"Why do some periods (or even decades) seem more interesting to writers than others (for example, the Middle Ages, the Napoleonic Wars, the Victorian period, the American Civil War)? Choose one text from the three pairs we have read this semester, and account for the popularity of the period or subject that each represents." The novels I choose are Geraldine Brooks' "Year of Wonders", Patrick O' Brian's "Far Side of the World" and Charles Frazier's "Cold Mountain".
The worst part is that it's blocked all of my other writing too... I have the dim notion of ideas for my

In better news, my Only Fools and Horses DVD came today. And I've made a resolution to go search out Sharpe. Heh. Several are available on video at the ABC shop... but not Sharpe's Justice more's the pity. Anyway, this makes me hope for DVDs coming soon. And - I'll probably start on Cornwall's novels next year - along with Forester's HH. I should really thank the darling