Fresh Fiction Blog | Anne Cleeland | Every Writer’s Dilemma: How accurate should you be?

I am neither British nor a detective, but I write about British detectives. Furthermore, these detectives tend to interview shady characters who are smoking, even though London does not allow smoking in public places. Worst of all, my detectives tend to have successive work days when there really should be a weekend thrown in there somewhere.

My latest book is set in the Regency period, and features a heroine who—according to the set-in-stone historical timeline—can't be more than about fifteen years old. But she's eighteen in my story because most of us would be creeped out by a fifteen-year-old as a romantic heroine. (And if you aren't, shame on you.) In fact, most eighteen-year-old single women weren't really allowed to gallivant around Europe and Egypt with only a female companion as company, but that's what my heroine does. (To make up for this lapse, I make sure that she has a doughty companion, who wields a pistol.)

Some writers are sticklers for accuracy and some—like me—are not, but I would bet we get the same amount of mail pointing out our missteps. That's because writers like me take great pains to be vague about details that might trip us up; if we're not tethered to a plot that requires keeping track of the days of the week, well then, there is no reason whatsoever to mention what day it is. If travel to Egypt in the 1800's would take so long that the reader would abandon ship before we get there, well then, let's gloss over exactly how long it's taking.

Every writer has to perform a tricky balancing act; give the reader sufficient accuracy to create an aura of authenticity, but not so much accuracy that the story suffers. To this end, the occasional liberty has to be taken—it just wouldn't be the same to have a shady witness smirk whilst exhaling clouds of water vapor from an electronic cigarette. Nor would it be the same if my Regency heroine were to be strictly chaperoned—how could she receive dire warnings from shadowy men, if that were the case? You see my point.

In a way, it's very liberating; the settings in my stories are like my own version of Middle Earth, complete with larger-than-life themes like love and death, fate and vengeance, and the occasional hand-to-hand skirmish. Remember Watership Down? That author successful planted these very same themes into the lives of a colony of rabbits—now that's an impressive use of inaccuracy; compared to that, a hazy timeline is small potatoes, people.

In fact, when you think about it, much of what the reader expects from a good story is not based on reality to begin with; there can't be that many titled men in Regency England who are handsome bachelors. And certainly, there just can't be that many serial killers on the loose; think about it—there'd be no non-serial killers left, and then they'd all have to start in on each other.

But as readers, we expect our beloved memes and so we all start out the story with the implied understanding that accuracy will play a secondary role to a good plot. As authors, our job is to make it as plausible as possible, and hope that no one notices that the weekend never seems to roll around; after all, if cataclysmic events are unfolding, no one has time to take a Sunday break, anyway.

Anne Cleeland is the author of DAUGHTER OF THE GOD-KING, her second in series of Regency adventure stories. She also has authored Murder in Thrall, the first book in a contemporary mystery series featuring Acton and Doyle, two Scotland Yard detectives. She is an attorney living in California, and her website is AnneCleeland.com.

DAUGHTER OF THE GOD-KING

In the dark, mysterious tombs of Cairo, a thrilling puzzle awaits to be discovered

Hattie Blackhouse is the daughter of famous Egyptologists who've gone missing at their latest dig site in Thebes. When Hattie arrives to investigate, it becomes clear that something is definitely amiss in the tombs of Cairo. Here, Hattie discovers the tracks of a double agent, working for Napoleon, with secrets buried deeper than the Pharoahs. In a foreign place, where friends can just as easily be enemies, Hattie must find a way to pull the pieces back together...including herself.

In the tradition of Lauren Willig and Deanna Raybourn, DAUGHTER OF THE GOD-KING offers up an engaging, intricate puzzle.

Comment to win a copy of DAUGHTER OF THE GOD-KING.

Comments

I love mysteries and this one sounds so interesting! Thanks for the chance to win this book!!!
(Bonnie Capuano 6:59am November 8, 2013)

A good story is a good story despite some discrepancies in fact. Not all of
us are history scholars reading these books, so we may not pick up an
inconsistency in the facts.
(Chris Coulson 8:06am November 8, 2013)

You wrote about two of my favorite subjects - mystery and Egypt!!! This is going to be a great read for me this Fall, and it looks like I better pick up some extra Hot Chocolate to have on hand for this one!! I love your description, and can't wait to hunker down with your book in one hand, and my Hot Chocolate in the other, to see how the plot unfolds!! The cover of your book really shows the flavor of the story as well!! This will be time well-spent!!
(Peggy Roberson 8:30am November 8, 2013)

Daughter of the God-King sounds captivating and wonderful.
Mysterious and compelling subject which interests me greatly.
(Sharon Berger 10:04am November 8, 2013)

I love the Regency time period, looks like a great read
(Margaret Branca 10:04am November 8, 2013)

Your book sounds like a GREAT read. Thanks for the chance to win. And best of luck with this book and all you do.
(Nancy Reynolds 10:08am November 8, 2013)

I enjoy reading a story to make me dream of far away places and romantic characters, I don't really look for details! I would love to read and review your book Daughter of the God-King, seems interesting. tahnk you
(Nicole Laverdure 10:50am November 8, 2013)

Egyptology is always fascinating. This looks like it will be a great read. Thank you for this chance to win a copy.
(Vennie Martinisi 11:24am November 8, 2013)

Thanks for your kind words, everyone. All of my books have a big twist, and this one has a doozy--I hope you enjoy it!
(Anne Cleeland 12:21pm November 8, 2013)

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(Franklyun Frazer 12:38pm November 8, 2013)

That's why it's fiction! You're allowed artistic liberties when writing,
otherwise it would be real life.
(Michelle Schafer 2:39pm November 8, 2013)

I've always been fascinated with archaeology - this sounds
wonderful!
(Diane Sallans 4:26pm November 8, 2013)

Enjoyed your guest blog. Thanks for the giveaway!
(Jana Burkhardt 6:23pm November 8, 2013)

Ahhhh.....an attorney as author.....who better suited to parse reality and detail from fantasy and vagary? The mystery of Egyptology set in the acquisitive and tricky Napoleonic era provides tension in an active, albeit licensed setting! Surely all these elements automatically conspire to deliver a captivating read propelled by the only real variable--a decent vocabulary, which every skilled attorney possesses. Thus, all in all, the promise of a GOOD read is certain here--even without a rigid British schedule of events and detail! An author frames a story in any viable manner to captivate a reader and, as an Egyptophile with period preferences, I very much look forward to this novel.
(Carla Schuller 7:08pm November 8, 2013)

Don't be worried about what you write or whether your readers would be creeped out by a 15-year old heroine/romantic figure. That's what poetic license or creative writing is....and in those days, it wasn't uncommon for a 12-15 year old to be married off or sent to live with a much older man.
(Susan Coster 7:13pm November 8, 2013)

Wow, Congrats on your new book: DAUGHTER OF THE GOD-KING. I
like the book cover too! Your new book sounds like a
fascinating read and very mysterious also. I appreciate you
explaining all the great details of making a fantastic book
like this come to Life. I would love to win and read it this
Fall. Thank You very much. Cecilia CECE
(Cecilia Dunbar Hernandez 7:46pm November 8, 2013)

Telling a great story is a wonderful thing. How to
incorporate details to show time period and setting in an
acceptable manner must be tough.
(G. Bisbjerg 10:07pm November 8, 2013)

I love a good mystery, but one that is also a thriller is just what the "book doctor" ordered for a relaxing winter weekend. A good book, a nice cuppa tea, a few little calorie free cookies (not really, but some tasty ones are ok) a nice comfy chair, and let your imagination flow! Thank you for writing a book that piques my attention.
(C Culp 7:40am November 9, 2013)

I enjoy a story as long as it feels believable to me.
(Maureen Emmons 10:59am November 9, 2013)

This sounds like a great story. Can't wait to read it.
(Pam Howell 11:59am November 9, 2013)

I always learn more from historical fiction and mysteries.
Basing locations on facts of time, place and world events
offers the reader a chance to experience life as if one was
going back in time. It's a nice escape that I look forward
to with my hands ready to turn the pages and feel the
characters come to life.
(Alyson Widen 12:10pm November 9, 2013)

Congratulations on your new book, Daughter of the God-King. This sounds like a very captivating mystery, and I like that it takes place in Egypt with archaeology as the story unfolds. Can't wait to read it and experience the journey!
(Rich Cook 4:30pm November 9, 2013)

I love reading stories with the Egyptian background. Egypt is mysterious and ancient. This book is going on my TBR List.
(Kai Wong 5:13pm November 9, 2013)

I haven't read a good mystery set in Egypt in years---I'd really like to read this one.
(Sue Farrell 6:17pm November 9, 2013)

Congrats on your book! Sounds terrific! Love reading about Egypt especially!
(May Pau 9:37pm November 9, 2013)

Sounds like an interesting read. I've always wondered how much research a writer does before setting words to paper.
(Marcia Berbeza 2:03am November 10, 2013)

I think one thing that makes accuracy difficult is the fact
that books are written for today's readers who have real
difficulties dealing with the social realities of the past.
We want strong heroines placed in a time when few women had
the freedom to express their opinions let alone act on them.
We want considerate heroes willing to accept women of
strength. And the social realities of religion, class,
ethnicity, etc, don't always translate to those of today--
I'm with you! Do the best you can, but keep some of it
vague! Book sounds wonderful!
(Janet Martin 7:59am November 10, 2013)

I've never read a book in which the storyline is in Egypt. It sounds very interesting. Thanks so much!
(Bonnie Capuano 9:05am November 10, 2013)

I love mysteries and this one sounds like a great read. As far as accuracy goes, it's OK to be change history in some small way, but, to have huge, glaring discrepancies is really not acceptable in my opinion. Things like clothing that doesn't match the era, or items that weren't invented for another century (and I have come across many of those, ridiculous as it may seem) when it's that bad I won't read that author's books again.
(Vennie Martinisi 10:04am November 10, 2013)

The storyline sounds very exciting. Thanks for the chance to read.
(Lin Berda 11:49am November 10, 2013)

I love mystery stories . Enjoy reading how the detectives follow to get the bad guys.
(Barbara Wells 3:24pm November 10, 2013)

Sounds like a great book. Love the cover. Thanks for a chance to win your book.
(Linda Hall 5:04pm November 10, 2013)

This sounds like a very interesting suspenseful mystery. I would love to read this book as my sister took a trip to Egypt and came back with beautiful photos and stories. This is one I can't overlook reading!!
(Linda Luinstra 5:46pm November 10, 2013)

True! I guess that's why reading is the ultimate escape-- it takes you very far away from the real world! I love it! :-)
(Chelsea Brooks 6:29pm November 10, 2013)

What a fabulous story this promises to be.
(Mary Preston 8:33pm November 10, 2013)

That's why I enjoy fiction. The details don't have to be exact. I hated the history tests that expected me to remember exact dates for anything besides July 4, 1776. They all blend together after a while.
(Laura Gullickson 10:06pm November 10, 2013)

I don't feel that the details have to be exactly right. Most
of us will not pick up on them if we are engrossed in the
book. I love to read the story not nitpick it!
(Debra Wright 11:27pm November 10, 2013)

no details don't have to be exact but not far apart either
(Patricia Lambert 3:17pm November 11, 2013)

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Anne Cleeland | Every Writer’s Dilemma: How accurate should you be?

DAUGHTER OF THE GOD-KING

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April's Affections and Intrigues: Love and Mystery Bloom

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Anne Cleeland | Every Writer’s Dilemma: How accurate should you be?

DAUGHTER OF THE GOD-KING

Comments

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