Fresh Fiction Blog | Rhys Bowen

Write what you know! That’s what beginning writers are always told, but frankly what most of us know is boring. I mean, how many mystery novels can there be about moms driving car pools to soccer matches and doing the laundry?

But I do see what they are getting at. The aim of any good story should be to take the reader somewhere—to make her feel she is experiencing the time and place with the characters in the book. And how can the writer do this if he or she has never had that experience.? You can always tell when a writer sets a book in a place she hasn’t visited, or even has only briefly visited. It never really comes to life, does it?

In my case I’ve set myself a difficult task with both my series, as they are historical. I never lived in 1900s New York City, nor was I alive in 1930s London (in spite of the fact that my grandson asked me if I remembered the Romans). So how do I bring a time and place of which I’ve had no experience to life? Well, in the case of Molly Murphy, my Irish heroine in New York City, I have several things going for me: 1900 was the age of the Brownie camera. There are zillions of photographs of the city as it was. Also New York City is still there and parts of it are untouched from the early nineteen hundreds. I can walk the same streets Molly walked, in Greenwich Village and the Lower East Side. Some still have the original cobblestones on them. I have eaten at taverns that were around in those days, and sometimes I get a real gift—like attending the festival of San Genaro in Little Italy, when Mulberry Street is lined with booths, and there are hissing oil lanterns and smells of all kinds of food cooking. And the crowd is funneled between them, making the level of the noise, bouncing back from those high tenements, overpowering. And halfway down Mulberry there was even a freak show—Come and See the Snake Woman, Fifty Cents, said the sign. I felt prickles on the back of my neck and wondered if I’d been transported back in time.

Writing about Lady Georgie is a lot easier for me. I lived and worked for several years in London. And the parts of London I write about are unchanged. Lady Georgie’s house in Belgrave Square, the Ritz and Claridges, the gentlemen’s clubs in St. James—they are still all there for me to visit and get inspiration.

My mother’s generation were teenagers in the thirties. I heard stories about what they did for fun and saw pictures of what the fashions were. And luckily I married into a distinguished old English family with stately homes and cousins with funny nicknames and tales about the pranks they used to play on the butler. So I do know what it’s like to stay in a house with twenty bedrooms and to get lost on my way back from the bathroom. I have even had tea with the queen once (the current queen, not Queen Mary). So my favorite kind of research is to visit England and then sit back and listen. I think the fact that I live in America is a big asset. Maybe I wouldn’t find the things they say so hysterically funny if I was around them all the time.

Of course I do need to do some serious research for each of the books, as there is a real historical story going on behind Georgie’s capers. And naturally I need to check out things like afternoon tea at Brown’s hotel, and shop at Fortnuns and Harrods, just to make sure they are as I remember them! Tough assignments.

But my latest Royal Spyness book, Royal Blood, takes place in Transylvania, in a royal castle in the mountains. I confess I haven’t been to Transylvania, but I have been to the mountains in neighboring Austria and visited the old castles with the suits of armor and weapons on the walls. But I also have to confess I have no personal experience of vampires. Everything about them in this story is taken from other people’s descriptions of them—mainly from Dracula, which is why I have chosen the same castle in which to set my story. And for once I’m not trying to portray an accurate picture—I’m having fun writing a spoof on the vampire genre. I love to laugh and be scared at the same time and that’s exactly what I’ve tried to do with Royal Blood. I hope you enjoy it too!

Rhys Bowen writes two award-winning mystery series: The Molly Murphy mysteries set in New York City and the best selling Royal Spyness mysteries, about a penniless minor royal in the 1930s. Royal Blood, fourth in the series, is in stores on September 7th. Visit Rhys at her website or at her blog, Rhys’s Pieces

Comments

laughing and being scared at the same time sounds like a neat combo for a book... LOL! and add in a vampire... what more could you ask for hehe!
(Tina Werner 9:17am September 3, 2010)

You are right, the last thing I
want is to read a book about is
carpooling. What I do like to
read is laugh and scream at the
same time!
(Tanja Haack 5:10pm September 3, 2010)

Hi Rys,
It's amazing the things that you have already lived! I can see you have a wealth of experience with places that you have already visited & lived. I would give my right arm to visit some of the places you have been too. I'm dying to read this series!! I've already read some of your books & I really do love them. I have the first two series that you have written, so this Royal series, I'm definately going to pick up at my local bookstore tomorrow!! Keep up the good work, & I just wanted you to know that you do bring the characters & their surroundings to life in your books. So I'm a big fan of yours!
Ciao For Now,
~¿~ Quetzi
(Quetzi Fernald 3:14am September 4, 2010)

Your adventures sound awesome. The book sounds fascinating.
(Joanne Reynolds 7:30am September 4, 2010)

I love when I read books and learn something at the same time - it's amazing when that information can come in handy - like kids homework!
(Barbara Hanson 10:39am September 4, 2010)

I enjoyed your post and look forward to reading Royal Blood.
(G S Moch 11:03am September 4, 2010)

I love when authors give me a
chance to travel to new places
and times through their
writings!
(Jessie OLeary 11:09am September 4, 2010)

You may not have personal experience of some places, but anyone can do real in-depth research of most anything thing or any place. I love books that take me somewhere new or different from 'middle America'!
(Cate Sparks 12:10pm September 4, 2010)

Transylvania and blood and mystery...hmmm...sounds like a must read to me. Thanks!
(Diane Chenier 12:48pm September 4, 2010)

That's the great thing about historicals. When the author does her research well, she can take us on a trip back in time to experience and see things as they were.

Wonderful!!

Valerie
in Germany
(Valerie Bongards 12:56pm September 4, 2010)

Your book sounds wonderful... I love when a book has suspense and can also make me laugh.
(Colleen Conklin 1:32pm September 4, 2010)

Ever since I have read Dracula by Bram Stoker, Transylvania has always been holding this allure over me. I can't but be attracted to the darkness.
(Kai Wong 1:39pm September 4, 2010)

your books are great i can't to read the next one
(Tomeka Gibson 1:39pm September 4, 2010)

I have enjoyed your earlier books. This sounds like fun!
(Shirley Nienkark 1:55pm September 4, 2010)

Love the books, can't wait for Royal Blood.
(Elizabeth Mitchell 2:09pm September 4, 2010)

Sounds like a great book. I am looking forward to reading it.
(Cheryl Lynne 2:13pm September 4, 2010)

Write what you can imagine happening at a certain place in time is the essence of fiction writing. Your research sounds thorough and helps anchor the setting in history common to the period. Congratulations on your writing and tips for beginners and old-timers who need to remember what it's like to touch words and make them real.
(Alyson Widen 2:31pm September 4, 2010)

Your clear voice and tantalizing period venues are the stuff of a good read !
(Silvana Moscato 2:39pm September 4, 2010)

there is nothing better than vampire stories; except maybe one like yours:)
(Barbara Studer 2:55pm September 4, 2010)

I really like the Royal Spyness series so
far and would like to read the new one.
(Rochelle Berger 3:02pm September 4, 2010)

Love the series, Royal Spyness. What fun!
Blessings,
Marjorie
(Marjorie Carmony 3:16pm September 4, 2010)

I enjoy well-researched books and look
forward to reading both series.
(Mary McCoy 4:13pm September 4, 2010)

I read to be transported to a different place so I really enjoy historicals when they also transport me to a different time.
(Sue Farrell 4:20pm September 4, 2010)

I like to find out about the people I read about, for me characters are really an important part of a book. i guess I could take the attitude I know people...
(Bridget Lopreiato 4:48pm September 4, 2010)

I love to have suspense in a book and have it make me laugh too! What a great combination!
(Brenda Rupp 5:05pm September 4, 2010)

I love reading by authors who
have perhaps lived adifferent
lifestyle than myself. Also different viewpoints than
my family had.
(Betty Miles 5:36pm September 4, 2010)

I love historical fiction and I can't wait to read your book.
(Audra Holtwick 5:42pm September 4, 2010)

I'm a big fan of Molly Murphy but haven't had a chance to read any of this series, can't wait!!
(Carey Anderson 5:45pm September 4, 2010)

Sounds like great books. I will
definitely be on the lookout for
your books.
(Norma Wills 5:45pm September 4, 2010)

I like books that will take me away to a place I've never been
(Diane Sadler 5:52pm September 4, 2010)

I love seeing another part of the world through characters' eyes.
(Karen Gervasi 6:17pm September 4, 2010)

I enjoy the time periods these are set in. I've been collecting your books for a while now.
(Renee Butler 6:29pm September 4, 2010)

I'm a big historical mystery fan and love both of your series. Can't wait to read one set in a castle in Transylvania!
(Penny Tuttle 6:31pm September 4, 2010)

I so want to read this! I have read the others and have given them to my sister to enjoy as well!
(Anne Harris 6:35pm September 4, 2010)

your books are so awesome i look forward to this series and the time period is awesome i do envy how muchyou have lived and experianced and seen great post
(Beverly Gordon 6:50pm September 4, 2010)

I am looking forward to reading Royal Blood. I appreciate great vampire writing.
(Mary Preston 7:08pm September 4, 2010)

I LOVE this series and have turned several people onto it....Georgie is awesome!
(Ivy Truitt 7:14pm September 4, 2010)

i love the art work on the cover.It reminds me of my favorite fashion era the 30's
(Catherine Myers 7:45pm September 4, 2010)

I love to laugh and being a little terrified reading the same book is perfect. Breaks up the scary parts. lol
Thanks for writing these amazingly, humorous books. I would feel honored and very lucky to be one of your winners.
Did I mention I have added both to my wish list? I have got to read both of these and any more you write in this series in the future.
(Brenda Hill 9:28pm September 4, 2010)

I don't care for scary books per se, but to read a book that I can be scared and laugh at the same time? That's a book I think I can really "sink my teeth into!!" ha-ha!! You must have had an interesting life experience, and I must say I'm a tad jealous, but I'll have to settle for just reading the book, and sharing your insights. I'm sure it'll be great fun!!
(Peggy Roberson 9:42pm September 4, 2010)

The books sound great. I love to read period novels and your can't go wrong with Transylvania.
(Sheila True 10:12pm September 4, 2010)

I love books with a sense of humor.
We all take things much too seriously
and things are serious enough in the
real world. You can have a serious
story but include wit and humor.
I have not yet read either of the series
but the ROYAL SPYNESS books sound
like some I will enjoy.

I always thought I should become an
author. All those research trips I'd just
have to take to Scotland, Ireland, Bali,
Hawaii....and they would be tax
deductible. Unfortunately at some
point I'd have to actually have to
produce a book. Minor problem.
(Patricia Barraclough 10:45pm September 4, 2010)

hi i would love to read your book and hope you have good hokiday and have more book to come
(Desiree Reilly 1:12am September 5, 2010)

Writing what you know would be tough when it comes to Dracula. :)
(S Tieh 3:45am September 5, 2010)

When I was a kid they told me I
had scary laughter... but
perhaps that was a different
thing LOL.
(Diana Troldahl 3:50am September 5, 2010)

Maybe I'm a bit kooky, but I've always felt Dracula type movies were comical and laughable. Maybe I laughed from being a little nervous during the scary biting scenes. I enjoy laughing because it's so healthy and healing...so humor it up! I normally don't go for the vampire stories...but this one sounds like fun. Please add me to the giveaway and I appreciate the chance to win. I hope I do!!

Blessings,
Barb Shelton
barbjan10 at tx dot rr dot com
(Barbara Shelton 9:42am September 5, 2010)

I too fell in love with your
earlier books so this one is on
my wishlist.
(Lisa Richards 11:39am September 5, 2010)

You have seen and visited some interesting places and your book sounds like fun.
(Maureen Emmons 1:31pm September 5, 2010)

With a name like Molly, the heroine can't be bad. :) I love having a name that identifies with whom I am - a true blue Irish American.
(Molly Wilsbacher 1:50pm September 5, 2010)

This time frame has always intrigued me. The Great Gatsby and all. You're books sound like a really good time. I'll have to give them a try!
(MaryAnne Banks 1:53pm September 5, 2010)

Your books are fun , I just historical fiction.
(Vickie Hightower 4:02pm September 5, 2010)

Love your work- keep up the
wonderful writing!
hg
(Heidi Gleason 4:13pm September 5, 2010)

Oh, as you can see from all these comments that not only do you write incredibly well but you also spin your readers so convincingly to the period of your tale that they feelas if they are there as well!

I have to admit, I love your books, but I had to stop reading them on the bus as I would get so engrossed in the story that I would miss my stop and have to walk home more than I expected. I quite look forward to reading your newest one!
(Audrey Lawrence 6:46pm September 5, 2010)

"But I also have to confess I have no personal experience of vampires."
That made me laugh out loud! Royal Blood sounds like an intriguing read.
(Jl Welling 7:51pm September 5, 2010)

my favorite authors/books are those where the author can make me feel like I am living/learning about that time wihtout feeling like they are trying to impress/teach me with the amount of research tehy did.
(Sara Edmonds 9:48pm September 5, 2010)

I think it is wonderful how you do research for each of your Historical Books. I love reading about the places in England. Thank you
(Barbara Ryan 12:09pm September 6, 2010)

I love the premise of a historical mystery series and your Lady Georgie sounds fantastic.
(Barbara Elness 4:00pm September 6, 2010)

Funny and scary? Count me in! Thanks.
(DeeAnn Szymanski 8:00am September 7, 2010)

I love that you actually lived in London for a while - what a dream and what an opportunity for a writer!
(Marguerite Guinn 2:30pm September 7, 2010)

Scary and laugh out loud funny.
My type of book to a T.
(Lisa Richards 9:10pm September 8, 2010)

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