A tale of a friendship between a Pagan lad and a Christian hermit on the Isle of Elba in AD 572. Vince Rockston writes historical fiction addressing contemporary spiritual issues.
I had to cut out most of this forum scene describing historic events, but thought someone might find it more interesting than a simple chronology.
Rhythmic beating resounds from the street outside, getting louder all the time. People rush 
around, shouting. Boys drag each other out into the street as the sounds of drumming and heavy boots increase. Several young men sidle off through a side archway. What’s going on? Continue reading “The sun was dark for a year!”
I was in the Storytelling Fundamentals stream with instructor Sam North, who teaches Creative Writing at Exeter University. We were about 15 participants from all over the world – Philippines, Sweden, Nigeria, India, USA, UK, Switzerland – mostly living in the Zürich area. A very interactive, stimulating group. I hope to keep in contact with you guys and gals! Continue reading “Show or tell?”
Writing a historical novel means doing a great deal of background research. Discovering the Mediaeval Market in Bremgarten, Aargau, where innumerable stands display a wide variety of crafts as practised in the Middle Ages, was a delight. You can see some of them in my gallery: wheelwright, armourer, smith, cutler, apothecary, baker,… Continue reading “Inspiring Mediaeval Market”
On 29 October 2012 I attended the Boot Camp of the Writers’ Workshop
in the Volkshaus Zürich – a full day’s dose of useful tips for would-be authors. I’m not normally very good at paying attention in long meetings, but there I was captivated and I took copious notes. Continue reading “Writers’ Workshop Zürich”
The Romans had two-story houses with door locks, underfloor heating, running hot water, private mills, and silver dishes! And toilets-for-two next to the stove in the kitchen!
A visit to the Bern’s Historical Museum in August 2012 gave me some insight into living conditions in Late Antiquity – facts I need for establishing my story’s background.
Could this be Silvanus’s mother?
In May 2012, my wife and I enjoyed a week-long hiking holiday
on Elba. Organised by Surprise Reisen and very competently led by Achim Gäckle, some 25 people of varying ages travelled by coach and ferry and stayed in the very beautifully located Hotel Viticcio on the north coast. Continue reading “How it all started”