Maya Rodale's Blog: Maya Rodale's Blog, page 32

Living the Regency Life

There are probably worse things than living in the Regency Era.

We love to read about the Regency era. But would you actually want to live in the Regency? When I posed this question to myself, my immediate response was "It depends if I am a duchess or not." This is not an insignificant point, given the vast disparity in quality of life between the aristocracy and…everyone else.

But supposing one gets to live in the Regency as a duchess, there are more points to consider. I would not be bothered by corsets and dresses. While I could get by without running water, it's the medical situation that makes me pause. And the marriage laws. And the expense of books. And the lack of iphones (Kidding, sort of).

What about living in a Regency Romance Novel? That's another matter entirely…

Would you want to live in the Regency? (You can be a duchess!)

FAQ: What's your writing process?

What an adorable question. I am so flattered that someone thinks there is a method to this madness. And look, if I had my druthers there would be. Lord knows I try to be a plotter (rather than a pantser). I have been known to craft exceptionally detailed and color-coordinated spreadsheets of fictional wonderness. But there comes a time when this author throws away the outline and starts making sh** up.

I'm writing book number 7 now, and I must admit there is a method. Because, without fail, this is what happens when I write a book. I just don't particularly like this method. It goes something like this:

Mull over next book while writing current book. Become very excited about New Book even though I might be months or even years away from writing it.
Finally get around to writing New Book. Resolve to make it the most beautifully, intricately plotted novel in all of creation. Daydream about weaving in complex themes, works of literature, the most passionate romance every typed out on Microsoft Word.
Make playlist for New Book. Visit itunes to make sure my library includes all and any songs that might possibly be inspiring.
Draft character backstories and promptly set them aside as I am so keen to start the story!
Begin writing. Decide an outline would be helpful.
Begin outlining.
Research.
Feel the need to write the first few chapters to see my characters in action and get a feel for the direction of the story.
Write the first 3 chapters.
Continue outlining.
Revise playlist.
Abandon outline 3/4 of the way through the novel because I'll figure out the end when I get there (*With the exception of A Groom Of One's Own , in which I knew the ending before I knew anything else about the story).
Dive into the story.
Re-write first three chapters.
Become utterly vexed at chapter 4. Without fail. I loathe chapter 4.
Refer to outline. Decide outline is rubbish. Wish I had done more research.
Consider starting over completely.
Do the following mathematical equation: days until deadline ÷  80,000 = daily word count I must reach in order to turn book in on time.
Decide that outline and characters characters are pretty good, actually.
Write. Refer to outline. Make things up. Just keep writing.

So, are y'all super organized about getting stuff done or procrastinators?

Out Sick :(

Totally out sick today. I have napped. I have watched my TV shows (Grey's Anatomy on an upset stomach–not my finest idea). I have sipped broth and I'm consuming fluids. But now what? What do you do when your sick? Any movie/TV/book suggestions for me?

And just because, here's a picture of Penny sklonked out on the couch. Like me today, but much cuter. [image error]

Pop Quiz! What have those celebs been up to this week?

Who ever said there was something wrong with celebrity gossip? Not I. Hopefully not you! Let's see if you've been keeping up with your tabloids here…Just post your answers in the comments below by midnight tonight. Of the correct ones, I will randomly pick one winner and send 'em a signed copy of A Groom Of One's Own in honor of Question #1.  Happy gossiping!

1. Beatle Paul McCartney married this "American heiress" this weekend. What's her name?

2. Who designed the attire for the bride and groom?

[image error] 3. This Sex And The City actress hit the headlines this week. What for?

4. What character did she play on that show?

[image error] 5. Rumors are swirling about this star's pregnancy. Seriously, you can't make this stuff up. What are they saying?

6. Who was she recently seen shopping with?

The fine print: My sincere apologies, but while anyone can play only US entrants are eligible to win.

What is ratafia?

I knew ratafia was something that characters in Regency romance novels drank and that it was often deemed "sickeningly sweet" and "a drink for ladies" by all the rogues. But what was in it, exactly? And what did it taste like? Obviously, I googled it.

Ratafia is basically alcohol sweetened with fruit, herbs and spices. I found recipes calling for vodka, wine, brandy; quince, cherries, all sorts of berries.

Obviously, I had to make it myself. I came up with the following recipe based on the others that I found, the fruit that was in season, and the spices I had in the house. I'm naming it after myself, because why not?

Maya's Spiced Cherry Ratafia

1 cup organic cherries

1/4 cup organic sugar

1/4 brandy

Splashes of spices: cloves, cinnamon, vanilla

****

Assemble your ingredients so you're not dashing out to the shop in the middle of the recipe. I often do this and it's vexing.

[image error]

Assemble your ratafia ingredients

Pit the cherries. I just used my fingers. Put them in a bowl and gently mash them with a potato masher.

[image error]
Mashed cherries for ratafia

Pour the cherries into a glass container with a lid. You'll strain this later, so it' doesn't have to be perfectly done.

Add the sugar and the brandy.

For the spices: In the slightest bit of water, I boiled some ground cloves and cinnamon because that's what I had in the house. We're talking teaspoons of water and splashes of spices here. Pour this into the ratafia jar with everything else and add a splash of vanilla.

As you can see, this recipe doesn't make enough for a ballroom full of people. But really, how much of this stuff are you going to drink?

[image error]

This ratafia is ready for a long chill in the fridge

Put a lid on it and refrigerate it for 3 to 5 weeks.

When you're ready to drink it, you'll want to strain it first. I used Regency cheese cloth (because that's what the other recipes suggested and it seemed so appropo). See how I have it taut over the glass? Don't do that–it won't work. Give it some slack and the good stuff will slip through into your vintage cocktail glass (these ones are courtesy of my grandma).

[image error]

Regency cheesecloth rubberband-ed around a glass.

Five weeks later…I was desperate for a blog topic and thought perhaps I should finish up this post. Yes, this involved drinking ratafia before 5:00 pm, but it was for research!

Besides, I wasn't about to drink the whole bottle. Just a sip from this one, pretty glass of homemade ratafia.

[image error]

Mmm...tastes like trouble!

I expected the worst. I truly did. But…it's actually quite nice!

It tastes like Christmas time. The spices hit first, then the smooth, deep flavor of the cherry.

One hardly notices the brandy at all, which everyone knows means Trouble.

Conclusion: Ratafia tastes like a compromising position at a Christmas party. Delicious!

Any other food or drink from romance novels that you've wondered about?

The return of a tall, dark and handsome cover model

Is it just me, or my writing girls all falling for the same man? Or perhaps whoever books the cover models has a tendre for a certain tall, dark, well-muscled gentleman who dresses in breeches and can't seem to keep his shirt on. My imagination might be running away from me (it happens). I have seen my new book cover (joy!) and it seems the same hero/model has returned with less clothing and more tattoos. I am delighted to share the cover for The Tattooed Duke. I love it! Many thanks to the team at Avon who worked their magic again. And thank you to whoever books the cover models.

Do you think it's the same model on each cover?

My favorite guides to Proper Behavior

This morning I read a New York Times article, Classic Advice: Please Leave Well Enough Alone, on two new-ish etiquette books: How To Win Friends and Influence People In The Digital Age and Emily Post's Etiquette 18th Edition. One was scathingly reviewed and the other was treated a little more lightly. It seems that I will not be adding either of them to my collection of etiquette books, but it got me thinking about some really good texts on the subject of good behavior.

My interest in Proper Manners and all things ettiquette began with my mother's yet-to-be published work The Restaurant Rules. Because she was a single mother on a budget it was vastly important that we both be good dining companions should her dad or someone take us out to dinner. Thus, before even entering a restaurant she and I went through the rules, which included:

Stay in your seat for lord's sake. No running about the restaurant or skulking under the table.
You don't have to like it, but you do have to try it.
Do NOT I repeat do NOT make a fuss or whine or raise your voice or generally carry on.

These things may seem obvious. But we all know that some children have not been lectured sternly on the restaurant rules. And they should.

And so, my fascination began. My all-time favorite book in this genre is Tiffany's Table Manners For Teenagers. Brilliant voice, stylishly illustrated. I am also the proud owner of a Debrett's book on manners (as in the same people that do the book on the peerage that all our romance heroines must memorize). My great-grandfather, J.I. Rodale, also composed a book on etiquette,  though he is not well known for it.

I once had the great priveledge of arranging and attending a session on manners by  Peter Post, grandson to Emily Post. It was followed by what I called " The Evil Hostess Lunch" which I can say because I planned it. The lunch included foods that are quite nearly impossible to attack with delicacy and provoke many a question on table manners. The menu included a boullabaisse (shellfish! fish knives!), olives (pitts!), roast chicken on the bone (gah!). The whole point was to confront these issues and ask the expert on how to deal with them. At the heart, it seems table manners evolved for the purpose of protecting one's attire–tip the soup bowl away from you for those last few spoonfulls so that you don't spill or avoid reaching over the table lest you set your sleeve on fire.

This fascination of mine comes in handy when it comes to Regency Romances. To quote that New York Times article: "Whenever two people come together," Emily Post once said, "and their behavior affects one another, you have etiquette." The Regency, with all of its clearly defined and very strict rules must have been a landmine to navigate successfully but it makes for challenging and interesting plotting involving all those rules and two people coming together. Think it doesn't really matter? Consider a drawing room door, left open just a few inches, that makes all the difference between a private conversation and a compromising position.

What rules of etiquette do you find to be sadly lacking in today's world? Any "Regency Rules" you'd like to see brought back?

My Must-See TV

Fun fact: The husband and I don't own a television. Usually people are aghast when we share this news at cocktail parties and we feel all smug. But here's the truth: I'm watching TV shows right now and have indulged for hours today (while cleaning!). Thanks to Hulu I can watch all my favorite shows on my laptop and don't have to make space for a TV in our tiny apartment. Wow, I didn't mean for that to sound like such an advertisement. The point is, even though I don't have a TV set I'm hooked on some shows…

The X Factor. I love Simon Cowell. I aspire to be like Simon. And I'm loving this show even though it makes me cry at least seven times per episode. Or rather, because of that. Yeah, it's a talent show and Simon is not nearly as snarky as I'd like him to be, but the storytelling here is fantastic. Something so simple as having contestants state their age has such a reemarkable effect–like that woman saying "I can't die with this music in me" or that 14 year-old boy rapping "stop looking at my mom" (Love him!).

Pan Am. It's not my favorite but my good friend was in the pilot episode (Christina Ricci's scruffy roommate) and I want to see him on the show again! Also, let's all now take a moment to be thankful that we don't have to wear girdles.

Up All Night. The baby-parent stuff kind of scares me–funny as it is!–but Maya Rudolph is hilarious and I heart her tremendously (and not just because we share a name, though I am very proud to!). Um, baby wallet for baby money anyone?

Grey's Anatomy. Oh goodness, I fear this one merits another blog post entirely. Clearly the writers didn't read my previous post on how to fix the show, so perhaps I shall try, try again. Kempner is a disastrous chief, there's no sex appeal with any of the couples anymore and McDreamy is phoning it in…and yet…I can't stop watching.

Ok, so my favorite show this Fall is The X Factor, hands down. What are you watching and loving?

Maya's Must Reads: October

As a general rule, I do not re-read books or re-watch movies. Life is just too short. Life is also full of exceptions. I think we all have a few books that we just latch onto, where rereading is really like visiting old friends. There are some books that I return to every few years, and find new themes, or a new message that I hadn't noticed before and perfectly fits the moment I'm in. I love that.

This month's must-reads are some of my favorite re-reads.

Still Life with Woodpecker and Skinny Legs and All by Tom Robbins

These are not romance novels. They're weird, perfectly outrageously written novels about romance, magik in the universe, true love…and aliens, the middle east, lost goddess worshop, bombs, and other odd-ish stuff. His philosphies on life might be the ones I'd subscribe to, if I subscribed to that sort of thing. But they're amazing books and Tom Robbins is probably my favorite writer. The man has style.

Romancing Mister Bridgerton by Julia Quinn

An unlikely heroine. A good-hearted, funny hero who is not a duke. Un-requited love that becomes…requited. Is that even a word? This is such a sweet book. Every time I read it, I cry happy tears at the end. JQ at her finest!

Atlas Shrugged: (Centennial Edition)by Ayn Rand

Also not romance. But a sort of love story nonetheless. The academic in me marvels at the heroine, who has had multiple sexual partners and is not punished. Think about it—can you name any other books where that happens? Dagny Taggart is probably one of the toughest broads in literature. You may not agree with Ms. Rand's philosophy, but I take away the following: 1) smart chicks are Great 2) Don't be afraid to be smart 3) work hard and work well.

PS: For lord's sake, skip John Galt's 60+ philosophical tangent speech at the end.

Lord Perfect by Loretta Chase

Ah, now here is some romance. The tall, dark, aloof Lord. The wickedly smart heroine. The story is great, but I really love the writing in this one. So many witty one-liners, so many fantastic scenes. The other great thing about this book is that the hero and heroine fall in love, but stay true to themselves in the end. In other words, it's romantic but doesn't get all sappy.

What are some of your must re-reads?

Craving American historical romances

Recently I read and adored the "new" Lisa Kleypas novel, Love Come To Me. I use the quotation marks because it was actually one of her earlier books (way earlier) and was re-released in August. It features a romance between "an innocent northern beauty and a sexy Southern rebel." I use the quotation marks here because I'm quoting; after all, Lisa says it best. But what I really loved about this book was that it was set in America just after the civil war.

Oh, they just don't make covers like they used to

The NEW cover for Love, Come To Me

That's right, an American historical. Don't find too many of those, nowadays, do ya? And not because, as the husband would say, America hasn't been around long enough to have a history. Boo to that old Brit. It seems the American historical romance has never taken off the way other time periods have. I love the Regency and I'll even dabble in the Victorian and for the most part this keeps me satisfied…until I read a book like this, with a rich setting that is new and familiar all at the same time. I loved the tension between the North and South in this book and I really loved the southern hero (which is no surprise considering my love of country music). I love discovering America in a new way.

Long story short, I'm now hankering for some American set historical romance novels. Any suggestions?