Day Two ~ Eleni Konstantine

My second guest on day two is the very lovely Eleni Konstantine who writes fantasy and paranormal with Quests, Magic, Wizards, Witches, Dragons, Adventure, Romance and much more! Eleni is also a talented designer, more of which I will reveal later in this post!!! She works tirelessly for the Romance Writers of Australia and this year was nominated for the Lynne Wilding Meritorious Service Award.



Over to you, Eleni!





Party hard Christina!!!



I am not very familiar with the time period or location (Roman occupation British Isles) of Christina’s story, but I am so looking forward to reading it. The clash between cultures (Romans vs. Druids) is a powerful premise indeed as is a love is caught in this clash, and a fascinating one. History is fascinating.



As I look onto one of my bookshelves, I see over a shelf dedicated to history and mythology (some of which I haven’t had a chance to look at!). Of course, gathering from my name, you can probably tell I’m from a Greek background, so you would be right in assuming there would be a Greek focus. I do however, have other books- on Roman, Aztec, Egyptian, Chinese, Middle Ages and general history.









What’s the attraction for me?

History literally means story. Herodotus, called the Father of History, came up with the term ‘Istoria’ (pronounced ‘eeestoria’) to mean the study of past events. I’ve always found it interesting to see how people live now in the world, let along how they lived in the past. The world is a rich tapestry of cultures that have expanded, constricted, melded, and changed.





For me the appeal started with hearing stories about village life from my parents, and the enticing Greek mythology and legends, with heroes undertaking quests (hmmmm sounds familiar for this fantasy writer *wink *). But also other historical stories - like Kolokotronis, a hero in the Independence of Greece (19th Century) against the Ottoman empire. Apparently the British were trying to introduce potatoes and were giving it away for free but no one would take it. Kolokotronis told the British to guard the potatoes, and sure enough during the night, the potatoes were gone. The Greek people thought there must be something wrong with the food if they were giving it away! And if they are guarding it, it must be worth something!











Going further back and reading about the ancient philosophers like Socrates and the birth of democracy, the building of the Parthenon in Athens, the 300 Spartans (yes I know you are thinking of Gerard Butler right now), Alexander the Great spreading Hellenism across Asia



Minor, the Middle East and towards the East, – how could I not be intrigued?







































































Though seeing it all through 21st Century eyes, made me pause to consider if the world has really progressed as much as we think it has – there are still wars, disease, hunger. But then again, there are advancements in medicine, science, technology, democracy, theatre, the arts in general (film, TV, photography), transportation, and the list can go on.



So even though I’m fascinated with history, I think I’m at the time and place for me. I wonder how the ancients would have reacted to Chronic Fatigue Syndrome?





Will I write a historical?

Hmmm…. maybe one day. I do have a rich historical background and did study Classics at Uni (though I didn’t learn Latin nor Ancient Greek). I take my hat off to historical fiction writers – there is so much there, that I could drown in all that information. I can get lost in the process just like anyone else. (You should have seen my footnotes and endnotes at uni!!!)









It’s hard enough writing fantasy and making up my own world using history as a source. Still there are tips I picked up in my time as a librarian that has helped quell my need to ‘over-research’- well most of the time *wink *





















A(n ex) librarian’s tips on researching:



v Get to know your time periods.



v Read the basics first before delving further – that is read a good overall book on the subject, even if to begin with it is a book for children. I find illustrations a wonderful way to see what is being referred to in the text.



v Delve deeper especially in the areas you need (e.g. marriage ceremonies of the Regency). But don’t get lost. I know it’s hard – but realistically you can go reading about a time period the rest of your life and still find new bits of information. You can always go searching for a piece of information you need as you write, or in rewrites.



v Write down your sources – and keep your notes organised in a way YOU can find them. Make up your own system.



v Remember to keep in mind that you have 21st Century audience, and so words and their meaning of course have changed over time. You may need a glossary to help with these changing terms. Including the use of slang. Language changes because we change.



v Remember history is written by the victors and until recently, mainly men. That is if there is a written history.



v Be aware of the Internet. Anyone can put up information, and while that could be handy, look for peer reviewed journal articles, or books by historians in the field. It all depends on how you will use that research. For me as a fantasy writer, I can take ‘liberties’ with history much more than a historical writer can.



v Be true to your time period. Don’t put your heroine going for a smoko in 16th Century France!!



v Remember the actual writing of the novel would show only the tip of the iceberg of the research undertaken. The rest is there but it does not have to be spelled out.



Most of don’t forget to have fun!!!! I know how much fun Christina has watching Clive Owen dressed as Arthur *wink *





For your chance to win a copy of the Little Gems Topaz anthology (Romance Writers of Australia in which I designed the cover), tell me what your favourite historical time is and why?







Fabulous tips, Eleni!! And now I just want you all to look at this breathtakingly elegant cover... isn't it absolutely stunning? Designed by Eleni, it won the cover contest for the RWA's Little Gems Anthology and no wonder!



So to be in with a chance of winning a copy of this gorgeous book, what's your fave historical time and why?



And don't forget there's still plenty of time to comment on Rachel Bailey, Tracey O'Hara, Helen Hardt and Sara Hantz's party posts!