House of Grace is Born – Patricia M Osborne
I was in awe of writers on my university creative writing course
who had written a novel. I was a poet and short story writer. Before I started
studying creative writing, five hundred words was my limit.
In 2013 I was completing my dissertation for my creative
writing degree when everything went wrong. I’d planned to write a life project but
discovered that I was unable to cope as the subject was too painful. For the
first time I panicked that I was going to fail on the last hurdle.
I googled pictures on the internet for inspiration, and
later, remembered a character I’d created for a writing exercise inspired by
George Orwell’s, Road to Wigan Pier. A coal miner’s wife. I began
writing my screen play, not only inspired by Orwell, but also the television dramas
Mr Selfridge and House of Elliott.
Once I was approaching the end of my script, I realised that
I was in the position to write a novel. My story had so much more to tell, both
before the script started, and after it ended. And so, House of Grace
was born. The novel was split into two parts and for the first section I created
a new character, ‘Young Grace’.
Grace’s ambition was to be a fashion designer but her
father, Lord Granville, saw this occupation as trivial nonsense. Instead he had
plans for her to marry a suitor of his choice, one that would extend his
empire. However, he agreed to her taking a short vacation staying at her school
roommate’s home in Bolton before the search for a suitable husband began. In
Bolton, Grace tasted a newfound freedom and her life was never the same again.
The reader travels with Grace through two decades, the
nineteen fifties and sixties, as she builds new friendships, romance and love
but struggles with family conflict, poverty and tragedy.
When I finished House of Grace, it was clear that
there was potential for a lot more story to be told, so I decided to write a
trilogy. The second in the series is The Coal Miner’s Son whose emphasis
is more on Grace’s son George. The reader finds out about Grace’s sister, Elizabeth,
who narrates her story along with George, the primary narrator.
Opening in 1962 tragedy hits the small fictitious coal
mining village of Wintermore and nine-year-old George is sent to live with his
titled grandparents to become the Granville heir. He grows up believing his
mother sold him. George faces Rejection - Intimidation
– Rebellion – Resistance is his only hope.
The manuscript for The Coal Miner’s Son is presently with
beta readers but my readers won’t have too much longer to wait for publication.
In the meantime I am working on Book 3 which at the moment is untitled. All the
books in the series may be read as standalones.
House of Grace Blurb
It’s 1950 and all
sixteen-year-old Grace Granville has ever wanted is to become a successful
dress designer. She dreams of owning her own fashion house and spends her spare
time sketching outfits. Her father, Lord Granville, sees this frivolous activity
as nonsense and wants to groom her into a good wife for someone of his
choosing...
Grace is about to
leave Greenemere, a boarding school in Brighton. She’s blissfully unaware of
her father’s plans when she embarks on a new adventure. The quest includes a
trip to Bolton’s Palais where she meets coal miner, Jack Gilmore. Grace’s life
is never the same again.
Travel with Grace
through two decades as she struggles with family conflict, poverty and tragedy.
Is Grace strong enough to defy Lord Granville’s wishes and find true love? Will
she become a successful fashion designer? Where will she turn for help?
Author Bio
Where can you find me?
Patriciamosbornewriter.wordpress.com
patricia.m.osbornewriter@gmail.com
Facebook: Patricia M Osborne, Writer
Twitter: PMOsborneWriter
Where can you buy a copy of House of Grace?
Paperback and kindle form. Free to read with Kindle Unlimited.
House of Grace in paperback may be ordered
from all good bookstores and libraries by quoting ISBN 9780995710702.
Thank you, Rachel, for inviting me over to your blog.
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