Featured Character: Clio Aristocratos
Clio is also a member of the reference book, Gaia's Daughters. Q: How did you come to get involved in Pan Historia? A: I joined Pan Historia during the great exodus from AS and when I was looking for a home. I got actively involved a little over a year ago when someone asked for my help in livening up Athens. Since it was going to be summer vacation, I agreed and suddenly was actively involved. Q: What brings you to a fascination with writing about ancient Athens and Greece, both as a culture and for storyplay? A: I have written a great deal, but not fiction. I have done historical research and have written up the results of my work which was usually about local history and homes and families. However, I love historical novels and always wanted to write fiction, but I am better at straight history. Just like many historians, I was always fascinated by the culture and history of Greece, but it came alive for me on my first trip to Greece. It was the first country I went to on my own not speaking the language, and yet I felt right at home. Each trip back has intensified the feeling. It is a marvelous country to visit. Q: Tell the readership something about your character, Clio Aristocratos. A: As for Clio, she is a middle aged weaver. She is an observer of human nature. I guess I see her as a young Miss Marple of Athens. Q: Are there other eras in history that greatly interest you? A: As for other periods of history, I haven’t met one that I didn’t find interesting -- although Military history is at the bottom of my list. My training is as a medievalist. I have been involved in local history in my region. I love history as the story of people. Q: You are a board member for the novel, Athens. Any hints for the reader on how to create a successful novel? A: As for making a novel work here, I think you just need to keep writing. You don’t need to write a lot every day, but write something -- just keep the story going. It helps if you can get a couple of story lines going with different people writing them -- that makes it looks as if there is more action! Q: On a more personal level, what do you consider to be one of your greatest accomplishments, either on or off line? A: Greatest Accomplishment? That is tough. At PH it is that I developed a good story and think I have a couple of more in the works. In real life, I am a teacher.. and I guess I feel the most proud when former students come back and tell me that I made a difference in their lives and I hear about the interesting and creative and positive accomplishments of their lives. I guess I hope I have made a difference. I know you have had more clever answers to questions -- but in some ways Clio and I are the same. A little intense, somewhat serious, but caring deeply about those things and people I am involved with. |
Clio
has been active with the historical novel, Athens, posting
heavily and creatively on the Agora of Athens threads, among
others, since June of 2002. She is also a Board Member there,
helping to facilitate the story threads. She has a reputation
for being helpful, and willing to lend her assistance. Her
interest in ancient Greek culture is long-standing, as she'll
mention below.
