In the early 1920s, H.D. began three projected cycles of novels. The first, "Magna Graeca", consists of "Palimpsest" (1921) and "Hedylus" (1928). The "Magna Graeca" novels use their classical settings to explore the poetic vocation, particularly as it applies to women in a patriarchal literary culture. The "Madrigal" cycle consists of "HERmione", "Bid Me to Live", "Paint It Today" and "Asphodel", and is largely autobiographical, dealing with the development of the female artist and the conflict between heterosexual and lesbian desire. "Kora and Ka" and "The Usual Star", two novellas from the "Borderline" cycle, were published in 1933. In this period, she also wrote "Pilate's Wife", "Mira-Mare" and "Nights".