Chand
asked
Elizabeth Hoyt:
I'd like to start writing historical romance but once i sit down to it, i come to a realization that i know absolutely nothing about the era. So i guess my real question is how much research do you have to do before even beginning to write? or are you just a time traveling genius? :)
Elizabeth Hoyt
Weeeelll, that's a short question with a long answer, Chand. ;-) I read historical romances for about 20 years before I began writing and I was very interested in history so I had some background. When I decided to write a historical romance the first thing I did was go to my local library and read EVERYTHING on the time period. Some of the books were valuable (books with costume illustrations, for instance) so they couldn't be checked out. You can make sketches of the costumes or read at the library, though.
If you are starting from scratch, I suggest a couple of things:
1. Join RWA for all its resources. There's a special historical romance group (The Beau Monde) where you can discuss historical questions, etc. There's also online courses on writing, history, all that good stuff.
2. Start reading...and continue reading. Not only historical romances, but books about the time period you're interested in writing about. I recommend the library so you don't spend all your money. If you're interested in the Regency, 'Jane Austen's England' by Roy Adkins & Lesley Adkins and/or 'Georgette Heyer's Regency World' by Jennifer Kloester are good books to start with.
3. I personally am a visual learner so I like perusing museums and big picture books of paintings, drawings, and etchings from the time period. If you live in a big city go to the museum and look for paintings from the time period. Watch for hair style, dress cut, what the men are wearing, and how people are presenting themselves. Also check the background for things the subject thought were important (in a portrait) to define him/herself. Check out jewelry and dogs, children and weird hats.
Good luck!
If you are starting from scratch, I suggest a couple of things:
1. Join RWA for all its resources. There's a special historical romance group (The Beau Monde) where you can discuss historical questions, etc. There's also online courses on writing, history, all that good stuff.
2. Start reading...and continue reading. Not only historical romances, but books about the time period you're interested in writing about. I recommend the library so you don't spend all your money. If you're interested in the Regency, 'Jane Austen's England' by Roy Adkins & Lesley Adkins and/or 'Georgette Heyer's Regency World' by Jennifer Kloester are good books to start with.
3. I personally am a visual learner so I like perusing museums and big picture books of paintings, drawings, and etchings from the time period. If you live in a big city go to the museum and look for paintings from the time period. Watch for hair style, dress cut, what the men are wearing, and how people are presenting themselves. Also check the background for things the subject thought were important (in a portrait) to define him/herself. Check out jewelry and dogs, children and weird hats.
Good luck!
More Answered Questions
Violet Bilbao
asked
Elizabeth Hoyt:
I'VE JUST HEARD OF THIS, SO I'M PRETTY EXCITED. So, is Alf going to be the next Ghost of St. Giles? Will she become a femme fatale and then the Duke-of-Whatever (I dunno his title sorry) going to know the secret? Will there be fighting techniques and stuff? And will Val play a part on this? Thanks (and oops I'm book-stalking again)
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