for the adultery. Which is bad enough, but our sensibilities still recoil.
Needless to say, I had quite a challenge when writing a Persian hero whose moral compass pointed a different direction than what I was used to.
by Roseanna White | Aug 24, 2010 | Uncategorized
I’ve been trying for months to feature Erin Rainwater on my blog, but we kept running into technical difficulties. So finally, it is with great delight that I welcome this lovely woman to Writing Roseanna!
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About Erin
A writer of historical fiction, Erin Rainwater is a Pennsylvania native who probably should have been born in the 19th century but somehow got flash-forwarded into the 20th. There was never any question she would be a nurse when she grew up, regardless of which century she was in. She launched her nursing career in the U.S. Army, serving during the
Vietnam War era. Erin was privileged to care for the bodies and spirits of soldiers and veterans, including repatriated POWs and MIAs. She has incorporated some of her military experiences into her writing. Her support of the military is ongoing, and one of her favorite pastimes is volunteering at the USO in Denver. She participated in Operation Desert Swap, having “adopted” a soldier in a medevac unit in Iraq to whom she sent a copy of her Civil
War novel, True Colors, for reading and swapping with his fellow troops.
Erin is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers and the Military Writers Society
of America, who awarded her a 2009 Gold Medal in Historical Fiction. She lives in
Colorado with her husband of thirty-six years. She has four children and the four most adorable
grandchildren on the planet.
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About Refining Fires
Her career in ruins, a desperate nurse answers an ad to care for a disabled veteran.
Disfigured in the war, the antisocial businessman can’t get his mind off the nurse he
had tossed out of his home.
A young child who never leaves the confines of her mountain home must make a
treacherous journey alone to save her mother’s life.
A woman kept by men all her life learns through an old love that she has been kept
all along by Someone else.
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What’s your latest book?
Refining Fires released in both print and eBook format in July 2010 from Torn Veil Books, a new Christian publisher in Winnipeg, Manitoba. I appreciate them so much for taking a chance on a book others turned down. It’s unique in that it’s made up of three parts, each with its own protagonist, although by the end God has woven their lives together in ways none of them could have predicted.
The first story is “Refining Fire” and is a love story between a disfigured, bitter veteran and a nurse with a disreputable professional past. But his anger can’t match her pluck, and before long not only is his body being renewed but his soul is yearning for a life he couldn’t dream of.
Then, “Blind Courage” introduces a young girl who must dig deep within herself to find the courage needed to face tremendous challenges and overwhelming fear to save her mother’s life.
The third is the story of a “Kept Woman,” of how she got to that point, and of how she learns about just “who” it is who’s been keeping her all along. Paths cross and lives intertwine, showing how God’s hand is ever on us, leading and refining as we go. Three stories of people seeking redemption, all rolled into one larger story. Just like how our lives are made up of smaller journeys that are part of the “big picture” that God controls.
Oh, that sounds awesome–I LOVE the premise! I’ve read a few books that take you on similar paths, and it’s so sweet to get to the end and see how they all come together! What’s your favorite part of the story?
Tough question. But I believe it’s the moment the hero, Peter Cochran, finally realizes the difference between loving someone and just wanting her. He’s never loved sacrificially before.
What was the hardest part to write?
The entire third story. I didn’t even want to write it. But this character’s story needed told, and she needed redemption in her life. Neither she nor the Lord would let me off the hook. I can’t express how glad I am that I caved in and wrote it. It’s quite a moving story, and the most gospel-containing story of any I’ve ever written.
Well, I’m intrigued! What do you hope your readers will get out of the story?
The fact that God’s hand is always upon us, no matter how it looks to the contrary. His love sometimes takes the form of discipline, as Peter learns, to impede our progress from what is dangerous to our physical and spiritual lives. His children are never, ever, out of his care.
Is there a theme to this book?
Each character undergoes redemption in one form or another. One is redeemed from professional ruin. One from his bitterness and prodigal status. One from her fears. One from her sin. I guess you could say, then, that there’s a theme of Redemption.
Yep, I’d say so. =) So what’s your favorite genre to write? To read?
Historical love stories, both to read and to write.
Oh, blissful sigh. I’m right there with you. Now, time to dish–what’s one of the oddest or most interesting things someone has ever said about you?
A couple of years ago my daughter and I applied to be contestants on The Amazing Race. One of the application questions was “What famous person does your race partner remind you of?” My daughter put down that I reminded her of Judge Judy. Judge Judy! I was flabbergasted. “Am I that judgmental?” I asked my daughter. But she told me she thinks of Judge Judy as smart, fair, and a good judge of character. So my shock was assuaged. Since then I’ve seen interviews with the judge, and I, too, am impressed by that woman.
LOL. Great story. Are there any people (family, writing group, editors) who you rely on when writing?
I was hesitant to join a critique group. I hear “critique” but think “criticize.” But I took the leap and was blessed by becoming part of a wonderful, loving and very knowledgeable bunch of ladies who are now considered my good friends. I have learned so much from them; I can’t even begin to think what my story would be like without the benefit of their input.
I know exactly what you mean! I’m not sure how I ever wrote a book without my critters. Now, here’s a fun one. If someone were to give you $5,000 to spend on anything you wanted, what would you buy? (No saving of gifts to charities allowed!)
First I’d go to a day spa and get a massage, a facial, a makeover and my first ever mani-pedi. Then I’d road trip with my husband, probably starting with places in Colorado I’ve yet to see despite living here for twenty-three years. Then we’d travel back East to some Civil War sites. Then Disney World. Then I’d wake up from my nap and remember I have $5,000 worth of car repairs that need done and head for the shop. So sad.
I say go with the dream, and let me come with you! 😉
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Thanks for visiting (finally, LOL), Erin! Everyone be sure to check out her website at www.ErinRainwater.com. You can purchase Refining Fires at Amazon.
by Roseanna White | Aug 23, 2010 | Uncategorized
In the last year or so, I’ve taken to writing a summary of a book as soon as the idea strikes. There have been times I’ve stuck nearly exactly to that initial outline. And other times . . . well, I don’t. =)
For my contemporary romantic suspense with the Bedouin woman and the ex-SEAL, I’d originally intended the hero’s father to not get along with the heroine right away. My thinking was that it would add an unexpected level of tension. She’d have to win him over with her sweet spirit. Prove he had no reason to be wary of her, and that he ought not judge her.
The thing is, when the Admiral got a load of her the first time, he just refused to judge her. Instead, he judged those who had misused her and immediately became one of her fiercest protectors–even against his son, who is a fabulous man but who doesn’t fully understand what the heroine needs in each moment.
Yeah, the Admiral kinda threw me for a loop with that. How was I going to maintain the tension? Thankfully, the sweet sister, Peaches, stepped into the gap. She was more than willing to sneak into the heroine’s room and give her the “You mess with mine and you’ll find out how sweet I’m not” speech. Not that she doesn’t like the heroine, mind you, she’s just wary.
Someone had to be!
In a way, this is a lot like first impressions. My hubby’s philosophy is “My first impressions are always wrong.” They’re not always, but they seem to be spectacularly. His best friends now he didn’t necessarily like the first time they met. Just one of life’s surprises.
Has anyone–fictional or real–ever thrown you for a loop like that?
Roseanna M. White is a bestselling, Christy Award winning author who has long claimed that words are the air she breathes. Having successfully launched two homeschool grads, she now spends her time writing fiction, designing book covers, and pretending her house will clean itself. Roseanna is the author of a slew of historical novels that span several continents and thousands of years, as well as a fantasy series and contemporary mysteries and romances. Spies and war and mayhem always seem to find their way into her books…to offset her real life, which is blessedly ordinary.