This past winter brought writing challenges for me, as I delved into a sub-genre of romance. Sure, I’d dipped a toe into the historical romance pool by penning a time travel series. My characters there are split between two periods – present day and the late 1800’s. However, my latest book is 100% set in 1837 America. A fascinating time, fraught with great expansion and unrest. A year that marked the beginning of the Victorian Era, since the young queen was crowned in Britain that June. Writing for the time was exciting for me, and it led to oodles of new research.
Beginning with Chapter One, I needed to learn about things like sailing ships, trans-Atlantic crossings, educating women, inheritance laws, and the great Panic of 1837. (It sparked a major depression, lasting until the mid-1840’s) Customs, clothing, hair styles, common foods, music, dancing, and popular books came next. Everything from Christmas celebrations (or the lack thereof in much of the northeast) to what one might consider a law enforcement person of the times. Fun fact…America was pretty sketchy back then, with local authority figures deciding much of what constituted crime and punishment. And opinions varied from city to city and region to region. Large cities became known as beds of vice and wickedness. Never fear, I was merely exploring a haunted mansion set in a remote seacoast area of New England. 😊
But the most challenging thing I discovered about writing a historical romance was the language. Adapting it to modern readers while still sticking somewhat to the spirit of the time. Words and phrases… Idioms! I stumbled to find alternatives to my go-to language. Things like… “Music to my ears” or “Put your back into it.” One yes, one no can use. How about “The end of the line?" Nope, still too early for that one. Could I call someone a “spoil sport?” Turns out I could! The first use of the term appears to come in 1801, according to Wordsmith.org. I also dug deep into my "English Through the Ages" book by William Brohaugh and the "Oxford Dictionary of Slang" compiled by John Ayto.
It’s impossible to write as they spoke back then. I wouldn’t want to anyway, and we’re not even talking way back! But I did want to capture the essence of my historical characters. It made me wonder…since we have so many historical romance authors here on Romance Gems…How do they strike a good balance between current romance readers and sticking to the history? And what do you, their readers, prefer? Do you enjoy all the sprinkling in of past things, such as old words, phrases, clothing details, and possibly even pockmarks, or bad teeth? Maybe you have an author who truly got that balance right? Please share, I’d LOVE to hear from you!
Be sure to keep an eye out for an announcement coming soon about this latest book. Psst…I’ll share right here on Romance Gems when I can.
Thanks for reading!
~ Kathryn
I love learning about language from different time periods! But it's one reason I'll probably never write a historical, I'm too lazy to do the research. Can't wait to see what you've got for us!!
ReplyDeleteHahaha...The difference between writing the time travel series and this straight out historical honestly surprised me. It was fun "playing" with the difference in character's language then. This was a challenge. Thanks for reading. Can't wait to share this new project with you!
DeleteI loved this post. The research is fun. I found, writing historical westerns, I discovered my own unique voice by reading other authors in the genre.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Kathleen! I've been an avid reader of historical romances for many years, but now I have an even greater appreciation for how hard they are to write. I bow in homage to your skills! LOL The language in westerns must be super-fun to write. I'll have to check out your upcoming release, and grin all the way. (Proxy Bride - A Bride for Shane has a GORGEOUS cover btw 😁)
DeleteLooking forward to reading this. Do you have a release date for us?
ReplyDeleteAugust 17, 2021! And I can't wait to share with everyone!
DeleteI loved this post. When I wrote my one historical, I spent more time on research than on the book, and it was so much fun! That being said, I'm far too lazy to do it again.
ReplyDeleteHahaha...Thanks, Liz! Where were all you guys when I decided to embark on this adventure?!! I'll certainly do this again, but I'll be ready. I think...maybe...😂
DeleteVery interesting post, and it is a dilemma. I don't write historicals, but I do write books set in Ireland, and that poses some similar problems. You can't make the language so accurate your readers don't understand it, but you want to give them at least a feel for how the characters talk, as that is such a big part of who we are. I ended up having to tone the dialect down, although some readers loved it. I can tell by your writing here that I'd love reading it. Thanks for sharing yourself with us! :)
ReplyDeleteThanks, MJ! I bet it would be challenging, writing books set in Ireland - can't wait to read them though! I have a writer buddy who writes pirates, and she faced the same thing...Tone down the "pirate speak," or it's just too much. She was a big help to me as I navigated this new project. Must say I've enjoyed learning (or should I say attempting?) to strike a balance. Thanks for reading, and WELCOME to the Romance Gems!
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