Category Archives: Uncategorized

Kathleen Gerard Crosses Genres With Gusto

Posted on July 24, 2011 by Dianne Ascroft

Anyone who has written a novel which doesn’t neatly fit into a particular genre will know how this can hinder the book’s journey to the bookshop shelf. Genres can be useful for publishers and readers to define books but they can also … Continue reading →

Posted in July 2011, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , | 2 Comments

Sean McElgunn Ventures Online

Posted on July 21, 2011 by Dianne Ascroft

When should a writer begin his own blog? That’s a question that’s sometimes discussed in advice for writers. I’m not going to add to that discussion here. But, I’d say that once he’s passed his 80th birthday seems as good … Continue reading →

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Not A Canada Day Celebration – I Enjoyed Irish Hospitality

Posted on June 30, 2011 by Dianne Ascroft

I was at a garden party yesterday. Was I starting my Canada Day celebrations early? No, it was actually a very Irish event. The garden party was hosted by President McAleese at Aras an Uachtarain to honour volunteers. I was privileged to attend … Continue reading →

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Jump Into Johnny One-Eye

Posted on June 24, 2011 by Dianne Ascroft

In February I discovered the work of Jerome Charyn, a prolific American writer who creates unique, captivating voices for his very diverse characters. I reviewed his novel, The Secret Life of Emily Dickinson, and I absolutely loved the book. So … Continue reading →

Posted in June 2011, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

Magdeburg Seized Me

Posted on June 7, 2011 by Dianne Ascroft

A few weeks ago I read Magdeburg by Heather Richardson. This novel is one of the most authentic historical fiction books that I’ve read in a long while. Set in seventeenth century Germany during the Thirty Years War, the book’s … Continue reading →

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Trade Winds Carried Me Along

Posted on May 30, 2011 by Dianne Ascroft

When I first met Christina Courtenay at the Historical Novel Society’s UK conference last October, she was excited that her first novel, Trade Winds, had just been released. Her description of it prompted me to order a copy and I … Continue reading →

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Historical Novel Society’s Irish Chapter

Posted on May 16, 2011 by Dianne Ascroft

On Saturday the Irish chapter of the Historical Novel Society had our second meeting. We alternate between Belfast and Dublin so our members, no matter where they live, can attend meetings. We met in the Writers’ Room (that wasn’t pre-planned … Continue reading →

Posted in May 2011, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

Airing My Expat Experiences

Posted on May 3, 2011 by Dianne Ascroft

Last Thursday evening I had to chance to test my newfound Skype skills when I chatted with Expats Radio presenter, Peter Anstis, about being a Canadian in Northern Ireland. Although I’m not a keen public speaker, I had fun with this as Skype’s … Continue reading →

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Bealtaine Beckons

Posted on April 28, 2011 by Dianne Ascroft

Sunday begins Ireland’s Bealtaine Festival which runs throughout May. The countrywide festival turns the spotlight on older people and the arts – celebrating our achievements and encouraging everyone in this age group to get involved and unleash our creativity. In this week’s … Continue reading →

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A Closer Look At The Devil To Pay

Posted on April 19, 2011 by Dianne Ascroft

Today I’m continuing my interview with Hugh Fitzgerald Ryan, author of The Devil To Pay. As I said yesterday, I was intrigued by the historic events the novel is based on and wanted to know more about them but it was the novel itself  that first captivated … Continue reading →

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