Ask the Author: Janice Preston
Answered Questions (5)
Janice Preston
Ah, there's no contest here, I'm afraid. For me, it's Elizabeth and Darcy every time!
Janice Preston
Hi M-n
I'm always pleased to meet another Regency aficionado!
As to research - I read non-fiction books about the era and try to give my own books the flavour of the Regency without getting too bogged down in the minute detail.
When writing, I tend not to research until the end when I can see exactly what extra research is needed and then I only include enough to make sense of the plot. And, yes, I am conscious that too much historical detail can slow down the narrative and hope I am not guilty of that.
Here is an example from Saved By Scandal’s Heir, where the heroine, Harriet, is talking to her stepson, Edward –
‘Lady Marstone had it from the doctor,’ Edward said, his shoulders slumping. ‘She could not wait to tell me when I saw her in Sittingbourne this morning. I believe I convinced her it would not be in her best interests to spread such gossip around, but I am not certain.’
‘Lady Marstone? Oh, no.’ Sir Walter Marstone’s wife was the worst tattle-tale in the district, and one of the worst in London, too. ‘How on earth did you manage to convince her?’
‘Her daughter, Bridget, is about to embark upon her second Season and she is quite desperate to get her married off. I hinted that their invitation to Kitty’s come-out ball was in the balance, and that I might use my influence to persuade Lady Castlereagh to blacklist Bridget from Almack’s.’
Lady Castleragh was one of the powerful patronesses of Almack’s, and it was well known that Edward was a political ally of Lord Castlereagh, whose return to Government was rumoured to be imminent, three years after his resignation as Secretary of State for War and the Colonies following the disgrace of his duel with Foreign Secretary George Canning. Harriet smiled at the chagrin Lady Marstone must have felt.
‘That was quick thinking, Edward. Thank you.’
So the 4th paragraph in that example is the ‘research’ bit – just to give a little background and to explain how Lady Marstone might be led to believe that Edward did indeed have enough ‘clout’ to influence Lady Castlereagh! Lord C would, one would imagine, be grateful to a man who stood by him in his wilderness years.
I also try to include some authentic detail – detail that readers will probably never notice but give me a quiet satisfaction. For example, using coaching inns that really existed if my characters are travelling. I sometimes wonder if the time spent researching those small details is worth it but still I do it!
And Austen and Heyer! Yes, I love their books and I do return to Austen quite often. However, I stopped reading Heyer when I was first published as I found phrases of hers creeping into my work and, on read through, they would make me cringe because I knew they were not in my voice! (Brilliant phrases, of course. Just not mine! She has such a wonderful, distinctive voice, doesn’t she?)
I have Frederica on the side of my desk as I write this and I am looking forward to rereading it once I have met my current deadline. I think (hope) my own voice is strong enough now not to slip into a poor imitation of Heyer.
I hope I have answered your question – thanks for asking
Best wishes
Janice x
I'm always pleased to meet another Regency aficionado!
As to research - I read non-fiction books about the era and try to give my own books the flavour of the Regency without getting too bogged down in the minute detail.
When writing, I tend not to research until the end when I can see exactly what extra research is needed and then I only include enough to make sense of the plot. And, yes, I am conscious that too much historical detail can slow down the narrative and hope I am not guilty of that.
Here is an example from Saved By Scandal’s Heir, where the heroine, Harriet, is talking to her stepson, Edward –
‘Lady Marstone had it from the doctor,’ Edward said, his shoulders slumping. ‘She could not wait to tell me when I saw her in Sittingbourne this morning. I believe I convinced her it would not be in her best interests to spread such gossip around, but I am not certain.’
‘Lady Marstone? Oh, no.’ Sir Walter Marstone’s wife was the worst tattle-tale in the district, and one of the worst in London, too. ‘How on earth did you manage to convince her?’
‘Her daughter, Bridget, is about to embark upon her second Season and she is quite desperate to get her married off. I hinted that their invitation to Kitty’s come-out ball was in the balance, and that I might use my influence to persuade Lady Castlereagh to blacklist Bridget from Almack’s.’
Lady Castleragh was one of the powerful patronesses of Almack’s, and it was well known that Edward was a political ally of Lord Castlereagh, whose return to Government was rumoured to be imminent, three years after his resignation as Secretary of State for War and the Colonies following the disgrace of his duel with Foreign Secretary George Canning. Harriet smiled at the chagrin Lady Marstone must have felt.
‘That was quick thinking, Edward. Thank you.’
So the 4th paragraph in that example is the ‘research’ bit – just to give a little background and to explain how Lady Marstone might be led to believe that Edward did indeed have enough ‘clout’ to influence Lady Castlereagh! Lord C would, one would imagine, be grateful to a man who stood by him in his wilderness years.
I also try to include some authentic detail – detail that readers will probably never notice but give me a quiet satisfaction. For example, using coaching inns that really existed if my characters are travelling. I sometimes wonder if the time spent researching those small details is worth it but still I do it!
And Austen and Heyer! Yes, I love their books and I do return to Austen quite often. However, I stopped reading Heyer when I was first published as I found phrases of hers creeping into my work and, on read through, they would make me cringe because I knew they were not in my voice! (Brilliant phrases, of course. Just not mine! She has such a wonderful, distinctive voice, doesn’t she?)
I have Frederica on the side of my desk as I write this and I am looking forward to rereading it once I have met my current deadline. I think (hope) my own voice is strong enough now not to slip into a poor imitation of Heyer.
I hope I have answered your question – thanks for asking
Best wishes
Janice x
Janice Preston
I love making up stories, something I have always done - if only in my head - for much of my life. I enjoy being my own boss and working from home. And I love the writing community, who are so supportive and friendly, and also meeting readers, particularly when they tell me they love my books ;-)
Janice Preston
Read in lots of different genres. Read classics and literary fiction.
Sit down and write. When the going gets tough, write. When you think it's a pile of cr*p, write. Until you reach the end you cannot judge, and you can't edit words that aren't written. The world is littered with half-finished manuscripts. Don't let yours be one of them! And keep reading.
Sit down and write. When the going gets tough, write. When you think it's a pile of cr*p, write. Until you reach the end you cannot judge, and you can't edit words that aren't written. The world is littered with half-finished manuscripts. Don't let yours be one of them! And keep reading.
Janice Preston
I usually find I get 'blocked' when, sub-consciously, I know something I've already written isn't quite right. I go back to the beginning and read through, editing as I go, and I usually find the niggle that has stopped me moving forward. I fix it, and I off I go again!
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