February Blog 2021

 

 

 

It is time for another personal blog. I want to thank the following authors I interviewed for my monthly blogs during the past seven months. They are Patty Wiseman, Timothy Donald Pilmaier, Andrew Boyce, Linda Hughes, Judith Arnopp, Matthew Olney, and Kate Braithwaite. The interviews have been informative, revealing several different techniques used by these authors to write and publish their novels. I wish them all the most tremendous success. I will conduct additional author interviews in the future.

 

 

 

 

The Emperor's Hand

                                                              Roman Britain

 

 

 

 

Creating the sixth historical novel in the Britannia Romanus series, The Emperor's Hand moves along slowly. I have had to rewrite the first twelve chapters several times. Usually, after I have written a chapter draft, I will leave it alone anywhere from a few days to a few weeks. When I return to review the pages, I have a fresh perspective. It allows me to see the flaws, and sometimes there are many, making the necessary changes.

 

After I underwent left knee replacement surgery, I did not look at my new work for nearly two months. When I returned to the writing, I discovered so many glaring errors that I almost gave up. Fortunately, I changed my mind. I recently emailed the chief editor of Sunbury Press, informing her that I have continued writing. It is my goal to complete the novel by late Summer or early Autumn. Wish me well.

 

 

 

 

 

Amphitheater in Nimes, France 

                                                         Ampitheatre in Nimes, France

 

 

"Circa 27 B.C., the emperor Augustus resettled the veterans of his Egyptian campaign on a fertile plain at the Cevennes Mountains foot in present-day France. The colony was given the name of Nemausus and is now known as Nîmes. There are several examples of Roman architecture in Nîmes. Constructed about the same period as the Colosseum in Rome (A.D.70), the amphitheater, or Arena, was built in the town center. 24,000 spectators gathered here to witness games and gladiatorial contests. It has been preserved nearly intact. Today it is a venue for rock concerts and bullfights." www.chi-rhogroup.com

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pont du Gard Aqueduct 

                                                                                      Pont du Gard aqueduct

 

 

"A beautiful example of the Romans' architectural and engineering skills lies about 32 km to the northwest of Arles. It is the world-famous Pont du Gard, which was a part of an aqueduct system supplying water to the city of Nemausus (present-day Nîmes). The source of the water was a group of freshwater springs near Ucetia (present-day Uzés). The water was carried more than 50 km through tunnels and channels along a curving route dictated by the land's lay. At the canyon carved by the Gardon River, it was necessary to bridge the gap with an aqueduct 456 meters (1,496 feet) long and 48.8 meters (160 feet) high at its highest point. The triple-tiered archways of the Pont du Gard were completed circa A.D. 60 and have withstood several floods which would have swept away lesser structures. It is recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site." www.chi-rhogroup.com

 

 

 

 

 

 

Roman QVORVM (Quorum) 

                                                                Roman Senators

 

 

 

QVORVM (Quorum) is a Latin word that originated in ancient Rome. It was first coined by Senator MARCVS PAIVS MVTILVS (Marco Paio Mutilo). Its meaning is "Of which," then it is passed to indicate "the minimum number of participants or voters necessary for a vote to be valid. In an assembly which is needed to deliberate ".

 

The term is borrowed from the Latin QVORVM (quorum) (of which), implying the suffixal sentence a presence or favorable vote is required.

 

 

 

 

Personal Thoughts and Comments  

 

 

Because of COVID19, all book signings are still on hold. The earliest dates for any events would probably be in the Fall, and that is still tentative. I have kept in contact with the Barnes and Noble Booksellers stores, who have become my regulars. Unfortunately, despite the sending of several emails, there are a couple from whom I have not heard. I will have to play the situation by the proverbial "ear."

 

Some good news, my wife, Liz, and I received our first vaccination, Moderna, for COVID19. We will get our second shot in March. It's a relief, but we plan to keep wearing our face masks indefinitely.

 

 

 

 

 

After six months, the remodeling of our home is finished.

 

 

Back on November 4th, 2020, I had a left knee replacement surgery. Fortunately, I experienced only a minimum of pain and discomfort. After that, I went to physical therapy every other week. In between, I did daily exercises given to me by my physical therapist. Thursday, February 25th, 2021, was my last session. I have had no problems walking and can bend my knee in the usual manner. The final movement to return was kneeling on the floor. That came back faster than I had expected, thank goodness! Now, I can resume my physical fitness training twice a week, which I had been doing for three years before surgery. It was because of the exercising that made me fit enough to have the procedure.

 

 

 

That's all for now. Until next time, Salve Atque Vale! Hail and farewell!

 

 

 

JSH