The problems researching a historical novel

When I did my Master's degree in Victorian Literature and Culture, we were taught how to research properly and accurately.  However, for the most part this research took place in the library at Reading university.  Great!, .... but... really, everything is laid on for you, researching in the 'real world' is a vastly different experience.

One thing that has helped me tremendously is that I did undertook some original research at Bethlam Hospital in Kent.  Handling documents, some of which were over a century old, was an incredible experience.  Hospital staff carefully documented every patient's problems and idiosyncracies all by hand, even to the degree where they recorded conversations and quotations from the patients themselves.

The difference with researching the novel is that the reseach material is based in Edinburgh!  Not the easiest of places to get to if you need something in a hurry, given that I am based in Hampshire!  However, it's amazing how the curators of the museum, and the library staff are so willing to give information and chat about 'their' subject.  It also fascinates me how one thread can so easily lead to another, and how one finds oneself travelling to remote little areas in order to visit a church or piece of ground which once housed the great and the (perhaps) good of Scotland's erstwhle leaders.  It's also so important to get a feel for the landscape and how it may have looked some four hundred years ago.

My last visit to Edinburgh was fantastic, and having researched this novel now for some four years, I really knew what I wanted to get from it.  I made the most of every last detail, from the way the roads lay leading away from Holyrood, to the details of Mary, Queen of Scots dark and dingy bed chamber.  Researching properly takes time and energy, and great thought.  It also takes a bit of guts to be cheeky and ask people questions, it's surprising just how accommodating they are, and how grateful I am to them for their input.  It's been an incredible, if frustrating, journey so far, but hopefully now I can put the research together to create a truly readable, interesting and informative novel.

I'll keep you posted!

Pauline

managed some writing last week, about 1000 words ish

the writing is slow, but sure.  I have added on about another 1000 words roughly, but this needs to be done on a daily basis rather than 'as and when'.   It's frustrating but I will get there.  I'm to the point now where the story is taking good shape, and the characters are beginning to develop lives of their own. the plot is laid down and I even have an ending, odd I know but that's how it works.  Who wants another extract?

I have another idea, Hamlet's father!  modern day Hamlet gets his stepdad/uncle to take a DNA test with extraordinary results! 

Don't ask me how it's going!

Well due to other projects on the go, the writing, as usual, has had to take something of a back seat.  I have the ideas there, and so on, but it's time on other things that is the biggest problem.  This is exacerbated by the fact that my laptop takes about five days to boot up.  As a result I cannot, as planned, sit downstairs of an evening and write. 

yes yes, I know I could boot it up earlier, but the other problem is that, for some reason, I can download the book from my memory stick, but it then won't upload it when I've finished.  This mean that I then have to email the book to myself, which then causes a host of other problems.  What ever was wrong with pen and paper I wonder. 

Still I do keep pen and paper by the bed still, and when the ideas are flowing, I write it down there and then.  I will finish it, I will, ... I'm determined to, and nothing will stop me.

Here's hoping

Yup! here's hoping that I can actually sit down to write this week.  The jewellery is certainly taking over, and having spoken to Trevor Cruickshank yesterday, I have now embroiled myself in  making cake toppers using beaded flowers, something about which he is very excited.  he has even offered me space in his shop which is great, but it does mean that the writing for the moment, takes the back seat!  mmmmm

The Courtroom - Barbara Napier

Barbara stood in the dock, her head bowed, half-covered by her long dark hair.  Her gown was dishevelled and grubby, her hair partly matted from dampness of the cell in which she'd been held capture.  Around her in the dark aok-panelled courtroom the crowd shouted and bayed, caterwauling; calling for blood.  No amount of calling for order from Chancellor Maitland quieted them.  It was only when the king himself stood up and surveyed the rowdy people that they began to take notice.

'Chancellor Maitland will now deliver his verdict upon our prisoner here.  Chancellor do you find Mistress Napier guilty of attending the witch's convention at Haddington Woods this winter gone?'  Chancellor Maitland stood up and bowed slightly to James.

'Your Majesty, My Lords, ladies and gentlemen.  We the Privy Council find Mistress Barbara Napier guilty of consulting witches and belonging to the Haddington Convention.  She is to be taken from to be strangled, thenceforth to burn until she be dead.  Long live the King' 

Barbara, howled in the dock, she moved forward shouting at the king.  'No my Lord, Your Majesty, I did not consult with witches.  I am a loyal subject Your Majesty.' 

The King held his hand up for silence before saying 'Take Mistress Napier to the cells whereby she will await her fate.'  with that he stood up, bowed to the courtroom and silently made his way to the door.

oh dear, no writing again today

Was awake last night in the wee small hours, composing my next chapter, but sadly couldn't reach the pad and pen without waking Mr Goat.  As a result, all I'd thought of has gone!  no worries though, I will rethink it through and place the pad in a more reachable place.

I think it's coming on nicely though

Creativity returns

Hoorah!  the creative mind is back up and running again after a Christmas break.  Well I suppose my mind is equally entitled to take a break, as well as the body after all. 

Yesterday saw approximately 1000 words added to the current 'new' version of the novel.  The story has pushed onto the courtroom whereupon Barbara is accused of treason and is thrown into a dungeon.  However, she has a trick up her sleeve of which she has not yet taken advantage. 

Euphame is similarly captured awaiting her fate.  Mistress Duncan, still reeling from being tortured realises the enormity of her accusations.  Where will it all end?

not creating much at the moment

The intention to finalise the book by Christmas has gone a little out of the window unfortunately.  The festivities coupled with trying to run a business, and looking after other people's dogs has rather taken over, so the book has inadvertantly suffered.  Not good, and this is to be addressed as soon as possible.

Watch this space for extracts from the book and of course, much valued feedback.