I’m proud to work with a great team, including Rachel Gregory who has edited all six of my novels. I spoke with her to get her thoughts insights into Viking Dynasty, which has just launched this month.
Who are your favourite characters and have I done them justice?
It’s got to be Ubba, every time! You paint such a credible picture of a strong, Viking warrior who’s driven by love and honour.
Have I successfully portrayed that women in the Viking era were strong independent and took on the role of family protectors far more than men, regardless of whether they fought overseas or stayed at home?
Yes, largely through insightful conversations between Freya and Torri. We know and love Torri as a fierce shieldmaiden, wife and mother. This is the first book where we’ve really seen her relationship with Freya change as she grows up and navigates womanhood. There’s a telling conversation between Skye and Gytha, as well. Skye is worried about her son’s future as a warrior, and Gytha basically tells her it’s mum guilt and she needs to pull herself together!
Did I successfully portray why Ivar’s cruelty was forged by his frustration at being disabled and overlooked?
Yes, and in the end sections where we learn why he wants to be buried in a specific place, one of the other characters has a realisation about how certain related events must have also impacted on him.
Have I demonstrated how all the Ragnarssons (male and female) felt the weight of expectation and dealt with it in their own way?
Yes, through some carefully constructed conversations between peers and also between parents and children.
Did I portray Halfdan’s homosexuality realistically for the time period?
This isn’t touched on much in this book, but a few of the characters make comments about having explored their sexuality and realising they’re straight, unlike Halfdan. It’s something that the Ragnarssons very much seem to accept.
Was Ubba’s acceptance of Christianity alongside his Norse religion what you would expect from a man of his character? Was it feasible that a warrior so skilled in fighting was actually a man of peace rather than war?
What little I know about the Vikings, I’ve learned from editing this series. Your portrayal of the Vikings is that they were much more open to new ideas than other people were at that time. Plus, they lived alongside people of all different faiths and races. They must have been curious about other religions, and picked up aspects of other ways of life.
Ubba is clear throughout that expectations weigh heavy on him. He fights because he must, and also to protect the people and places he loves.
I am already planning the fourth book in the Vikings series, which characters would you want to see developed in it?
Freya and William intrigued me greatly. I’d love to see Freya’s storyline developed; I’m dying to see what the gods have in store for her. Viggo is fascinating, too…
Do you think the book appeals to men as well as women? My social media audience is split 72 per cent men to 38 per cent women.
I’d expect it to appeal to women predominantly, because of its themes and topics… but Viking fiction in general is read by men and women in equal measure. In short, yes I’d expect it to appeal to men and to women, though perhaps for different reasons. I’m sure everyone can get behind Ubba though!
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