Comments on: Historical Romance

By: denise walker

denise walker — Fri, 02 Mar 2007 06:02:47 +0000

the medici family was very religous and enjoyed art…art was very important specially in paintings.

By: tammy

tammy — Sun, 28 Jan 2007 18:21:14 +0000

Speaking of the Medicis – I just finished I, Mona Lisa – the fictional account of Mona Lisa amongst the rise and fall of the Medici Florence family branch – excellent blend of fact and fiction – just thought you might enjoy it as a reader

By: Rene

Rene — Wed, 24 Jan 2007 21:08:00 +0000

I think historical romance suffered from a gutting as it were. I know people make fun of the “bodice rippers” of the 80′s, but at least those books had passion and adventure. Drawing room dramas are so tiresome, I think a lot of readers got turned off.

I write historicals myself although I have pushed away from it. Writing a historical is a huge time and mental investment. I’m a research freak. To put that kind of time into a book no one wants to see is tough. When I write, I have to adjust my voice to make attain an “antique” feel. I also write dark urban fantasy which is easier and seems to be hitting its stride in the marketplace.

By: Toni Anderson

Toni Anderson — Wed, 24 Jan 2007 18:18:25 +0000

Thanks for your response Caren.

I’m writing RS right now. The thought of writing a book longer than 450 pages scares the willies out of me LOL.

I greatly admire historical romance writers and devoured Catherine Coulter when I first ‘discovered’ her ten years ago. And Julia Quinn more recently Great escapism.

By: CarenJohnson

CarenJohnson — Wed, 24 Jan 2007 03:07:34 +0000

Hi Toni:
Just a quick note in response to your question about length. You’re right; while Diana Gabaldon writes wonderful novels, they are daunting tomes. Personally, I think they could be tightened and cut by 100-200 words per book. I think she spends some time elaborating on things that don’t need to be. Mind you this doesn’t mean it would be a short book, but a book that’s 600 pages vs. 900 is significant.
I think your best bet for your historical novels is to aim for 80K to 100K words. This is always safer and if you find that you’re writing longer than that, perhaps you’re really writing two books.
Caren J.

By: Pamk

Pamk — Wed, 24 Jan 2007 03:02:31 +0000

I don’t read a lot of historicals because of some of the things that you mentioned. I do read Johanna Lindsay’s mallory series and Amanda Quicks but that that is about it.

By: Toni Anderson

Toni Anderson — Tue, 23 Jan 2007 23:17:49 +0000

Hi there, I love the Outlander series, but what would you say about the length of many of Diana Gabaldon’s novels? Surely most editors would be a little disconcerted seeing a 1000 page ms land on their desks?