Please note my disclaimor: This is whimsy, only.
Because of course, we "who are about to write in the romance genre," never do battle with each other, heh heh. Really, we don't; not personally anyway. We do, however, do battle against other general fiction genres, but that story is perhaps for another day.
I reference the Battle of the Network Romance Genres because there's ever a ranking (at least in my mind) of which genre in the romance world is on top and which at rock-bottom. Ouch! You've probably guessed where I'm going here: I write historical romance which classically is at the bottom, buried beneath mystery, sci-fi, chick-lit, YA, contemporary, erotica, et al. Well, we "who write historical romance" are in full-battle-armor now so watch out ... romance world!
I happen to write historical romance set in America, which tends to fare worse than historicals set elsewhere; Regency Romances being a good example. I happen to write what I write because it's my interest, my passion, my focus ... for now, that is. I've no idea if I'll ever venture into the present, God forbid! I believe very strongly in A Sense of Place in writing, ie, I write historicals set in America because I can visualize my characters functioning in a speceific time, a specific setting.
Let's face it ... no matter the genre, in romance or otherwise, it's all about writing a darn good book. It's my belief that, at the end of the day, that's how to Win the Day!
Love you, mean it,
Jo(Gregg) Sundell
www.joannesundell.com
www.myspace.com/joannesundell
A...MY NAME'S AMELIA, LP 8/08
THE PARLOR HOUSE DAUGHTER, 12/08
MEGGIE'S REMAINS, 7/09
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
HEART 2 HEART ~ "The Jane Austen Action Figure!"
Move over Ironman, Terminator, Batman, & Rambo, et al ... JANE'S BACK!
Hi all,
One of my children gave me my very own Jane Austen action figure for Mother's Day. I'm still fanning myself over such a wonderful surprise. Jane comes complete with a quill in one hand and writing journal in the other. A desk with inkwell and more paper comes, detached. When she wants to write, Jane can move her arms and set quill to paper. She can take a few steps when a break is needed from her writing labors.
Don't laugh but ... years ago when I visited Westminster Abbey in London, and passed by the sepulcres of Jane and her sisters, I touched the Abbey brochure to Jane's grave and keep it framed on my desk. Of course, I've set my Jane Austen action figure beside the immortal Westminster Abbey brochure! Lest ye think I don't sit in awe of the Bronte` sisters ... I do. I'm honoring Charlotte by having another Jane---this one Jane Eyre---figure prominantly in my 7/09 release, MEGGIE'S REMAINS~A Romance to Die For.
Besides the Jane Austen action figure, I also received a Jane Austen doll (which I'm having trouble keeping from one of my cats). I'm thinking I just might drag the doll (as Darwin tries to do) to all future book signings. Don't think I could ask for a better companion on such outings!
To the Janes!!! Forever in our hearts,
Jo(anne) Gregg Sundell
www.joannesundell.com
A...MY NAME'S AMELIA, LP 8/08
THE PARLOR HOUSE DAUGHTER, 12/08
MEGGIE'S REMAIN, 7/09
Hi all,
One of my children gave me my very own Jane Austen action figure for Mother's Day. I'm still fanning myself over such a wonderful surprise. Jane comes complete with a quill in one hand and writing journal in the other. A desk with inkwell and more paper comes, detached. When she wants to write, Jane can move her arms and set quill to paper. She can take a few steps when a break is needed from her writing labors.
Don't laugh but ... years ago when I visited Westminster Abbey in London, and passed by the sepulcres of Jane and her sisters, I touched the Abbey brochure to Jane's grave and keep it framed on my desk. Of course, I've set my Jane Austen action figure beside the immortal Westminster Abbey brochure! Lest ye think I don't sit in awe of the Bronte` sisters ... I do. I'm honoring Charlotte by having another Jane---this one Jane Eyre---figure prominantly in my 7/09 release, MEGGIE'S REMAINS~A Romance to Die For.
Besides the Jane Austen action figure, I also received a Jane Austen doll (which I'm having trouble keeping from one of my cats). I'm thinking I just might drag the doll (as Darwin tries to do) to all future book signings. Don't think I could ask for a better companion on such outings!
To the Janes!!! Forever in our hearts,
Jo(anne) Gregg Sundell
www.joannesundell.com
A...MY NAME'S AMELIA, LP 8/08
THE PARLOR HOUSE DAUGHTER, 12/08
MEGGIE'S REMAIN, 7/09
Wednesday, May 7, 2008
HEART 2 HEART ~ "Comfortable in your writing shoes?"
Hi guys,
We've all heard the expression, "be comfortable in your shoes," more than once I'm certain. If applied to writing, I think this expression is an apt fit.
Let's face it. We're all on different rungs of that Great Writing Ladder to the New York Times Bestseller list, whether or not we admit it. This is only one of the many realities out there waiting for us when we first put finger to key ... to pen the Great American Novel. So what happens in between to encourage us or discourage us from the writing of said novel?
The harsh reality of the writing industry, that's what! The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly, I call it. First the Good. We're creating, we're writing, we're following our passion, we're plotting and planning and finding our niche`, we're entering contests and finding our way to critique groups, attending conferences, participating in workshops, and networking with other writers, some of whom are already on "the list." Then, wonder of wonders, we're getting published. Still all good so far, right guys?
Then comes the Bad. We're discovering we're not really the only writer in the room, of course. This is a necessary lesson to learn. We are only one among all the horrible hoardes getting published, getting reviewed, setting up appearances in bookstores and libraries, milking each release for all it's worth, trying to market and get our brand out there. I label this bad since learning to market ourselves is anything but easy. We must morph from that cute little puppy into a pit bull. For some this might be fun. For others ... can we go back to the shelter now, please?
Last, the Ugly. Reviews can be ugly. One man or woman's disagreeable opinion can send you into the corner for weeks, where you're free to put yourself down, call yourself names, and forswear never to write again. While ugly, hopefully this is a short period in our faltering writing careers. The other shoe has to fall when the reviews are not good, and the numbers are not there in sales. Ugly, indeed. Another painful realization can settle into your bones now, rearing it's ugly head: writing can be competitive. Ugh! The "C" word! so, what's the answer? Where's the cure for such a cursed malady?
Like clicking our little red shoes together, we've had the power all along to get out of the Uglies and rid ourselves of creeping competitive feelings. Once we learn to find our writing spot and are comfortable in our writing shoes, then ... we write books that get good reviews and many more readers, bless them! We've learned the dirty little secret in writing (at least in this writer's mind) that we, each one of us, have something unique to offer. No matter what our genre, no matter how many others are writing in the same genre ... no one else can create our heroes and heroines and write our stories. Sometimes we're good, sometimes bad, and sometimes ugly, but we're all the time unique. Once we learn our best fit for the market, we can take our unique little booties to market, and sell, sell, sell. We've found our market at last, large print press or small, and can say with pride that we're comfortable in our writing shoes.
We're not trying to put on anyone's shoes now but our own.
Until next time,
Jo(anne) Gregg Sundell
www.joannesundell.com
www.myspace.com/joannesundell
A...My Name's Amelia, LP 8/08
The Parlor House Daughter, 12/08
Meggie's Remains, 7/09
We've all heard the expression, "be comfortable in your shoes," more than once I'm certain. If applied to writing, I think this expression is an apt fit.
Let's face it. We're all on different rungs of that Great Writing Ladder to the New York Times Bestseller list, whether or not we admit it. This is only one of the many realities out there waiting for us when we first put finger to key ... to pen the Great American Novel. So what happens in between to encourage us or discourage us from the writing of said novel?
The harsh reality of the writing industry, that's what! The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly, I call it. First the Good. We're creating, we're writing, we're following our passion, we're plotting and planning and finding our niche`, we're entering contests and finding our way to critique groups, attending conferences, participating in workshops, and networking with other writers, some of whom are already on "the list." Then, wonder of wonders, we're getting published. Still all good so far, right guys?
Then comes the Bad. We're discovering we're not really the only writer in the room, of course. This is a necessary lesson to learn. We are only one among all the horrible hoardes getting published, getting reviewed, setting up appearances in bookstores and libraries, milking each release for all it's worth, trying to market and get our brand out there. I label this bad since learning to market ourselves is anything but easy. We must morph from that cute little puppy into a pit bull. For some this might be fun. For others ... can we go back to the shelter now, please?
Last, the Ugly. Reviews can be ugly. One man or woman's disagreeable opinion can send you into the corner for weeks, where you're free to put yourself down, call yourself names, and forswear never to write again. While ugly, hopefully this is a short period in our faltering writing careers. The other shoe has to fall when the reviews are not good, and the numbers are not there in sales. Ugly, indeed. Another painful realization can settle into your bones now, rearing it's ugly head: writing can be competitive. Ugh! The "C" word! so, what's the answer? Where's the cure for such a cursed malady?
Like clicking our little red shoes together, we've had the power all along to get out of the Uglies and rid ourselves of creeping competitive feelings. Once we learn to find our writing spot and are comfortable in our writing shoes, then ... we write books that get good reviews and many more readers, bless them! We've learned the dirty little secret in writing (at least in this writer's mind) that we, each one of us, have something unique to offer. No matter what our genre, no matter how many others are writing in the same genre ... no one else can create our heroes and heroines and write our stories. Sometimes we're good, sometimes bad, and sometimes ugly, but we're all the time unique. Once we learn our best fit for the market, we can take our unique little booties to market, and sell, sell, sell. We've found our market at last, large print press or small, and can say with pride that we're comfortable in our writing shoes.
We're not trying to put on anyone's shoes now but our own.
Until next time,
Jo(anne) Gregg Sundell
www.joannesundell.com
www.myspace.com/joannesundell
A...My Name's Amelia, LP 8/08
The Parlor House Daughter, 12/08
Meggie's Remains, 7/09
Thursday, April 24, 2008
HEART 2 HEART ~ "Heck with the G Spot ... I need the P Spot!"
Hi guys,
P is for Plotting and I'm looking for the P Spot now with my work in progress, THE QUAKER AND THE CONFEDERATE. Now that I've begun to organize my research, I've got to map out my plotting. This time I might have a two-book series, which I've never tackled before. Each title must be stand alone, yet be connected. All of this will be a bit tricky for moi`. I'm still a newbie in historical romance writing and darn it ... "I'm trying to get it right."
Unlike other stories I've plotted, this one has more conflicts, particularly external. I mean, it's the Civil War! Ah, but which directions to take amid all the conflicts during the war between the states. Each one might be a sticky wicket indeed, as today some of the same "conflicts" are still raw.
My best tact has to be to follow the love story. Geez, that's why I started this story set in Civil War, Virginia in the first place. In developing the storyline and love story for my hero and heroine, they will dictate what I include or not. By taking this route (instead of trying to re-write stories aready told) the unique experiences of my main characters will tell a new story, one that I hope readers will find heartening. That's what it's always about for me ... from one heart to another ... Heart 2 Heart. This is, after all, romance.
I love historicals, which is why I attempt them in the first place. I just need to find out which external conflicts will be played out in THE QUAKER AND THE CONFEDERATE. Understand, I'm not complaining here. I just have a bit of trepidation when it comes to writing about such a time as the Civil War. It's all hallowed ground, for both sides, and for everyone touched by the horrors of such a fight. My cause is to do justice to all.
Thus, I'm looking for the P Spot! Plotting and Planning!
Until next time ...
Jo(annd) Gregg Sundell
www.joannesundell.com
www.myspace.com/joannesundell
A...MY NAME'S AMELIA, LP 8/08
THE PARLOR HOUSE DAUGHTER, 12/08
MEGGIE'S REMAINS, 7/09
P is for Plotting and I'm looking for the P Spot now with my work in progress, THE QUAKER AND THE CONFEDERATE. Now that I've begun to organize my research, I've got to map out my plotting. This time I might have a two-book series, which I've never tackled before. Each title must be stand alone, yet be connected. All of this will be a bit tricky for moi`. I'm still a newbie in historical romance writing and darn it ... "I'm trying to get it right."
Unlike other stories I've plotted, this one has more conflicts, particularly external. I mean, it's the Civil War! Ah, but which directions to take amid all the conflicts during the war between the states. Each one might be a sticky wicket indeed, as today some of the same "conflicts" are still raw.
My best tact has to be to follow the love story. Geez, that's why I started this story set in Civil War, Virginia in the first place. In developing the storyline and love story for my hero and heroine, they will dictate what I include or not. By taking this route (instead of trying to re-write stories aready told) the unique experiences of my main characters will tell a new story, one that I hope readers will find heartening. That's what it's always about for me ... from one heart to another ... Heart 2 Heart. This is, after all, romance.
I love historicals, which is why I attempt them in the first place. I just need to find out which external conflicts will be played out in THE QUAKER AND THE CONFEDERATE. Understand, I'm not complaining here. I just have a bit of trepidation when it comes to writing about such a time as the Civil War. It's all hallowed ground, for both sides, and for everyone touched by the horrors of such a fight. My cause is to do justice to all.
Thus, I'm looking for the P Spot! Plotting and Planning!
Until next time ...
Jo(annd) Gregg Sundell
www.joannesundell.com
www.myspace.com/joannesundell
A...MY NAME'S AMELIA, LP 8/08
THE PARLOR HOUSE DAUGHTER, 12/08
MEGGIE'S REMAINS, 7/09
Wednesday, April 16, 2008
HEART 2 HEART ~ "If you blog it," will they come?
...not necessairly...
Hi all,
You guessed it. I'm angsting, yet again, over bringing traffic to this, my humble historical-romance-writing blog. I hope you don't mind the departure from my previous series of blogs on researching our novels. Perhaps some of you out there in Internet Land, can relate to what I'm about to say.
Can we talk, Heart 2 Heart?
First off, why blog? For me, a writer, it's imperative in this day and age, I believe. Everyone who writes does their utmost (or gives that impression anyway) to promote their latest project in print, in bookstores, in libraries, and/or on the Net. It's called "networking," I'm told. (heh heh) Sounds like a simple thing, does it not, to just get your website up and running, then link to related sites and authors, then start your blog. Easily done? Uh, NO!
NO, if you're part of the baby boomer generation where computers were not so handy around the house.
NO, if you don't have the computer-savy gene.
NO, if you've already had your career (I'm a nurse), raised your kids, and are supposed to have nothing more serious on your mind than the latest Book Club selection on Oprah.
NO, if the computer, with all of its wonders, scares the daylights out of you.
NO, if you haven't taken a computer class, on-line or off! (my own fault here, I realize)
NO, if many other writers can surf the Net with one hand tied behind their backs, while you wring both of your hands together in utter stress.
NO, if you don't have the luxury of living near a pool of writers' critique groups.
NO, if you're stuck in Computer 101, Linking 101, and Blogging 101!
So ... what to do?
I know that blogging is necessary today, necessary that is, if you want to reach other authors, readers, and well ... someone other than my friends here in the Colorado mountain hinterlands! I love living rural (as opposed to living large), but it doesn't always get me to my Writing Groups on time. I'm blaming this on our wonderful ski weather! But the roads, guys, sometimes they are the Roads Less Travelled, for good reason. (Pardon me, dear Robert Frost ... my FAVORITE POET.)
I have writing buds who have rhetorical blogs, where there's no opportunity to comment back and no expectation that many are visiting anyway. That's all well and good but, I realize now, that just won't do if you're a romance writer and want to invite readers to share what they like and don't like, not just about my writing, but about the romance genre as a whole. What are we without our readers? What are we without writers, editors, agents, and all others interested in the romance-writing industry ... finding our blog? In a room alone, I'd say.
So ... I DO have a blogspot. I DO have a link to it on my website. I DO have a newsletter from my website, inviting folks to visit my blog. I DO have a MySpace page, where I cut and paste my latest blog. I can subscribe to other MySpace blog groups.
What I DON'T have as yet are other groups subscribing to my blog, and good traffic to my existing blog. I DON'T have help in getting my blog advertised out there on the Big Bad Net. I recently discovered BlogBurst and have applied to them, to be a part of their network system. I'm hoping they'll accept my blog and know that if they do ...
"If I blog it," they WILL come!"
Until next time ...
Jo(anne) Gregg Sundell
www.joannesundell.com
www.myspace.com/joannesundell
www.squidoo.com/historicalromancewriter
* * * * *
A...My Name's Amelia, LP 8/08
The Parlor House Daughter, 12/08
Meggie's Remains, 7/09
Hi all,
You guessed it. I'm angsting, yet again, over bringing traffic to this, my humble historical-romance-writing blog. I hope you don't mind the departure from my previous series of blogs on researching our novels. Perhaps some of you out there in Internet Land, can relate to what I'm about to say.
Can we talk, Heart 2 Heart?
First off, why blog? For me, a writer, it's imperative in this day and age, I believe. Everyone who writes does their utmost (or gives that impression anyway) to promote their latest project in print, in bookstores, in libraries, and/or on the Net. It's called "networking," I'm told. (heh heh) Sounds like a simple thing, does it not, to just get your website up and running, then link to related sites and authors, then start your blog. Easily done? Uh, NO!
NO, if you're part of the baby boomer generation where computers were not so handy around the house.
NO, if you don't have the computer-savy gene.
NO, if you've already had your career (I'm a nurse), raised your kids, and are supposed to have nothing more serious on your mind than the latest Book Club selection on Oprah.
NO, if the computer, with all of its wonders, scares the daylights out of you.
NO, if you haven't taken a computer class, on-line or off! (my own fault here, I realize)
NO, if many other writers can surf the Net with one hand tied behind their backs, while you wring both of your hands together in utter stress.
NO, if you don't have the luxury of living near a pool of writers' critique groups.
NO, if you're stuck in Computer 101, Linking 101, and Blogging 101!
So ... what to do?
I know that blogging is necessary today, necessary that is, if you want to reach other authors, readers, and well ... someone other than my friends here in the Colorado mountain hinterlands! I love living rural (as opposed to living large), but it doesn't always get me to my Writing Groups on time. I'm blaming this on our wonderful ski weather! But the roads, guys, sometimes they are the Roads Less Travelled, for good reason. (Pardon me, dear Robert Frost ... my FAVORITE POET.)
I have writing buds who have rhetorical blogs, where there's no opportunity to comment back and no expectation that many are visiting anyway. That's all well and good but, I realize now, that just won't do if you're a romance writer and want to invite readers to share what they like and don't like, not just about my writing, but about the romance genre as a whole. What are we without our readers? What are we without writers, editors, agents, and all others interested in the romance-writing industry ... finding our blog? In a room alone, I'd say.
So ... I DO have a blogspot. I DO have a link to it on my website. I DO have a newsletter from my website, inviting folks to visit my blog. I DO have a MySpace page, where I cut and paste my latest blog. I can subscribe to other MySpace blog groups.
What I DON'T have as yet are other groups subscribing to my blog, and good traffic to my existing blog. I DON'T have help in getting my blog advertised out there on the Big Bad Net. I recently discovered BlogBurst and have applied to them, to be a part of their network system. I'm hoping they'll accept my blog and know that if they do ...
"If I blog it," they WILL come!"
Until next time ...
Jo(anne) Gregg Sundell
www.joannesundell.com
www.myspace.com/joannesundell
www.squidoo.com/historicalromancewriter
* * * * *
A...My Name's Amelia, LP 8/08
The Parlor House Daughter, 12/08
Meggie's Remains, 7/09
Wednesday, April 9, 2008
Wednesdays with Joanne - "Research for our novels - when is enough, enough?"
Hi All,
Hoping to soon RIP (Research In Peace), I'm still at war so to speak, with the amount of research necessary to begin my current Civil War romance, set in Virginia. At times it's overwhelming ... I mean come on ... it's the Civil War! I mentioned before that I grew up in Virginia, at the heart of the war between the states, but I'd no idea of the hallowed ground on which I trod as a youngun`.
I'm finding that "I'd no idea" about a lot of things. Each discovery leads me to yet another one, learning facts key to my story ... key to unlocking the truth of Civil War Virginia ... what happened to Confederates, to Yankees, to African-Americans, both slave and free, to women, to families torn apart ... to make the ground indeed hallow. Getting down to the truth of it all isn't so easy, as some historical accounts have proven inaccurate. Some accounts leave important information out, depending on their opinion of the war I suppose. In any event, I'm having to gather far more information for this novel than any before. I may have to turn this into a two-book affair, as there's so much vital information that I want to put in my story ... to make it real, to make it right.
So, when is enough, enough? Interesting to ponder, is it not? I guess we, each of us, have to answer this for ourselves. Those of us who write historicals, whether romance or general fiction, must come to that point where we know ... we know we have enough information under our belts to allow our characters to walk and talk on credible ground, allowing them choices needed for their story to unfold and come alive on the printed page.
I'd love to know how you research your novels. Please comment if you like. I think it would be fun, not to mention fascinating, to see how we all conduct our research.
Love you, mean it ...
Jo(anne) Gregg Sundell
http://www.joannesundell.com/
www.joannesundell.blogspot.com
www.squidoo.com/historicalromancewriter
A...My Name's Amelia, LP 8/08
The Parlor House Daughter, 12/08
Meggie's Remains, 7/09
Hoping to soon RIP (Research In Peace), I'm still at war so to speak, with the amount of research necessary to begin my current Civil War romance, set in Virginia. At times it's overwhelming ... I mean come on ... it's the Civil War! I mentioned before that I grew up in Virginia, at the heart of the war between the states, but I'd no idea of the hallowed ground on which I trod as a youngun`.
I'm finding that "I'd no idea" about a lot of things. Each discovery leads me to yet another one, learning facts key to my story ... key to unlocking the truth of Civil War Virginia ... what happened to Confederates, to Yankees, to African-Americans, both slave and free, to women, to families torn apart ... to make the ground indeed hallow. Getting down to the truth of it all isn't so easy, as some historical accounts have proven inaccurate. Some accounts leave important information out, depending on their opinion of the war I suppose. In any event, I'm having to gather far more information for this novel than any before. I may have to turn this into a two-book affair, as there's so much vital information that I want to put in my story ... to make it real, to make it right.
So, when is enough, enough? Interesting to ponder, is it not? I guess we, each of us, have to answer this for ourselves. Those of us who write historicals, whether romance or general fiction, must come to that point where we know ... we know we have enough information under our belts to allow our characters to walk and talk on credible ground, allowing them choices needed for their story to unfold and come alive on the printed page.
I'd love to know how you research your novels. Please comment if you like. I think it would be fun, not to mention fascinating, to see how we all conduct our research.
Love you, mean it ...
Jo(anne) Gregg Sundell
http://www.joannesundell.com/
www.joannesundell.blogspot.com
www.squidoo.com/historicalromancewriter
A...My Name's Amelia, LP 8/08
The Parlor House Daughter, 12/08
Meggie's Remains, 7/09
Wednesday, April 2, 2008
Wednesdays with Joanne - "Civil War, indeed!"
Hi all,
Can any war be called civil? I'm not questioning reasons for going to war, but the idea of calling any war a civil war.
I'm into research on my WIP, working title ... THE QUAKER AND THE CONFEDERATE ... and so, understandably, I'm into research of the Civil War, 1860-65. In particular, I'm interested in what happened in the Commonwealth of Virginia. This is a far more complicated task than I imagined, but the most interesting thing to date is that I'm learning how much I don't know about the Civil War in the very state where I was born!
The devil is ever in the details, is it not? In historical romance, to me your book stands or falls on the details. So ... the details have to be as close to perfect as you can get! Well, because both the Union and the Confederacy marched their troops back and forth over Virginia soil countless times, and because many Virginians refused to secede and separated into the state of West Virginia ... allegiance is often blurred in matters of war. I'm "here to learn" and so I shall ever try, try, try ... to get it all right.
My head and heart this morning, as I'm reading letters written by Confederate soldiers to their families, et al, are bent on the idea of any war being called a Civil War, much less OUR CIVIL WAR! In reading the pained details of the daily lives of the soldiers ... not just how they tried to survive battle, but how horrific their daily lives actually were ... rife with measles, mumps, sore throats, blisters, hunger, thirst, exposure to elements, et al ... not to mention seeing your friend's arm and shoulder point blown off or passing ill, fallen, lagging-behind soldiers along the roadways ... I'm struck by the reality that the life of a soldier during the Civil War was not at all civil. Their daily lives were a struggle and a hardship, even before the enemy was met. Brother fought against brother in some instances, friend against friend.
While the purpose for which each side fought was often known only to the individual soldier, the frey into which they all marched was the most uncivil time in our nation's still-young history. There was one civil moment ... when Lincoln, for political & economic purpose perhaps ... signed the Emancipation Proclamation ... and later the 13th amendment passed ... marking the official end of slavery. That was a civil act, indeed, in a most uncivil war.
Even now in our country we're engaged in yet another battle where friend disagrees with friend, and brother disagrees with brother. Our country is in a great divide. It is a difficult time. I'm once again reminded that war is anything but civil.
Until next time ...
Jo(anne) Gregg Sundell
http://www.joannesundell.com/
The Parlor House Daughter, 12/08
Meggie's Remains, 7/09
Can any war be called civil? I'm not questioning reasons for going to war, but the idea of calling any war a civil war.
I'm into research on my WIP, working title ... THE QUAKER AND THE CONFEDERATE ... and so, understandably, I'm into research of the Civil War, 1860-65. In particular, I'm interested in what happened in the Commonwealth of Virginia. This is a far more complicated task than I imagined, but the most interesting thing to date is that I'm learning how much I don't know about the Civil War in the very state where I was born!
The devil is ever in the details, is it not? In historical romance, to me your book stands or falls on the details. So ... the details have to be as close to perfect as you can get! Well, because both the Union and the Confederacy marched their troops back and forth over Virginia soil countless times, and because many Virginians refused to secede and separated into the state of West Virginia ... allegiance is often blurred in matters of war. I'm "here to learn" and so I shall ever try, try, try ... to get it all right.
My head and heart this morning, as I'm reading letters written by Confederate soldiers to their families, et al, are bent on the idea of any war being called a Civil War, much less OUR CIVIL WAR! In reading the pained details of the daily lives of the soldiers ... not just how they tried to survive battle, but how horrific their daily lives actually were ... rife with measles, mumps, sore throats, blisters, hunger, thirst, exposure to elements, et al ... not to mention seeing your friend's arm and shoulder point blown off or passing ill, fallen, lagging-behind soldiers along the roadways ... I'm struck by the reality that the life of a soldier during the Civil War was not at all civil. Their daily lives were a struggle and a hardship, even before the enemy was met. Brother fought against brother in some instances, friend against friend.
While the purpose for which each side fought was often known only to the individual soldier, the frey into which they all marched was the most uncivil time in our nation's still-young history. There was one civil moment ... when Lincoln, for political & economic purpose perhaps ... signed the Emancipation Proclamation ... and later the 13th amendment passed ... marking the official end of slavery. That was a civil act, indeed, in a most uncivil war.
Even now in our country we're engaged in yet another battle where friend disagrees with friend, and brother disagrees with brother. Our country is in a great divide. It is a difficult time. I'm once again reminded that war is anything but civil.
Until next time ...
Jo(anne) Gregg Sundell
http://www.joannesundell.com/
The Parlor House Daughter, 12/08
Meggie's Remains, 7/09
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