First of all, dear readers, thank you so much for reading my book and leaving me fantastic reviews on Amazon (hint, hint…wink, wink).
All my life writing teachers hammered into my head that if we wanted to write, we should start with what we know. This would always cause one of those huge comic question marks to pop up above my head because honestly, what did I know? Or at least the things I did happen to know, I was sure no one would be interested in. Then I was reading an author’s notes at the end of a book one day, and for the life of me I can not remember the book nor the author, but if by some small miraculous chance you also read my book, I thank you from the bottom of my heart. Because what this wonderful author said was something to the effect of “write what you know and embellish the rest with imagination.” Suddenly that floating question mark above my head turned into a massive illuminated light bulb, and the heavens seemed to open and angels started singing “hallelujah”—OK really it was just the voice in my head yelling DUH! (Angels would have been preferable.)
So this story was born with wild imagination and a few things I know. Like sixteen year old girls. My first sixteen year old girl is now 21 and my second girl turns sixteen this year. I’ve been telling daughter number 2 for years to get herself a YouTube channel. In fact, both of them are amazingly talented musicians, which they will be embarrassed about me stating right here. Deal with it my cuties!
I also happen to know a bit about the beautiful country of France. The first time I visited, I had just graduated from high school. The second time, I went to study art as a college student. The third time, I stayed and lived there for 10 years. In all those years, I visited the Loire Valley many times. I’ve always been intrigued by the 16th century and every visit felt like being pulled back in time. Lastly, my fascination with Leonardo da Vinci started in Art History, again, back in college when I was studying to become an artist. But seriously, who isn’t fascinated by Leonardo? I knew I needed him to be in my story. However, this is where my imaginative embellishments had to be employed.
Now I’ll attempt to explain the little differences between fact and fiction in this tale, lest you be tempted to tell your history teacher he/she is wrong about their knowledge of the court of King Francis I.
Fact: King Francis I and Queen Claude did exist. They did live in the Chateau in Amboise (among other castles). They had 5 children, three of whom where boys; Francis III, Henri II and Charles.
Fiction: Francis III was the first born, not Charles. However, I personally didn’t like the name Francis for the handsome prince of my story. So I used his brothers’ name instead. But his character is really based on Francis III whom his father tried to betroth to many different women in his lifetime. BTW, do not look him up on Wikipedia. I mean you can if you really want to, but the picture of him looks nothing like Adam Levine. Fair warning. If you do look, you’ll understand why I took creative license there as well.
Fact: King Francis I was a patron of the arts and really did invite Leonardo da Vinci to come live in France. Leonardo brought the Mona Lisa with him, and art restorationists believe he still added paint to it while living in his home there. You can still visit his house, The Cloux de Luce in Amboise. And the king did build tunnels between the castle and his house. Leonardo left the Mona Lisa to the king upon his death, which is why it remains in France to this day.
Fiction: As far as I know, Leonardo did not ever try to build a time traveling portal. Also, after much time Googling the subject, I don’t think he invented a toothbrush, water bottle, spotlights nor a solar cell to charge an iPhone battery. But if anyone could invent all those things in the 16th century, I’d place my bet on him! I also had to fudge the dates of the story a bit to keep Leonardo in the story making Francis III (or my Prince Charles) older than he really was at this point in history. In reality he was born in 1518 and Leonardo died in 1519.
Fact: Mademoiselle is the correct way to address a young unmarried girl in French.
Fiction: “M’moiselle” is not the correct way to abbreviate the word. I hoped this would make it a bit easier to read since it was used quite often. It should really be “Mlle.” Personally, I like my abbreviation better. I doubt the French would agree.
Fact: iPhone batteries are notorious for depleting at a rapid rate.
Fiction: The iPhone flashlight, sadly, will not send you back in time. But hey, some day there might be an app for that.