Top 10 reasons I read (and write)
historical romance
I read to learn
1.
“Those who cannot remember the
past are condemned to repeat it.” (George Santayana)
Through the lens of history, we can more clearly see our own times. The Regency and Georgian eras fascinate me. There was a growing disparity between rich and poor, privatisation of public good properties, wars and rumours of wars, rapid technological changes with unpredictable outcomes. Sound familiar?
Although I write to entertain, I also write to inform, and in doing so to hold up a mirror to our own times.
Through the lens of history, we can more clearly see our own times. The Regency and Georgian eras fascinate me. There was a growing disparity between rich and poor, privatisation of public good properties, wars and rumours of wars, rapid technological changes with unpredictable outcomes. Sound familiar?
Although I write to entertain, I also write to inform, and in doing so to hold up a mirror to our own times.
2.
“The past is a foreign country;
they do things differently there.” (L.P. Hartley)
The similarities are
challenging; the differences are fascinating.
I continually trip over things in my reading and my research for writing that astound, horrify, or delight me. Did you know that between a quarter and a half of all women in the early 19th century had ‘Mary’ as one of their first names? That an estimated one in five women in London made income from the sex trade? That the man who invented one of the world’s earliest self-propelled wheelchairs did so after demonstrating another invention: the world’s first roller skates?
I love to read about history, and now I’m not wasting time, I’m doing research.
3.
“I like reading novels because it
provides insight into human behaviour.” (Claire Danes)
We learn about people by meeting
them; by watching them. In historical novels, the people we meet face different
challenges to our own, have been moulded by a different culture, must react to
a different context.
But they are still people. I want to read about people who are real to me while I’m in the book, and stay with me when I close it.
I know I’ve captured a character when my readers discuss their motives and their beliefs. It’s enormously thrilling when someone explains to me why one of my characters thought, felt, or did something, and I have an ‘Aha’ moment because the thought is new to me but they’re right.
But they are still people. I want to read about people who are real to me while I’m in the book, and stay with me when I close it.
I know I’ve captured a character when my readers discuss their motives and their beliefs. It’s enormously thrilling when someone explains to me why one of my characters thought, felt, or did something, and I have an ‘Aha’ moment because the thought is new to me but they’re right.
I read to be entertained
4.
“These boys in books are better.” (Carrie Hope Fletcher)
Knights, Dukes, Earls, handsome rogues and pirates; what’s not to like? Let’s face it; gorgeous men in cravats and knit pantaloons are hot. And hot men who are considerate and respectful are even hotter.
Fletcher’s song points out that real life men can’t live up to the standard set in Twilight, Deadly Instruments, and the like. And any girl who stays single till she finds someone as good as her book boyfriend is in for a long wait.
Knights, Dukes, Earls, handsome rogues and pirates; what’s not to like? Let’s face it; gorgeous men in cravats and knit pantaloons are hot. And hot men who are considerate and respectful are even hotter.
Fletcher’s song points out that real life men can’t live up to the standard set in Twilight, Deadly Instruments, and the like. And any girl who stays single till she finds someone as good as her book boyfriend is in for a long wait.
5.
“I read for pleasure and that is the moment
I learn the most.”
(Margaret Atwood)
Reading taught me that the kind are rewarded, that perseverance will win in the end, that love is worth striving for. That you can start a fire with spectacles and that sharks can’t swim backwards. That lying on a frozen over pond spreads your weight so you are less likely to break through.
Ideas; concepts; principles; facts. I’ve learned all of those from reading. I read for pleasure. And I write books that I hope others will read for pleasure; books with strong determined heroines, loving heroes, compelling story lines, and convincing challenges.
Reading taught me that the kind are rewarded, that perseverance will win in the end, that love is worth striving for. That you can start a fire with spectacles and that sharks can’t swim backwards. That lying on a frozen over pond spreads your weight so you are less likely to break through.
Ideas; concepts; principles; facts. I’ve learned all of those from reading. I read for pleasure. And I write books that I hope others will read for pleasure; books with strong determined heroines, loving heroes, compelling story lines, and convincing challenges.
I read to escape, to take a micro-holiday
6.
“I have never known any distress
that an hour’s reading did not relieve.” (Charles de Montesquieu)
I lived more than 50 years with an undiagnosed condition that gave me chronic tiredness and constant pain. In that time, I raised four children, two with serious health conditions, and fostered two others. We entered adolescent hell with one of them and didn’t emerge for ten years. Reading allowed me the break I needed.
When people say that historical romance (or science fiction, or fantasy, or mystery novels) are escapism, I agree. Any book that captures your imagination allows you to escape whatever distress you may be in. The best books strengthen and inform you, sending you back into reality better able to deal with your challenges. But even the most flagrant chewing gum for the mind gives you time to recharge.
I lived more than 50 years with an undiagnosed condition that gave me chronic tiredness and constant pain. In that time, I raised four children, two with serious health conditions, and fostered two others. We entered adolescent hell with one of them and didn’t emerge for ten years. Reading allowed me the break I needed.
When people say that historical romance (or science fiction, or fantasy, or mystery novels) are escapism, I agree. Any book that captures your imagination allows you to escape whatever distress you may be in. The best books strengthen and inform you, sending you back into reality better able to deal with your challenges. But even the most flagrant chewing gum for the mind gives you time to recharge.
7.
“You can travel the world and never leave
your chair when you read a book.” (Sherry K. Plummer)
And not just the world! I want to go somewhen else for my book holiday. Travel, so we are told, broadens the mind. In historical romances, I am able to travel to another time. In the hands of a good writer, I experience the sights, the sounds, the smells, and the stories, and all without the risk of plague, pressganging, or death by tooth infection.
And not just the world! I want to go somewhen else for my book holiday. Travel, so we are told, broadens the mind. In historical romances, I am able to travel to another time. In the hands of a good writer, I experience the sights, the sounds, the smells, and the stories, and all without the risk of plague, pressganging, or death by tooth infection.
8.
“Reading is a discount ticket to
everywhere.” (Elizabeth
Hardwick)
I dream of a life of leisure, with nothing to do but flirt with rakes and dance at balls. I’d undoubtedly hate it in practice. I like being busy and useful. But I can have that in a book, and then walk away, back to my real life.
I dream of a life of leisure, with nothing to do but flirt with rakes and dance at balls. I’d undoubtedly hate it in practice. I like being busy and useful. But I can have that in a book, and then walk away, back to my real life.
9.
“There’s no real ending. It’s
just the place where you stop the story.” (Frank Herbert)
I like happy endings. Some other writers like tragic endings, or even no ending at all. In my view, happy endings are better. Every writer has to choose where to start and where to stop the story, so why not choose the bit that feels good?
The romance novel’s ‘happily ever after’ is not about perfect resolution of all problems; it’s about convincing the reader that the protagonists will support each other through whatever problems arise.
I like happy endings. Some other writers like tragic endings, or even no ending at all. In my view, happy endings are better. Every writer has to choose where to start and where to stop the story, so why not choose the bit that feels good?
The romance novel’s ‘happily ever after’ is not about perfect resolution of all problems; it’s about convincing the reader that the protagonists will support each other through whatever problems arise.
I read to learn to write better
10.
“I believe that writing is derivative. I think good writing comes
from good reading.” (Charles Kuralt)
Reading good books gives us the sound of good language. It teaches us how plots work, how to show character rather than telling it, how to make choices that show the theme of the book, how to use words to create atmosphere, how to write dialogue that sizzles.
I believe I need to do two things to be a good writer. Read a lot. Write a lot. That’s all.
Reading good books gives us the sound of good language. It teaches us how plots work, how to show character rather than telling it, how to make choices that show the theme of the book, how to use words to create atmosphere, how to write dialogue that sizzles.
I believe I need to do two things to be a good writer. Read a lot. Write a lot. That’s all.
Genre
Regency romance,
historical romance
Heat rating
R for implied
sexual content, 2 out of 5 flames
Giveaway
Free copy of A
Baron for Becky to random commenter
Tagline
She was a fallen woman when she met them. How can they help her fall
on her feet?
Book Blurb
Becky is the
envy of the courtesans of the demi-monde - the indulged mistress of the wealthy
and charismatic Marquis of Aldridge. But she dreams of a normal life; one in
which her daughter can have a future that does not depend on beauty, sex, and
the whims of a man.
Finding herself
with child, she hesitates to tell Aldridge. Will he cast her off, send her
away, or keep her and condemn another child to this uncertain shadow world?
The
devil-may-care face Hugh shows to the world hides a desperate sorrow; a sorrow
he tries to drown with drink and riotous living. His years at war haunt him,
but even more, he doesn't want to think about the illness that robbed him of
the ability to father a son. When he dies, his barony will die with him. His
title will fall into abeyance, and his estate will be scooped up by the Crown.
When Aldridge
surprises them both with a daring proposition, they do not expect love to be
part of the bargain.
Author bio
Jude Knight
writes strong determined heroines, heroes who can appreciate a clever capable
woman, villains you’ll love to loathe, and all with a leavening of humor.
Jude Knight is
the pen name of Judy Knighton. After a career in commercial writing, editing,
and publishing, Jude is returning to her first love, fiction. Her novella, Candle’s
Christmas Chair, was released in December 2014, and is in the top ten on
several Amazon bestseller lists in the US and UK. Her first novel Farewell to
Kindness, was released on 1 April, and is first in a series: The Golden Redepennings.
Links
Links are built
into site names. If your blog picks up links automatically, you can delete the
urls.
Buy links
Jude’s social media
Jude’s Other Books (on Amazon)
Candle’s Christmas Chair (free novella)
Farewell to Kindness (Book One, the
Golden Redepennings)
8 comments:
Thank you for having me, Nicole.
Lovely article! I absolutely agree with all your reasons. And it shows in your writing! I enjoy the words quite a bit. The proper English really engages me in the story. I so appreciate grammar and enunciation that I sometimes read aloud. Thankfully no one has caught me doing that...yet.
Thank you for the article Jude & for hosting Nicole!
Please do not enter me in the contest, I have already pre-ordered the book!
I have always read - and written - to escape. There is an amazing world within our own minds.
Yes,yes,yes to all 10 ! I love how you put a quote and then your answer. My main reason is for the escape.
Thank you, Angie. It is the little novella that grew. I intended to write 20,000 words, sent my beta readers just over 40,000 words, and it is now just over 60,000 words! But stronger for it, I think.
Agreed, Alex. Escape is so important. We come back refreshed and ready to face our challenges.
Thank you, Crystal.
Thanks, Jude and Nicole. You've covered most of the reasons why I read and write historical romance. But here are a few more.
1. In any type of romance, indeed in almost any type of fiction, the stakes are high for the protagonist. But in historical romance, they're especially high. If she fails to win the man she loves, if she cannot make their relationship work, she cannot just quit and find someone else. Not without repercussions that would make a bad situation even worse. She must find a way, or endure a lifetime of misery and regret.
This makes the drama more powerful, the emotions deeper. And the final outcome sweeter.
2. Historical romance provides a great many opportunities for a writer to employ my favorite trope: "Such is the power of love". So do other romance subgenres, but not always to this extent. Or with this much variety and aesthetic potential.
3. Though I'm fascinated by history the way it was, it's nice to imagine it the way it should've been.
No need to enter me in the giveaway; I've already pre-ordered the book. Good luck!
Yes, Mary Anne, I like your two reasons. And second chance at love stories are particularly poignant in historicals, particularly when the hero does not know of the heroine's past.
The winner of the giveaway is Alex. Alex, email jude at judeknightauthor dot com, and let me know whether you'd like an epub or a mobi.
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