tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6328686830983048190Wed, 04 Jan 2012 04:02:15 +0000A discussion page for fans of the epic trilogy, a sequel to William Shakespeare's play 'Macbeth'. Banquo's Son was published Sept 2009, Bloodlines (Book two) in October 2010 and Birthright (Book Three) is due March/April 2012http://banquosson.blogspot.com/noreply@blogger.com (TK Roxborogh)Blogger337125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6328686830983048190.post-1876782620865928465Wed, 04 Jan 2012 01:00:00 +00002012-01-03T17:19:06.858-08:002011 was spent writing and rewriting the draft that would eventually be sent to my editor. In 2010, my editor, agent and I had pretty well nutted out the detailed synopsis so last year was simply about writing the story.Um.But, though the above sentence (um) and the one before it are easy to type, making it come true has proved to be harder. In my youth, I have worked on construction and buildinghttp://banquosson.blogspot.com/2012/01/laying-foundation-check.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (TK Roxborogh)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6328686830983048190.post-3114783348343179967Sun, 01 Jan 2012 21:00:00 +00002012-01-01T13:02:22.904-08:00PrologueScotland, May, 1055They were the feared, the spurned, the filthy. Stinking women with grotesque exaggerations of the normal human afflictions. Most people fled from their approaches but a few hurled abuse and objects. Sometimes, these mortals’ threats were as terrible as the prophecies the women themselves uttered.And, with the king’s ban on their vocation, it had become more dangerous http://banquosson.blogspot.com/2012/01/happy-new-year-and-heres-opening-of.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (TK Roxborogh)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6328686830983048190.post-1830761617975389463Fri, 25 Nov 2011 15:28:00 +00002011-11-29T01:43:12.618-08:00word.See, we want you to sigh, cried out 'noooo', weep, inhale deeply and shake your head with bittersweet satisfaction.I have spent two days over the last lines of Birthright. Epilogue was done and dusted right from the start but the ending??? How much to give you? Over state? Understate? Offer hope (of course!) but the realization that there was much work to do which was not in the scope of thehttp://banquosson.blogspot.com/2011/11/last-chapter-last-paragraph-last.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (TK Roxborogh)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6328686830983048190.post-5109834244760623959Wed, 23 Nov 2011 13:00:00 +00002011-11-24T06:02:07.389-08:00Blame your English teacher!If you are reading this, chances are, you had were taught by someone who got William Shakespeare and passed on his genius.I was 13 years old when I was introduced to Puck and Helena and Hermia and that dips**t Lysander. 14 when I met Shylock (who remains my most admired hero - If you prick us, do we not bleed?15 when, one winter's day (which meant rain and rain and rainhttp://banquosson.blogspot.com/2011/11/why-william-shakespeare-rocks.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (TK Roxborogh)2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6328686830983048190.post-294021617599038902Fri, 18 Nov 2011 19:01:00 +00002011-11-18T11:02:47.053-08:00Like the rebel leader before him, fearless Magness, Robert Graham pissed early in the cold dawn before even the most hardy arose. Better to have his bladder empty when he needed to fulfill his obligations than it be full and a chance it dishonour his him.And, like Magness, he went no where without two trusted men: one to keep watch; one to provide information.‘Report,’ Graham said as the three ofhttp://banquosson.blogspot.com/2011/11/meet-fleances-key-enemy.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (TK Roxborogh)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6328686830983048190.post-7644164161537704746Sat, 05 Nov 2011 06:18:00 +00002011-11-06T01:53:33.126-07:00I have been culling seriously the climatic scenes which include alliances made, witches, promises and a battle. I am pleased to be writing this book as a 46 year old woman who has lived a very full life. Like Fleance, I have been in the limelight most of my life - mostly by my own orchestration; some because of others' actions. I have learnt a lot. I have learned from reading scripture, http://banquosson.blogspot.com/2011/11/birthright-final-touches.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (TK Roxborogh)2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6328686830983048190.post-8873748352553143634Mon, 31 Oct 2011 17:52:00 +00002011-10-31T11:05:13.510-07:00Okay, I've sent off Part One and man-o-man are things dire for our boy Fleance and Scotland. Part Two is written but as I was editing through Part One, a number of consistency problems arose as well as a few questions that didn't get sorted in Part One so I have a list of 'to dos' beside me and I shall make my way through the second half of the book fixing those before sending it off to my http://banquosson.blogspot.com/2011/10/submission-day.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (TK Roxborogh)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6328686830983048190.post-8581682946126406066Thu, 20 Oct 2011 09:44:00 +00002011-10-20T03:02:25.517-07:00I've mentioned before how characters and situations in my stories often take turns that I had not intended and many a time it's like a slippery wrestling match between them and me. I think, most of the time, there's a happy truce in the end and the finished product is the better for it.But, what happens when the writing doesn't go to plan and it's got nothing do with characters or storyline but http://banquosson.blogspot.com/2011/10/when-writing-novel-doesnt-go-according.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (TK Roxborogh)4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6328686830983048190.post-1942557888098206297Thu, 13 Oct 2011 08:08:00 +00002011-10-13T01:16:22.046-07:00the Tragedy of Macbeth: Act four scene threeWhen I started Birthright over a year ago, I had another quote from the play to begin my story. It was the start of Banquo's soliloquy in Act three: Thou hast it now: king, Cawdor, Glamis - all at the weird women promised. And, I fear, thou didst play most foully for it.'Back then, though I had known the key elements of the story, I thought the idea of http://banquosson.blogspot.com/2011/10/let-grief-convert-to-anger-blunt-not.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (TK Roxborogh)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6328686830983048190.post-916647325694468438Sun, 09 Oct 2011 00:44:00 +00002011-10-08T18:14:28.009-07:00Most writers I know have much more demanding second or third or fourth jobs than the one which means sitting in front of the computer, tapping away. Almost all writers I know have another job which pays the bills (because we all know, only a small percentage of published writers world wide can actually live off their royalties); many have a job that ensures children are fed and watered; and some,http://banquosson.blogspot.com/2011/10/how-do-writers-do-it.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (TK Roxborogh)2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6328686830983048190.post-4010634104698727374Sun, 02 Oct 2011 03:48:00 +00002011-10-02T03:17:43.135-07:00Thanks to the gift of the grant from Creative New Zealand, I have managed to steal time away from my normal hum drum of goddess wife, mother and teacher. Last night I feel I broke the back of the giant which is Birthright. Today, I began a character list so that I could ensure continuity. OMG, there are so many characters - twice as many men as woman (go figure). I have a lot of work to do, http://banquosson.blogspot.com/2011/10/so-many-people-so-little-time.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (TK Roxborogh)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6328686830983048190.post-7946402283526627070Tue, 27 Sep 2011 08:17:00 +00002011-09-27T06:35:16.364-07:00Thought I would stop by long enough to show you a bit of what happens as it happens.Below is a cut and past of a paragraph with the changes (the first words in italics are the original.)Too tired/weary to speak, they looked at each other and in Blair’s face/expression, Fleance saw what he had been thinking/a mirror of his thoughts: none/not many have come this way lately/in at least a season. http://banquosson.blogspot.com/2011/09/writing-in-progress.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (TK Roxborogh)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6328686830983048190.post-3768415877934271533Thu, 22 Sep 2011 06:08:00 +00002011-09-21T23:21:37.398-07:00I have spent this past week reading a variety of works (paper and digital) on the attitude toward those suspected of witchcraft, the reactions to such attitudes, the 'world' view as well as various illness and plagues. I've done much in the past in terms of research with regard to medieval medicine but I had a particular focus for Birthright.A character who was briefly mentioned in Bloodlines andhttp://banquosson.blogspot.com/2011/09/magic-medicine-and-medieval.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (TK Roxborogh)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6328686830983048190.post-1543211612506106900Tue, 20 Sep 2011 09:17:00 +00002011-09-20T02:35:19.367-07:00Time.Time is a precious commodity. Especially when there isn't enough of it to go around.I don't have much time to dust or garden and exercise (I know; I'm a slack writer).Yesterday I found out that I have been awarded a writing grant from Creative NZ which will give me time: time to spend hours and hours needed to bang this last book into shape. I could pay for someone to come in and dust or http://banquosson.blogspot.com/2011/09/wealth-for-writers.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (TK Roxborogh)2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6328686830983048190.post-3353854438122011560Thu, 15 Sep 2011 10:07:00 +00002011-09-15T03:26:45.793-07:00I've noticed a couple of things:1) just cos they are so called modern-must-read-classics and just because they are written by best-selling writers don't make 'em perfect reads and2) makes me itching to get back to my own writing.Let me elaborate:I picked up a book which came very highly recommended. An historical tome. Set at the time I'm writing. The narrative style is driving me NUTS. It http://banquosson.blogspot.com/2011/09/ive-been-reading-and.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (TK Roxborogh)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6328686830983048190.post-7873392712879818261Sun, 11 Sep 2011 03:19:00 +00002011-09-10T20:39:05.446-07:00One of the advantages (and there are only a few let me tell you) of procrastinating over this final book is that the characters and their situations become more interesting without my meddling and then I can see further use for them - especially the ones which are destined to shuffle off their mortal coils.I had been feeling somewhat aggrieved that one of my characters was going to kick the http://banquosson.blogspot.com/2011/09/killing-off-characters.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (TK Roxborogh)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6328686830983048190.post-370423104589471271Mon, 22 Aug 2011 06:24:00 +00002011-08-21T23:47:27.852-07:00I have found it incredibly difficult to pick up my skirts and run the last distance to the end of the task. I've been sick; there's been snow; there have been other things crowding in. My usual writing place is in a lovely old shed at the back of the garden. With the earthquakes in Christchurch, the walls and door have shifted and now a howling wind blows through. That and the cold and wet and http://banquosson.blogspot.com/2011/08/change-and-rest.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (TK Roxborogh)4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6328686830983048190.post-5117085544966722662Sun, 24 Jul 2011 22:17:00 +00002011-07-24T15:26:21.450-07:00It's been snowing in Dunedin for a couple of days. Yesterday, after six days of being house bound due to poor health, I donned snow gear, put on special grips for my shoes, grabbed a ski pole and headed down into the valley to the supermarket. It was fun. Damn cold, but fun. As I made my way back up the hill with supplies and treats for a night in front of the fire, my mind went back to my story.http://banquosson.blogspot.com/2011/07/snow-its-same-no-matter-what-century.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (TK Roxborogh)2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6328686830983048190.post-6659981396624939656Wed, 20 Jul 2011 05:09:00 +00002011-07-19T22:25:23.096-07:00In mediaeval times, one of the most common treatments for head pain was blood letting. The surgeon would figure out which of the humours were affecting the body and make an incision in that quarter, collect blood, study it (including smelling it) and make a diagnosis. Using the treatment was a regular session of bloodletting until the patient felt well.Why did this work? It is thought that, most http://banquosson.blogspot.com/2011/07/old-malaise-that-still-plagues-even-we.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (TK Roxborogh)4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6328686830983048190.post-8644357557265207768Fri, 08 Jul 2011 15:33:00 +00002011-07-08T08:45:06.361-07:00I am thinking of making a list which outs we writers about our strange habits. I can't speak for my writery friends so I'll just let you in on a somewhat answer to the question I get asked often: how do you have time? or How do you do it all: teach, parent, run a household, be goddess...?My usual quip is: I don't exercise - or dust- or garden.But truthfully, I spend a lot of my time watching dvdshttp://banquosson.blogspot.com/2011/07/we-weird-writers.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (TK Roxborogh)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6328686830983048190.post-2570968407106201749Wed, 06 Jul 2011 15:03:00 +00002011-08-26T12:52:30.421-07:00Every so often I hear the cliche: tortured artist. I also read every year from earnest students about Macbeth and his tortured soul, whether it be from my own classes or in the form of national examination essays. While taking a much needed break from a particularly exciting but exhausting scene, I thought I might muse on these two ideas: tortured artist; tortured soul Tortured soul Macbeth http://banquosson.blogspot.com/2011/07/macbeth-and-tortured-artist.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (TK Roxborogh)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6328686830983048190.post-7140132950192856347Fri, 01 Jul 2011 08:22:00 +00002011-07-01T01:58:36.255-07:00When I read magazines which have photos of people's houses, I always look at their bookshelves. Bookshelf content says a lot about the interests of the occupant. Also, one hopes to spot a copy of one's own work. Today I recieved a lovely email from the amazing Vanda Symon who envyingly has finished the manuscript of her latest so was able to indulge by reading Home magazine (Feb/March edition). http://banquosson.blogspot.com/2011/07/spotting-our-books.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (TK Roxborogh)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6328686830983048190.post-4885218351429079117Wed, 29 Jun 2011 13:12:00 +00002011-06-29T11:30:47.888-07:00My 8-4 occupation is as a secondary school teacher and I LOVE my job. At the moment, my two Y12 (16/17 year olds) are 'studying' Macbeth. With one class, I've given them this bizarre task of creating FB profiles for the characters so that they can then 'document' the story via FB technology. We agreed today that sending an update via cellphone while in the battle-field probably wouldn't really http://banquosson.blogspot.com/2011/06/currently-living-in-twighlight-zone.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (TK Roxborogh)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6328686830983048190.post-5472483465374004086Sat, 25 Jun 2011 08:18:00 +00002011-06-25T01:19:53.087-07:00Today I wept again.How can one describe satisfying grief? Poor Fleance who has always done the right thing.http://banquosson.blogspot.com/2011/06/one-dies-and-one-lives.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (TK Roxborogh)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6328686830983048190.post-2981076662604992795Tue, 21 Jun 2011 08:20:00 +00002011-06-21T01:22:47.762-07:00To get reviewed in any publication is an honour even if the review is bad. To be reviewed by the cynical audience one is trying to attract is a bonus. To have thus said is gold:‘Admittedly when I first saw the cover I expected yet another clichéd vampire love story. With a title like Bloodlines and the creepy eyes of the Taylor-Swith-esque girl, it is not hard to see why. Never the less I I http://banquosson.blogspot.com/2011/06/review-of-bloodlines-from-post-teen.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (TK Roxborogh)1