Fresh Fiction Blog | Sara Luck | When Fictional Characters Meet Historical People

I want to thank Fresh Fiction for the review of my latest book, TALLIE'S HERO. As a writer with only three books in print, I am flattered to be in the company of romance writers, whose work I have long enjoyed.

For almost forty years I have lived with a writer, and I have come to accept that he goes into his office, sits down at the computer and within a couple of months he has another book done. Over the years I have started many books and I have even finished several of them, but when I look at my time frame I see five years for this one, three years for that one—well you get the picture. I have learned that writing on a deadline is hard work. Sometimes the bed doesn't get made, or the clothes don't make it to the drawer, or the plants get a little droopy. All that I can justify.

But now I have found another distraction—research.

The three books that I have on the market are all historical romance. They have been set in the West, but I can't classify them as specifically Western. One reviewer has classified them as Americana, and I think I like that.

SUSANNA'S CHOICE

CLAIMING THE HEART

TALLIE'S HERO

I have discovered that I prefer to start with a setting and then build a story. The first book I wrote, SUSANNA'S CHOICE, was set in Virginia City, Nevada, during the days of the Comstock Lode. I bought a series of books kept by a newspaper editor, called THE JOURNALS OF ALFRED DOTIN 1849-1903. I bought them for my husband, and I have to say I paid more money for them than I want to admit. I kept browbeating him to use these fabulous books that provided a day by day chronicle of the life of one man for 54 years. Finally, he turned to me and said, "If you think they‘re so great, you write a book."

Now that was a challenge.

I did write a book, and I have to admit that without the support of my wonderful husband and his agent, that book probably would have joined the others tucked away on the shelf. Nobody was more surprised than I, when Simon and Schuster gave me a contract for two books. And with a deadline! Not five years or three years or even one year, but four months to get another book written.

I couldn't write another story about Virginia City, so I turned to my husband's bookshelves and found a series of books called HISTORY OF TEXAS; FORT WORTH AND THE TEXAS NORTHWEST EDITION by B.B. PADDOCK, publication date 1922. Buckley Paddock was also an editor of a newspaper, the Fort Worth Democrat. Maybe I could find a kernel somewhere in those four volumes that would be the genesis of an idea for a story.

And I did find it. CLAIMING THE HEART is the story of the true spirit of community that the people of Fort Worth displayed when they formed "The Tarrant County Construction Company," and determined that they, the people, would bring the Texas and Pacific Railroad into their city. Except for the obvious fictional characters, all the participants are real. And then I found names that are a part of the North Texas landscape—Throckmorton and Forney and Courtright and Daggett and Van Zandt and John Peter Smith—and I wanted to find out why the towns, streets and buildings were named after these people, so that meant more research and more characters.

But my favorite discovery was a woman named Victoria Woodhull who was on a speaking tour of the South. I had to know who she was, because I had never heard of her. And now I know. I read three books about her. She was the first woman stockbroker in the United States, she ran for president in 1872 with Frederic Douglas as her running mate, and she went around the country giving speeches about "free love."

Free love? What did that mean in 1876? I was writing a romance novel about the T & P Railroad coming to Fort Worth, but I had to find a way to put this fascinating woman into the story. So my hero, an Easterner, had known her before he came to Texas.

History
of Fort Worth and Tarrant County UNT collection

TALLIE'S HERO is my third book.

When our children were small our family visited Jerome, Arizona, a fascinating town, described as the largest ghost town in America. It's not quite a ghost town now, as a few enterprising people have moved in to do business with the tourists. Jerome was named for Winston Churchill's mother, Jennie Jerome Churchill—or so my husband told me. But I found out that wasn't true. It was named for a cousin of Jennie Jerome's who invested money in the town, but never once set foot in it. Not a very fascinating story.

But if there was no story in the town of Jerome, there was definitely a story in Jennie Churchill. The research about her, and her multiple love interests, led me to the Marlborough set and the shenanigans of HRH Albert-Edward, Prince of Wales.

But this was to be a story about the West, not Victorian England. How could I incorporate all this titillating stuff into a romance set in the West?

Then I read about Ouida, a passionate Victorian author, and I knew I had found the key. Ouida became the prototype for my heroine, Tallie Somerset. In the story, Tallie is an English author, who is a friend of Jennie Churchill. She writes about the Prince of Wales, to the great displeasure of Queen Victoria.

I didn't know where Tallie would live, so I picked out a spot on a map of England. Then I thought I'd better find out something about the town I had chosen. The first thing I read was that Down, Kent, was the home of Charles Darwin, so now I had to read two or three books about the life of Charles Darwin and his wife Emma, and they became Tallie's friends. All this stuff fascinated me, but Tallie was still in England. How would I get her to America and the West?

Enter Moreton Frewen. What a fascinating character he was. I found his autobiography called MELTON MOWBRAY AND OTHER MEMORIES, so I ordered it from England. In the book, Frewen is quite candid about his ill-fated business adventures. His ranch in the Powder River country of the Wyoming Territory in the days when cattle had free range was one such venture. Frewen married Clara Jerome, Jennie Churchill's sister, and Jennie asked her friend, Tallie, to go to America to attend the wedding. Here was the connection to the West that I needed. I had a story.

As I researched Moreton Frewen, I read about all the dukes and earls who had come to the Big Horn Mountains on hunting expeditions, and how Moreton and his brother alienated all the neighbors.

My hero, Jeb Tuhill, had to be the good guy in all of this, but how would I connect him?

In MELTON MOWBRAY, I had read about John Adair, owner of a large estate in Ireland where Frewen frequently rode to hounds. His first trip to America had been with Adair when he went to the JA Ranch in Texas to meet Adair's partner, Charles Goodnight. This was my ah ha moment. Jeb Tuhill would be a cattleman from Texas whom Moreton Frewen enlists as a partner, not only to help with his cattle operation in Wyoming, but to go to England to help raise money from investors where he meets—Tallie Somerset.

When I had all these historical connections figured out, then I knew I could write a story. All I had to do was bring Jeb and Tallie together, and imagine how they would react to one another.

I truly love it when all the little tidbits of history can work into my stories, and I hope that I am telling stories that are not only entertaining, but truthfully told.

Tell us about your love of places or histories to win a copy of each of Sara's books!

Comments

How can you not love a book about Tarrant County and Fort Worth? (the second book). Then there's free love too LOL
(Sara Reyes 11:51am September 9, 2012)

Oh Sara you covers just want me to jump right in and start
right from the first book all the way to the last.
(Jean Sagarese 1:02pm September 9, 2012)

I love hostorical romances... they got me hooked on reading! :) Seeing all of those places and things of their time through the eyes of the characters... love it!
(Colleen Conklin 1:07pm September 9, 2012)

historical romances teach alot about history in a fun way, a fav genre
(Debbi Shaw 1:24pm September 9, 2012)

You have a fascinating method of starting a book. I always thought an author started with the characters. You can definitely tell I'm a reader and not an author. I enjoy books with a western setting.
(Anna Speed 1:26pm September 9, 2012)

Hi
Great post about your writing, so fun to see what challenged
you to become a writer. I have been on a historical romance
binge lately however most have been regency, I need a good
western fix soon.

Thanks for the chance
(Pam Brewer 1:43pm September 9, 2012)

I was fortunate to spend a few weeks in England and Scotland visiting friends and places that I had read about. History and friends and beautiful countryside. Nothing better.
Blessings,
Marjorie
(Marjorie Carmony 1:49pm September 9, 2012)

I enjoy learning about new places through reading---and a little history tossed in is just great.
(Sue Farrell 1:53pm September 9, 2012)

I always enjoy learning something from reading fiction. It's too bad that history taught in schools is usually so dry and uninspired -- there's a lot of interesting things to learn from history.
(Cate Sparks 2:05pm September 9, 2012)

It sounds like you put a lot of research into your books and pick strong women to star in them.
(Connie Schultz 2:08pm September 9, 2012)

ooh - love to reserch places - can't afford to GO anywhere anymore. it was fun whwn i went to Australia & mentioned places i wanted to go that people who LIVE there didn't know about or had never been. PICK ME!!!
(Pamela Faye Howell 2:33pm September 9, 2012)

I've always loved history & find that I really learn a lot
about places & their history while enjoying a good romance
story. Since I can't go back in history this is the best way
to visit.
(Diane Sallans 2:41pm September 9, 2012)

I GOT HOOKED ON HISTORY IN SCHOOL. I LOVE READING OLD AND NEW
HISTORY OF PLACES AROUND THE WORLD. I LOVE ROMANCE HISTORICAL
BOOKS THEY ARE THE BEST. LOVE GOING PLACES LIKE EGYPT, ROME,
PARIS, FRANCE, ITALY AND SEEING ALL THE BEAUTIFUL PLACES. LOVE
TO WIN PICK ME
(Shelly Caggiano 3:19pm September 9, 2012)

Sara,
I sure enjoyed reading about the historical research that goes into your books. I don't believe I've ever heard of Victoria Woodhull and that she ran for President in 1872 (unless I was asleep in my History class)! I've always loved reading historical westerns or Americana...they're my very favorite genre. I am ecstatic about these books and can't wait to read them and learn more facts!!
(Linda Luinstra 4:18pm September 9, 2012)

History was hard for me in school, they never taught it though
stories like this.
(Mary Hay 4:21pm September 9, 2012)

I love historical romances! They allow you to get a feel for the customs & how society worked in the past as well as offer us a escape from today's society.
(Chelsea Knestrick 4:30pm September 9, 2012)

I love books about cowboys and all their rugged living and tough times. Also if there's cooking involved my appetite is wetted.
(Alyson Widen 4:48pm September 9, 2012)

I love to get lost in books that involve memories of the past. I think about what I did years ago and think of all the struggles and good times I had, good or bad.
(Cheryl English 4:53pm September 9, 2012)

I really enjoy reading historical fiction books when the main characters have brushes with famous people. It brings some authenticity to the book.
(MaryAnne Banks 4:59pm September 9, 2012)

Thank you for your post and giveaway, Sara. I too dig historical romances that incorporate real history and real places into their storylines. It makes the characters and their situations more believable, vivid, and memorable. Without it, a historical romance seems generic.

What's more, though this doesn't apply to every reader, the target readership of an author of historical fiction includes a higher than average number of people who are already interested in the time, place, and social milieu she writes about. And who know quite a bit about it.

They will quickly realize if an author hasn't done her homework. Or fails to make her setting seem real. Or whose characters are anachronisms. But these readers will appreciate all the more an author who can successfully recreate the setting, and make her characters come to life in terms of it.

Therefore, I don't consider research a distraction from writing. Nor is any other activity that makes for better writing.

Keep up the good work!
(Mary Anne Landers 5:02pm September 9, 2012)

Enjoy western/cowboy stories and would love to win this great book. Research for writing a good story is a big plus. Thanks!
(Rich Cook 5:10pm September 9, 2012)

I love the culture of the West, although I'm sure it was a little less 'romantic' than we are generally led to believe. I think it's great that you research your settings and characters. It's very disconcerting to be immersed in a lively tale and be brought up short by something you know is totally wrong. Almost as bad as misspellings and improper grammar (My 8th grade English teacher was incredibly strict. Also a bridge-playing crony of my mother.) I would love to read this book. I hope I win it. Thank you for the great giveaway.
(Irene Menge 5:21pm September 9, 2012)

History and reading are and always have been 2 of my most favorite things. Having had the chance to go to England,
\Scotland and Wales, I loved the opportunity to see places I had read about. The research involved in writing accurately about places seems to be one of the joys of writing. Of course, being a Texan, I like the idea of the book in Tarrant County.

Thank you for having the drawing.
(Linda Howell 6:22pm September 9, 2012)

Whenever I travel, I love visiting the historical places where there are so much history and how those historical events define the places I travel to.

Of course, my family don't see these places or things, the way I see them. They don't understand the historical significant that these places hold.
(Kai Wong 6:30pm September 9, 2012)

I love reading historical books, especially when I can both enjoy the story and learn something of the period of the book.
(Carol Woodruff 7:06pm September 9, 2012)

I love historical romance. So far, I haven't read any about the Wild West, but reading your book description motivates me. I also enjoyed your blog about how you got started.
(Sharlene Wegner 7:08pm September 9, 2012)

I love historicals and biographies. I love learning about places and people and
events. As a very distant relative of Israel Putman (Revolutionary times) that is
where my interest in history began. When I was much, much younger my
family traveled throughout the West of the US so that imprinted itself in my
mind. Needless to say I got hooked on books now that I can no longer travel.
I just am fascinated how you found your story lines and can't wait to read
them.
(Sandra Spilecki 7:21pm September 9, 2012)

At a meeting today I heard you were blogging at Fresh Fiction, and how fascinating it was. I had to come and read for myself. Now, historical romances are not my first love, but from your blog, and from what I've heard from some of my various reader friends, I think I'm going to have to hit the buy button for my ereader! Your books truly do sound fascinating, and I'm confident I have several hours of pleasurable reading ahead of me! Thanks!
(Sandi Shilhanek 7:36pm September 9, 2012)

I love historicals in general. So many stories...
(May Pau 8:12pm September 9, 2012)

So glad to read your blog on Freshfiction. Was not previously aware of
your novels. Sound great!
(Shari Santella 8:26pm September 9, 2012)

I love historical romance. I have learned a lot about history from them. By the way I've been to Virginia City, Nevada several times, I loved it. It's like going back in time.
(Rita Wray 9:05pm September 9, 2012)

today marks a one year anniversary for my back surgery and i would sure love to win your books to have something to read..they sound very interesting collection...thanks so much
(Kimberly Hoefs 9:14pm September 9, 2012)

We took a 10 day trip to Yellowstone and Wyoming. It was so beautiful. Now I understand all of the cowboy stories set in that area.
(Jennifer Beyer 9:17pm September 9, 2012)

When you can learn a little more about Americana, and have those tidbits, not only to pass on to others, but to pass on in print to others (to borrow), it's something I'm afraid that isn't being taught in schools anymore. The curriculum has been glossed over with unimportant things, so it's now up to Authors to keep History alive and kicking. I've also loved British History, so the 3rd book of the series will be worthwhile reading for me. My love of reading and interests are vast and varied. I'm not tied down to any one genre or one specific area of the Country, although I do tend to shy away from Vampires and Sci-Fi a bit. I feel that it's more of a Male category - at least the Sci-Fi part is. The Vampire market is oversaturated, and I always thought Harry Potter was a dork. lol Congratulations on your books, and best of luck on your future endeavors. You certainly earned your stripes on these 3!! To land with a big publishing company was no big feat, either!!
(Peggy Roberson 9:24pm September 9, 2012)

Should I change that last comment to no "easy" feat!! sorry
(Peggy Roberson 9:26pm September 9, 2012)

I do enjoy reading novels based on historial facts and people. Enjoyed your blog.
(Sheila True 10:01pm September 9, 2012)

I love to go places through reading books. Thanks for giving me a chance to win your book.
(Linda Hall 10:55pm September 9, 2012)

The largest genre I have read in for historical material is crime. There is a huge amount of historical mystery fiction, all levels of intensity from cosy to Jack the Ripper-type serial killers. The Roman mysteries by Lyndsey Davis are among the best.
I have also heard of but not read a Regency novel in which Beau Brummel has a Siamese cat which solve crimes and thinks his master is rather dim. I'm looking forward to that one.
Anyone who reads enough SF will have read alternate histories, or altered timelines, which are often hugely enjoyable.
And we recently watched the box set of Hornblower TV series, wonderful to see those tall ships on the move.
Any research you can possibly do will help, even going to a museum or art gallery and looking at the paintings made at that time. Your readership will always include at least one person who knows the details better than you do!
(Clare O'Beara 5:35am September 10, 2012)

I love Historical reads. I have not traveled a great deal, but love doing so with each book.
(Mary Preston 5:55am September 10, 2012)

thanks for a fun post and congrats on your success :) I love
to visit different places through my books :) I would love to
visit some in person, but... bucket list :)
(Erin Fender 10:05am September 10, 2012)

I think learning the history of any place is fasinating. I also agree that Jerome is a great place to visit. We have taken several day trips there.
(Larena Hubble 12:43pm September 10, 2012)

I love historical romances and the many new things I learn through reading them!
(Jolene Allcock 1:16pm September 10, 2012)

I love history and I love a well-researched historical romance! I'm fascinated by the use of diaries as a source material. My grandmother kept a diary from 1924 until her death in 1976 and I've read them all. I find all of the day-to-day details fascinating.
(Nancy Young 1:45pm September 10, 2012)

Historical romances, especially set in the Old West, caught me from an early age and I love them to this day! Thanks!
(Teresa Sullivan 4:26pm September 10, 2012)

Being a history buff, and a book lover, I found the background story of your books quite interesting. Like Mary Anne above, research is never distracting when it makes for better writing and reading!!

I've been lucky enough to have some of the information needed to do the research for my great-grandparents on my father's side, and have been working on that off and on for a couple of years now (no books will be written {or harmed, for that matter!} because of this, but one research paper for a class will!). I'd like to do the same for my forebears on my mother's side, but I need to get my father's side taken care of first.

Keep up the good research!!

Later,

Lynn
(Lynn Rettig 4:35pm September 11, 2012)

Historicals are compelling, allow me to dream of another
realm, era and period. Love them. Westerns are always special
and memorable.
(Sharon Berger 5:30pm September 11, 2012)

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