Lorraine Norwood
Photo by Heather South
Welcome to My Site
I Hear Voices
No, not those kind of voices. My characters speak to me. Sometimes they refuse to cooperate with my outline. Sometimes they speak to me in the worst possible places, like the shower or in the car as I'm driving. Sometimes completely new characters pop up out of nowhere and demand to be heard. I'm glad I don't live in the 14th century – I'd be burned at the stake!​
Hi there! Thanks for stopping by. I'm glad you're here. I'm glad you take an interest in writers and writing. And I'm glad you love books.
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I'm a native of Western North Carolina, home to the Blue Ridge Parkway, the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. I graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill with a degree in English with honors in creative writing and then pursued a career as a professional journalist for over 20 years, working in print and television journalism.
My lifelong interest in archaeology and all things medieval led me to a mid-life career change. I earned a second degree in anthropology at Western Carolina University followed by a Master’s Degree in Medieval Archaeology from the University of York in the UK. I was 50 years old when I graduated. I know! I know! It sounds crazy, but it was one of those things I just had to do. I try to go back to the UK to participate in excavations as often as I can. I love to stay in York, my favorite city, and volunteer with the York Archaeological Trust. You can find them here. Two of my favorite places to stay in York are the Adams House and the Bar Convent.
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My novels are set in 14th century England, France, and Germany. It's fascinating, it's hard, and it's fun.
I love getting stuck down rabbit holes finding facts that will add to my story and authenticate my characters and location.
When I'm writing, I'm usually accompanied by my yellow Lab Sally. Sally is like a toddler – she follows me wherever I go. Most of the time she's looking for a handout.
I'm happiest when I'm writing and the magic moment occurs – the words sing and the hairs go up on the back of my neck. It's been a long road, but I'm pleased that at long last after two marriages, two children, nineteen jobs, three college degrees, and twenty-seven moves (one of which was abroad), I have a room of my own in which to write. Virginia Woolf would be proud.
Sadly, I've lost my feline writing companions, Snickers and Tuffy. Snickers, shown here, enjoyed using the tape dispenser as his pillow.
