Kylie
asked
Eloisa James:
What is your advice for writers who need to do research? Where do you start? Where are the best places to find the information that you need?
Eloisa James
The big answer is the Internet: it’s a treasure trove for historical writers, with all sorts of websites outlining clothing styles, modes of address, and cultural rules at the time. I spend a lot of time wandering around the web (a time sinkhole, if there ever was one). Here’s more specific advice: get the big picture from a website, or Wikipedia. Then go to Google books and try to find a book from your time period, or at least within 25-50 years, that deals with the subject. In other words, if you’re curious about how a Regency lady might act at a ball, look up a book of advice from 1810. If you don’t love the Internet, a public library can work just as well. You could delve into a 600 page book about the life of Napoleon, but I suggest you go to the children’s history section. If you don’t need an in-depth knowledge of Napoleon, but just a broad strokes understanding of where he was fighting battles in which years, an intelligent children’s history book will do the trick. Good luck!
More Answered Questions
Chelsea
asked
Eloisa James:
I've always wondered whether, as an author developing characters, you have ever thought, "Wow, I love this quality in her/him. I wouldn't mind being more like this character myself." Or are there some moments where you might enjoy a quality you already have and think, "This character needs to be independent, adventuresome, etc. like me!" ???
Julia Sibeal
asked
Eloisa James:
Hi Eloisa, this might just be in my head but I always thought there would eventually be a Horatio book in the Lindow series, it just felt like with no body and the regular references to him knowing the bog that eventually he would reappear after a period of needing to be free from the Lindow name especially since no one else wants the title. Was that ever a possibilty in your mind?
Alissa
asked
Eloisa James:
I absolutely love your Desperate Duchesses series and I've read them all multiple times! I don't always enjoy romance but your series is so funny and has such great stories in addition to the romances. Will you ever write more books in that series that focuses on the same group of characters? I would so love to read more about them!
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