Category Archives: historical fiction

Real People as Fiction – Linkgasm #3

Posted on November 13, 2009 by Victoria Janssen

Timmi Duchamp on representing history in fiction, particularly using real historical personages in fiction. Here’s Part Two.Are novelists entitled to use real-world characters? by Guy Gavriel Kay, an essay for The Guardian that’s linked from the above post. This also … Continue reading →

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Time Well Bent – ed. Connie Wilkins

Posted on October 29, 2009 by Victoria Janssen

I don’t have a story in this anthology, but a friend of mine edited it and others wrote stories for it, and I’m really looking forward to reading it! Time Well Bent: Queer Alternative Historiesed. by Connie Wilkins We have … Continue reading →

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The Intricacies of Marriages of Convenience

Posted on October 22, 2009 by Victoria Janssen

I may have mentioned once or twice (ahem) how much I love the “marriage of convenience” plot. I recently finished reading one of Mary Balogh’s recent novels, First Comes Marriage, which I really enjoyed, and which also got me thinking … Continue reading →

Posted in genre, historical fiction, romance novels, writing craft, writing process | 14 Comments

The Basics – Historical Research Links

Posted on October 19, 2009 by Victoria Janssen

I usually prefer researching through physical books – I just like to carry them around. But the Internet is a wonderful resource, especially if you don’t feel like trekking out to a library.The Internet Public Library is always a great … Continue reading →

Posted in historical fiction, links, research | 3 Comments

Everyone should read the Temeraire books.

Posted on September 30, 2009 by Victoria Janssen

“Patrick O’Brian meets Jane Austen meets Dragons.” Just in case you haven’t read Naomi Novik’s Temeraire series yet, I’m going to tell you why you should. And the chief reason to do so is not “because you don’t have enough … Continue reading →

Posted in historical fiction, reading, recommendations, sf/f | 2 Comments

Morag McKendrick Pippin Guest Post – Writing Recent History

Posted on August 14, 2009 by Victoria Janssen

Please welcome my guest, Morag McKendrick Pippin. # How exciting to have lived in the early 20th century! It opened a whole new world into transportation, communication, scientific innovation –and said a resounding good-bye to the social and fashion restrictions … Continue reading →

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The Research Book Dilemma

Posted on July 30, 2009 by Victoria Janssen

My name is Victoria, and I am a book hoarder. If I were still an impecunious graduate student, the lack of funds to buy books would be a constant pain, but as an adult with a job, my struggle is … Continue reading →

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Historical and Paranormal: Two Great Tastes That Taste Great Together

Posted on July 8, 2009 by Victoria Janssen

For my December 2009 erotic novel for Harlequin Spice, Moonlight Mistress, I combined a historical novel with paranormal elements. The book is set during the early days of World War One, and begins with a romance between Lucilla, an English … Continue reading →

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Why I Love the Marriage of Convenience Plot

Posted on July 6, 2009 by Victoria Janssen

The “marriage of convenience” plot in historical romance might focus on an arranged marriage, but more typically, shenanigans are involved; the couple marries to save the heroine from ruin at the hands of a dastardly plotter, or to ensure the … Continue reading →

Posted in genre, historical fiction, reading, romance novels | 3 Comments

Jeannie Lin Guest Post: Feminism in the Tang Dynasty

Posted on June 8, 2009 by Victoria Janssen

Please welcome my guest Jeannie Lin, Golden Heart finalist for her historical romance novel Butterfly Swords, which has, as of 7/15/09, sold to Harlequin Mills and Boon! My muses — four extraordinary women of the Tang dynasty. The characters at … Continue reading →

Posted in guest, historical fiction, research, romance novels | 17 Comments