Writing Historical Fiction
An Exercise in Regency Era Characterization
In order to expand the genres of fiction in which I am able to write, I responded to a prompt which led me down a slightly different path, presenting a challenge. While requiring some research, the process was entertaining and informative and the result, rewarding.
I have always been particularly drawn to Britain’s pre-Victorian era, more commonly known as the Georgian era, which lasted from 1795 to 1837 and included the reigns of George III and his sons, George IV and William IV. Better known as “The Regency” within the micro-niche of historical fiction, it was an era characterized not only by vibrant literary, architectural and technological advances, but was also the last fast-living era of debauchery before Queen Victoria brought the iron fist of sexual and moral chastity down on everyone’s fun… and women’s upper body — I cannot imagine the pain induced by corsets, and recoil at how truly cumbersome and impractical women’s fashion was.
Here is the prompt:
“Choose a historical period which fascinates you. Do as much research as you like, taking notes on subjects such as fashion, etiquette, social customs and hierarchies, and architecture, for example. Use your findings to construct a short scene which relies heavily on characterization and setting…
