Hello Happy people!🤗

I have with me today one of the brightest stars here on Wattpad.⭐

Her book is super amazing! The story is one of a kind and straight to the point proffessional📚

I am not usually a fan of historical fictions but ladies and gentlemen, this tale is a tale to be read!⭐

Ladies and Gentlemen of the Garden, let's welcome, OFCLEOPATRAS, the genius behind our focus for the day, "To Kill a King"🤺

⚔️⚔️⚔️⚔️⚔️⚔️

Li: Cleo you have created something so beautiful. I really enjoyed reading it. Well done!

Cleo: Aww thank you!!
I'm glad you enjoyed it.
Also, it's an honor to be interviewed by you!

Li: You make me feel like a superstar🤗. . .

Anyway, before I say anything else, what draws you into writing historical fiction?

Cleo: That's a funny question.😊😊

Actually, as a fanfiction writer, I really- really like taking existing worlds and reimagining my own plots within them.

I think that's why I love historical fiction so much- you're taking the real world and altering history to create your own stories, and it's so fascinating to think about. . .

'If X had happened, instead of Y, what would have followed?"

Li: I personally think altering history is very fun and creative, but we both have to admit that it's a lot of work!
How do you do it?

Cleo: It helps that I am studying archaeology and history, lol😁

Li: *gasps* No wonder! Damn!
The amount of work in that genre is a total turn off for me🤣
I admire your bravery and intelligence!

Moving to your characters; You have such amazing and powerful characters, some I could recognise, some I couldn't in history.

Isabella was one of those I couldn't recognise; How did you create Isabella?

Cleo: So, if I'm being honest, I've been obsessed with Anne Boleyn (and other tragic historical women figures) for a while.

And I knew I really wanted to create a story where she lived and Henry died in her stead.

I'm also queer, so I thought I should make it a love story too!

Then I came across Giulia Tofana, an infamous poisoner who lived almost a century after Anne, and thus came my inspiration for how and why Anne was able to survive (and have a clandestine love affair with one of her ladies-in-waiting)

Li: *stares at Cleo in awe*🥰🥰🥰

You know, even the way you respond is classical😂 -- or is it just me?

Okay, moving on, what was the most difficult part of writing your story?

Cleo: Definitely the plot.

Anne in my novel is based off Natalie Dormer's portrayal in "The Tudors", and I'm trying to pay respect to the real Anne Boleyn, and Natalie's version, while making her character my own too.

I'd also say the historical accuracy is a lot to maintain too. There are just so many things I don't even think to research, and randomly come across and realize I want to add into my story.

Historical accuracy is a very big must for me.

Li: I think historical accuracy is a must for every author that ventures into the Historical fiction genre and the research makes it so hard!

I really admire your courage Cleo⚔️ you are a queen!

What character proved really difficult to create and develop?

Cleo: Isabella, ironically.
She's a complex character.

Li: I knew it!🤺
Talk to me, where is she giving you problem? Let mama Lilly handle it😂

Cleo: I'm trying to show how her "good" traits are also the ones that can cause the biggest issues in the story.

She's one of the most powerful women in all of England, and yet she's naive when it comes to certain things. She's loyal to a fault, but often doesn't always see the bigger picture.

Additionally, I don't want her to be a heroine per se. She's meant to be morally grey. She'll do the right things for all the wrong reasons.

Li: Wow! I am happy I am not you right now🤣🤣🤣

Cleo: 🤣🤣😂😂

Li: I noticed that most of your chapter titles are in French, do you speak French?

Cleo: I don't! But I know a fluent French speaker and I use a pretty accurate translator, haha😂

Li: Haha I see😁

(To the audience)~ You guys had better go to her DM for that translator⭐

I also noticed you made your trailer yourself! That's so amazing!

What am I saying?

It is so amazing!❤️

Do you also make your covers yourself?

Cleo: I do!
I like seeing Anne and Isabella (or their face claims) together on screen, lol😂

Li: Wow! Now I want to be you🌚🌚

Have you ever considered making a trailer shop?

Cleo: I have! 😂 haha, but I'm also a college student and have a full-time job and three novels in progress. So, I wouldn't have much time to follow through on any requests.

Li: College and Full time jobs really make our lives more difficult.

Moving on; What experiences have you gained in the course of writing this amazing story?

Cleo: Having the utter satisfaction of changing Anne Boleyn's fate and raising her to the position of sole monarch of England (and personally, I think she makes a much better one than Henry).

Also, humanizing Henry's other wives too. None of them were bad women (well, except for his final wife. . . she's kinda yikes🤣) They were simply victims of a mad man with ultimate power.

Li: Very true.
I also think she would have been a better ruler😎

I am going to move back up to the beginning; How did you come about the title? "TO KILL A KING"

Cleo: It took a while! Lol😂
But I realized the book is all about the aftermath of a king's murder and the upheaval the death of any world leader causes.

Also, it sounds dramatic and I loveeeeee dramatic titles.

Li: I loveeeeeeeed it too😂😂😂

As a Historical fiction writer, any advice to someone who might want to venture into that genre?

Cleo: Yeah!
Basically, let your imagination run wild. Don't worry about well, would this be realistic for the time?
Anything could be realistic if you make it so.

That was my biggest problem. I was worried too much about it being realistic, until I realized that it's my world and I get to make the rules.

So, go wild with your ideas. That's the whole point of fiction: to leave the real world behind.

Another thing I'd add - when it comes to historical fiction, but also most stories, don't keep all your cards close to your chest. That might be a popular piece of advice you see for writing, but I disagree.

You will think of other plot twists and new ideas later.

Throw in that plot twist you've been thinking about.

Add that climatic scene you want to. That's what makes the story interesting.

Li: Thank you so much for the wise words Cleo📚

But Cleo, if I throw all my ideas right into the beginning of my story what other twist would I add as the story progresses?🤔

Cleo: You are welcome.

Trust me, you'll come up with new crazy ideas.

Li: You right.🤗

Well, we have heard it all from the Queen of Historical fiction herself!😁

Thank you so much for being here and sharing so much with us❤️❤️❤️

Cleo: Thank you for having me.🤗

⏩⏩⏩⏩

(ANNOUNCEMENT)
I am in dire need of a graphic artist. Anyone who might want to help create covers for a new community, please my humble DMs are ALWAYS opened.

⏩⏩⏩⏩

Thank you my readers; for reading. Your love is always appreciated❤

Until Next time, I remain, your super star host, Lilly❤