Thursday, June 7, 2012

Q&A W/ Claire Ridgway, Author of "The Fall of Anne Boleyn: A Countdown"


I had a Q&A by email with Claire Ridgway, Author of the new book, "The Fall of Anne Boleyn: A Countdown". Claire has also written "The Anne Boleyn Collection".  I would like to congratulate Claire Ridgway and wish her all the best with her future endeavors. Below is the Q&A, including pictures & a prize offered by Claire Ridgway:


Claire Ridgway
 A prize offered by Claire Ridgway to one lucky person who comments on the Q&A. It's a pewter bookmark with Anne Boleyn's Falcon badge.

Question: What is “The Fall of Anne Boleyn: A Countdown” about?
Answer: It is a non-fiction book about the events leading up to the execution of Anne Boleyn in May 1536. I had two aims with the book: to let the primary sources (the evidence ) tell Anne's story and to make it easily digestible. It is written in a diary format, taking the events a day at a time, and is fully referenced so that readers can check the sources and do their own research

Question:Is this a continuation from another book that you wrote? If so, what was the name of that book and what was it about?
Answer: No. My first book, The Anne Boleyn Collection, is a compilation of the most popular articles from The Anne Boleyn  Files website – covering Henry VIII, his six wives, the Boleyn family and other Tudor characters - so is very different to this one. The Fall of Anne Boleyn: A Countdown focuses on Anne Boleyn and her fall in 1536, and the factors and characters involved. Both books are non-fiction.

Question: Is there a third book in the works?
Answer: I've been working on quite a few book projects over the past three years, so yes! The third book is non-Tudor and is a joint project with my husband, Tim, but my fourth book is about Tudor history. I will give more details nearer to the release dates.

Question: What inspired you to write “The Fall of Anne Boleyn: A Countdown”?
Answer: I wanted to set the record straight and tell Anne's true story. Fiction, TV and movies have given people rather warped ideas about Anne's fall. For example, some people believe that Anne was charged with witchcraft, some believe that Jane Boleyn definitely betrayed her husband and sister-in-law and others believe that Anne and George committed incest. I like to challenge misconceptions or things that are not set in stone. I don't tell people what to think; I present the evidence and share my own thoughts and then people can come to their own conclusions. There are so many 'unknowns' with the events of 1536 and we can argue over who was responsible for Anne's fall, why she fell etc. for ever.

Question: How could an individual purchase “The Fall of Anne Boleyn: A Countdown”?
Answer: It's available as a paperback or as a Kindle book on Amazon.com, Amazon UK and Amazon international sites. It should also be rolling out to other booksellers.

Question: How do you name your novels?
Answer: There used to be an advert in the UK for a brand of wood-stain that went “It does exactly what it says on the tin” and that's what I wanted for my books. The Anne Boleyn Collection is a collection of articles and The Fall of Anne Boleyn: A Countdown is a countdown day-by-day to Anne's execution. I didn't want there to be any confusion about what they were about.

Question: When did you become an author and why did you become one?
Answer: I've always been an author. I can't remember ever not writing. When I was a child and teenager I wrote fiction, when I was older I started writing crime stories and then, more recently, I've done freelance non-fiction writing. Before I started The Anne Boleyn Files website, I was ghost-writing non-fiction books; writing travel guides, web content, product descriptions... you name it! Researching and writing are my passions and I cannot see there ever being a time when I don't do them.

Question: What do you consider your best accomplishment?
Answer: Personally, it has to be having my three gorgeous children, but if you mean in a career way then it has to be The Anne Boleyn Files. I love the way that it has become not only an information site but also a community of Tudor history lovers. I love running it. I obviously felt a huge sense of accomplishment when I published my books, but it was The Anne Boleyn Files and the encouragement of its followers that led me to write them.

Question: How have your personal experiences affected your writing?
Answer: I've learned perseverance in life, so that helps me to keep at my writing, as does motivation. When I decide to go for something then I put my heart and soul into it. We only live once (I believe!) and we have to live this life to the full and fulfil our purpose. I don't want to have regrets.
As I'm writing non-fiction at the moment, my own personal life experiences don't really affect what I write, as it's Anne Boleyn's story I'm telling and her life was very different to mine. Fortunately, my husband is not at all like Henry VIII!

Question: What would you tell someone who wants to become an Author; either can answer generally or specially about the Tudor time period?
Answer: To go for it and to stick at it. It's so easy to become disillusioned and to get put off by people who tell you that you can't do it. If you are a real writer then you won't let anything stand in your way because writing is your passion and you just cannot stop.
Motivation is a key factor. Lots of people say that they want to write a book or that they have started a book, but they never finish it. You have to be focused and out your all into it. Success isn't about luck, it's about hard work and focus, in my opinion.
You'll also need a thick skin. You can't please everyone and there will always be people who don't like what you do and they can be ever so vocal about it! If their feedback is critical, but valid, then you need to pay attention to it, but if it's downright nasty or not at all relevant then it's best to let it go over your head and move on. Easy to say, but not so easy to do!

16 comments:

Yann said...

Great QandA :) I really like the fact that these answers ooze perseverance and determination -two qualities Anne possessed :) .

Anonymous said...

I agree with the previous comment!! I love the fact you came to write these books, Claire, we expect even more!!
elizapol(at)hotmail(dot)com

Susan said...

Enjoyed this! Claire, you sound so positive and encouraging. I agree totally about perseverance being necessary as a writer, especially these days, although what a great time to write with all the opportunities out there! I am so glad you found your niche in keeping us all informed about Anne!
sjbraun at hotmail dot com

Jasmine P said...

I think it's awesome that you offered the Kindle version of your book for free on May 19th. I got a copy and I loved it!

Stephanie Tracy said...

Claire, I love your passion for Anne Boleyn and the Tudor dynasty. I'm anxious to read your books and learn more about some of the most fascinating figures in history. Thank you for blogging and educating like you do!!

Michelle said...

I really enjoyed this Q&A. I've spent so much time on The Anne Boleyn Files website and reading about the Tudors that I feel like I know them. I feel like I know Claire in a sense, too, because she is always so willing to reach out to her followers and subscribers. I am thankful for all the work she's done and I'm thankful that her virtual book tours have led me to more wonderful Tudor websites and books. Thank you to the both of you for posting this for us.

Kathy said...

Thank you for all your hard work you're doing Claire. I've enjoyed your virtual book tour and discovering the websites you're posting on. I'm so thankful to have found your website and, in turn, all of these! -Kathy (kandebonilla@gmail.com)

Bridgett T said...

Great Q & A Claire and Anthony! It definitely helps to feed my Tudor addiction :0) I would so LOVE to have that bookmark -- I love it!!! bridgett.trejo@yahoo.com

Anonymous said...

A nice interview and a very nice website too. :) LOVE the bookmark, it would match my Anne Boleyn Falcon Badge ring! *hinthint* ;)

Morgan
morgan_313@yahoo.com

Anonymous said...

I bet you have to be really disciplined to be a writer too, nice to read something on yourself.
mike900r@hotmail.co.uk

WilesWales said...

First of all, I would like to thank Claire and Anthony for posting this. I also have to say that I agree 100% with Yann's first comments as well.

I am also busting at my very thin seams at what the next non-Tudor book will be and the four other projects as well. I do realize that patience is a virtue.

I also have to thank Claire for the last paragraph. What she says there is advise well taken, and really MUST be adhered to doing. Thick skin is a MUST in publishing any kind of writing. Thank you! WileWales!

I will defend Queen Anne for as long as I am around. She did give England one very special gift and that being, Queen Elizabeth I! She was the greatest absolute monarch that country ever had!

"This is the Lord's doing; it is marvelous in our eyes:... ~ Psalms 118:23

Anthony Paradiso said...

Love the comments. The Q&A was a great opportunity for us to learn more about the book, "The Fall of Anne Boleyn: A Countdown" and to learn more about Claire.
GL to the winner of the bookmark!

Anthony
www.thetudormonarch.com
http://www.facebook.com/thetudorspage (AKA The Tudor Dynasty)

Janet Kerr said...

I enjoyed this Q&A blog and find that your quest to write the true story of Anne's life fascinating in itself.
I downloaded your book and look forward to those myths being dispelled.
Jan

janet_kerr(at)msn.com

Anonymous said...

Thank you for introducing me to the vast amount of material written about this period. I will be adding to my reading list. Denise denannduvall@gmail.com

Ashley said...

Awesome article!!
I enjoyed the learning something about The Fall of Anne Boleyn, the first book was amazing and I just got the second one for my kindle and I cant wait to read it!!!
Moonrise88@yahoo.com

Anonymous said...

From GADawn:
I am fascinated with Tudor History and in particular, Anne. I cannot wait to get my hands on Claire's books!

dawn.pinnataro@aronov.com