It is hard to put into words my emotions as I listened to the remarks of His Majesty King Toffa IX of Porto Novo, Benin at Belmont Plantation Burial Grounds for the Enslaved. His country was one of the African nations that sold their people to slave traders. Many African Americans in our community include […]
Author Archives: Sharon Virts
Raspberry Plain Manor
“The Great Hall of Raspberry Plain, with its high, white, plastered walls and walnut trim, was alive tonight with the laughter of guests enjoying whiskey and wine.” Masque of Honor In Masque of Honor, Raspberry Plain served as the family seat of the Mason family. In the opening scenes of the book, the manor house […]
Dignity of Movement
“If a writer knows enough about what he is writing about, he may omit things that he knows. The dignity of movement of an iceberg is due to only one ninth of it being above water.”–Ernest Hemingway I often look to the wisdom of Ernest Hemingway when I become frustrated during the process of writing […]
Musings: In their own words….
Last night, I read a chapter from Masque of Honor at an event for the Thomas Balch Library. The reading featured a scene comprising a lot of dialogue from characters who were real historical figures. As a writer of historical fiction, my challenge is to use a person’s actual words in the novel, while at […]
Musings: Imagination and Perspective
A few weeks ago, Hilary Mantel announced that after eight long years, her final installment of the Thomas Cromwell trilogy would be released in March 2020. Her first book in the trilogy, WOLF HALL, is one of my favorites (and if you haven’t read it, you must!). In an interview with The Guardian, Mantel talks […]
Musings: A Different Point of View
One of the first decisions to make when writing any story is selecting the type of Point of View (POV), and from which character’s perspective the story will be narrated. Trust me, it may sound like an easy decision, but I can assure you that it is anything but! When I started Masque of Honor, […]
Musings: September Nears
As autumn draws upon us, I am reminded of a poem I wrote in 2007. Entitled “As September Nears” the writing expressed my feelings on the “hurry-up-and-wait” cycles of my previous career and my longing for summer to linger just a little longer. When I stumbled across the piece in my old files, I was […]
Musings: Rocky Mountain High
“…quiet solitude, the forest and the streams, seeking grace in every step.” John Denver’s description is perfect. When you spend time in the Rockies, expect to be overwhelmed by the majesty, silenced by the solitude and inspired by grace. It’s a place that forces you to take your time. To take it all in. And […]
At Home on the Range
The landscape and lyrics to the 1872 poem (and later song) struck a chord as we toured Badlands National Park. “Where the deer and the antelope play, Where seldom is heard a discouraging word, And the skies are not cloudy all day.” Besides its literal meaning, there are lessons buried in the words that ring […]
Glamping in Keystone, South Dakota
I had wanted to pack a tent, but it wouldn’t fit in the car so Scott surprised me with the next best thing: “Glamping.” I had never heard of it before. The formula apparently is very easy…”Glamorous” + “Camping” = “Glamping”. But don’t get the wrong impression. I had to build my own fire in […]
