This is a question for all you seasoned historical writers. (Or at least, more seasoned than I am).
I am currently in the midst of my first serious attempt at a historical novel and I took part of my first draft to a critique group where a "published" author (who doesn't write in the historic genre) ripped me to shreds for not having more historical details in the chapters I gave them. I tried to explain that this was the first draft and that I was simply trying to get the core of the story out before going back in subsequent drafts and adding in more details to flesh out the scenes and setting.
At this point, I'm just trying not to get bogged down in research on types of carriages or articles of clothing in 19th century France.
My question for you is, do you tend to do the same, or do you incorporate those details in from the get go. And if you do, do you find it makes easier or more difficult. I realize we all go about this differently, but I'm just curious.
Thanks.
The kinds of details I'm most likely to focus on involve historical context for the events happening in my story, and I tend to do this in excess in early drafts. I don't tend to do this quite as much with fashion or locations - just enough that readers can get a coherent picture.