Cheryl Hayden is a researcher and novelist with a passion
for 16th Century Cornwall. Her novel, A Christmas Game, examined the plight of
the rebel Cornishmen during and after the 1549 Prayer Book Rebellion. She is
currently a PhD candidate at Flinders University, writing a fictional account
of the life of Tristram Winslade. Cheryl
was born and raised in Melbourne and now lives in Brisbane where her
sub-tropical garden is a major diversion when creative blockages strike.
What is the inspiration for your current book?
My 2012 novel, A
Christmas Game, and my current work-in-progress are both inspired by a
little-known period of rebellion that occurred in Cornwall during the early
modern period, from 1497 to 1648.
Initially, my interest in Cornwall stemmed from my family’s mining
heritage there – they were tin miners working in the very dangerous but
incredibly spectacular area just north-east of Land’s End – very Poldark! After researching that history and writing a
still unpublished novel, my interest took off towards rebellion.
Is there a particular theme you are exploring in this book?
Issues of identity and homeland seem to be a common thread
in my work. I was fascinated from a young age about my ancestors being
‘Cornish’ but didn’t understand what this meant until I undertook an M.A. in
Cornish Studies at the University of Exeter. The Cornish are Celtic, and do not
consider themselves to be English, and many native Cornish today still regard
Cornwall as a separate nation. It has long been a fraught issue and for a
novelist there is a great deal of scope for developing great characters and a
lot of conflict with which to surround them.
Which period of history particularly interests you? Why?
The 16th Century is my particular focus. We are all familiar
with the Tudor monarchs, but what we often don’t see is the plight of people on
the receiving end of their increasingly nationalistic policies. My characters are fighting against the
imposition of religious reform. In A
Christmas Game, they are resisting the religious reforms introduced by
Edward VI in 1549 and their protest leads to out-and-out war against their own
king.
What resources do you use to research your book?
I read as much as possible – serious texts that delve into
primary sources. I also use the UK National Archives online data base, as well
as the Cornwall Records Office online catalogue. Devon also has online
databases. More and more material is being digitized, so as the years roll by,
there is more and more available. I also visit the places I write about. I’ve
been to Cornwall five times now, and know it well. On my last visit, I visited the 16th Century
home of the Winslade family, who feature in A Christmas Game and in my work-in-progress.
What is more important to you: historical authenticity or accuracy?
Authenticity is a complex idea – can anything that is a
reproduction or a representation ever be authentic? As for accuracy, if we’re talking about
events occurring on specific dates, then it depends on how significant the
event or the date is. My aim is to be
totally across my subject matter and the setting and to have a thorough
understanding of my characters. I want my readers to feel confident that I am
taking them on a credible journey into the past that will withstand historical
scrutiny of my key themes and critical events.
Which character in your current book is your favourite? Why?
In A Christmas Game,
I think I probably love Margh Tredannack best. He is a young man, just married,
who joins a protest against the introduction of the English Language Prayer
Book mainly because he has just completed his military training and thinks it
will be a bit of fun to go off with his friends. When the whole thing spirals
into war and treason, he must manage his terror and try to keep his men safe.
Then, having lost everything, he must pick up the fragments of his life. Jenna is equally inspiring. She is utterly
terrified for most of the novel, and is truly brave and loyal.
Which authors have influenced you?
Myriad authors including Peter Carey, Umberto Eco, Patrick
White, Hilary Mantel, Michelle de Kretser, Richard Flanagan, Alan M. Kent,
Daphne du Maurier and A.S. Byatt.
What advice would you give an aspiring author?
Learn to write. Do courses, join groups and enter
competitions. Read great writing, whether it be journalism, short stories,
fiction or non-fiction. Be gracious about receiving constructive criticism and
use it to hone your skills. Finally, be true to the story that is in your heart
and give it your best shot.
Tell us about your next book or work in progress.
My work in progress is part of my PhD in Creative Writing.
It returns to 16th Century Cornwall to follow the true life story of Tristram
Winslade, who in 1595 wrote to King Philip II of Spain urging another Armada.
Tristram’s life is emerging as an expectedly sensational roller-coaster. His
father and grandfather appeared as real life characters in A Christmas Game.
Margh Tredannack is living in newly wedded bliss on his father’s estate in western Cornwall. Miles away, near the banks of the Tamar, Jenna Rosewarne is promised to a loathsome cousin. In the summer of 1549, their worlds collide as the Cornish rise in protest against Edward VI’s English language prayer book. All of a sudden they are on the road to catastrophe, waging war against their own King. Trust, grief and despair bind them together, but does it count as love? And is it enough to save them?
You can connect with Cheryl via Facebook or Email her to purchase your copy of A Christmas Game.
Cheryl Hayden is presenting a paper in The Lie of History: How the Mirror
of the Present Shapes the Past for its Own Purposes in the HNSA Academic
Programme on Sunday 10th September.
Presentation of all papers will be followed by a discussion between Prof. Josie Arnold and Christopher Raja on the same topic.
Abstract: Knit Two, Drop Four: Finding lost heroes in the
holes of history’s knitting by Cheryl Hayden (PhD candidate, Flinders
University)
Across the western world globalisation is creating renewed
nationalist fervour, and with it, renewed interest in the historiographies from
which nations draw their identities. The Tudor dynasty in 16th Century England
is today being analysed and glorified throughout popular culture, confirming in
the minds of the English and their diaspora, of the ‘rightness’ of the
Protestant reformation and the victory of the nation state over the backward,
evil threat presented by Catholicism. Is it possible, today, to unpick this
entrenched historiography to repatriate the stories of those who suffered for
this cause?
Entry to the academic programme is included in the price of
a weekend or day ticket but please book your place because seating isrestricted.
HNSA 2017 Conference
The HNSA 2017 Melbourne Conference is being held on 8-10
September 2017 at Swinburne University. This celebration of the historical
fiction genre will showcase over 60 speakers discussing inspiration, writing
craft, research, publishing pathways and personal histories in our weekend programme.
Among the many acclaimed historical novelists participating are Kerry
Greenwood, Kate Forsyth, Deborah Challinor, Libby Hathorn, Lucy Treloar, Sophie
Masson, Sulari Gentill, Robert Gott and Arnold Zable. The HNSA’s speakers’ list is
available on the HNSA website.
In addition to the two stream weekend programme, there will be ten craft based super
sessions and two research masterclasses.You won’t want to miss our
interactive sessions on armour and historical costumes either! Purchase a
ticket and you will be entered in the draw to win a $100 Dymocks Gift Card.
Manuscript
assessments will be conducted by industry experts, Alison Arnold and Irina Dunn.
Our free extended academic
programme is open for general admission but bookings are essential.
Our
First Pages Pitch Contest offers an opportunity for submissions to be read
aloud to a panel of publishers. And we are delighted to announce the
introduction of our inaugural HNSA
Short Story Contest with a $500 prize!
Let’s make a noise about historical fiction!
