When I came to write my Thomas Cromwell books, I moved…
“When I came to write my Thomas Cromwell books, I moved onto the center ground of English history, but I was never there before. I didn't feel it was my history particularly, coming from Northern Britain, being of Irish extraction, being a cradle Catholic. The image of England I grew up with felt somewhere else. There was an official England in postcards, but it wasn't one I had visited. But I decided to march onto the center ground and occupy it whether it was mine or not.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
The author describes entering mainstream English history despite feeling culturally distant, asserting ownership of the narrative regardless of personal background.
In simple terms: She writes about English history even though she feels outside it.
Key Takeaway
Embrace the story you wish to tell, even if it feels foreign.
Themes
identity
history
culture
authorship
belonging
Mood
reflective
determined
introspective
Type
personal
historical
motivational
When to use this quote
- writing a novel
- researching history
- teaching
- public speaking
- media interviews
Key Concepts
narrative ownership
cultural integration
historical perspective
Questions to Reflect On
- How does feeling like an outsider shape your storytelling?
- Can one truly claim a history not personally lived?
A Different Perspective
Her outsider perspective may limit deep authenticity of lived experience.