Marci Jefferson's Blog, page 3
March 5, 2013
Historical Novel Society Conference 2013
I have to halt posting about seventeenth century cosmetics for a moment. Why? Because I just booked my flight to The Historical Novel Society Conference and I’m psyched!
We only meet on US soil every other year because we rotate with our British founders across the pond. Which makes it the Do Not Miss Event for historical fiction!
Though I’ve been a member for many years, 2011’s San Diego conference was my first. No matter what you may have heard about my goings-on during the early morning hours in the lobby, I can make no further public comment. Suffice it to say, I made some of my very best friends in San Diego.
I was delighted to meet PhDs, archeologists, and world travelers. For this group, it’s about more than just the writing, it’s passion for time and place. Because of so many variations within historical fiction, you find thrillers writers to romance writers, specializing in settings from Ancient Rome to World War One.
From meeting big names, to informative panels, it’s a lot of bang for your buck. Count on covering all the hot topics in the genre. Strictly limited to only three hundred attendees, you get to meet almost everyone. They schedule plenty of networking (aka cocktails) at large then break into smaller, more intimate sessions. Agent and editor pitches are scheduled in advance, but most snag extra pitches from the waiting list and by hanging around the pitch room for no-shows. This year they’re even offering an optional writing-coach workshop.
Check it out and join us. We can make some history of our own. Like this little memory. I can’t recall exactly why or how Sophie Perinot and I managed a Tweet & Greet. She made me hold the sign, even threatened me with a big stick.
HNS11 from left authors Elizabeth Loupas, Sophie Perinot, Susanne Dunlap, Marci Jefferson, and Heather Webb
February 21, 2013
Where to Begin…
Time to deliver on the goods. I promised details on cosmetics in the seventeenth century, and today…I’m trying to decide where to begin.
When I started researching for THE DUCHESS OF RICHMOND, it was difficult to find information on the web about makeup during Restoration Period England. I quickly discovered the reason for this – there isn’t a ton of information out there in the first place.
The 1600’s were rather eventful. England split into Royalist and Parliamentarian factions and proceeded to bludgeon each other during the Civil Wars. These ended in 1649 when Parliament executed the head of the Royalists, King Charles the First. Royalists fled into exile, and the Puritan head of the Parliamentarians, Oliver Cromwell, took it upon himself to rule England as a Commonwealth for the next eleven years. Apparently Puritan rulers are pretty drab, because England got sick of the situation and invited the heir to the throne, Charles the Second, home. They called this the Restoration of the Monarchy, and legendary partying ensued.
Throughout this upheaval, there were necessary changes in access and attitudes toward cosmetics. Wars shorten supply. Puritans denounce artifice. Restored Monarchs revel in it. Despite the confusion, time was kind enough to preserve family letters, paintings, records left by herbalists, plays, poetry, woodcut illustrations, and extant cosmetic containers to help us keep track.
So as you read future posts on this blog about gross ingredients (puppy dog fat!), odd elements (mooches and plumpers!), and strange practices (forehead shaving!), keep context in mind! We’re going to jump around through the decades mentioned above to get an understanding of beauty trends in the seventeenth century. In closing, a work by a Dutch painter from the same period.
Gerrit Dou: A young woman at her toilet, 1667,
February 14, 2013
What I’m Kissing With This Month
When I finally decided to start blogging, one of my critique partners asked what I planned to blog about. I told her, “lip gloss.”
A studious historical fiction author and blogger herself, she laughed and laughed.
But I was quite serious. You see, five years ago, when I started the long process of researching and writing THE DUCHESS OF RICHMOND, I found a gaping lack of information on the web about make-up throughout history. Particularly during the Restoration Period in England. There was a blog post or two. A few museum photographs. But few meaty facts. The main character of my novel was known as one of the greatest beauties at a court where both men and women wore cosmetics. Like most ladies, I myself simply love to have fun with makeup, so I considered it important to get beauty elements right in the novel.
I hit the books. Thankfully, historians before me produced a number of informative guides to the topic. If you decide to follow my posts, you’ll learn lots of nitty-gritty details about cosmetics during the Restoration and through the centuries.
But you’ll also find posts like today’s, where I succumb to one of my personal obsessions and talk about…you got it…lip gloss.
Bobbi Brown High Shimmer Lip Gloss in Naked Plum
This February I’m wearing a Bobbi Brown favorite. Naked Plum High Shimmer Lip Gloss glides on with a rich and opaque soft mauve-purple that suits green-hazel eyes. With just the right touch of shimmer instead of lacquered shine, and a hint of peppermint, it’s perfectly kissable for the month of St. Valentine’s.
What are you kissing with this month?
February 11, 2013
One Toe in the Water
For the whole of my five year-long writing life, everyone asked me the same question. “Why don’t you blog?”
Everyone – from critique partners, writing group partners, twitter peeps, and writing instructors – seemed dismayed by my answers.
“I hardly have time to write a novel much less a blog. Blogging doesn’t really promote sales. I don’t want to. I have nothing interesting to say. I’m boring.
They were so dismayed, in fact, some insisted I would never get an agent or a publishing deal without a platform. The encouraged me. They coaxed. They rolled their eyes. When I finally agreed to have an open mind about it, it was a half-hearted shove-off. “I’ll blog when a publisher makes me.”
Well, a few short months ago I landed my first publishing deal with St. Martin’s Press. And today I begin my Great Blogging Adventure. Does this mean my words were prophetic and a publisher is finally making me?
Actually…no. No one is making me. My agent said I didn’t really need to blog. My editor hasn’t ever mentioned it. I just decided…I’m ready to start talking.
About my upcoming novel, THE DUCHESS OF RICHMOND. About food. About makeup. About history. About makeup throughout history. About historical clothes. About historical fiction. About writing. About my writing life.
One day I just woke up and realized I have a lot to say after all. The jury is still out on whether I’m interesting or boring. Join me on my new adventure and you can be the judge!
