When I'm not at Simmons GSLIS working my day job, I write. I'm not going to bore you with maudlin complaints about how writing is such a "lonely profession", but it is something done in solitude (the dog doesn't really count, but don't tell her that). The vacuum this creates can have an odd effect on me. For example, my next novel, The King's Rose, is about Catherine Howard, the fifth wife of King Henry VIII. I've been reading voraciously about Tudor England for the past few years in order to research this book: the history, the people, the clothing, food, music, holy days.... I've discovered some fascinating stuff along the way--or, at least, fascinating to me. When I mention my book to someone and they react with real enthusiasm, I'm thrilled. It's as if some small part of my brain (the hermit-like writer part) is saying "wow, you like Tudor history, too? And here I thought it was just me." Of course it's not just me. But spending most of my days writing alone in an office with a basset hound who shuns my history lessons sometimes makes me think that it is.
This is the great thing about blogging for Simmons. It's a way to share interests with a larger online community. When I'm sitting in the Fens cafeteria, hunched over my manuscript, I often wonder what everyone around me is up to. What are people writing, reading, researching, composing, creating? I think this on the train, too; I could be sandwiched in beside some misunderstood genius on the green line, for all I know. (Those of you who ride the green line might be shaking your heads at this point, but bear with me, please.) Seeing as we have this opportunity to share, consider these questions: Have you just taken an amazing trip? Have you just discovered a new author or artist whose work you want to share with others? Read a good book? Discovered a new hobby? The Simmons blog gives me a great opportunity to share my interests and learn more about the rich community we have here at Simmons. I am excited; the dog is relieved.
If you would like to visit my travel blog and read about my research trip to England, visit: http://alisamlibby.wordpress.com/2008/08/15/england-travel-journal/
This is the great thing about blogging for Simmons. It's a way to share interests with a larger online community. When I'm sitting in the Fens cafeteria, hunched over my manuscript, I often wonder what everyone around me is up to. What are people writing, reading, researching, composing, creating? I think this on the train, too; I could be sandwiched in beside some misunderstood genius on the green line, for all I know. (Those of you who ride the green line might be shaking your heads at this point, but bear with me, please.) Seeing as we have this opportunity to share, consider these questions: Have you just taken an amazing trip? Have you just discovered a new author or artist whose work you want to share with others? Read a good book? Discovered a new hobby? The Simmons blog gives me a great opportunity to share my interests and learn more about the rich community we have here at Simmons. I am excited; the dog is relieved.
If you would like to visit my travel blog and read about my research trip to England, visit: http://alisamlibby.wordpress.com/2008/08/15/england-travel-journal/
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