Carla Olson Gade, at Writing to Distraction, unlocks the mystery of the missing days of September. Writing historicals is tricky. The details must be right. If your WIP is set during Colonial times, this is a must read.
Writers: If you've made interesting discoveries during research for your book or article, please share.
Readers: Have you ever picked up on a historical boo-boo while reading a book?
Writers: What secret ingredient makes readers reluctant to put down your book until the last page?
Readers: What's the "wow factor" for you when reading a book?
Have a blessed Resurrection Sunday weekend!
14 comments:
Thank you for the mention, Susan. It's exciting to find interesting historical tidbits while researching and reading. What makes a page turner - adventure. I think sometimes we are afraid to overload our novels with it, but when I'm reading the more adventure the faster I read the book - can't put it down. As a writer I try to keep that in mind.
Have a blessed Resurrection Sunday, dear Susan, and thanks for all you do here at Christian Reader/Writer Connection - you are a blessing indeed!
Thank you for another great Friday round-up Susan. I always appreciate your research and links.
Excuse me for replying to your comment on my post here (I do not have your email), but you asked for availabe books, please check out this link (The books with the flower covers are mine):\
http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=marja+meijers&x=0&y=0
Have a blessed and happy easter weekend, we can rejoice indeed, for He is alive and well!!
Will have to hop over to Carla's and Laurel's. Thanks for the info!
Have a great weekend,
Karen
Thanks for the inspiration. blessings,
Linda
Hi Carla -
Those special details draw a reader into the story world. I appreciate all the hard work that goes into historicals.
Blessings,
Susan :)
Hi Marja -
Thanks, I'll try to get over there soon. :)
Blessings,
Susan
Hi Karen -
They were both excellent posts. I noticed the links did not come up on this post. Very strange since I put them in and tested them.
I'll have to check into this problem. Meanwhile, both of these blogs are on my blogroll: Laurel's Leaves and Writing to Distraction. I apologize for any inconvenience.
Blessings,
Susan
Hi Linda -
You're welcome. Have a happy Resurrection Day!
Blessings,
Susan :)
I checked out the blogs you mentioned. They were interesting. I'm not sure whether I found the ones you were talking about or not. I can tell these are two well done posts.
Hi Nancy -
I've been out all day and wasn't able to fix the post. I'll see what I can do in the morning.
Blessings,
Susan :)
Can't wait to bob over to these sites. My husband is the one who picks up the booboos in books or movies. I get too caught up in the story.
My WIP is set in the late 1800s. Michigan has seen several forest fires over the years. I learned that the Red Cross got its first run here after the fires of 1881. So, of course, I have to weave that in. :)
Hi Sandra -
I fixed the one link, but was unable to capture the one for Laurel's Leaves. My apologies.
Blessings,
Susan
For me, it's often the little historical distinctions that bring reality to a story. In my reading I did discover a couple boo-boos: (1.) in 'The Testament', when John Grisham referred a character being born in an igloo in Newfoundland and her parents having worked among the Inuit. As a Canadian I know there are no igloos or Inuit living in Newfoundland. (2.) in one of Jane Kirkpatrick's stories, when the characters sang a hymn around the campfire, but it was a hymn that hadn't been written at the time the story took place.
As a writer I know how easy it is to miss a technicality and I don't criticize these authors' oversights, but they reinforce the importance of thorough research.
Hi Carol -
Writing a historical brings many challenges. A small glitch can ruin a story for the reader familiar with the time period.
Thanks for stopping by and commenting.
Blessings,
Susan :)
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