I’m as old-fashioned as they come, so historical novels are a perfect fit for me—both reading and writing. As a reader, I love the nostalgia and all the life lessons one can learn from those who’ve gone before us. But as a writer, I enjoy delving into the past and researching the time period, more specifically the nineteenth century. When writing a historical/historical romance novel, research is a must to ensure the book is true to the time period.
My debut novel, Under This Same Sky, which released in late April, took place in 1854. I’ve been thrilled at some of the comments thus far by reviewers stating the novel “makes you feel exactly like you lived back in those days”. How gratifying such comments are to an author who’s spent countless hours trying to be certain every detail is true and accurate.
The well-known facts are easy to achieve. Under This Same Sky took place on the Illinois prairie in the mid-1800s. Most everyone knows settlers lived in log cabins, but do they know how the cabins were erected and what materials were used to chink the log walls? It’s widely known that covered wagons were often used when traveling across the prairie, but not many will know that a bucket of tallow was kept handy so that when the wheels began to squeak and squeal they had to be greased much like a car engine needs oil to run smoothly.
There were so many questions I had to ask as I wrote the novel: What type of clothing was worn in 1854? What farming equipment was available? Had screen doors been invented? How would my characters cross the Mississippi? What would the city of St. Louis have looked like back then? What type of lighting was used? It’s these fine details that make a novel either believable or, if left out, leave readers with a less than satisfied reaction.
Though research is a vital part of writing a historical novel, that’s not to say a writer can’t have a little fun creating fictional people and places along with the true ones. Under This Same Sky is a blend of fictional and real. My main character, Becky Hollister grows up a few miles outside of the fictional town of Miller Creek, IL, but later travels to the very real town of St. Louis, Missouri. Only one of my characters is based on a real person. The others are products of my imagination.
What’s wonderful about historical fiction is that we can have the best of both worlds—the reality of the past blended with the creativity of fiction. A match that—in this author’s opinion, can’t be beat!
What brings a historical novel to life for you? I’d love to hear your feedback!
Read more of Cynthia’s writing at http://puttingonthenew.com/author/cynthiaroemer/
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~ UNDER THIS SAME SKY ~
Under This Same Sky is available on Amazon in e-book and print versions.
*Reprinted from my post on Gail Kittleson’s blog: Dare to Bloom
Good first book Cynthia, the reviews are all good and the scripture from Jeremiah is the one i have been getting a lot.
Thanks so much, Ann. I so appreciate your encouragement and support. God bless!
It can be quite a challenge to bring history to life, as I’ve discovered while writing about the sixteenth century. I had put a rocking chair in there but they werent invented until the 18th century!
I know what you mean, Louisa! I had a squeaky screen door in 1854 and had to remove it from my manuscript after a bit research told me they weren’t around yet. Thanks for sharing!