Elisabeth will be speaking at The Town Hall (within the Corn Exchange) on Saturday 14th November 2026 between 11.30 and 12.30.
She will be speaking with Carol Cole on Bringing Characters to Life in Crime and History Novels.
Most people will remember the character of Vera, created by Ann Cleeves for far longer than they will remember the plots of the novels. So what makes a character memorable? We will explore some of the differing aspects of character. How does the author help the reader to visualise and understand a character? Do the motivations that drive characters span both time and genre? We begin with a skeleton and use this to build our character. First, we add flesh to the bones to show physical attributes. His build, height colouring, the clothes he wears are all powerful prompts to the reader’s imagination. Then we consider how the character’s backstory influences his physical appearance and the way he speaks. His stature, his gait, his mannerisms will show how he views himself and his perceived place in the world. Then we can explore how he behaves and what motivates him. Short extracts from fiction will be read to show how physical details and distinctive behaviours form unique characters.
About the author
I grew up in the Worcestershire countryside but fell in love with Southeast Asia when I went there as a student of social anthropology. One of my strongest memories when I first arrived in Sarawak was the sight of magical mountains. As a child, I had drawn landscapes that looked the same, but I was constantly reprimanded by teachers who told me that ‘mountains don’t look like that.’ I think my first words, when descending from the plane were, ‘Oh yes they do!’
From that moment on, I became fascinated with the rich and diverse history of Malaysia and Singapore. I was charmed by the people I met, captivated by their stories, and utterly seduced by their cuisine. My career, which has enabled me to return to Southeast Asia on numerous occasions, has included documentary filmmaking and working in the voluntary sector. I have always enjoyed delving into the backgrounds of people and listening to their stories. These experiences, together with the hours I have spent in libraries and museums have laid the foundations for a desire to write historical fiction.
The Strands of Gold Trilogy:
The Strands of Shining Gold Trilogy comprises historical novels that follow the friendships and challenges of people from diverse environments, as they make their way through the exotic world that is mid 19th Century Singapore.
A Strand of Gold
The story begins in Guangzhou, China where two young women from very different backgrounds first meet. Their story continues in Singapore, where their hopes are shattered amid a male dominated world.
Hope Dares to Blossom
Beginning eighteen months after A Strand of Gold concludes, a young botanist has the good fortune to meet Raffles in London before he embarks upon a plant-collecting trip to China. In Singapore, he meets all the people who Raffles misses the most.
Living the Legacy
The last tale in the Strands of Gold Trilogy, bringing the lives of the three main characters – Dick, Chin Ming, and Wing Yee – to a point where they are ready to step out on their own
Blandford Literary Festival 