More Research

Once I was hooked by the character of Michael Collins I decided to broaden my reading. I continued read as many books as I could find about MC. But I also started to read on the War of Independence in general, Irish history, the Civil War, and even novels set in Ireland and about the Big Fellow. One of my favorite historical novels, which I highly recommend, is Trinity by Leon Uris, and I think I might read it again soon

Of course I watched the movie Michael Collins, by Neil Jordan, (which was really quite accurate if you're not nit picky, except that Harry Boland didn't die the way he did in the movie.) When I first saw it I remember being devastated to learn what happened to this amazing, dynamic, charismatic man. Life strikes me that way some times. I stumbled across a movie that was shown on Ireland TV in the 1990's called The Treaty which is thought to be the best movie representation of Collins, but I have been able to obtain a copy as yet. (I am working on it.) I am anxiously awaiting Where the Wind Shakes the Barley which won Cannes last year, but it won't be released in the U.S. until March 2007. I hear very accurately covers both the wars.

The writing is coming along nicely, and I have about eight chapters now, but in the beginning I suffered from writer's block (a future subject!) Now I am going gangbusters as it pours into my head. I usually do about a chapter a week and finished one over the past weekend (as well as creating this weblog and a private one for my family.) Now I have bits done of two new chapters. In the future I will discuss how I do my writing. I have written several books before, but never an historical novel, so I will discuss the differences I am becoming aware of and what I have learned about its writing.

Slainte! (Did I spell that right?)

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