Writing inspiration: What makes a heroine?
Eliza Peverley and Will Darsyn, the main characters in my novel WITCHLAND. This is a still from my animated book cover by Damonza.
Why do we find some people fascinating, yet others of no interest? How is it that certain people, long in their graves, still inspire books, debate and even devotion? I'm thinking here of how King Richard the Third is still remembered fondly in Northern England, his old power base. Certain historical figures and time periods do seem to guarantee interest (and book sales).
I can only think that something about these individuals, or about their situation, resonates with many of us. If a novelist can create characters who also do this, their book will be remembered and read again, because returning to that story is like meeting an old friend.
I do enjoy imagining what personality a historical figure might have had and sometimes use that as a starting point for creating my characters. Though often the main character arrives fully formed in my mind.
My teenage heroines were Anne Boleyn and Cleopatra: I adored the costumes the actresses wore whilst portraying them and admired both women for their courage and intelligence, which has often been overshadowed by their ‘temptress’ reputations.
Neither of these women were the classic beauties they've been portrayed as, but they were captivating and charismatic. Some of Cleopatra's coins depict her with a hooked nose! Whilst we can't know what she looked like, accounts suggest that her charisma came from her voice and her ability to listen attentively, which made people feel special. She was intelligent and politically astute, and she made the effort to learn the Egyptian language, something that her predecessors didn't bother to do. She wanted to rule, but she also wanted to protect her people.
Anne Boleyn was also vivacious and intelligent. As a slim brunette, she didn't fit the buxom blonde Tudor ideal, but she had style and used her ‘differentness’ to stand out. In a time when women had little control over their lives, she tried to arrange her own marriage (to Henry Percy). When Henry the Eighth courted her, Anne was brave enough to refuse the King, standing by her principles. She was determined not to be his Mistress: Henry had already slept with Anne's sister and then cast her aside. But once the king showed his interest in Anne, it killed her chances of marrying anyone else, because no man would risk Henry’s wrath by courting her. Years later, after becoming Queen, she faced the horror of knowing that the man she married now wanted her executed. That could have broken Anne, but she still died bravely.
Both these ladies could be vengeful and ruthless. But, for me, two qualities make Anne Boleyn and Cleopatra special. First, their determination to forge their own destiny in a world ruled by men. For a while, they shone on the world's stage. They faced every setback, even death, with courage and panache. That makes them heroines in my eyes.
How does this feed into my writing? Well, I like to write about strong yet flawed women. In my first soon-to-be-self-published novel, WITCHLAND, the timeline changed when Anne Boleyn was rescued from the tower during the Witch Rising. The story is set centuries later, with her descendant – known as The Boleyn in honour of Anne – ruling an England that’s been renamed Witchland.
The main character, Eliza Peverley, is a Witch Matriarch determined to protect her people. She’s young – early 20s – and new to her role. Eliza isn’t good at letting others help her, she always needs to be the strong one of her family. She can come across as cold because she doesn’t show vulnerability, but she is loyal and ready to sacrifice her personal happiness to keep her people safe.
Her vicious cousin has challenged her to a magical duel for the rulership of House Peverley, and if Eliza loses, her sister and most trusted humans will die with her. She needs to marry quickly so her Land will give her more power as a wedding gift, but a druid curse will kill her husband within days. Eliza doesn’t want to fall in love; she wants a disagreeable husband she won’t mourn. When she meets Will Darsyn – a fierce critic of Witch Society – she thinks she’s found the perfect candidate. But Will has a secret that could change the stakes entirely.
WITCHLAND will be available for pre-order soon, releasing 19 September 2026.