How does a writer capture the feel of the period and make the romance very representative of that time period?

[Danielle The Book Huntress]

What do you think?

[HJ]

If a writer spends time reading documents from the precise period - newspapers, letters, diaries, books - she will become immersed in the language of the period so that she will write in it, too (not only the words used but the rhythm too). I say "precise period" because we know from our own experience how quickly things change - certain phrases and words become popular and then are suddenly old-fashioned, and the same thing happened in the early 20th century.

So, for me language is key in capturing the feel of a period. But reading contemporary documents can also teach what was preoccupying people then - specific gossip and scandals, as well as political events; fashion, the times at which they were eating and what they were eating, the films/plays they wanted to see, and the books they were reading. And they can show *how* those things are mentioned - often in passing and by allusion, rather than in the detail some writers are tempted to use.

[Danielle The Book Huntress]

Those are good suggestions, HJ. One day, I will write my 1940s era romance novel..

[[deleted user]]

I agree with HJ--I know that reading memoirs, letters, and biographies of actual Edwardians has deepened my knowledge of who people might act or speak or think.

It isn't enough to know dates and etiquette and titles--you have to get into the characters' minds.

[HJ]

Evangeline wrote: "I agree with HJ--I know that reading memoirs, letters, and biographies of actual Edwardians has deepened my knowledge of who people might act or speak or think.

It isn't enough to know dates and e..."

Thank you, Evangeline.

[Danielle The Book Huntress]

I have found that reading books written during that period also gives you a feel for the period.

I recently read The Thin Man and it was enlightening about the 30s in a way that the movies from then couldn't get away with.

[HJ]

Lady Danielle aka The Book Huntress wrote: "I have found that reading books written during that period also gives you a feel for the period.

I recently read The Thin Man and it was enlightening about the 30s in a way that the movies from th..."

I agree with you. In the same way as contemporary novels written now assume knowledge of the way the world works today, so do they - and so sometimes there's an element of detective work to understand a phrase or activity, but the "feel" for the period is wonderful.