avg_rating: 4.31
name: Linda Proud
about: I was born in the land of no hope and, around age 19, opted out and started saying no to everything life had to offer. I had a glorious two years of belated childhood then everything went dark. Though the pressure to conform suddenly intensified, I carried on saying no. I said no to what appeared to be my last chance. Then everything changed. I went into this period as a painter, came out as a writer, and since then I've said yes to everything and life has been completely magical.While I was in Hades, I returned to a topic that had interested me at college, that of the Renaissance. Before long I was driven to tell the story of the men and ideas that surrounded Botticelli, against the dramatic backdrop of the Pazzi Conspiracy. I had to learn I was born in the land of no hope and, around age 19, opted out and started saying no to everything life had to offer. I had a glorious two years of belated childhood then everything went dark. Though the pressure to conform suddenly intensified, I carried on saying no. I said no to what appeared to be my last chance. Then everything changed. I went into this period as a painter, came out as a writer, and since then I've said yes to everything and life has been completely magical.While I was in Hades, I returned to a topic that had interested me at college, that of the Renaissance. Before long I was driven to tell the story of the men and ideas that surrounded Botticelli, against the dramatic backdrop of the Pazzi Conspiracy. I had to learn writing skills as I went. I had no idea, then, that I was writing a trilogy and that it would take thirty years to complete.I supported myself with a career in picture research, then in teaching creative writing to American students on Oxford programmes. I also worked as an editor with one of the top literary consultancies, helping first time authors improve their chances of publication. Now I write full time (when the allotment and the backyard chickens allow), working on a duology set in ancient Britain. The first novel, Chariot of the Soul, was published in 2018.More information can be found onmy website and Wikipedia. Sarah Johnson conducted a very good interview which can be found on readingthepast in March/April 2008.The best way to keep in touch is via my newsletter. Sign-up is on the website. ...more