“Could I write all, the world would turn to stone.”
Vilified by history, Caterina Sforza learned early that her life was not her own. Married at age ten, she was a pawn in the ever-changing political environment of Renaissance Italy. Resigned to her life as a fifteenth-century wife, Caterina adapted to the role she was expected to play: raising and educating her children, helping the poor in her new home, and turning a blind eye to her husband’s increasingly shameful behaviour. But Fate had other plans for her, and soon Caterina’s path would be plagued by murder, betrayal, and heartbreak.
I'm pleased to welcome author Kelly Evans to The Writing Desk:
Tell us about your latest book
My latest novel is called 'Turning the World to Stone: The Life of Caterina Sforza Part One'. As the title suggests, the story is about Caterina Sforza, a kick-ass Renaissance woman who was married to the Pope's nephew at only 10 years old and was expected to conform to Fifteenth Century norms for noblewomen. As you can tell by the length of the story, and the fact that it's only part one of her life, she did NOT want to conform at all. The first half of her life was filled with tragedy, heartbreak, and triumph. And it's all true!
What is your preferred writing routine?
I not only write historical novels, but I also work on described video scripts for visually impaired people so my day varies depending on deadlines (I've worked on some VERY exciting tv shows and movies!). When I have no DV projects, I tend to get my admin / emails / marketing done in the morning (as well as errands etc). I'll sit and write solidly from around 1pm to 6, then stop for dinner, then do any needed follow up research for a couple of hours in the evenings. (Writing hist fic means there are always little bits of history to look up and confirm).
On project days I'll spend most of the day writing the described video scripts and try to get a few hours of novel writing in at the end of the day.
What advice do you have for new writers?
I don't believe in forcing yourself to write everyday, unless it works for you. If you can't, don't beat yourself up. Try to establish a consistent writing routine but remember that life gets in the way!
Write your novel's back blurb first, before you even start writing the story. That way you'll keep to the story you want to tell and you'll have a back blurb ready when you're done. (Also useful for querying agents if that's the route you choose).
What have you found to be the best way to raise awareness of your books?
Talking! I engage as much as I can on social media. I'll reply to comments, answer questions, and make short clips about the interesting things I learned while writing my novels.
Tell us something unexpected you discovered during your research.
I study medieval and Renaissance medicine and include it in all my novels. While researching Caterina, I found a book of 'recipes' she wrote herself with hundreds of cures and treatments for various illnesses. One thing I found was a way to remove stones from toads. I did a bit of digging and discovered that people used to think ancient small fossils they'd found from millions of years ago were actually stones from toads. If you could remove a stone from a toad's head, the stone could be used to protect yourself from poison!
What was the hardest scene you remember writing?
I struggled a bit with the first time Caterina had to get really angry and stand up to her jerk of a husband. Up to that point she'd been struggling in silence, and I wanted her outburst to be in character but to also hint at the person when was becoming. I also really enjoyed it because it was a bit of a turning point.
What are you planning to write next?
Part two of Caterina's life! I had originally intended her story to be one book, but she proved just too big for a single novel so I've spilt her life into two. If you think she did a lot in book one, wait until you read about the second half of her life! We've got Medicis, Borgias, Popes, Cardinals, castles, and some storming of those castles. Stay tuned!
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About the Author
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