When I wrote my first non-fiction book, Painting the Past: A Guide for Writing Historical Fiction, I was drawing on more than two decades of experience reading, writing, and publishing historical fiction. I enjoyed writing that book because I love sharing the lessons I’ve learned about writing. Painting the Past was published in 2021, five … Continue reading The Truth About Historical Fiction Research: Mistakes Are Inevitable
Research
The Art of Reading Like a Writer: What Books Have Taught Me About Craft
I’ve always believed that we can only ingest so many words from other people until we’re compelled to spill some back out. Long before we understand plot arcs, character construction, or theme, most of us fall first in love with reading. For me, reading in childhood began as an escape from a frantic, stressful family … Continue reading The Art of Reading Like a Writer: What Books Have Taught Me About Craft
How To Create a Personal Curriculum: A Step-by-Step Guide
Happy New Year everyone! Since this is my first post of the new year, I thought I’d share a wonderful tool that has really made a difference in how I approach my personal learning. Last summer, I began watching some personal curriculum videos on YouTube. As a long-time teacher and academic, I think these videos … Continue reading How To Create a Personal Curriculum: A Step-by-Step Guide
Soundtracking Shadows: A Dark Academia Writing Playlist
In Painting the Past: A Guide for Writing Historical Fiction, I waxed poetic about how I love to listen to music as a way to get into the mindset of my story while I’m writing. Sometimes I listen to whatever I want. Sometimes I listen to music inspired by the time or the mood I’m … Continue reading Soundtracking Shadows: A Dark Academia Writing Playlist
More Than Just Macabre: Fascinating Elements of Poe’s Short Stories
A few weeks ago I shared some of what I’ve learned about Edgar Allan Poe’s literary style. Here’s the post. This week I wanted to share a little more about what I’ve learned about Poe’s short stories. While Poe’s reputation as a master of the macabre is well-earned, to label him only as a horror … Continue reading More Than Just Macabre: Fascinating Elements of Poe’s Short Stories
Poe and the Gothic: Researching His Literary Style
Sharing More Book Research Since I shared my research into the nineteenth-century spiritualism movement last week, I thought I’d share some research into one of my favorite authors, Edgar Allan Poe. Yes, if you’re wondering, this research also plays into my new novel, though I can’t say how yet. I’ve read so many biographies about … Continue reading Poe and the Gothic: Researching His Literary Style
Victorian Séance Research: History, Mediums, and Beliefs
The Belief in Spiritualism It's hard to talk about my current WIP without spoilers! I think it's safe to say that some of the book is about spiritualism in the nineteenth century. I've touched on spiritualism before in the Loving Husband Series, specifically with Olivia, who, of course, is one of the most powerful witches … Continue reading Victorian Séance Research: History, Mediums, and Beliefs
Annotating Books for Research and Enjoyment: My Personal Methods
The Joy of Annotating Books I’ve been a bookworm all my life. I started reading at a young age, which my mother attributes to my watching Sesame Street. Ernie and Bert and ABC songs aside, books were my first and best friends. I lived in books. In books I saw that there were other worlds, … Continue reading Annotating Books for Research and Enjoyment: My Personal Methods
The Secret Weapon of Historical Novelists: Research That Captivates
I recently read Leigh Bardugo’s The Familiar, a historical fantasy novel. Where Bardugo's Ninth House was a five-star read for me, I'd place The Familiar at four stars. I liked the story, and the main character Luzia grew on me as the story progressed. I didn't love the Hunger Games-type magic show, and though I … Continue reading The Secret Weapon of Historical Novelists: Research That Captivates
Delve into ‘Victory Garden’ and the Suffrage Movement History
One of My Favorite Books As much as I love the Loving Husband Series and the Hembry Castle Chronicles, one of my books that really stands out to me is Victory Garden, a novel of the American women's suffrage movement. I've been so caught up writing about James and Sarah for the past few years … Continue reading Delve into ‘Victory Garden’ and the Suffrage Movement History