What are you up to?

[pdr]

do you have a year to listen c.e.?

Life frantic as ever. Organising a co-op group for epublishing right now. A great adventure!

[Raula]

Hey, I'm Laura. I haven't been active on the forums at all in the past three months since I've been completing my teacher training. I now have a job for September as a real life History teacher so can focus on my novel once again.

My novel is set in the seventeenth century, at the brink of the English Civil War. It's essentially a 'love triangle' plot with more substance and lots of political intrigue. I have been re-reading it recently and quite like it :-)

[Puma]

Hi Raula - Glad to see you pop in. Liking what we write is essential - and a wonderful feeling. Puma

[Cristin_B]

Hi Everyone,

I've been absent for a while too, mostly because of an international move (I'm not in Nigeria anymore, but haven't gotten to changing my avatar).

This has been an interesting thread. It's cool to see what a diverse group there is on this forum.

I recently finished my novel set in 3rd century Armenia, Persia, and Rome. Now I'm researching for my next, a middle grade historical fantasy about a Persian boy who discovers he may be something more than mortal. The magi are trying to kill him and he discovers the chief of the magi is plotting to assassinate the emperor and assume the throne. Kind of Percy Jackson set 2,500 years ago.

[Flicka]

Checking in to see how everyone is doing as 2012 draws to a close and we're getting ready for the holidays.

My writing just tanked because this year has been beyond horrid, personally. I'm starting out 2013 with a clean slate and a new idea.

It's a sort of adventure on the fringes of the Great Game, set in India in 1889. I have a basic idea and some characters, but I'm a long way from beginning to actually write it because I need to plot it (I'm a snowflaker) and I have eons of research to do (including, possibly, a trip to India). That's why I started a new blog - http://belleepoqueexplorer.blogspot.com - to help me stay motivated with research and sort of commit.

I always like to define my project as X meets Y, and this could be Dorothy Dunnett meets Flashman, or Amelia Peabody meets Kipling or... I'm sure I'm going to come up with a zillion similes in the near future!

[mayqueen]

Flicka, that sounds really cool. I hope your research and plotting both go well!

I'm wrapping up querying my 11th England thriller. I got some good requests and some passes. I'm waiting to hear back on an R&R. Otherwise, unless I magically discover some pock of agents I haven't queried, that's it for this project.

I just finished the first draft of my WIP set in 10th century Ireland. So I'm hoping to whip that into querying shape in the next few months. And start something new.

The good thing to come out of 2012 is that I understand the querying game now and I'm not afraid of it anymore. : )

[Tom from UK]

Originally Posted by mayqueen

The good thing to come out of 2012 is that I understand the querying game now and I'm not afraid of it anymore. : )

Oh good.

Can you explain it to me?

[DianeL]

I completed the revision on "The Ax and the Vase" and am back to querying myself. Today, received the confirmation of my submission for the Best Unpublished Novel contest I entered recently. Have finally turned creative focus to the WIP, which doesn't have a real title at this point.

This year, and this period of the year, is a commemorative time for many things in my life, and this seems to be breeding some hope for the new year. Christmas is looking easygoing, New Year's like fun, and the next week or two at work aren't too daunting.

Many people I love and respect are dealing with family emergencies and concerns, and my prayers are with them. It is hard not to see how blessed I am. Enormously grateful.

[angeliz2k]

Well, I'm currently very close to finishing (the first draft of) my current WIP. I didn't really have a goal in mind of when to finish it--I've been too unsteady with my writing habits to do that. But now that I'm close, I'm hoping to bang out the final two chapters before the end of the year. I should be able to do that easily. I have a lot of baking and present-wrapping to do this weekend, and I only get Christmas Day off . . . but it's only two chapters!

I've been querying Grove of Venus but am kind of losing hope. I've sent it to at least 70 agents, most of whom never responded. I got four full requests but no takers. I'll wait a bit before sending out a new batch. I desperately don't want to give up on it because I love it and it has what I think is a very marketable story/pitch (I mean, prostitutes, diamonds, Marie Antoinette!).

Once my current WIP is done, I might take some time off from writing (a month or two), then either editor hard core or start a new project. Probably edit hard core. This current project has been lingering for far too long. I want to get it done.

[Flicka]

Wow, sounds like 2012 has been a really productive year for everyone (except me ). Let's hope that 2013 turns out to be even better and the year when some of us close the deal (not me, then, for obvious reasons).

BTW, I love the diversity of this community. 11th century thrillers and Marie-Antoinette & diamonds... It's a history geek's dream!

[BlankWhitePage]

Two WIPs currently, one set in 1870s New Orleans, more of a supernatural thriller and then another dealing with the Titanic disaster. I'm having a lot of fun researching but it's hard to research a lot with work. So I do what I can.

[merlot143]

I'm writing a query letter now. Is it "historical fiction novel" or "work of historical fiction"? What's the correct wording? Thanks.

[angeliz2k]

Originally Posted by merlot143

I'm writing a query letter now. Is it "historical fiction novel" or "work of historical fiction"? What's the correct wording? Thanks.

You probably don't have to spell it out--your query should make it clear from the beginning that the story is not in a contemporary setting. You can always go over to Query Letter Hell when you're ready and see if your query works.

[ishtar'sgate]

Originally Posted by merlot143

I'm writing a query letter now. Is it "historical fiction novel" or "work of historical fiction"? What's the correct wording? Thanks.

I'd use 'historical novel' or even "my historical, 'Title' "and perhaps the time period in which it's set.

[Kyra Wright]

I just started researching a somewhat obscure 17th century English noblewoman turned criminal who I think would make for a decent work of historical fiction. I used to study crime in early modern England, so this dovetails nicely with my previous studies. I've never written historical fiction (just lots of academic history essays), and I have the feeling I'm going to get in over my head quickly.

[MmeGuillotine]

I'm half way through my novel about Henrietta Anne Stuart, Charles II's sister and Louis XIV's sister in law (and briefly girlfriend). It's taking me ages to write!

I've started plotting out a novel about the Ripper murders, which I've promised everyone I will write next. There are a couple of plot points that need ironing out and then I'm ready to go.

I've started work on another book, non fiction this time, about Marie Antoinette which is based on my blog articles and am hoping to release it on Bastille Day. My first novel about her has done amazingly well so I'm hoping this'll be a success too.

I've abandoned work on my 19th century murder mystery as I just cannot plot a whodunnit. It's not my thing at all, but at least I gave it a shot! Likewise with the book that I was commissioned to write about 1950s housewives - I really struggled with it.

I'm really hoping to have at least two book releases in 2013. *fingers crossed*

[angeliz2k]

I just finished the first draft of my current WIP, set in the Antebellum South. It clocked in at about 107k words, and needs some pruning, rearranging, and tidying up. But I told myself that I would finish it before the New Year, and I basically did. I finished the climax on New Year's Eve, and tied up the loose ends in one final chapter on New Year's Day.

Couldn't be happier.

Next, obviously, is tons of editing. After that, I think I'll either work on something completely different (contemporary, a hint of fantasy, and some historical elements thrown in) or use the same time period (Antebellum America). I need to work on something that won't beat me over the head, drag me behind a horse, dangle me over a river, drop me in, fish me out, give me a whack on the ass and send me on my way. Though I'm not entirely sure it's possible for me to write a story that doesn't require that.

[mayqueen]

Originally Posted by MmeGuillotine

I've started plotting out a novel about the Ripper murders, which I've promised everyone I will write next. There are a couple of plot points that need ironing out and then I'm ready to go.

I'm really hoping to have at least two book releases in 2013. *fingers crossed*

That sounds really neat! Good luck with your other projects. You have a lot of really interesting things going on.

Originally Posted by angeliz2k

I just finished the first draft of my current WIP, set in the Antebellum South. It clocked in at about 107k words, and needs some pruning, rearranging, and tidying up. But I told myself that I would finish it before the New Year, and I basically did. I finished the climax on New Year's Eve, and tied up the loose ends in one final chapter on New Year's Day.

Congratulations!!!

[FCameron]

Is there an introduction thread specific for HF?

I'm new to the HF side of forums. I have a women's fiction/thriller full out with one agent right now.

I'm in the research gathering mode right now for an historical fiction based on my musician husband's great-great-grandfather who, at age twelve (1789) was performing in New York. George and Martha Washington approached and invited him to live at Mount Vernon...and, he eventually lived there. So much more to the story and we have his daughter's diary.

While I have the family story and musical instrument background, I'm researching day-to-day setting information, clothes, manners, etc. The family was articulate and educated, but the boy lost his parents right when French Revolution exploded and fled to American with his sister and her husband (both noted musicians)....so, you'll see me posting questions looking for resources. He also fought in War of 1812, so I've got a bit of military research ahead of me as he was at the battle at Baltimore when Francis Scott Key wrote Star-Spangled Banner.

[Tom from UK]

Quote:
Originally Posted by mayqueen
The good thing to come out of 2012 is that I understand the querying game now and I'm not afraid of it anymore. : )

Originally Posted by Tom from UK

Oh good.

Can you explain it to me?

This wasn't a sarcastic comment. I'm struggling. There's a synopsis for His Majesty's Confidential Agent I just put up in Query Hell. Comments welcomed. And any advice on who might take this on.

[angeliz2k]

Originally Posted by Tom from UK

Quote:
Originally Posted by mayqueen
The good thing to come out of 2012 is that I understand the querying game now and I'm not afraid of it anymore. : )


This wasn't a sarcastic comment. I'm struggling. There's a synopsis for His Majesty's Confidential Agent I just put up in Query Hell. Comments welcomed. And any advice on who might take this on.

Have no fear; your QLH friends will let you know if/where you're going wrong. I might mosey on over to add my two cents--work's a bit slow today, which is a nice change.

[Flicka]

The bad news is that the idea I have been working on has morphed into something completely different. The good news is I actually think I'm on to something really good – if I can pull it off, which I'm not sure I can.

But I really feel bad for morphing my idea. I've gotten so hung up on my fear of "not finishing" that I'm actually afraid of switching things that will obviously make it a stronger story before I've even started writing because I feel like I'm not sticking with it. Please tell me it's OK and not "quitting", even if the story turns out to be another than I originally intended.

I've sort of gone from light and fluffy to much darker and much more realistic. it's also, quite frankly, much less derivative and original. So many ideas just came together and I just *knew* it was right. I'm still queasy about changing stuff though.

Either way, I have moved from 1889 to ca 30 years earlier and put me firmly back in the "historical mystery" camp where I once began. And I'm still in India at least.

GAH!

[Tom from UK]

Originally Posted by Flicka

Either way, I have moved from 1889 to ca 30 years earlier and put me firmly back in the "historical mystery" camp where I once began. And I'm still in India at least.

During the Mutiny?

[Flicka]

Originally Posted by Tom from UK

During the Mutiny?

Not too long afterwards. Haven't settled on the exact date yet, though.