Sue's Clues Book Contest

Isolde Martyn was born in Warwickshire, England. She went to school in London and studied History at the University of Exeter. After meeting her husband she moved to Australia, where, in addition to having 2 children, she was involved in many different persuits. She tutored at the University of Western Australia, worked as an editor, an archivist, and university research assistant. Isolde also managed to find time to become a part of several other interesting projects. She was heavily involved with the Australian Bicentenary History Project, Chairperson of the Sydney Branch of the Richard III Society and a founder member of the Plantagenet Society of Australia.

I guess you could say Isolde Martyn is a woman who is truly in love with history. When reading her books, a person cannot help but feel the realities of its time period come to life. This is quite a feat, IMO, to be able to bring a person of the 21st century into the intrigues and frustrations of living in medieval times.

Isolde was nice enough to take some time out of her schedule to answer a few questions.

1. I imagine your first name is mispronounced quite often. What is the correct way to say it?

My name is pronounced: Is older as in 'He is older than I am' It comes from the Arthurian legend of Tristram and Isolde. (I was very glad I asked this - I was definately way off! *G*).

2. Your books are very detailed. I know you've been interested in history for a long time, but you must have to do more research for each book. Generally, how much time and research do you put into a book?

A lot. If it's a different era from the fifteenth century, such as for The Knight and the Rose or for my current work which is set in the French Revolution, then heaps. Book Four has taken me about two years. However, it means that if I do another novel set in either of those two periods, there won't be so much research so it should only take about a year.

3. Considering your background, it would have been easy for you to write about history in any genre. Is there any particular reason you've chosen Historical Romance?

No, actually it isn't easy to get published in another genre. Romance is a wonderful means of encouraging readers to discover more about a particular era. I must admit having a love story as the main plot means that at least the hero and heroine will have a future and I rather like that.

Using this media means I can still be true to history and show what happens to the real historical characters (that sense of tragedy and waste of a good mind, so to speak, eg Warwick the Kingmaker) but the reader will have a sense of closure if the book ends happily. A lot of American readers seem to like that. Mind, the world's greatest love stories have nearly all been tragedies. I have been criticised by some romance purists for giving my stories such a strong historical spine but I hope that is what gives these stories the edge. Most of my readers love that extra depth. Anyway, aren't historical romances supposed to be historical? (I know I'm not alone when I say that I hope Isolde never scrimps on the historical contents of her books!)

After visiting Isolde's website again, I found she had added a lovely Christmas card her husband had designed. I decided to email her and let her know how much I liked it. It was then that I realized I hadn't asked her about her family. So, being the curious sort, I just had to include a couple of more questions. *G*

My husband has a PhD in geology and has been an exploration geologist for many years. He cares very deeply about the environment and has become involved in a lot of local projects using his mapping skills. Our area now has some very fine walking maps. He has also written and computer-illustrated a book of bushwalks.

My daughter is in her late twenties and majored in psychology. She works for local government. I think she'd like to become a writer too. She's certainly interested. My son, in his mid-twenties, is currently working in Switzerland and calls himself a "3D mercenary". He works in computer-animated graphics (and he has promised to design me a new website!)

What do they think about this strange mother of theirs? They insisted on being thanked in the acknowledgments in my first book for putting up with a mother whose thoughts were often in the fifteenth century. I suspect they are quite amused and I think my daughter is very aware now that it is possible for women to recreate themselves careerwise at any time. Her grandmother (my Mum) set a good example too, becoming a mayor in her early sixties. The writing genes come from my dad and he's very much the local historian as well.

7. After participating in the Cafe's pet contest, I know you have a dog. Do you have any other pets?

Now that the kids have left home, our little zoo has shrunk. We now have a very ancient dog (the little one in the photo is dead now) of the Heinz 57 variety and tropical fish. Rainbow lorikeets are regular visitors and there is a tame magpie who queues upbehind the dog at suppertime.

You can visit Isolde at her website to learn more about her and her books at http://www.isoldemartyn.com as well as viewing her profile here at RR@H.