In writing my historical novels, I have to rely upon my imagination to a great extent. I think of it as 'filling in the blanks.' Medieval chroniclers could be callously indifferent to the needs of future novelists. But I think… — Sharon Kay Penman Copy Share Image
I feel that historical novelists owe it to our readers to try to be as historically accurate as we can with the known facts. Obviously, we have to fill in the blanks. And then in the final analysis, we're drawing… — Sharon Kay Penman Copy Share Image
“Outside, the sky was clear, stars gleaming in its ebony vastness like celestial fireflies. It was bitterly cold, and Hywel's every breath trailed after… — Sharon Kay Penman Copy Share Image
“He'd never seen one so vibrant, though, or so vividly compelling... those glowing green eyes sparkling with sunlight and curiosity and silent laughter, and when she glanced in Henry's direction, she held his gaze, a look that was both challenging and enigmatic... He was utterly certain that this was Eleanor of Aquitaine, and no less sure that the French King… — Sharon Kay Penman Copy Share
“We've schemed and fought and loved until we are so entangled in hearts and minds that there is no way to set us free.… — Sharon Kay Penman Copy Share Image
“You seem to forget, Dickon, that we are dealing with the Spider King. Louis realized, just as you have, that it would take more… — Sharon Kay Penman Copy Share Image
“I asked Simon if he’d ever feared that all our struggles, all our suffering might be in vain. Not a priest’s question, and he shamed me by his answer, by the shining certainty of his faith. He said no, my lady, and then he told me of a cave he’d found whilst in the Holy Land. It was said to… — Sharon Kay Penman Copy Share
In writing my historical novels, I have to rely upon my imagination to a great extent. I think of it as 'filling in the… — Sharon Kay Penman Copy Share Image
“I once came upon a definition of history as ‘the process by which complex truths are transformed into simplified falsehoods’. That is particularly true… — Sharon Kay Penman Copy Share Image
My novels about medieval Wales were set in unexplored terrain; my readers did not know what lay around every bend in the road. — Sharon Kay Penman Copy Share Image
“Otherwise, I’d like nothing better than…conversing with you. You’re such a deep, penetrating conversationalist, after all,” — Sharon Kay Penman Copy Share Image
“Richard grinned, very pleased with himself for having found a way to honor his mother, thwart his father, and serve God, while having a… — Sharon Kay Penman Copy Share Image
I was actually born in New York City, but my family moved to Atlantic City when I was five, this being my dad's home… — Sharon Kay Penman Copy Share Image