Patricia Leslie

A lot of documentaries about historical personages, locations, incidences start with a question. A question they imply they will answer with in-depth investigation and often an amazing discovery. They usually end with a question-mark. Their investigation, new archeological techniques, and unearthed discoveries are interesting, but too often they finish with something like, "we may never truly know..." Stonehenge. Image by walkerssk from Pixabay In response, I started my own d

A couple of resources I wanted to share that could be useful for background research and character development in fiction writing (historical, fantasy or otherwise). The first is an interesting podcast I listened to early this week. Patient Zero, and the second is a true-crime documentary series, Murder on Middle Beach. The podcast - Patient Zero: Spillover In Suburbia The story investigates the rise of new viruses, how and why they occur, using the Hendra virus as a case stu

Strong relationships between mothers and daughters and sisters are a theme in much of my writing. I’ve been surrounded by strong women my entire life—mums, grandmothers, aunties, great aunties, sisters, daughters, and friends. Stories that are passed around these circles, traditions passed down the generations, make great story fodder for historical fantasy writers. Women’s talk, secret women’s business, is the core of many of the myths I explore and magic I draw upon. With M