This week's video is brought to you by Horrible Histories! Human candles made by Emperor Nero in ancient Rome...
Tuesday, October 8, 2013
Monday, October 7, 2013
Words to Live By -- 10/7/13
In my books, I tend to let my characters be realistic, hence their use of bad language on occasion. Readers sometimes think that expletives are more modern, but they are in fact, quite old. Now, some of the words I’ve used aren’t in written documents until the later medieval days, and there is no way to know just how long they were used before recorded. So your words for this week...
- The F-word—first written documentation in the 1400’s, so in essence could be much older than that.
- Shite – this is where the word shit comes from. It actually means excrement. Has been around since before 1508 when it was first documented to be used. Seen as a very taboo word however.
- Zounds – Actually a variation of God’s Wounds.
- Damn – from the late 13th century.
- Mo creach – a Gaelic exclamation, meaning Good Heavens.
- Bite Your Thumb -- Basically this is a gesture much like the finger or in words - F-You
So, next time you stub your toe on the coffee table, shout ZOUNDS! It may be a fun topic of conversation :)
Friday, October 4, 2013
Research Behind the Books by Mingmei Yip
Ms. Yip is here to tell us how she researched for her book! Enjoy!
Research
Behind my Novels
In
my opinion, any novel needs research, be it historical or contemporary. I’ll
start with my fifth and newest historical novel, The Nine Fold Heaven.
Camilla,
the protagonist in The Nine Fold Heaven is a nightclub singer,
spy, and assassin working for a gangster. Her boss has ordered her to
assassinate his rival, Shanghai’s number one gangster Master Lung. If she
fails, she’ll be killed herself. To succeed, she must seduce Master Lung, but
the beautiful and cunning magician Shadow competes with her to win Lung’s
affection. And Camilla must contend with he own emotions -- against her will
she falls in love with both Lung’s only son and his most trusted bodyguard.
In
The Nine Fold Heaven and my previous novel Skeleton Women
(The title refers to Chinese Femmes Fatales), I had to do research on
1930ies Shanghai with its spies, gangsters, and corrupt police, as well as its
nightclubs and stage magicians. I do research online, but mainly for fact
checking and minor details. It is easy to find things on the internet, but not
everything one finds can be relied upon.
For
important matters I rely upon books, preferably scholarly ones. For my
historical novels, I also watch old movies to get a sense of the atmosphere of
the time. Though books on obscure subjects like women spies in China are not
easy to find, I was lucky enough to locate several on the two most famous woman
spies in China and a few on spies in general, which I specially ordered from
China.
Materials
on gangsters are easier to find but somewhat scary to read. Sometimes I fear
that if my writing is too realistic, if gangsters read it (though very
unlikely) they might suspect I was trying to expose them! I do know some of
their secrets, such as their mudras (hand gestures), which I found not in any
books, but in Chinese newspaper clippings.
Magic
has many secrets also. Magicians, though they know how to make the Statue of
Liberty disappear or walk through China’s Great wall, will keep these secrets
with them to their graves. I was very persistent and did finally learn how they
did some of these tricks. Now they are my secrets and you will need to read my
novel to find them out.
My
three novels, The Nine Fold Heaven, Skeleton Women, and
Peach Blossom Pavilion are all set in the 1930ies Shanghai, possibly
the sexiest era in history. I have long been fascinated by its larger than life
characters from movie stars and the spoiled children of the rich to vicious
murderers. I have used my academic background to gather materials on this
intriguing period, including such obscure matters as costumes, cosmetics, even
hairdos (I found out that Chinese women wore hair extensions more than two
thousand years ago!)
For
Peach Blossom Pavilion, my novel about the last Chinese
courtesan, I wrote a scene about women’s hairstyles throughout China’s long
history. In this scene, a group of young prostitutes go together to a salon to
have their hair fixed in different styles with poetic names – weeping willow,
star-studded sky, one-line bang.
For
my contemporary novel Song of the Silk Road, I actually went to
the remote desert of Western China for my research. However, the old Silk Road
was very long so I couldn’t travel to all the areas the ancient silk merchants
traversed. I supplemented my travels by reading everything I could find about
these faraway places, including histories, novels, travelogues, maps and guide
books.
For
another one of my novels, Petals from the Sky, about a
would-be-Buddhist nun falling in love, I visited Buddhist temples, read its
philosophy, witnessed its rituals, and listened to its chants. These give the
novel its unique atmosphere. I was also inspired by my experiences growing up
in Hong Kong with many friends who were Buddhist nuns.
Learning
about different times and different ways of life is enjoyable. Until you sit
down to write, you do not know which details you will need to fill out your
story. But in the end, it is not just research but your feeling for your characters
that counts.
Excerpt
from The Nine Fold Heaven on prostitute in Shek Tong Tsui, Hong Kong:
Soon the tram reached Shek
Tong Tsui and I quickly got off, leaving behind the heart-breaking melody, but
not my broken heart. I walked slowly by the harbor to enjoy the salt-smelling
breeze and the twilight on the waves. Along the roadside in front of
dilapidated buildings, a few women leaned by doors, chatting, smoking, and
throwing hopeful glances. Despite the British having recently banned prostitution
in their colony, it was obvious that these gaudily-dressed and flirtatiously
acting women were not here to appreciate the view, but to practice women’s
oldest profession.
Among them, a fortyish one,
her face plastered with white powder like a geisha’s, yelled toward me, “Hey,
little beauty, if you were a man, I’d give you a big discount!”
I smiled back but didn’t
respond.
Her “colleague,” another
past her prime goddess laughed hilariously. “Ha! A discount? Are you joking? If
Little Miss Beautiful were a man, it’ll be free!”
A third grandmother echoed.
“Free? How about I pay him for it?”
The whole group burst into
thunderous laughter. Of course they were joking to make the best of their lot.
Business was bad and they were bored. No man would pay for these pathetic women
except the equally old, ugly, and poor. But once they had been young, pretty,
and highly sought after.
I felt a chill. If I didn’t
start to really plan for my future, near or far, would I end up like these
women? I had some money, but what would my future be?
Just then, suddenly there
appeared a group of fiftyish men in rags, smoking, stinking of alcohol,
and talking loudly, their conversation mainly insults regarding each others’
parents’ sex organs.
Once the run-down goddesses
saw the even more run-down coolies, instead of running away like ghosts from
daylight, they flocked to them like moths toward light. But the coolies out
numbered the goddesses. So the former clustered around to wait for their turn.
I overheard one of the
women say, “Three dollars for five minutes. Five for ten, and one hundred
overnight.”
One coolie laughed.
“Grandma, you have a mirror at home? If not, I’ll bring you one next time, on
the house.”
Now all the coolies burst
out laughing like there was no tomorrow.
The Nine Fold Heaven Book Tour!
I'm happy to be a part of The Nine Fold Heaven book tour! This book by Mingmei Yip looks AMAZING! Check out the trailer below!!!
In this mesmerizing new novel, Mingmei Yip draw readers deeper into the exotic world of 1930s Shanghai first explored in Skeleton Women, and into the lives of the unforgettable Camilla, Shadow, and Rainbow Chang.
About THE NINE FOLD HEAVEN
Kensington Publishing
Paperback; 320p
ISBN-10: 0758273541
Publication Date: June 25, 2013
When Shadow, a gifted, ambitious magician, competed with the beautiful singer spy Camilla for the affections of organized crime leader Master Lung, she almost lost everything. Hiding out in Hong Kong, performing in a run-down circus, Shadow has no idea that Camilla, too, is on the run with her lover, Jinying – Lung’s son.
Yet while Camilla and Shadow were once enemies, now their only hope of freedom lies in joining forces to eliminate the ruthless gangster Big Brother Wang. Despite the danger, Shadow, Camilla, and Jinying return to Shanghai. Camilla also has her own secret agenda – she has heard a rumor that her baby son is alive. And in a city teeming with spies and rivals – including the vengeful gossip columnist Rainbow Chang – each battles for a future in a country on the verge of monumental change.
Book Trailer:
Praise for The Nine Fold Heaven
A guilty pleasure....enjoy the exotic location and characters.... This is a large, luscious box of chocolates. Go on. You know you want to." -RTBook 4 star Review, June 2012
Entertaining diversion is (a strength of this book) -Publisher's Weekly
Poignant and often heartbreaking story captivatin mix of worldly and ethereal, mystery and drama kept me interested and kept me reading with her journal cum memoir style that few authors pull off. I loved how she incorporated in her narrative Chinese customs, legends, myths and beliefs and especially how she quoted from long ago texts on war and strategies, it was her characters that dominated the pages. -Bookclub.BarnesandNoble.com, June 1, 2012
What a phenomenal novel!! The characters are well-developed and the storyline is amazing and reads fast. So much is going on you won't be able to put the book down and you'll be turning the last page before you know it. I would highly recommend this novel to anyone. Great job Mingmei!!! -Bookbag Lady, June 13, 2012
Buy Links
Amazon
Barnes & Noble
Books-a-Million
IndieBound
Kensington
About the Author
When she was a child, Mingmei Yip made up stories like “how the moon reached to slap the sun” and “how the dim sum on my plate suddenly got up to tango.” At fifteen, she was thrilled that not only her article got published but she was paid ten dollars for it. Now Mingmei is a best selling novelist and children’s book writer and illustrator.
Mingmei believes that one should, besides being entertained, also get something out of reading a novel. She has now twelve books to her credit, including five novels by Kensington Books: The Nine Fold Heaven, Skeleton Women, Song of the Silk Road, Petals from the Sky, and Peach Blossom Pavilion. Book Examiner praises her novels as “A unique and enthralling style…flawless.” Her two children’s books are Chinese Children’s Favorite Stories and Grandma Panda’s China Storybook, both by Tuttle Publishing.
Mingmei is accomplished in many other fields. A professional player of the Guqin, Chinese zither, for over thirty years, she was recently invited by Carnegie Hall to perform in “A Festival celebrating Chinese Culture” in the same program with cellist Yo Yo Ma and pianist Lang Lang. She had her solo Goddess exhibition at the New York Open Center Gallery to great acclaim, gave calligraphy workshop at New York’s Metropolitain Museum of Art, and Taichi at the International Women’s Writing Guild.
For more information please visit Mingmei’s website. You can also follow her on Facebook, Twitter, Goodreads and Amazon.
In this mesmerizing new novel, Mingmei Yip draw readers deeper into the exotic world of 1930s Shanghai first explored in Skeleton Women, and into the lives of the unforgettable Camilla, Shadow, and Rainbow Chang.
About THE NINE FOLD HEAVEN
Kensington Publishing
Paperback; 320p
ISBN-10: 0758273541Publication Date: June 25, 2013
When Shadow, a gifted, ambitious magician, competed with the beautiful singer spy Camilla for the affections of organized crime leader Master Lung, she almost lost everything. Hiding out in Hong Kong, performing in a run-down circus, Shadow has no idea that Camilla, too, is on the run with her lover, Jinying – Lung’s son.
Yet while Camilla and Shadow were once enemies, now their only hope of freedom lies in joining forces to eliminate the ruthless gangster Big Brother Wang. Despite the danger, Shadow, Camilla, and Jinying return to Shanghai. Camilla also has her own secret agenda – she has heard a rumor that her baby son is alive. And in a city teeming with spies and rivals – including the vengeful gossip columnist Rainbow Chang – each battles for a future in a country on the verge of monumental change.
Book Trailer:
Praise for The Nine Fold Heaven
A guilty pleasure....enjoy the exotic location and characters.... This is a large, luscious box of chocolates. Go on. You know you want to." -RTBook 4 star Review, June 2012
Entertaining diversion is (a strength of this book) -Publisher's Weekly
Poignant and often heartbreaking story captivatin mix of worldly and ethereal, mystery and drama kept me interested and kept me reading with her journal cum memoir style that few authors pull off. I loved how she incorporated in her narrative Chinese customs, legends, myths and beliefs and especially how she quoted from long ago texts on war and strategies, it was her characters that dominated the pages. -Bookclub.BarnesandNoble.com, June 1, 2012
What a phenomenal novel!! The characters are well-developed and the storyline is amazing and reads fast. So much is going on you won't be able to put the book down and you'll be turning the last page before you know it. I would highly recommend this novel to anyone. Great job Mingmei!!! -Bookbag Lady, June 13, 2012
Buy Links
Amazon
Barnes & Noble
Books-a-Million
IndieBound
Kensington
When she was a child, Mingmei Yip made up stories like “how the moon reached to slap the sun” and “how the dim sum on my plate suddenly got up to tango.” At fifteen, she was thrilled that not only her article got published but she was paid ten dollars for it. Now Mingmei is a best selling novelist and children’s book writer and illustrator.
Mingmei believes that one should, besides being entertained, also get something out of reading a novel. She has now twelve books to her credit, including five novels by Kensington Books: The Nine Fold Heaven, Skeleton Women, Song of the Silk Road, Petals from the Sky, and Peach Blossom Pavilion. Book Examiner praises her novels as “A unique and enthralling style…flawless.” Her two children’s books are Chinese Children’s Favorite Stories and Grandma Panda’s China Storybook, both by Tuttle Publishing.
Mingmei is accomplished in many other fields. A professional player of the Guqin, Chinese zither, for over thirty years, she was recently invited by Carnegie Hall to perform in “A Festival celebrating Chinese Culture” in the same program with cellist Yo Yo Ma and pianist Lang Lang. She had her solo Goddess exhibition at the New York Open Center Gallery to great acclaim, gave calligraphy workshop at New York’s Metropolitain Museum of Art, and Taichi at the International Women’s Writing Guild.
For more information please visit Mingmei’s website. You can also follow her on Facebook, Twitter, Goodreads and Amazon.
Wednesday, October 2, 2013
Castle of the Week: Dunrobin Castle
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| Dunrobin Castle -- view from driving in at the front gate |
Dunrobin was built in the 13th century and has been home to the earls and dukes of Sutherland since. In THE HIGHLANDER'S REWARD, my hero, Magnus, Laird Sutherland, is created earl at the end of the book. Dunrobin is situated overlooking the North Sea on the east coast of the Highlands. The sound of waves lapping at the beach can be heard from atop the hill where the castle sits, and you can see the sea for miles. The original castle was a fortified square keep--in stark contrast to what you see today, a magnificent, enchanting stone chateau. In my series, the castle is being partially rebuilt from the square keep to a grander structure. In actual history however, the square keep stood alone for about 200 years until it was added to.
The castle boasts beautiful gardens and grounds that I could sit in for DAYS, literally, without moving.
In my upcoming release, THE HIGHLANDER'S SINS, Duncan kidnaps Heather Sutherland, youngest sister of Magnus, from the family chapel at Dunrobin...
Here are some pics from my visit earlier this year. Due to the date I was in Scotland, I wasn't allowed to go inside. That is #1 on my list of must sees when I return there sometime in the next couple of years.
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| LOVED this sign! Captured it while driving by, hence the blurriness. |
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| This is the view of the castle from driving in. The castle is a residence, and continues to be the seat of Clan Sutherland. I found the mix of history with the present fascinating--gorgeous medieval castle with trash and recycling receptacles and vehicles. |
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| The left tower, and what appears to be a main door. |
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| Loved this clock tower. Just gorgeous. |
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| Check out this weather vane complete with a mountain cat (wildcat), which is part of the Sutherland crest. |
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| Look at the detail work in the stone. |
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| I thought this picture capture well the front of the castle and the back, a mix of two different eras. The front is very much medieval and the back more chateau-like. |
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| This is a pick of the back of the castle as I walked down the hill toward the beach. |
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| A gate into a lush park where the castle practices falconry. |
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| Another view of the back of the castle closer to the beach. You can see the road heading back up toward the front of the castle and entrance. |
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| A view of the gardens of Dunrobin in winter. I've seen pics of it when in full bloom, and I imagine it is just jaw-dropping in person. |
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| Loved these stairs leading up to a huge stone-walled patio in the garden. |
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| More of the gardens. I love all the huge trees and pathways. |
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| More of the gardens. Ignore the long orange extension cord :) |
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| This is a tiny tower that sits at corner of the wall around the gardens. It wasn't very high up, you can tell by the door. |
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| A view of the north sea, and some of Dunrobin's wall in the distance. Immediately to the right was a building I'm assuming is home of the gardener or grounds' keeper. |
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| Look at this view! This is the beach at Dunrobin. |
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| Those black logs poking out of the shore are from an old pier that has since collapsed. |
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| A view to the left of the beach. Love it! |
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| More of the shore and the wall. |
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| Me on Magnus' beach!!! I never felt a stronger connection to my characters then when I walked on their sand. |
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| Captured the water lapping at the shore. |
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| A close-up of a huge stone. Loved the way time carved designs into it. |
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| My footprints in the sand at Dunrobin. |
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| A pic of the gates upon leaving--cool arrows, right? |
Hope you enjoyed the pics of Dunrobin Castle!!! Stay tuned next week for another enchanting tour of a castle!
Check out my Stolen Bride series!
Out now in ebook, print and audio from Amazon, B&N, ITunes/Books, Kobo, Sony, Audible:
and releasing later this month... The Highlander's Sin!
Visit my website, www.elizaknight.com to sign up for my newsletter and find out more about upcoming releases!
Tuesday, October 1, 2013
Video of the Week: Historical Head Teachers (Spartans)
Welcome back to another video of the week! I do love my Horrible Histories :) Today's video is appropriate given kiddies are back in school! Enjoy!
Monday, September 30, 2013
Words to Live By -- 9/30/13
A new weekly series on History Undressed... Words to live by! Fun word facts :)
This week I'm focusing on Shakespeare! I dare thee to use the words written below (which were also used in his works)... and realize how we still use them today.
This week I'm focusing on Shakespeare! I dare thee to use the words written below (which were also used in his works)... and realize how we still use them today.
- blabbing -- revealing secrets, tell-tale, indiscreet
- fast and loose -- not playing fairly (type of cheating game)
- hempen -- clothing made of hemp, rustically attired (found this particularly interesting since hemp is back "in")
- piece -- (among other definitions) piece of artillery, fire-arm.
- slack -- as in slack off, put off, neglect, postpone
*Definitions used from Shakespeare's Words: A glossary and language companion by David Crystal and Ben Crystal.
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