Since it’s St. Patrick’s Day, I thought it would be fun to revisit a story collection I wrote about ten years ago with my wonderful and talented friends, Pamela Griffin, Vickie McDonough, and Linda Windsor. Brides o’ the Emerald Isle was a lot of fun to write, and an enjoyable change for me since my story, A Legend of Light, takes place in 500 AD.
Inexplicably, the volume of stories is available for a penny, here.
And again for $35.47 here.
The more expensive book has a story not written by Tamela Hancock Murray, but by Tamela Hanc. Obviously Tamela Hanc is by far the better writer.
To celebrate writing my story, I bought Celtic Barbie. While not a pure representation of my heroine, Sorcha, Celtic Barbie reminds me how much I enjoyed writing books. Oh, and how did I choose Sorcha as a name? Well, I had to choose something today’s reader could easily identify, and one I could type with some sort of accuracy – not an easy challenge when consulting a name book including the time period of 500 AD. How about Hyge, or Aelfflaed or Eormenthryth? Sexburg is listed as a female name, a feather in my cap in case I ever decide to write a steamy story taking place in ancient Ireland – NOT.
By the way, the book I used, Names Through the Ages by Teresa Norman, is still available and a great reference. And it’s an engrossing read for anyone interested in history, or just names.
So now you have two books to read, and they are both so old I doubt any of the authors will make even an, ahem, penny from your purchase. But have fun anyway.
I leave you with this Irish blessing:
May you always have…
Walls for the winds
A roof for the rain
Tea beside the fire
Laughter to cheer you
Those you love near you
And all your heart might desire.
Your turn:
Have you ever written a story set in Ireland?
What is your favorite book set in Ireland?
What is your favorite time of history to read about?
What time in history would be the most challenging for you to write?
Share Your Irish Blessings!
I have never written a story set in Ireland, but I love movies set in Ireland. The scenery is so beautiful. Have you been to Ireland? Visiting is on my bucket list.
If a story is well-written, I enjoy reading any time in history. I can’t imagine writing a story set in 500 AD though.
This is so cool, Tamela! I have always been intrigued by Ireland. While I am very partial to stories set in different cultures and time periods, I haven’t read or written any stories set there. However, I LOVE the movie Far and Away (my first introduction not only to the Irish but to the Oklahoma Land Rush which I am now writing!), as well as the movie Leap Year. 🙂 Both are set pretty far down the timeline from 500 A.D. but they have perked my desire to visit Ireland for sure. Hope you are wearing green and have a great St. Patrick’s Day!
What a fun post, Tamela. I’ve never been to Ireland, though I have Irish blood flowin’ through me. Honestly, I’m not sure if I’ve read a book set in Ireland, though I probably have. 🙂 Movies I’ve enjoyed set there are Leap Year and the The Quiet Man with John Wayne.
I think it would be hard to write stories set in the Dark Ages. I think I’ll stick with contemporary. 🙂
What a fun post. One of my favorite historical romance books was set during the Norman conquest and included church history. I love stories that incorporate church history.
However, back in the 80s, Nora Roberts captured my imagination with a trilogy set in Ireland. The Scots Irish in me couldn’t put it down. Although, I had to skip through most of the steamy parts. 😉
Hey Tamela,
I’m thinking of you this morning and wondering if you’re wearing the Claddagh necklace I gave you for Christmas. Miss you, dear friend! 🙂
Tamela, too bad you didn’t pick Eormenthryth. You could have called her Eor for short and had her raise donkeys.
I loved doing the research for a California historical fiction during the gold rush.
Who knows..maybe I can find a Gold Miner Midge! 🙂
Happy St. Patrick’s Day! 🙂 *or, as I like to say: St. PATTI’S Day 😉
I enjoyed this post, Tamela. I’ve never written a story set in Ireland, but doing so is on my ever-growing dream list of story topics. Actually, I’d love to write one and feature one of my daughters on the cover, as they both have long red hair and have been told they could “pass for being Irish” LOL.
Wow, cannot imagine writing a story set during that time – – but I’m sure you did a great job.
Happy St. Patrick’s Day!
Celtic Barbie is beautiful! I love Irish settings in both films and books. There’s something so enchanting about the green hills, sheep, and gentle brogue. Seems I’ve read more Scottish stories than Irish, but I enjoy them both.
Medieval tales are always fun to read, but I haven’t seen as many of them these days compared to western and European settings.
Early America in the 1700s fascinates me, though I’ve never tried writing it. I’m excited about Pam Hillman’s upcoming series set in 1700s Mississippi area.
I’ve been to Ireland twice and have fallen in love with the country. I read Maeve Binchy and I’m drawn to most any movie about Ireland. However, I’ve never thought of writing a book with the country as a backdrop. If I did, that would be yet another reason to return to the lovely Emerald Isle.
I’m currently writing a book that has a bit of time travel to the 1950’s. Writing that book is like eating dessert. It’s a joy to write, but I don’t allow myself to work on it until I do more editing on another book I have in a final review stage.
Hi all: I’m at a conference but I have enjoyed stopping by and reading all your comments! Thank you so much! See you next week!