Ashley York and Wikipedia

The Write Way Café welcomes Ashley York, who has a thing or two to say about Wikipedia. Is it a good source or a bad source?

     So you're reading something and come across a term you're unfamiliar with. What do you do? Well, if you're like many, many people you look it up on Wikipedia. Bingo. That's what it is! How could you not have known that. And off you go on your merry way thinking, "It really is true. You do learn something new every day." STOP!
     I was in college during the transition from paper to computer. (Yes, that's how old I am.) It was everywhere. It couldn't be avoided. It was in your face! It wasn't long before the only way you could register for a course was through a computer and with that darn password that expired every 90 days when a semester is 105 - whose poor planning was that? That, my friends, is when the wonder site "Wikipedia" appeared. The professors, such kill joys, said "Do not use Wikipedia." So we listened (?) but that was many years ago and surely now it's more reliable or works differently or whatever their aversion to it was must be fixed, right? No!
     Wikipedia is a place where, in its own description "almost anyone can access the site [and] can edit almost any of its articles." They're not necessarily knowledgeable. They don't have to prove their credentials.
     They're not scrutinized by their peers for assessment or accuracy. They can literally put anything they want to on that site. They pride themselves on their "high openness" and "inclusion of much unacademic content."
     What does "unacademic" mean?  Not scholarly. What does scholarly mean?  Relating to serious academic study. So that term you think you know about now? And can have a knowledgeable discourse with someone about? You may not want to put yourself out as an expert when your own source is Wikipedia. I'm just saying.

A note from Ashley:
     Thanks so much for having me. I'm sharing information about the first in The Norman Conquest Series, The Saxon Bride, in preparation for the release of  the second book, The Gentle Knight.
     The Gentle Knight is about John's friend, Peter, who plays a prominent part in helping John and Rowena. Peter returns from England to find his love has died in childbirth. His own mother had died delivering him, a fact his father never let him forget. Peter is devastated and believes he must be cursed. He makes a decision to live his life alone, without love. It might have worked if he hadn't met Brighit, a beautiful, Irish woman, who is in dire need of a hero to help fulfill her father's death bed request—that she enter a Priory and become a bride of Christ. Watch for The Gentle Knight.

The Saxon Bride by Ashley York
     In war torn England the battle lines between Saxon and Norman are clearly drawn.
     Rowena Godwinson, the sole remaining member of the defeated royal family, stands proudly against the Normans that would trample them underfoot. Her nobility and grace,  however, make her an ideal pawn in King William’s play for power with the Saxon people. When he decrees she marry a powerful Norman knight, her subjugation appears to be complete. Can she hold firm to her Saxon heritage and refuse to give in to his advances?
     John of Normandy is rewarded for his service and loyalty with land, titles and a Saxon beauty for a bride. John balks at the marriage, driven by the secret guilt of knowing Rowena's father died by his sword
     As their people look to them for guidance and peace, can John and Rowena find a love that unites all of England?

Excerpt:
     "As my wife, Rowena..."
     Her eyes narrowed at use of the title.
     "...you will not allow men into your bedchamber. Other than me, that is."
     A little shiver passed through her at the idea of him coming to her in the middle of the night. She could again feel his fingers caressing her. Perhaps he had indeed returned to be her husband in truth. The possibility excited her.
     Arthur had followed her and even taken her in his arms to comfort her. In the past she had welcomed the feel of his arms around her, seldom as that happened, but she was already different. His arms no longer felt right around her. She had tried to tell him he could not be in her chamber, it wasn't seemly. He had looked so hurt.
     "Do you not understand  me, wife?" John said.
     The title bristled her. "Yes, husband, I understand you fine."
     The use of titles did not make it any more true. Men always thought it did. They were wrong. Turning to him, she felt her cheeks grow hot as he caressed her ever so slowly with his eyes, finally resting on her face before her spoke again.
     "Husband I will be soon enough."
     His answer told her he didn't miss her meaning. He stood suddenly, and the fire silhouetting his large frame caused her breath to catch at his imposing size. From his powerful legs, slightly parted and ready for attack, to his solid torso, ready to receive the assault, to his burly arms more than willing to instigate the encounter. This was certainly no complacent lord of the manor; this was a well-honed fighting machine. Rowena was confused when she realized her own longing to touch him. His brown hair looked soft and the shadow of a beard around his chin caused her hand to itch for the touch of both.
     "Know this, Rowena...:
     Her breath quickened when he stepped toward her, his eyes piercing her own.
     "...there will be no one but me."
     He stopped just short of touching her but that now familiar heat reached out to her.
     "You are mine and only mine."


Always an avid romance reader herself, Ashley York enjoys bringing history to life through vibrant and meaningful characters, writing historical romance novels full of passion and intrigue set in the 11th and 12th century British Isles. Her latest release, The Saxon Bride, is the first in The Norman Conquest series.

When she is not writing, talking about writing, or thinking about writing, Ashley relaxes with visits to the local pubs listening to live Celtic tunes. She lives in southern New England with her husband and 3 very spoiled animals.