Maggi Anderson Discusses Writing Regency Historical Stories…

I must confess, I have not read a lot of Historical Romances. The few that I have read did not draw me into loving the genre.

So, I thought it would be good to ask Maggi a few questions…

What does it take to write a great Historical Romance?

What makes a great Historical story? 

What is the writing process like when you sit to write this genre?

Hi Kacey, thanks for inviting me to your blog.

What makes a great historical story? For me it’s when it can transport me into a different world. Romance is escapism, and historical romance is perfect because it doesn’t relate in any way to the modern world.  Great characters, great conflict, a mystery or an intrigue to be solved and I’m in heaven.  And there are some fabulous historical romance authors writing today, offering many different types of stories.

Women’s situations were far different than today. Women were not in control of their own lives. That immediately places constraints on what my heroine can do and it’s a challenge I enjoy.

The Reluctant Marquess is a marriage of convenience story, which doesn’t suit the hero any more than the heroine. Lord Robert is as flummoxed by it as Charity Barlow, a country-girl now facing the prospect of being a marchioness. He is determined that his life in London as a single male will go on as before.

Here’s a taste:

“I plan to continue to live as I have up to this point.” He must be quite sure of her, for he sounded more than confident. He held up his glass for the footman to refill, then waved him from the room. After the door closed, he said, “And once you have provided me with an heir, you can even take a lover if you wish. But be careful, for I don’t intend to house any bastards.” His brows snapped together in a dark scowl as if she planned to take a lover at any moment. As if he’d care if she chose to do so.

“I beg your pardon, my lord?” Charity spluttered.

He rubbed a finger over his forehead. “Forgive me. That was uncalled for, and I’m not sure where it came from.” He shook his head as though clearing bad thoughts. “I’ve never negotiated the terms of a marriage before.” He ran his hand through his hair, and she knew then he was as unsettled about the prospect of marriage as she was. It somehow made her feel a little better.

“This has been a shock for me,” he added, confirming her thoughts.

But Charity is equally determined not to be shut away on one of his country properties once she has given him an heir.

Excerpt:

A gabble rose from the ducks and swans crowding beneath the willow fronds on the river. When she joined him again, she said, “Where will home be?”

He tipped back his hat with a finger. “Do you know I haven’t given it much thought? I don’t wish to live here, do you?”

Delighted to be asked, she said, “I don’t mind where I live.”

But not alone. “I love it here, are the other choices as charming?”

He looked relieved. “You may choose between here and Hertfordshire if you wish. The house there is far more comfortable. I shall spend most of my time in London. You are welcome to enjoy the Season there as I’ve said.”

He had said it as an afterthought and he’d rather she didn’t.

Charity clenched her jaw, longing to give him a crushing set-down. “Perhaps I’ll live in Italy,” she said, tossing her head, and was pleased when he swivelled to stare at her.

“Italy?” he queried, drawing his mount alongside hers.

“If I’m to spend most of my time alone, I fancy Italy shall suit my needs splendidly. I believe it has a pleasant climate, and the people are warm. The men especially.” She urged her horse ahead of him and left him to mull over what she had said, relishing the surprised glance he had cast her.

When I sit down to write a historical romance I know the writing process will be more painstaking, because readers today are very knowledgeable and everything has to be carefully researched. I try to be as accurate as I can be,  and while I don’t adopt some of the more basic facts from the Georgian or Regency era – this is a romance after all – I do work hard to create a world the reader will enjoy immersing themselves in. I even try not to include a word that sounds too modern, which results in time spent finding the origin of a word and when it was first used. Then there’s the fun research:  The Ton, the Napoleonic wars, the dainty fashions, the manners and rules society imposed, the mansions, the beautiful interiors, the Georgian architecture. It was a beautiful period of history. And what about the men? Who can resist a man in breeches and boots and a crisp cravat? If you’ve seen the movies made of Jane Austen’s novels: Sense and Sensibility, Emma, Persuasion, Northanger Abbey and her most famous, Pride and Prejudice, plus Charlotte Bronte’s Jane Eyre, you’ll know what I mean!

THE RELUCTANT MARQUESS Blurb:

Charity Barlow wished to marry for love.

The rakish Lord Robert wishes only to tuck her away in the country once an heir is produced.

 

 Another Excerpt:

He would be gone for over a week. Charity missed him. Even though they’d reached a kind of frigid truce, she liked to see him at breakfast or over the dinner table. She tried to fill in the lonely days, taking lessons on the harp and riding with friends in the park.

She attended another literary soiree at the Duchess of Devonshire’s house where ladies of the ton read poetry. Mrs. Smedley read John Donne’s poem The Broken Heart in throbbing tones, her large bosom swelling with emotion. Donne’s concept of love failed to cheer Charity. She did not want to think of love as a ravenous pike, or liken her heart to the small fish it feeds on.

After the polite clapping died away, Lady Ellis leaned forward and tapped her on the arm. “I must say I wouldn’t mind if my husband fought for my honor, Lady St Malin.”

Started, Charity said, “I beg your pardon?”

Lady Ellis’ plucked brows rose. “Surely you heard that your husband fought Lord Southmore?”

“I hadn’t, where was this?”

The lady’s small brown eyes gleamed. “In the early hours of the morning on Hampstead Heath.”

Charity widened her eyes remembering Robert’s bruised and cut cheek.

“He would not tell you, of course. Lord Southmore was laid up for some time with a broken hand.”

Charity returned home deep in thought. Had Robert sought to defend her honor? Or was it his pride he defended? She shook her head. She remembered wishing Robert to plant him a facer. Well he had, but she wasn’t thrilled by it. Not knowing he’d seriously hurt someone because of her.

About Maggi:

Maggi Andersen is an Australian author. She lives in the beautiful Southern Highlands of New South Wales with her lawyer husband, their cat and the demanding wildlife. Maggi has two degrees, a BA in English and an MA in Creative Writing. Georgette Heyer, Victoria Holt and Mary Stewart were strong influences on her writing. She began her career when her children left the nest and writes in a variety of genres. Her historical romances are set in the Georgian, Regency and Victorian era.

AUTHOR WEBSITE: http://www.maggiandersenauthor.com

AUTHOR BLOG: http://www.maggiandersen.blogspot.com

TWITTER: @maggiandersen

FACEBOOK: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Maggi-Andersen-Author/372854959805

Maggi will be giving away a $10 Amazon GC to two randomly drawn commenters during the tour.

This is the last stop of Maggi’s tour, but there is still time to go back through and enter. 

Just click HERE for a list of where Maggi’s been during her tour.