I’m so happy that I can finally share my first nonfiction book—Painting the Past: A Guide for Writing Historical Fiction—with everyone. Already, on its first day of release, Painting the Past has been named the #1 New Release in Authorship. Amazing. Thank you to everyone who helped to make this happen. I came up with … Continue reading It’s Here: A Guide for Writing Historical Fiction
Research
Mrs. Beeton’s Recipes For a Perfectly Proper Victorian Christmas
Mrs. Beeton Was the Martha Stewart of the Victorian Era Most fans of the 19th century are familiar with Mrs. Isabella Beeton, the Martha Stewart of Victorian England. Although I used her recipes and household management tips as resources for both Hembry books, I admit that I didn't know much about Mrs. Beeton herself until … Continue reading Mrs. Beeton’s Recipes For a Perfectly Proper Victorian Christmas
What Were Some Popular Victorian Christmas Traditions?
Many of Our Favorite Christmas Traditions Were Made Popular By Dickens Thanks to Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol, many of us have a specific vision when we refer to the perfect Christmas. In fact, most of our Christmas traditions originated or were revived during the Victorian era. Queen Victoria’s German-born husband, Prince Albert, brought many … Continue reading What Were Some Popular Victorian Christmas Traditions?
Daily Life in Biblical Nazareth
Since the recipes in my last post about eating in Biblical Jerusalem were such a hit, I decided to add one more recipe that is a traditional Jewish food and something the Woman of Stones might have made—cholent. Cholent is simply a hearty beef stew. Traditionally, cholent is cooked overnight, beginning Friday afternoon before sundown … Continue reading Daily Life in Biblical Nazareth
What Did They Eat in Biblical Jerusalem?
I Should Have Been a Food Historian I’ve said this before, and I’ll say it many more times, I’m sure—I think I missed my calling in this life. I should have been a food historian. One of my favorite parts of writing historical fiction is researching the foods they ate during whatever historical period I’m … Continue reading What Did They Eat in Biblical Jerusalem?
Ideas For Researching Historical Fiction
My Process For Research Has Changed How I research historical fiction has changed a lot over the years. When I first started researching historical fiction I would check as many books about my chosen era as I could carry from the library, take meticulous notes, color code my notes with highlighters (blue for information about … Continue reading Ideas For Researching Historical Fiction
Goodwives in the Massachusetts Bay Colony
What Does the Term Goodwife Mean? Those familiar with The Crucible, the Salem Witch Trials, or even life in Colonial America have heard the term Goody, short for Goodwife. The term Goody was meant in a similar way as Mrs. today since Goody indicated a married woman. In Salem in the Massachusetts Bay Colony, Goody … Continue reading Goodwives in the Massachusetts Bay Colony
What I’m Reading: Life During World War II and My Favorite Fantasy Book of All Time
My reading has been eclectic lately (as it always is, actually). I've completed my research for Down Salem Way with two of these books, though I will always have a fascination with witch hunts and witch trials. The Witch of Blackbird Pond by Elizabeth George Speare I loved this book when I was a teenager … Continue reading What I’m Reading: Life During World War II and My Favorite Fantasy Book of All Time
Did That Word Exist Then? Language in Historical Fiction
Wonderful news for James and Sarah/Elizabeth fans. The last draft of Down Salem Way is finished. Really! Okay, the book is not finished finished because it needs final edits and other odds and ends, but the light at the end of the tunnel is bright and clear and within reach. This is where the manuscript … Continue reading Did That Word Exist Then? Language in Historical Fiction
Cooking in the Massachusetts Bay Colony
What Did They Eat in the Massachusetts Bay Colony? One of my more popular posts is about food in colonial Massachusetts. Here's more information about the types of meals the colonists ate and other interesting tidbits about cooking in the Massachusetts Bay Colony. Breakfast was a busy time of day in the Massachusetts Bay Colony. The … Continue reading Cooking in the Massachusetts Bay Colony