Historical Fiction: revealing history

It's pretty cool when you're researching for a historical fiction novel because you learn SO much information about a time that you thought you knew, but come to find out, you actually know NOTHING about it, at least not in the practical sense. It would be so embarrassing for my 10th grade history teacher if she knew.

Of course I knew that in 1776 the Declaration of Independence was signed, as most people do.

But, I didn't know these things about our fledgling country:

• women wore fingerless gloves (but there was a cap for the thumb- thumbs are colder I guess??)
• a woman's corset was called a "stay" 
• eggs and bacon was NOT a common breakfast; cornmeal mush was 
• soldiers were REQUIRED to keep their faces shaven and clean at all times; we imagine scruffiness would be more bold, courageous, even soldierly, but no. (maybe because more chance for lice in close tent quarters? I doubt that's it. Looks like it was just culture back then.)
• and of course I found out that it takes twice as long to write a novel of this sort because you have to spend 30 minutes researching not only the type of utensils they used, but what ale they drank, what they called their parents, and much, much more, with every page!

It's been quite an undertaking but also a fulfilling process. Exciting to have my novel come together into a real, live book! 

Fingers crossed we get things to the next level. ;)

A Funny One

One of my favorite lines ever from my youngest, at the age of four, comes at the end of this scenario:

I'm driving the three kids somewhere, probably a birthday party, which seems to be about the only places I drive them, and they're about 8, 6, and 4 at the time.

"What do you want to be, Reeve, when you grow up?"
"Astronaut."
"And you, middle daughter?"
"A horse trainer."
"And you, youngest girl?"

Pause.

"I want to be a cheetah."

Gotta love it. She has wanted to shape shift since she was four. She's eight now, and it's still her biggest dream. Ah, childhood.

Satire!

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The Guilt's the Thing

An expat lifestyle is a curious one. It's full of normal things, like many of my friends and family have back home. I get up, get my kids up, eat a breakfast on the run--an apple, a piece of toast, sometimes a bowl of cereal if I have time (gluten free rice chex are always in my cupboard) and then it's off to a full day of work, sometimes helping my kids with homework at night, having dinner, and doing it all over again the next day.

But as an expat I also have a full time amah (nanny/helper) working for our family, which definitely helps with my workload. She makes dinner most nights and can babysit when we need her to, so I can find some time every week to do some writing. Still, how do I carve out the time away from my family? Is there even enough time to be carved out, with a full time job and three kids?

My daughters will sometimes find me in the early evenings sitting at my desk, trying to drum up what I want my character to say or an important epiphany I want her to have. My eight-year-old does a great imitation of me, acting out what I hope is a more dramatized version of me saying "Can I please just finish this one paragraph!" followed by a disgusted sigh. When she first performed it for me I panicked: is this really what she thinks of me?

I'm sure there are times I don't give my kids as much attention as they deserve, or as I would like. I am praying desperately that I don't regret it someday. That my attention to my written words are worth the fewer words they might hear from me sometimes.

I guess it's a mom's job to feel guilt, is that it? I justify my writing life with the fact that I'm working hard at my craft and hopefully they'll see the importance of that and end up doing it themselves as an adult (not necessarily writing, but whatever craft they choose).

I hope this isn't just a pathetic justification, but there's some truth to it. I hope my example of working hard and being true to yourself will be as meaningful in the long run as if I had spent more hours making homemade lunches and playing tag. I'm well aware it's not just quality hours that matter, but quantity too. And that's where the guilt comes in.

Is it too little time or not? Maybe I should ask my kids.

Pride and Prejudice - a query

Jessica Sinsheimer and Shannon Alexander posted my "query" for Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice (love that book!!) for the "Query Ball" they're holding on tumblr! You can find my query and their responses here. It was amazingly difficult to write. Such a classic book with such special relationships--I didn't want to get it wrong, but they assured everyone that it was a learning experience, so flaws were welcome.

In an attempt to help give advice about queries, they have collected many contributions and have posted feedback for the queriers. Mine was posted today and they gave me their opinions about what I wrote! You can read what they put, great advice, especially about the final sections of the query.

I sent mine--gulp! And waited, hoping to get a critique. And I did! Yeah!!!!

Thanks to Jessica and Shannon for your time. It's been fun to read the queries and your humorous and thoughtful responses!



Here is my query!

Elizabeth Bennet has always thought she was a good judge of character…until she meets HIM. Mr. Darcy seems to be a pine tree of a person, all height and sharp needles.

Mr. Darcy is staying in the village for the summer, and despite having 10,000 pounds a year and an estate the size of which should make a girl’s head spin, Elizabeth finds him to be the most unpleasant of companions: fully aloof at parties, arrogant at every third conversation, and taciturn at all the others.

She also overhears him insulting her! So, when Darcy asks her to dance, Elizabeth thinks he’s being patronizing. But then he takes such concern over her dear sister Jane who’s fallen ill, Elizabeth can’t help but wonder who has tipped the world on its axis.

It’s also strange that his good friend, Mr. Bingley, with whom dear Jane is falling in love, is possibly the loveliest gentleman they have ever met, and not too inept on the dance floor either. Thanks to his 5,000 pounds a year, the young ladies’ mother is beside herself that Bingley is showering Jane with attention.

But that Mr. Darcy! He is Mr. Bingley’s exact opposite in every way. If arrogance had a name it would be D-a-r-c-y.

Of course that’s before it all begins to change…

If she refuses to listen, Elizabeth may still have her pride. If she gives it up, she might have a future.

At 100,000 words, PRIDE AND PREJUDICE reveals a world where marriage is for money and name is equivalent to status, yet one woman is fortunate to find true love in the most unexpected of places.

Thank you sincerely for your time!