The Minefield of Writing Ancient Egyptian Fiction

Maat or Ma'at was the ancient Egyptian concept of truth, balance, order, law, morality, and justice. 

(Just to keep your attention)

What REALLY happened?

Nobody knows. After all, it was five-thousand years ago. So you think you can just fabricate the stuff. Not quite. There are plenty of people (I am excluding professional historians here) who do know. You have to do your research; and that’s when the trouble starts.

Time-lines especially become a blur of contradictions and "facts" are constantly superseded by new findings. Take Dynasties 00-03, for example. Every publication hungrily perused for indisputable dates lists a different year, even century, as the beginning and duration of those dynasties. Of course, we are dealing with things that supposedly happened five-thousand years ago; and those inconsiderate scribes never saved their scrolls in “The Cloud.”

Then take the names of kings, their wives/consorts, and places. Most widely recognized are cities described by the Egyptian priest Manetho (written in Greek). But he, too, was a few thousand years late to the party for my book and—so they say—had quite a good imagination. The Greek historian Herodotus gave us “Memphis,” and “Thebes,” and “Abydos,” among many others. The pyramid of Mycinerus? Really? Did Menkaure (also Menkaura and Mencaure) speak Greek? One therefore needs to choose between the various spellings for the same thing (and stick to it throughout the book).

It all started when I stumbled upon Hierakonpolis, Herakleopolis, Heliopolis. “Wait a minute. These are all Greek names,” I sputtered, and then had a heck of a time to find the ancient name Ineb-hedj (City of White Walls). Yes, it’s our well-known Memphis that definitely wasn’t Memphis during the First Dynasty. I stuck as best as I could to the ancient names resorting to appendices and a glossary for readers who wanted to know and compare.

Ideally, there would have been a map. I love maps at the beginning of a book—but the e-book doesn’t really lend itself to that. Besides, I am no good at drawing (volunteers gladly accepted).

So what is an innocent soul like me doing traipsing in and out of this ancient minefield? I have no classical training. Maybe I should be writing erotica instead (it certainly sells better). But, I suspect, that too requires research... (volunteers not requested).

In the end, a writer can only hope that the story itself prevails, with the exotic backdrop enhancing, not challenging, the reading experience.



An Ancient Egyptian Bark (also referred to as "Barque")

There was some discussion about me using the word "bark" in

KHAMSIN, The Devil Wind of The Nile.

So, I thought I had better give an explanation.

The Dictionary of Ancient Egypt by Ian Shaw and Paul Nicholson calls it a bark.

So do other publications.
Thus, I settled on this spelling.

Hor-Aha Solar ships (Also called "Barks" or "Barques.")

In 1991 in the desert near the temple of Khentyamentiu near Abydos, archaeologists uncovered the remains of the 14 ships dating back to the early first dynasty, possibly associated with Hor-Aha.

These 75-foot-long (23 m) ships are buried side by side and have wooden hulls, rough stone boulders which were used as anchors, and "sewn" wooden planks. Also found within their desert graves were remains of the woven straps that joined the planks, as well as reed bundles that were used to seal seams between planks.

(Just as an aside, we mostly associate the more modern word "barque" with a three-masted schooner nowadays.)

FBI Knows Who Stole SIROCCO’S Cover

An art theft that had frustrated the authorities for decades, the FBI today released news that it had identified those who stole $500 million worth of paintings in a daring heist from the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum in Boston in 1990.

Among the stolen paintings was one of Rembrandt’s masterpieces, and I used a public domain image for the cover of Sirocco, Storm over Land and Sea. I even wove its fictitious acquisition into my thriller (check out the foreword to the novel).

Imagine my shock—and delight—when I heard the news (twenty-three years to the day) that the FBI had a lead.

Alas, not to the painting itself (yet), but at least to those who committed this audacious theft. In the back of my mind, I always hoped for someone to pick up my book and recognize the painting as the very one hanging in his or her “Uncle Guido’s private study.” That really would have made my day (as well as the museum’s, I would imagine).

Even though these paintings are worth millions, one can never sell them on the open market. As they say in the art world: The crux of the matter is provenance, my dear. Always, prove the provenance.

Do you know where your paintings came from?

By the way, there is a $5 million reward for the recovery of those works...

Scams – Writers (and others) Beware

Most of us writers are a solitary lot.

This perhaps makes us a little more susceptible to grasping at a seemingly friendly contact. Out of the blue, ‘literary agents,’ ‘publishers eager to thrust us into stardom,’ and ‘winner of best book in the world’ contests seek our books by hawking fabulous prizes. Somehow, there’s never a winner, and of course, there is that “small” entry fee.

Even the very savvy historical fiction writer Helen Hollick
has a tale to tell on her blog.

http://ofhistoryandkings.blogspot.co.uk/2015/03/has-bookbzz-buzzed-off

http://fatcatart.com/gallery/   (Artist Svetlana Petrova)

My last blog post here was an innocuous poem from my even more obscure “Moments of the Heart.” Well, I got an e-mail from a certain "[name] Special Services, manager” (title in lower case!) offering for this little volume to be exhibited at the American Library Association's Midwinter Meeting & Exhibition in Boston. While the ALA Exhibition is legitimate, they also have an interesting sidebar on their website entitled “Fair Guide Warning.” http://exhibitors.ala.org/

We have been advised that [name] Publishers has been soliciting paid listings in their publication, FAIR Guide, from exhibiting companies of the American Library Association Midwinter Meeting & Exhibits, and Annual Conference & Exhibition.

Please be advised that the American Library Association and Hall-Erickson, Inc. have no relationship or affiliation with this organization and does not recommend, approve or endorse any involvement or listing in the FAIR Guide on behalf of the American Library Association exhibitors.

I would not be surprised if my “solicitous” book advertiser is to be added soon. Whatever you do before opening the champagne for having been ‘discovered’ and plonking down any money: GOOGLE… My ‘new best friend’ turned out to be an outcropping of a widely scam-listed former vanity publisher.

Did I mention we are a solitary lot? Okay. Here's a little amusing aside (but related to scams):

     I Skype with a few relatives in Europe. It’s fun (as long as they don’t catch me in my jammies), and it doesn’t cost anything.

     The other day (yes, out of the proverbial blue), a young hunky 'Sargent' from Afghanistan asked to be in my contact list. (Or was it the ghost of a long-dead Boston portrait painter warning me not to keep writing about ancient curses?)  Oh, perhaps a Sergeant? Still, I didn't think so; way too young in any case. Press: Declined.

     The next day, a two-star general obliged...googled him, handsome man, much-decorated, taking over 3rd ID in SC. (Btw, with lovely wife.) Now, someone like that was more my speed. Sadly, Press: Declined.

     I could just 'hear' the airwaves rustling: "Ok, this lady has class…she wants a higher-up."

What do you know: Next, an honest-to-goodness four-star general requests to ‘meet' on Skype.

Googled him, and watched his very articulate testimony before the Senate on YouTube. Read his bio and saw photos (with lovely wife)!

     Against my lusting heart, I finally Googled "Skype+Scams."

     Well, well, well...How interesting (albeit not entirely unexpected).

     But I did learn that I can press “Profile.” Up comes the real URL of the 'requestor.' Then, there are two other lovely buttons: "Block" and "Report." Did that. Felt good.

     Except, now I don’t have anyone who wants me. Have I—with my suspicious heart—thwarted my late-in-life chance to have my own Nigerian Prince hanging around my neck (and my small - Scammers, read SMALL - bank account)?

So, once again, it's back to hugging my sweet Pasha -
who has his own blog and book, mind you.
ingehborg.blogspot.com

Or, maybe I should publish a few more poems on here....

A Breath of Fall

A Breath of Fall

               

A trifle longer just each day

it takes the sun to drink away

the morning’s dew from fading green,

the last rain’s puddles left between
the twining roots of the old trees.

But helping winds with their new breeze

try fooling the suspicious eye

and make us think perhaps that—why—

it is still summer. Must be so.

We only started it just--months ago.

 * * *

Christoph Fischer's New Book

COVER REVEAL

 of

CHRISTOPH FISCHER’S

UP-COMING BOOK

CONDITIONED

the sequel to

CONDITIONS

OUT ON OCT 16TH

CONDITIONED dives back into the world of gardener Charles, his friends and the state of his mental health – one year on. We meet loner Simon and his battle with the outside world, co-dependent Martha and her abusive husband Clive, neurotic poet Catherine on the verge of getting married, Tony, who finds his strange brother Charles a challenge, psychic Elaine looking for a new direction in life and quirky widow Sarah Roseberg who has a go at sorting out all of their problems.

CONDITIONS (Book 1) aimed to sensitise readers and make them think about tolerance and acceptance. CONDITIONED (Book 2) wants readers to look beyond their attitude towards Conditions and examine what we all do and what we can do to overcome our challenges. The sequel is another snapshot of this circle of friends. Some will have improved their lives, others will not.

Read more on Christoph Fischer’s own Blog: https://writerchristophfischer.wordpress.com/

Marty Essen's Endangered Edens

I am proud to present a 

Cover Reveal

of Marty Essen's new book:

This is the long-awaited follow-up

to Marty Essen’s six-time award-winning book,

Cool Creatures, Hot Planet: Exploring the Seven Continents. 

See my Review of it on my 'animal' blog - http://ingehborg.blogspot.com/

Whether traveling with Marty and his wife, Deb, in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, Costa Rica, and Puerto Rico, or going solo with Marty in the Everglades, readers will experience nature’s Endangered Edens in a way few others have—all while laughing and learning along the way.

In addition to Marty’s entertaining stories, Endangered Edens also features more than 180 stunning color pictures—merging the genres of wildlife photography, adventure travelogues, and environmental education into one unforgettable book.

Endangered Edens - both the eBook and print versions - are to be published on January 8, 2016.

However, if you want to get in line for your edition now, it is available for pre-order on Amazon:

Just go to Marty's Amazon Page: Marty Essen - Author Page

To wet your whistle, Marty has sent me a couple of photographs from the book;

and it's no wonder he is excited about it.

"Knock, knock."
"Who's there?"
"Marty Essen."

If that had me me, I would have said,
 "See you later, Alligator."
And then taken off at top speed

Not Marty. That man's no armchair adventurer.

Just look at this photograph... Remember the Book's Title? This says it all.

Thank you, Marty Essen,
for allowing us a glimpse into your
Edens on this Earth - 

albeit Endangered ones.

If only we were wiser and a lot more appreciative 
of this precious world of ours.

Check out Marty's exciting blog: http://marty-essen.com/

Lest we Forget

My writer-friend,

Diana Wilder,

wrote a blog piece about 9/11

that brought tears to my eyes.

Please, take a moment to read it; lest we forget.

http://dianawilder.blogspot.com/

Too Old to Fall in Love? NEVER!

Well, I just did (imagine, at my age), with Dmitri Hvorostovsky, a hunky Siberian Baritone - together with millions of other music lovers.

Hvorostovsky & Kaufmann

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qcHZ8SdSToU   (From Don Carlo -- Beautiful!)

(Please, wish Dmitri well. He is valiantly battling a brain tumor.
If there is such a thing as cosmic justice, he must beat it.)

Sept. 5 -- Good News - visit Dmitri's official website: http://hvorostovsky.com/

Having grown up in Austria with music everywhere, I became a veritable hermit after moving into the (lovely) countryside of Arkansas. While I am happy here writing my novels, the things I most miss are my former seats at various opera houses of the big cities I have lived in.

At first, there was Vienna followed by the Chicago Lyrical Opera. A seat in Boston's Symphony Hall assured me concerts with Pavarotti et al. Then came a center box at the Met - company-owned, mind you and administered by me through my boss of - you guessed it - Italian extraction.

During the New England winters, I couldn't give those 12 center-box seats away. Hence, when they were in danger of going unused, I jumped into my sporty little Opel and, braving sleet and snow, drove from New Hampshire to NYC. Was it worth it? You betcha! Despite getting three speeding tickets one night (in three different states - oh, well, I won't have to worry about that anymore now that I drive a Volvo!)

Then came my happy San Diego days. The Opera House is one of the great venues for world-renowned singers these days. I heard Beverly Sills, Dame Joan Sutherland, Luciano Pavarotti in the eighties, and many other wonderful singers over the next decade.

Sherill Milnes still holds a special place in my melodic heart. When he sang the reviled Baron Scarpia, I even felt Tosca could have been a little nicer to him (instead of stabbing him to death).

Then, one of my highlights was a concert given by heartthrob Placido Domingo. That man has such charisma it is palpable from the first moment he comes onstage. The pricey ticket was given to me by my then boss Chris and his lovely wife Eloisa (was it they thought I was a good employee?).

As I sat there, wondering if the exorbitant price was worth it, I concluded YES. A resounding, heartfelt YES.

At a Boston concert, several times at the MET, and even in San Diego, I was privileged to hear Luciano Pavarotti. The world is poorer for having lost him.

And now, that I am (quite happily) ensconced in the foothills of the Ozarks writing novels, I do miss the excitement of live performances.

Although, with my new super-duper computer, I discovered YouTube - and with it the virtual world of Opera!

AWESOME!

And then, we have a young German tenor - Jonas Kaufmann.

Equally hunky, sexy, and quite extraordinary.

What did I tell you?
(He reminds me a bit of a young Placido Domingo - perhaps it's his rampant locks.)

To fall for him would be robbing the cradle. 

However, as they say, in music and literature, there are no boundaries.

Levity aside, why do we become "enamored" with artists, be they painters, singers, musicians or - yes - even writers?

It's because their artistry elevates us to a higher plane of "being human." So what, you say. Aren't we special anyway? Followed the news lately? Mostly, a sad, sad example of our supposed culture.

Therefore, celebrate the artists who inspire you! Who show you there is beauty. It can be yours too. But only if you're willing to embrace it.

Starving Artists

They talk about “starving artists.” Well, in these paranoid times, this old saying has taken on a totally different meaning.

Like many of us writers, I get so engrossed I don’t dare to stop, not even long enough to fix a salad. Ah (I say looking into a woefully depleted refrigerator), how about that rubbery thingy aptly named String Cheese…

Good thing I am not writing on a laptop lounging on a tropical beach (don’t I wish). It took a paring knife together with my chicken shears to get the blasted wrapper removed from what turned out to be truly/awfully, stringy.

 

In the end, it was easier to unscrew a bottle of cheap wine!