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Susanna Ives | Getting It Wrong
May 14, 2014
I live in fear of making a major historical boo-boo in one of my books. The
tiny slipups don’t bother me so much. Perhaps I referred to a color that wasn’t
in existence in 1839 (apple-green chartreuse) or mentioned a breed of animal
that had yet to have been bred in 1800 (Persian cats). My fragile world will not
shatter. But I bolt up in bed at night, my body drenched in a cold sweat, my
heart racing, terrified that I’ve unwittingly committed some grand-scale faux
pas along the lines of getting Queen Victoria’s birth or death wrong or
tangling up my hero’s title and address (Those blasted titles get me every time)
or centering a plot around the incorrect date of an important election (Okay, I
admit that I actually did that one.) and I’ll be banished from all good
historical fiction society. At some point in the development process, I will have dinner at a Middle Eastern
restaurant with my good friend and historian extraordinaire, Nancy Mayer. She is
so kind and patient, she lets me gab on and on and on about my book-in-progress.
It is so much more fun to talk about my book than to actually write it. Then she
takes one itsy-bitsy plot thread, examines it, tugs on it, breaks it, and
suddenly my entire scene/chapter/book unravels. Below are some examples of my interaction with Nancy. I’ve changed the plots and
scenarios to protect the innocence of my works-in-progress. What happened when I explained the black night of my hero’s soul. How he lost
his seat in Parliament, thus ending his glorious political dreams. Nancy: “Why doesn’t your hero just stand for Parliament in another borough?” Me: “They could do that?!” What happened when a married female character wanted to make a crucial loan to
her friend. Nancy: “A husband owned all of a wife's money and property unless it had
been set aside for her sole use in a will, trust, gift, or settlement.” Me: expletives This is what became of a lovely ball scene. Nancy: “She wouldn't hold that extremely important, plot-turning ball on
Sunday, especially if Methodists were to be present, some of whom wouldn’t dance
no matter what day of the week she held her ball. Me: Several expletives. And don’t even get me started with the intricacies of marriage licenses and
changes in the marriage laws, because I can’t make heads or tails of it. But
Nancy can. She knows everything historical. Many a chapter in my books has been
rewritten because I didn’t have history or Nancy on my side. Yet, here is the interesting point to ponder: for every wrong turn I’ve made,
the plot improves when I correct it. Sometimes it feels like my mind is playing
an elaborate game of Twister as I try to wiggle, bend, or contort my way out of
a terrible historical error. Correcting the mistake pushes me into unexplored
creative territory, taking me further away from the derivative or expected.
Funny how you can get it so right, by getting it so wrong. Now it’s your turn. Please share an interesting historical tidbit that you
learned in an historical romance! I’ll give away a print copy of my Victorian
comedy Wicked Little Secrets to one lucky commenter in the US or
Canada. Please read Fresh Fiction’s review of Wicked Little Secrets to
see if the book is for you. You can learn more about my work at my Website/Blog | Facebook | Twitter
Comments
22 comments posted.
Re: Susanna Ives | Getting It Wrong
I remember one of my first historical fiction books was written by Victoria Holt (I think under another pen name) about the wives of Henry the VIII. That fascinated me and I still love learning and reading about those wives.
(Pam Howell 7:55am May 14, 2014)
I read about Catherine the Great, and how the succession to
the throne didn't go as she had wanted, after she had passed
away. It made for an interesting read about her life, because
I wasn't aware of all of her lovers, either!! I also learned
that she came from nothing to be a powerful woman
(Peggy Roberson 8:19am May 14, 2014)
I love historical romances. I also read a book about Henry VIII and how he would think nothing of having his wife killed if he found another he wanted more. HA so much for divorce.
(Bonnie Capuano 9:04am May 14, 2014)
I read Pamela Clare's MacKinnon's Rangers series and learned a
lot about how the Ranger teams worked in the French and Indian
War. It gave insight into the tactics used and their life in
camp.
(Karin Anderson 10:56am May 14, 2014)
Oh my gosh. I've learned SO much from all the historical-based novels I've read. I can't begin to think of one particular one. Hmmm. WOW. You've certainly got my mind working. This book sounds great! And I loved your blog entry. I'm stilllll thinking of just one tidbit. Thanks for the chance to win.
(Nancy Reynolds 11:31am May 14, 2014)
I have read many historical romance novels and each one has enlightened me on a some aspect of history that I was not aware of. For example the current novel i am reading is about Bow Street Runners in London before an official police force was put in place. Very interesting!
(Quina B 11:53am May 14, 2014)
I'm always learning about real history in historical
romances - I never had a class in European history, but have
always been interested. I'm not sure which book it was, but
I learned that a female could inherit the title of Countess
- I've always thought it was unfair that daughters could be
left in poverty in favor of a distant male relative.
(Diane Sallans 12:22pm May 14, 2014)
I think one thing is about Elizabeth I being put in the tower by Mary. And after reading some books on how strong Elizabeth was it got me hooked on anything from that time period.
(Larena Hubble 12:32pm May 14, 2014)
I love Historicals... but I will admit that I do not dissect a story to see if the facts are right. SO many facts and tidbits I have learned through my reading...
(Colleen Conklin 12:39pm May 14, 2014)
The latest historical fiction I read was "The Aviators Wife" by Melanie Benjamin. It was really interesting to read about Charles Lindbergh from his wife's point of view.
(Charlene McDonnough 1:59pm May 14, 2014)
The best historical fact I learned from reading was about
APRIL FOOLS DAY. I didnt realize it was due to a town that
was protesting the taxes and wanted the king to think the town
was all crazy. I didnt think it was true so I looked it up
and it was a true fact.
(Tina Ullrich 2:21pm May 14, 2014)
I can't think of anything except Napoleon calling England a nation of shopkeepers.
(Michelle Fidler 5:10pm May 14, 2014)
Thinks for a chance to win.
(Judy Ferguson 8:17pm May 14, 2014)
I learned most of what I know about Regency England from
Regency romances (much of it from Georgette Heyer, since she
was my first). One of the interesting things I learned was
which titles were which and how the holders of those titles
(and their wives and children) were addressed.
(Janie McGaugh 8:58pm May 14, 2014)
I cant think of any particular facts. But it does happen pretty regular. I learn stuff all the time.
(Lisa Hutson 12:04pm May 15, 2014)
I didn't know that unmarried women were not allowed to be alone with a young male.
I also didn't know that they used to put real candles on their Christmas trees! How crazy is that!
(Sue Galuska 9:37am May 15, 2014)
i love the historical romances i cant think of anything
particular facts either i read alot of different authors
(Denise Smith 10:51am May 15, 2014)
uh, Atlanta was burned during the civil war! I'm sure i've learned other stuff, but i don't remember!
(Joanne Schultz 12:09pm May 15, 2014)
England's corn laws after the Napoleonic Wars.
(Laura Gullickson 1:50pm May 15, 2014)
Cant think of any thing off the top of my head.
(Denise Austin 2:35pm May 15, 2014)
It's been awhile since I had the time to read an historical romance. I know
about the dressing, not showing ankles, not being alone with a man not
your bethrothed/husband. Since I'm not up to historical facts, I'd probably
skip over some booboo! Lol
(Michelle Schafer 5:09pm May 15, 2014)
I love to read historical novels. I remember reading about the Pullman Cars on the train and significant that was to the women traveling West in the turn of the century!
(LeAnn Knott 10:39pm May 15, 2014)
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