Some people believe that it’s easy to write romance, for the simple reason that everyone knows there will be a happy ending. Simple, right?
This is far from the truth, and even if you account for well-worn and loved tropes, there are so many possibilities as to what could occur between the (paper – and other) sheets from Chapter 1 to the last chapter, that it takes a careful and considered approach to ensure the story is delivered with the correct elements, in a way that pleases readers.
The characters need to be engaging and believable, with suitable story arcs. This is a skill all authors aim to master, and romance authors face this challenge as much as writers in any other genre. That’s just for starters.
What is not often discussed are the joys of writing, in this case a story in a niche environment.
1. Research
To be faithful to the Regency era requires a lot of research, and fortunately there is a bit of forgiveness from readers if details that are ancillary to the plot are not completely historically accurate.
The research itself is a lot of fun. For The Duke’s Resurrection, one of the first things I did was find a map of London from the era. Luckily, that was pretty straightforward. The map below from 1817 let me find the street addresses for both households, in this case 12 Charles Street, Mayfair for the Beauchamps, and the Barringtons lived at 15 Kingsrow, Westminster.
That, of course was the beginning. Manners, fashion, locations, language, etc will require research throughout my writing career.
2. Immersion in a different time
When I began writing the first book, in my mind Charlotte kept reaching for her phone! So ubiquitous is technology for us that it took a change of mindset to enter a simpler era. Actually, the era was not simple; there were so many social rules and customs, it would have taken many years for anyone to become truly accomplished.
It was, however, slower.
Slowing things down was truly enjoyable. In 2025, we expect to message someone instantly; in Regency England this could have taken days to months depending on the distance. Entering the pre-information technology age was soothing in a back-to-basics sort of way. We have forgotten how to cultivate patience (something Chester has to learn in book #2), and I’m grateful to Regency for the opportunity to get into my characters’ heads and relax a little.
3. Constraints
The rules and customs mentioned above, and the desire for historical accuracy meant that I had to work what I consider a ‘limited palette’ of possibilities.
If we borrow from painting, the idea is that limited colours encourage focus and creativity, leading to surprising and unique outcomes. This certainly applies to writing, and the challenge of achieving the story’s aim within the Regency landscape of behaviours and mores, certainly taxes the creative muscle.
Limit me and I’ll thank you- it makes for a more fulfilling process.
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