Donna Fletcher Crow, Novelist of British History, has written more than 50 books specializing in British Christianity. These books include: The Monastery Murders, clerical mysteries; Lord Danvers Investigates, Victorian true-crime; The Elizabeth and Richard series, literary suspense; and Glastonbury, The Novel of Christian England. She loves research and sharing you-are-there experiences with her readers.

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Donna Fletcher Crow, Novelist of British History

A traveling researcher engages people and places from Britain's past and present, drawing comparisons and contrasts between past and present for today's reader.

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K Dawn Byrd Visits

By Donna Fletcher Crow ~ May 16, 2011

Welcome, K Dawn. I just realized what fun this is to have a Byrd guesting on a Crow's blog. And, as a fun turnabout, I'm also guesting on K Dawn's blog later today: http://kdawnbyrd.blogspot.com/2011/05/register-to-win-donna-f-crowes-shadow.html#comments

Thanks for hosting me, Donna! You asked about Queen of Hearts and how I developed the story. I've been a WWII buff for many years, but not in the sense of strategy. I'm fascinated by how Americans changed. Everyone sacrificed. Women went to work. Citizens banded together and collected metal and other precious items to be used in the war effort. Housewives learned how to keep house with very little or how to improvise when items were rationed. Then, there's the psychological aspect of it all. Girls kissed their sweethearts goodbye and mother's kissed their sons farewell, many to never see them again. Some girls waited on their beloveds to return, some married others.

The idea for Queen of Hearts actually began with a website I stumbled across that is devoted to

abandoned insane asylums. (Here's the link for those who might be interested in taking a look. http://www.opacity.us/locations/) I'm an antique lover, old building lover, and I work in the mental health field, which increased my fascination with the photographs on Opacity. As I viewed the photos, the idea of placing my heroine in hiding in an institution took shape. I'd wanted to write a WWII romantic suspense for a while and after brushing up on my research of the era, I jumped in with both feet. Queen of Hearts was actually my NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month) project and was finished in 30 days. After several edits, I sent it on to my publisher and was overjoyed when she liked the story.

Donna, you mentioned that I write in several different genres and was wondering how that works for me. Last year, I published a WWII romantic suspense (Queen of Hearts), a contemporary romantic suspense set in a jail (Killing Time) and this year, Desert Breeze Publishing will release a sweet young adult romance (Mistaken Identity; June 15) and a contemporary romance (This Time for Keeps, October 15). Yes, I have written in several different genres and I enjoy the freedom of switching from the point of view of a woman in love to a woman in danger to a young adult. What I write depends on what mood I'm in.

Right now, I'm editing This Time for Keeps. Afterwards, I'm not sure what I'll work on, but whatever it is, it'll be a story I love. I write what I love. Having a day job that pays the bills allows me the freedom to write what I want when I want and I'd have it no other way.

Thank you so much for visiting, K. Dawn. I agree entirely, the story you're telling has to push the project. How lovely for you and for your readers that you have such a wide range of storytelling.

And now, i invite veryone to slip on over to K. Dawn's blog for her interview of me.

K.Dawn Byrd, Author
Queen of Hearts (April 2010) & Killing Time (August 2010)
Mistaken Identity (June 2011) & This Time for Keeps (October 2011)
http://stores.desertbreezepublishing.com/-strse-template/KDawnByrd/Page.bok
BLOG: http://www.kdawnbyrd.blogspot.com/ WEBSITE:http://www.kdawnbyrd.com/

www.donnafletchercrow.com

Reader Comments:

I am so amazed that you were able to draft Queen of Hearts in a month! you obcviously had your story well in mind and your research at your fingertips. I look forwardto reading it as I love World War II stories.
-Donna, May 16, 2011

This book sounds fascinating. One I've got to get my hands on.
-Christine Lindsay, May 16, 2011

Thanks for the comments! I heavily plot before I start writing most of my books. I actually write all of them in 30 day marathons. That is, I plan to. Occasionaly, a family emergency will get in the way.
-kdawnbyrd, February 8, 2012

Donna:
That's so funny! A Byrd nesting on a Crow's blog. I never would have thought of it. Made me laugh!
-kdawnbyrd, February 8, 2012

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The Authorized Version

Donna Fletcher Crow, Novelist of British History

A traveling researcher engages people and places from Britain's past and present, drawing comparisons and contrasts between past and present for today's reader.

K Dawn Byrd Visits

Reader Comments: