Sometimes there's some weird coincidence in the world. I think my latest guest, Veronica Wolff, must have stolen my copywriter for the About Me page on her website; otherwise, she and I have lived strikingly similar lives (well, except for the parts about going away to live in India— I never did that). And hey—she even likes Trixie Belden! Take that, Nancy Drew! Veronica's debut book, out this month, incorporates all her fish-out-of-water experience along with that love of adventure. She sends a modern woman back to 17th century Scotland to meet the Master of the Highlands. So glad you've stopped by to talk about it, Veronica!
Caroline: Your heroine Lily finds herself in 17th century Scotland and does something very realistic, to my mind: she spends a good amount of time trying to get home. How did you approach the task of persuading modern readers that a woman really would give up cappuccino and modern plumbing?
Veronica: Honestly, that wasn't the biggest leap for me. I lived in India on two occasions, once spending a year without that cappuccino and modern plumbing. I think you can adjust to anything if you're safe and well-fed, and under Ewen's care, Lily was. (Well, at least until the end of my story, but you get my point.)
Besides, I'm such a history buff, I'd love nothing more than to do the same thing—get swooped back in time to see what it was really like. Though, I admit, I'd want a return ticket!
Caroline: Um, yeah. That return ticket would be key! Ewen is such a manly man, and based on a real person. What drew you to the real-life Ewen's story? What did you change?
Veronica: As I got deeper in my preliminary research, I kept running across Ewen's name.
Caroline: (And it is a great name! sigh…)
Veronica: He never bowed to Cromwell's redcoat forces. He was a swordsman without equal, who never sustained a wound in his ninety years of life. Gracious, loyal, wise, tall, noble, imposing, and fearsome are among the many grand words that have been used to describe him. He's referred to as "Ulysses of the Highlands." Sir Walter Scott immortalized him in "The Lady of the Lake," basing a critical fight scene on one of Ewen's most famous, most brutal battles (which I also recreate!)
There was a period in his youth, though, that I totally disregarded. As a teen, he was under the tutelage of the Campbell who, coincidentally, is the villain in my second book. Ewen, disgusted with Campbell's actions around the time of the British Civil Wars (again, the setting of my second book), turned his back on the man and returned home to assume the lairdship. It was a fascinating bit of history and spoke much to Ewen's moral compass, but I just couldn't cover it all and still keep the book to a certain number of pages.
Caroline: Oh please! What's an extra two hundred pages? Don't hold out on us, Veronica!
Veronica: I also overlook his three real-life wives! Though I name the heroine in my second book after the hero's real wife, when I began Master of the Highlands, that detailed a genealogy wasn't yet available to me. For those curious to know more, I detail all the real history, and my deviations from it, on my web site.
Caroline: I think that's so fascinating. Now, Ewen and Lily are two very different people because of their backgrounds. How do you envision that relationship playing out, Lily with her modern feminist principals and Ewen with his laird-of-the-realm expectations?
Veronica: You ask the hard questions! He'll surely continue to honor who she is as a person, admiring her strength and gumption, so I don't foresee any marital issues! Seriously, I imagine many a laird's wife was kept busy as mistress of her own realm and given a great deal of latitude, particularly during those frequent times when battling for clan or country called a man from his home.
Caroline: There's a part of the book where Lily wonders whether she's affected history, based on her modern-day knowledge of 17th century events. What do you think the rest of Lily's life would be like, knowing many things that were yet to come to Scotland which would affect her children and grandchildren? Would she give them hints, like, stay away from a town called Culloden?
Veronica: Oh, absolutely! I think Diana Gabaldon addressed this very well in her own series. You know, beware Culloden and, as I recall it, plant potatoes.
Caroline: Which must have just seemed so random to the Scots…
Veronica: I actually think Lily's modern knowledge would be more applicable to the everyday things. Like eating greens, flossing, and trying like hell to make penicillin from moldy bread (that last with another nod to Ms. Gabaldon's Claire.)
Caroline: Ah—well, I get the part about flossing and all, but making penicillin? I don't think I could do that in any century (not even for a science fair project). So, who does Ewen look like? Any heroic inspirational photos? Monica sent Gerard Butler for her real-life Scot, so I expect something good.
Veronica: Hey, you might as well use the same photo! I do love that Gerry B. Honestly, I didn't rely on any photos—I had a very clear picture in my mind's eye of Ewen's blue eyes and strong features that didn't click with any one actor.
You know, on second thought, forget that! Who can resist a little eye candy? Here's Gerard Butler as Beowulf. I'm a sucker for a Scotsman with a claymore! Give me scruffy, kilted, and fierce any day.
Caroline: With a claymore, eh? That's what you call it?
What's next? Who's it about (you must tell, after the author's note at the end) and when will it be out?
Veronica: Oh, my next hero broke my heart! Sword of the Highlands hits the shelves May 27, 2008. It was inspired by the famous Scottish military hero James Graham, the Marquis of Montrose, and his remarkable exploits during the British Civil Wars. I literally cried when I came to the end of his biography and the tragic story of how he was betrayed and hanged. I wanted to go back in time myself, to perform some dramatic rescue. Sword of the Highlands was my way to do just that.
Writing it was a very emotionally charged experience for me. I can't imagine ever taking his picture down from my wall…
Caroline: It sounds fascinating. Thanks so very much for taking time to share!
Master of the Highlands is on sale now, and keep your eyes open for Sword of the Highlands, available this summer.
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