Guest: Nancy Bilyeau, Author of THE CHALICE

I’m happy to welcome Nancy Bilyeau to Between the Sheets today! Nancy’s newest release, THE CHALICE hit shelves two weeks ago. This novel is the second in a thriller series about Joanna Stafford, a Dominican nun who holds the fate of King Henry VIII and the future of Christendom in her hands.

 

A BLURB ABOUT THE BOOK:

In 1538, England is in the midst of bloody power struggles between crown and cross that threaten to tear the country apart. Joanna Stafford has seen what lies inside the king’s torture rooms and risks imprisonment again, when she is caught up in a shadowy international plot targeting the King. As the power plays turn vicious, Joanna understands she may have to assume her role in a prophecy foretold by three different seers, each more omniscient than the last.

Joanna realizes the life of Henry VIII as well as the future of Christendom are in her hands—hands that must someday hold the chalice that lays at the center of these deadly prophecies…

Shelf Awareness says: “Fans of historical mysteries, Tudor politics and supernatural fiction will all be pleased by the broad scope, quick-moving plot and historical integrity of Bilyeau’s second novel.”

 

What is it about the Tudor era that fascinates you so much?

I’ve been obsessed with the Tudors since I saw “Elizabeth R” as a child. I kept reading books, nonfiction and fiction, about the period. I think the dramas of the wives of Henry VIII and the conflicts between the sisters always fascinated me. I also love the magic of the 16th century, the mysticism, the amazing philosophers and writers, from Machiavelli to Thomas More to Philip Sidney to, of course, Shakespeare. Finally, I love the fashion. 🙂

I love that the novel is about a strong and adventurous nun–what a great character for a thriller! Do you see aspects of yourself in Joanna Stafford?

She is a 16^th century half-English, half-Spanish novice from a noble family with a bit of a temper. I’m an American mom whose father was a Detroit sign painter without any anger-management problems. That said, we’re both impulsive and we both love reading and art and music—and I gave Joanna Stafford a terrible sense of direction because I have that and know better than anyone else how to write it.

When you’re stuck on a plot point or the words won’t seem to come, how do you get the juices flowing again?

I write what in screenwriting what is called a “Vomit Draft.” The writing is so terrible you want to vomit. But everything can be revised and revised again. The important thing is to get something down on paper.

What advice would you give aspiring writers?

Try workshops, either online or in person, to make sure that what you think is clear or suspenseful or evocative is actually succeeding in doing those things when read by others.

 

SPEED ROUND

FAVORITE NYC RESTAURANT:  The Oyster Bar at Grand Central. I had a fateful pre-date with my husband there.

BEST PLACE ON EARTH:  Tower of London

MEMORABLE MOMENT:   Last weekend, cuddling in bed with my daughter, watching Downton Abbey together.

HIDDEN TALENT:   Sketching horses

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Nancy Bilyeau has worked on the staffs of InStyle, Rolling Stone, Entertainment Weekly, and Ladies Home Journal. She is currently the executive editor of DuJour magazine. Her screenplays have placed in several prominent industry competitions. Two scripts reached the semi-finalist round of the Nicholl Fellowships of the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences. Her screenplay “Zenobia” placed with the American Zoetrope competition, and “Loving Marys” reached the finalist stage of Scriptapalooza. A native of the Midwest, she earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of Michigan. She is the author of THE CROWN and THE CHALICE. Visit her at her website: www.NancyBilyeau.com.