Writing a fantasy novel

In my fantasy novel Sürrǣlia – a trilogy of fable, fairy-tale, myth and legend, there are many characters I have been inspired to write by imagining who would play them in the mini-series!

I suppose if anyone is the visual inspiration for the character of Esméraldi it is Eleanor Tomlinson.

A beautiful red-headed, green-eyed Queen and matriarch. At the start of the book she is much older but her story is told in flashbacks and recollections.

“Esméraldi the Green has a pedigree like no other” said Lord Périon “Her mother was Lavinia De Lahǣ: half fairy, half elven and said to be the most beautiful woman in the world. Her father was the noble and gallant Sir Florizel; Knight of Gorron and son to King Florizorre of Florenz and Queen Gelda Longhair of the Norrs. When Gideon the Peacemaker took Esméraldi as his queen she became the mother of a dynasty which would rule not only Panómoria but every corner of Sürrǣlia….” 

I realise fantasy novels are not for everyone and lots might say it’s all been done before from Camelot to Game of Thrones but it’s a world I have had inside my head for a very long time and I feel with all the planning of the structure, back stories, timelines and genealogy I have put into it, I need to get it all down if only for my own peace of mind. Writing a novel is a lot harder than writing a  play. Stop procrastinating Bev, get writing the next chapter – this epic won’t write itself!

I would be interested to hear how many people like reading this genre . This won't have as many battles as Lord of the Rings. No dwarves or monsters but there are Elves, Fairyfolk and different races. There is magic, treachery, love and honour as you would expect but it is also a metaphor for the modern world as it talks of refugees, people displaced and the mixing of races.

 

 

 

Sunny Days- Outdoor Theatre

Oh for Lazy days in the sunshine!

It seems even when I do get a day off I find myself sitting at the laptop when I would like to be taking advantage of the sunshine. Well, it may all be gone next week, Its usually the case as the outdoor productions begin so do the summer storms.

I love an outdoor production in the summer when you can eat drink and soak up the theatre! I haven't actually directed many outdoor events - the last was in 2012 - remember July when it rained nearly everyday? We were performing After the Dream - a modern sequel to A Midsummer Night's Dream - in various outside venues across Wirral. The rain was so bad we ended up in conservatories, barns, community halls and last-minute indoor theatres, just to be able to complete the tour.
Nevertheless, it worked really well inside and the play was a great success. It was my first venture into playing around with Shakespeare. This funny, magical play was interwoven with Shakespearean lines amid the modern mayhem.

The full length play, details of which are on my new website www.bevclarkplays.co.uk  is now licenced to www.stagescripts.com and if you are already planning your next summer's production why not take a look- 4 male 4 female and one garden set. Photos of Hand in Hand Theatre's 2012 production for RSC Openstages, which was previewed at Contact Theatre Manchester can be seen at www.handinhandtheatre.com/gallery 

When the two couples are celebrating their 20th anniversary both are experiencing married life very differently and when three new Age travellers gate-crash their party a whole new magic starts to take place. The strangers have come to break a spell but with hilarious results.

Shakespeare meets Ayckbourn is how this 90 minutes of fun, music and magic was described. A great vehicle for the forty-somethings!