Tag: historical romance

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Writers Chat

Writers Chat Recap for March, Part 2

Writers Chat, hosted by Jean Wise, Johnnie Alexander, and Bethany Jett, is the show where we talk about all things writing, by writers and for writers!

“Because talking about writing is more fun than actually doing it.”

Historical Romance with Janalyn Voigt

In this episode, Janalyn shares her process for writing Historical Fiction, giving tips on identifying domains of research, the benefits of on location research, the value of using original sources. Other topics such as how to balance research with story, developing plot, and much more were discussed. If you’re in need of good research ideas and tips for balancing your research with story—no matter the genre—this is the episode for you. Come check it out.

Watch the March 17th replay.

Bio

Janalyn Voigt is a multi-genre novelist and inspirational speaker with a passion for books, reading, history, photography, and travel. For more about Janalyn,, you can find her on social media or visit her website, http://janalynvoigt.com/.

KidLit Forum

In this episode, Writers Chat’s own Jan Martin and Annette Whipple are joined by René Aube to discuss writing children’s books. These three ladies are published authors of children’s books, ranging from fiction to instructional books. They share the basics of writing and publishing in fiction and nonfiction. Whether you write picture books, early readers, or YA, this episode is full of great ideas and a plethora of resources. If you write children’s books or are curious about writing for kids, stop by and watch this fun, informative, and encouraging episode of Writers Chat.

Watch the March 24th replay.

Bio

René Aube loves dreaming up drama for various critters who creep into her life. She hones in on unusual details and develops adventures for anthropomorphic characters while weaving in factual content. Her current works in progress include fiction and non-fiction picture books. Rene` is also beginning to meddle with middle grade fiction. You can follow her on social media or at https://renedianeaube.com/

Jann Martin attended Michigan State University earning a Bachelor of Science in elementary education Then Trinity Seminary and commissioned as an Associate in Ministry. In 2006 Jann received a call from God to write children’s books through the eyes of a child. She currently has seven books published with many more to come. She is also a public speaker and teacher to all ages. You can follow Jann on Facebook.

Annette Whipple writes nonfiction to inspire curiosity and wonder in children. She inspires curiosity and wonder in readers while exciting them science and history through her nonfiction books. Annette provides interactive programs and workshops to engage participants in topics like writing, science, and history. Learn more about Annette’s books and presentations at https://www.annettewhipple.com/

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Categories
Writer Encouragement

Ingredients are Key

Ever have a latte from your favorite coffee shop and they forgot to add a key ingredient?

I recently ordered a vanilla latte, only the barista forgot to add the vanilla. It didn’t take more than a second to realize the error. My taste buds shuddered at the omission while they wallowed in bland coffee and hot milk. Gross.

Manuscripts can be like that. Sometimes writers promise something in our selected genre—romance, history, suspense—but then the key ingredients might get omitted. Or you might have a combo genre like historical romance, which is what I write. Your book could be filled with battle scenes and drama, but somehow you forget there’s supposed to be a love story in the mix. Perhaps you focus on the war while forgetting the lass waging battles in her heart?

You might ask yourself, was it a bunny trail you followed that veered from the story to a whole new focus?

Perhaps while writing another book, you become so involved in the romance scenes that, although it takes place in World War I, it might as well be a contemporary novel. The historical elements somehow get lost. Somewhere.

We all have blind spots in our writing. Or perhaps, like the barista, we become distracted and just forget.

Historical fiction is especially challenging since anachronisms can sneak in—those odd phrases, cultural trends, or pieces of clothing that weren’t around in the era you are writing about.

One reader on social media groaned that she was so tired of Regency romance novels in which the dialogue included the simple expression, “OK.” It’s just not okay to include that when you’re writing about the Regency period, which was from 1811-1820. According to the Smithsonian, this expression was initially used in Boston around 1838.

Do you see why writing historicals is such a challenge? Someone always knows if you’re being inaccurate. I must be crazy for choosing to write historicals, but that’s a topic for another time …

It can be painfully obvious when a writer doesn’t do his or her homework. First rule of writing: Don’t cause pain for your readers.

There can be no more disappointment for a reader than expecting a romance, only to be left with a singular kiss with lips barely connecting. While I’m hardly suggesting a passionate bedroom scene, readers do expect a few sigh-worthy moments when the hero sweeps the heroine off her feet with a tender kiss.

A romance without a good kiss is like … like a latte without the flavoring! It’s just not what readers expect. Or want.

Carry on.

Elaine Marie Cooper has two historical fiction books that recently released: War’s Respite (Prequel novella) and Love’s Kindling. Love’s Kindling is available in both e-book and paperback. They are the first two books in the Dawn of America Series set in Revolutionary War Connecticut. Cooper is the award-winning author of Fields of the Fatherless and Bethany’s Calendar. Her 2016 release (Saratoga Letters) was finalist in Historical Romance in both the Selah Awards and Next Generation Indie Book Awards. She penned the three-book Deer Run Saga and has been published in numerous magazines and anthologies. You can visit her website/ blog at www.elainemariecooper.com

Categories
A3 Contributor Book Release

A Musket in My Hands by Sandra Merville Hart

Releasing November 8th, A Musket in My Hands is Sandra Merville Hart’s third Civil War romance with Smitten Historical Romance, an imprint of Lighthouse Publishing of the Carolinas. Her fifth historical romance releases in the summer of 2019. Sandra writes for Almost an Author’s column “History in the Making,” listed under the Genre tab. Sandra loves learning about history through researching her stories—and then passing along these gems to her readers. This book releases today, November 8th.

Back Cover Blurb

Can I count on you in times of great need?”

 Callie Jennings reels from her pa’s decision that she must marry his friend, a man older than him. Her heart belongs to her soldier hero, Zach Pearson, but Pa won’t change his mind. Callie has no place to hide. Then her sister, Louisa, proposes a shocking alternative.

Zach still hears his pa’s scornful word—quitter. He’s determined to make something of himself as a soldier. He’ll serve the Confederacy until they win the war. If they win the war.

Callie and Louisa disguise themselves as soldiers and muster into the Confederate army in the fall of 1864. Times are tough and getting tougher for their Confederacy. For Callie, shooting anyone, especially former countrymen, is out of the question—until truth and love and honor come together on the battlefield.

Bio

Award-winning and Amazon bestselling author Sandra Merville Hart loves to uncover little-known yet fascinating facts about our American history to include in her stories. Her debut Civil War Romance, A Stranger on My Land, was IRCA Finalist 2015. A Rebel in My House, set during the historic Battle of Gettysburg, won the 2018 Silver Illumination Award and second place in 2018 Faith, Hope and Love Readers’ Choice Award. A Musket in My Hands, where two sisters join the Confederate army with the men they love, released November 8, 2018. Her novella, Surprised by Love in “From the Lake to the River” released in September of 2018. Trail’s End, in “Smitten Novella Collection: The Cowboys” releases in August of 2019.

Find her on her blog, https://sandramervillehart.wordpress.com/.