tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7780182174577095197.post5499345176693164902..comments2024-03-25T09:56:16.164+00:00Comments on An Awfully Big Blog Adventure: Fiction or Faction - which do we value most? - Meg HarperUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger8125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7780182174577095197.post-72778580984481319572010-09-29T23:11:43.305+01:002010-09-29T23:11:43.305+01:00I didn't read those, Kath, but I adored her on...I didn't read those, Kath, but I adored her one about Rupert of the Rhine! Must try her others some time - she certainly did her research!Meg Harperhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07461125464455502821noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7780182174577095197.post-80091792735008079692010-09-29T22:52:05.872+01:002010-09-29T22:52:05.872+01:00I used to love Margaret Irwin's three novels a...I used to love Margaret Irwin's three novels about QE1 when I( was younger (starting with 'Young Bess') - still think I learned a lot of Tudor history from those. Have fun with a fascinating period!Katherine Langrishhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12529700103932422873noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7780182174577095197.post-61700713073838843832010-09-29T18:04:33.549+01:002010-09-29T18:04:33.549+01:00Yes, I agree, Leila - I guess I've just got aw...Yes, I agree, Leila - I guess I've just got away with less research for my fiction so far! It's so annoying in fiction when details aren't right and positively dangerous in some cases. Leslie Wilson's recent blog dwells on that very powerfully.Meg Harperhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07461125464455502821noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7780182174577095197.post-64845822727373769102010-09-29T17:21:26.146+01:002010-09-29T17:21:26.146+01:00You have to put a lot of knowledge into fiction to...You have to put a lot of knowledge into fiction too (she says bleakly, considering her WIP), if you are writing about anything that isn't set in the absolute now, next door, contemporary world. If you're writing about a foreign country, or the past, or the future, there are all kinds of details to get right.Leilahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02890097085059764567noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7780182174577095197.post-74455757516665273412010-09-29T16:48:24.849+01:002010-09-29T16:48:24.849+01:00What an interesting topic! I like the sports analo...What an interesting topic! I like the sports analogy, too.JWhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11960979507716272867noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7780182174577095197.post-61243351381320055412010-09-29T12:42:54.902+01:002010-09-29T12:42:54.902+01:00I think that's a really good analogy, Cat - an...I think that's a really good analogy, Cat - and I totally agree about Cynthia Harnett doing it so brilliantly. If you go to Burford today, you can pick out the houses she drew for 'The Woolpack' - it's wonderful!<br /><br />I remember that book, Sue! The pictures were fab! Only trouble is all that piracy and exploration which seemed such a big part actually doesn't seem to figure very much taken over the whole of her reign - but she did reign an awful long time.<br /><br />Glad you like the pic, Sue - good of my sticky out ears I think! : DMeg Harperhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07461125464455502821noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7780182174577095197.post-67500511995033531842010-09-29T09:55:54.780+01:002010-09-29T09:55:54.780+01:00I had a Ladybird book about Queen Elizabeth when I...I had a Ladybird book about Queen Elizabeth when I was little (and recently found a second hand copy of it, which I treasure), and it's probably the book I remember best of all those I read at that stage. (Mind, we didn't have that many!)I loved the pictures and I've been a staunch fan of Queen Elizabeth ever since, albeit with a bit of a soft spot for beautiful Queen Mary. Of course non-fiction matters, and hugely. I guess we put more of ourselves into fiction, so maybe that's why it feels closer to the heart? Don't know. As far as reading goes, one of the standout books I've read this year was a non-fiction one - The Age of Wonder, by Richard Holmes. Fascinating.<br /><br />It's a lovely picture of you, Meg!Sue Purkisshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09084528571944803477noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7780182174577095197.post-59916922546677993292010-09-29T07:49:53.985+01:002010-09-29T07:49:53.985+01:00Is it rather like sports achievement and academic ...Is it rather like sports achievement and academic achievement? The former is much admired. People get paid ridiculous sums of money for it. The latter is admired by those who really understand the value of it but few people ever make money out of it but may get acknowledged by a small circle of other academics.<br />It is people who can combine the two things - in the way that Cynthia Harnett did - that I feel really deserve admiration - but not everyone will agree with me.catdownunderhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06959328192182156574noreply@blogger.com