by Denise Lynn
Usually, when I’m writing a story I’m in love with the hero. However, in Falcon’s Heart (January 2007 HH release) I fell in love with a secondary character—Jared, the Dragon of Warehaven. To my shame, I was committing adultery. It wasn’t meant to happen, it just did. Then, to make matters worse, I was struck by the dreaded author disease…the incurable “what if” malady. Question after question filled my mind. Who was Jared? Why was he called the Dragon? Why did people fear him? How did he get such a smart mouth?
I knew that Warehaven was set on the Isle of Wight. Why? (ok, I dare you say ‘Wight, Why’ 5 times fast…) I needed an area of land that was not under direct control of King Stephen or the Empress Matilda. Since Lordship of the Isle had been given to de Redvers (the only high ranking lord totally against Stephen from the word go) the Isle was my most logical place setting.
So, what was the terrain like? I started digging around and at one point in time ended up here, fossil collecting in the Isle of Wight. BINGO! In my mind if a medieval warrior came across the skeleton of a prehistoric beast what might he think? Dragon? Oh, heavens yes. Dragons, dragons and by gosh more dragons.
I was dying to write the story, but I still had to finish a Nocturne (Dragons’ Lair – title to be changed – January 2009 and yes, these 21st century characters are related to Jared) and three more medievals (Commanded To His Bed – HH April 2007, Bedded By Her Lord – HH November 2007, and Untitled WIP – HH March 2009). So when my editor asked if I’d be interested in writing a story for a Halloween Anthology (Hallowe’en Husbands to be released in 1 Oct 08), it was all I could do to keep from screaming YES!
While “Wedding at Warehaven” [Ed.: Denise’s story in Hallowe’en Husbands] isn’t Jared’s story, it is his parents’ story. Brigit of Warehaven dabbled in herblore…making her the witch of Warehaven. Randall FitzHenry was sent by his father the king to wipe out the wickedness taking place on the Isle of Wight. Timing is everything—for the annual harvest festival Brigit decides to use an ancient rite to see her true love – she walks away from the bon fire and looks over her shoulder…just as Randall and his horse sail through the fire to land literally at her feet.
Isn’t that a fine way to see your future? Just have it land at your feet.
Better yet, while on the run from the evil villain the two take refuge in the caves. What do they discover? Dragon bones of course!
Man, I love research.
Take care and happy reading!
Hello, Denise,
I can’t wait to read these – dragons – of course they would have thought that when they found those bones…great idea!
Best wishes
Carol
Ah you had me running for my copy of The Lore of The Land by Simpson and Westwood ( it is absolutely brill for legends)to see if there were any legends of dragons in the Isle of Wight.
Bisterne in Hampshire opposite the Isle of Wight has the dragon tale. Sir Moris Barkley apparently slew the dragon in the neighbourhood…his gallant dogs are commemorated with statues.
Certainly in Whitby in Yorkshire, ammonites were thought to be cursed headless snakes…
OMG, Michelle — I never even gave checking out legends a thought. I found my “dragon” bones and was off. LOL — oh, man, I am sooooooo bad. But, I’m totally postitive that Sir Barkley’s dragon hailed from Wict. The beast had probably been out for a morning swim when he ended up in the Hampshire area.
The Lore of the The Land, huh? Hmm…thanks tons!
Denise
Denise, when you study and read about ideas for your books do you also visit places that have so much history?
Dragons? I love it.
KimmyL — Unfortunately, no. I set the Nocturne just outside of Gatlinburg, Tennessee because we go there twice a year and the area fit the story perfectly. But I’ve never been to the UK — we’re currently planning that for next year (fingers crossed) — so the only thing I’ve been able to do was to rent tapes/dvd’s from the local library, use google earth to the max and watch as many UK set movies/shows as possible. Most of the available non-fiction tapes cover the Lake District, so that’s where most of my stories are set. Which made the anthology real hard, setting wise. Thankfully, fellow Hussies and my editor do live in the UK and are more than happy to answer questions.
Take care,
Denise
Carol — thanks! I’m relieved that another medieval author thinks the dragon concept might work. Sometimes I worry that I’ve gone off on a tangent that only I think is workable.
Take care,
Denise
Denise: This sounds totally yummy! CANNOT WAIT!
When do we get Jared’s story?
Okay, first off: Falcon’s Heart cover? Love it to pieces.
Second: dragons’ bones and magic? yes oh man YES!
😀
KathyC – Hi. Thanks. I’m hoping/thinking Jared’s story might be around…middle of next yearish. We’ll have to wait and see.
Take care,
Denise
Hey Denise! You know I never pass up reading something of yours. Heck, if you need a “test reader” for Jared’s story, you know where to find me. ROFL And woohoo, you finally got a date for DRAGON’S LAIR…that’s awesome, Denise! Congrats!
azteclady — Falcon’s Heart is my fave too. It’s the only cover I ever had any input on before it was finished, so natch, I love it.
Glad you like the dragons’ bones and magic concept — can’t wait to do some more with it.
Take care,
Denise
Oh, Mad, sweetie, thanks for stopping by! You know I’ll be knocking on your virtual door. Just don’t whine when Dragons Lair 2 thwapps lamely on the porch. Ah…poor Cameron…did I tell you that he’s not just a dragon lord…he found out that he’s actually a dragon…
Smoochies.
Denise
I just read Bedded by Her Lord, which was fabulous. I was amazed at how well you pulled off Guy’s return. So not what I expected…
Lucky for me I have Commanded, which I see is Hugh’s book. What I am dying to read is William’s. Is he the ‘untitled book’ that is coming in 09? Please say yes.
Denise, I loved the all the Faucon’s, but I’m still in love with that hottie Rhys,lol…. I’m waiting impatiently for the next “arrival”. Thanks for all the reading enjoyment you’ve given me. Please keep `em coming… Congrats to you!!
Sybil:
Thanks! Yeah, wasn’t quite what Guy was expecting either. LOL. Without giving away my age (snort)…we had friends that had happened to during the uh, early 70s when he’d been sent to nam. Thankfully, it turned out just fine.
I hope you enjoy Hugh’s book…he’s my favorite only because his story was this odd dream after doing a night of research for Falcon’s Desire.
As for William…(sigh) yes, he’s the untitled 09 release and my editor is waiting for him too.
Denise
Hi Denise!
Sounds like a fabulous story! You are a very clever girl to add the dragons, too! Awesome.
I absolutely love your books, but yes, Rhys is my favorite, too. Forever and always. Sigh.
Hugs! Pam
Oooo, seriously?! Send it over as soon as you’re done with it, Denise, I’ll be ready…lol
Personally I love all your stories! Dragons,(brothers) Knights, lovers the whole lot. Keep up the awesome work and maybe some day you’ll be deservedly rewarded a fraction of what they are truely worth! You cannot begin to imagine how deeply your imagination touches other people!
Always! B
Di – Hi! Thanks tons. Hmm. Maybe I need to go back and figure out what exactly I did with Rhys. I mean besides tie him up and keep him in the tower…lol. Maybe that’s the ticket…I should capture all my heroes and just keep them chained up for a while. Hmmm…oh, the vision that creates.
Take care,
Denise
Pam – Hi there! Thanks for stopping in. Well, I take no credit for the dragons…they just sort of, I don’t know, came along and wouldn’t go away I guess. I could of course blame a certain historical/paranormal author for leading me into strange bends back in my formative years. BTW, I’ve been looking for this certain Civil War time travel story…
Take care,
Denise
Denise: No matter the titles or the dates, I’ll be waiting anxiously for your next book 🙂
ps Go ahead. Chain more heroes 😀
Sounds like another great one and I’m looking forward to reading it riiiiiggghhht after W & S! Does this sound de’ja “can we see the bears…what about the bears” ?? 🙂
l..u!!
c
Cspiel — they are at the garbage dump…I’m thinking I might have the slides to prove it.
KathyC — Please, don’t tempt me, I’m very weak-willed.
Brenda – thanks. Have you or Cspiel figured the brothers out yet? Mom knows.
Take care,
Denise
Sybil — thanks tons for “having” me. I’ve been enjoying the 30 days 30 Knights immensely and look forward to the rest.
On the other hand I curse you…too many books, too little time!
Take care and happy reading all!
Denise
Denise, Sounds fascinating. I’m looking forward to reading it. I love dragon stories.