Book Saturday–Write What You Know
Every writer has been told at some point to "write what you know." The theory behind this advice is that your writing will have more "heart" and authenticity if it's about something you're familiar with. I took those words to heart when I began plotting my four book Regency-era historical Mayhem in Mayfair series, the first book of which is entitled Sleepless at Midnight (followed by Confessions at Midnight, Seduced at Midnight, and Tempted at Midnight). The series is about four close friends, two of whom are sisters, who form a book club. Bet you'll never guess where I got that idea, LOL! Yes, it just so happens that I'm in a book club–with four friends. And our love of books has strengthened our friendship over the years.
My four Regency-era characters call themselves the Ladies Literary Society of London because they wish for people to believe they are reading and discussing classical works. As if! No, those naughty gals are reading very inappropriate books, and discussing very naughty topics, all of which set them off on Big Adventures. In Sleepless at Midnight, the ladies read Frankenstein, which at the time was a most scandalous tome. Not only was it a horror story, it was written by a woman (egad!)–a woman who carried on an affair with Percy Shelley, who was married, and became pregnant by him (which makes Percy sound like a 19th century version of a Certain Governator of California). Talk about scandalous! The reading of Frankenstein sets in motion a series of events that propels one of the Literary Ladies on her Big Romantic Adventure.
Now, there's nothing naughty or scandalous going on during my modern-day book club meetings–we simply meet once a month for about two hours during which time we catch up with each other, drink wine, eat cellulite-producing desserts, laugh, commiserate, and oh, yeah, discuss our latest book selection. Because of my own book club experiences, I well understood the camaraderie and bonding The Ladies Literary Society of London shared, and that understanding was essential in writing the series. Because, as they say, write what you know J.
If you'd like to know more about the Mayhem in Mayfair series, the first chapters and excerpts from all four books are available on my website at www.JacquieD.com
Are you in a book club? If so, what books have you read recently and what's coming up next? If you're not in a book club, then just share what you're reading now and what you're planning to read next. Happy reading and a wonderful weekend to all!
