28 February 2013

Research vs Writing

Image courtesy of imagerymajestic / FreeDigitalPhotos.net
One of the main challenges in writing historical fiction is of course, the history. I love it, but by golly does it take some time to get it right.

I jumped back into my WIP last night (after a considerable absence) with excitement, ready to slice and dice that baby into shape. Looking forward to reading my words again. But I became hamstrung by some details I have to get sorted…. such as how to address the younger son of an earl, and what to call the different types of hired carriages. Then I spent the rest of my allotted writing time on this stuff (although I will admit I got distracted by some real-life business that also needed to be sorted) and I didn’t get any actual writing/revising done. Sigh.


(Also I’d like to whine about how frustrating it was to learn that the younger son won’t be addressed by the same name as his father. I wanted this man to share the name of the earldom and their estate, but it’s not to be. Double sigh.)

Being a detail-oriented person, now that I’m at a point where the story’s written, I can’t go on with revising until I fix this stuff. I’m sure my WIP will still have many glaring errors that I’ll be crucified for if it ever sees the light of day, but at some point I just need to be happy with fixing all the stuff I can see and then sending it out there.

Soon, I hope. Pity the research is only a small part of the revision process.

What sucks you in when you’re doing revisions?

Also, this is my 100th post! Yay.

4 comments:

  1. I have to tell you, make sure you get it right because in my reviews, I've found people will nit pick you to death. I stubbornly insist that you don't address a duchess as "Your Grace" unless SHE is in line for the throne, as opposed to just marrying a duke. (Debrett's Peerage in the fine print is where I found this.) However, some reviewers insist that this is wrong. And alas, I can't contradict them.

    I love your new last name. Best of luck with your revisions.

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    1. Thanks for the advice Anne. At least your reviewers care enough about the book to make comment on it, right?

      *goes back to research, nervously biting fingernails*

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  2. I hate research, I must admit. I find it so tedious fact-checking everything! I could never write historicals, that's for sure.

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    1. I actually find it challenging making sure everything in a contemporary story is up to date! Thanks for stopping by Talli :-)

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