Monday, July 15, 2013

Regency 101---What I Learned On The Way To Writing A Regency #Spanking Story

Until now, all the stories I've written were contemporary with modern women, usually with a professional job. If you want to see for yourself, just click on the book covers to the right and buy, buy, buy. :)

So what made me decide to write a Regency spanking story? A couple reasons. First, I find the era rather intriguing with all it's rules about behavior, particularly for ladies. Second, I'm just geeky enough (or too much) to enjoy learning about a different era. Once I got started, I realized there was so much to learn, I think I have barely scratched the surface.

For today's lesson let's talk about titles. No, not book titles, but the proper form of address for certain people.

The heroine of my Regency spanking story is Lady Katherine Winchester. She is referred to as Lady Katherine.

Now...that seems simple enough, right. Oh no...there is a difference between when you can call someone Lady Firstname and when you call them Lady Lastname.

To be honest, I'm still not sure I got it right.

Initially, Lady Katherine came from a modest background and when she married Lord Winchester, she became Lady Winchester. But I wanted to call her Lady Katherine and not Lady Winchester.

Don't worry, I think I figured it out. Turns out that if you are the daughter of an earl, you are referred to as Lady Firstname all your life and you can retain that title regardless of whether your husband has a title or not.

So, I just changed Katherine's backstory from modest to being the daughter of an earl. Voila!

However, being the daughter of an earl didn't mean that she would have a life of financial security, as this excerpt shows.


She retired to her room to rest before dinner. She had come to love her private sanctuary at the London house, nearly as much as she loved her suite of rooms at Aprilvine Park. Her husband, Charles, had indulged her every whim and she had used his accommodating nature to her advantage, creating a sumptuous boudoir filled with comfortable furnishings in the most luxurious fabrics available.

She ran her fingers along the heavy velvet curtains attached to the posts of her bed. It was not simply the opulence of her surroundings which meant so much to her, but the security that they represented.

The only daughter of an earl, she had grown up in luxury and indulgence. Her brother had inherited the title, but soon gambled away most of the assets set aside for the care of Katherine and her mother, which left Katherine’s unsurpassed beauty as the only real asset she and her mother had to support themselves. Her mother had guarded her daughter’s virtue like the treasure it was until Charles, the Earl of Winchester, had fallen madly in love with Katherine.

Charles had been an attentive and kind husband and Katherine found that over time she had grown to care for him very much. Her deepest regret was her inability to conceive an heir.

Not only had it saddened both Charles and Katherine to be childless, but because the estate was entailed upon the male line, sudden widowhood had thrust Katherine into the role of dowager, though without any relationship or affinity with the new earl, she assumed he would consider her as simply an extra responsibility to be dealt with as expediently and thriftily as possible.

She could live out her days in the role of dowager countess, but even the mere sound of it was too dreary and uninspired to consider. Life was meant to be experienced and enjoyed. There were balls and concerts to attend. Gossip to be shared.  How she longed to promenade along Hyde Park in a fine new dress and hat. She had performed the requisite period of mourning for her husband and the social season was just beginning. She had no intention of sitting on the sidelines.

Her best option was to find a new husband, no small task, even for her. For one, although still beautiful, she was no longer a maiden. Secondly, her inability to conceive had not gone unnoticed by the eligible gentlemen of her acquaintance.

Beauty, without fertility, would only get her so far.


20 comments:

  1. I enjoy reading Regency novels, but cannot imagine taking on the challenge of writing one. There IS much to know if one is to get it "right." Love the backstory you've set up for Lady Katherine.

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    1. Thanks, Cara. It is daunting, especially when there are so many fans of Regency who know all the little details. At least I didn't include a cell phone!

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  2. I love reading them as well. I cannot imagine the research needed to comprehend all the differing dos and do nots.
    Better you than me!

    Exciting story!

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    1. Thanks, Minelle. I doubt if I got everything right and I did use some vague terms when I wasn't sure about things. I hope people will be caught up in the story (and spanking) enough that they might overlook a couple of historical glitches. Fingers crossed!

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  3. Omigosh I am dying to read! I love regency and when spanking is added - oh my, I stay up all night reading. Loved the except and set up to your book, Celeste. I'm sure it's going to be a big hit!!!

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    1. Awww. Thanks, Sue! I'm pretty excited. This is my longest ever---over 20K. That's a tome for me!

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  4. Brilliant! Had no idea about when lady first name could be used. Is it ONLY for earl's daughters? Would a viscount's daughter be a lady? Or a Count's?

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    1. Geez, Renee. It was all I could do to figure out this part. There are some good online resources, though, so maybe I'll do a post on that.

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  5. I love social history, so Regencies are a favorite. It sounds like your story is a good one. I'll certainly pick up a copy!

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    1. You'll have to wait your turn...it doesn't come out until Aug 14. I suppose I should have mentioned that. I need to work on my marketing. :)

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  6. I love the different historical eras, especially as they relate to romance novels. I read some reviews of some books where people who are really in the know will blast the author for not having the 'facts' right. I get it, but to me, if the story is good, the rest can be tolerated. Best of luck, Celeste!

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    1. I hope my readers will have your attitude, Jade!

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  7. I just starting writing one as well and I'm so thrilled you posted this! I'll just say Google has been my friend!!! :)
    I can't wait to read it. Keep us updated.

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  8. Very exciting, Addy. After I read your Sat spanks post I wondered if you were working on a Regency. I suppose "Lady Lydia" was a good hint.

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  9. I found the book, "What Jane Austen Ate and Charles Dickens Knew" to be helpful, in case you're interested.

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    1. I've seen that book but haven't read it. The title is great. Maybe I'll do a post on useful resources.

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  10. Very interesting reading here because, believe it or not I've thought of trying a Regency myself someday. I'm a hardcore Anglophile, so it would seem to be a fit, if I can think of a story and keep it within the bounds of what Regency fans want and expect. Then again, it could be a blast to try doing a darker Regency. Is there such a thing? Maybe I should invent it. Heh.

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    1. What would be a darker regency? I think they were pretty wild back then (at least the very wealthy). I say go for it!

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    2. Ha! I'm not even sure what a "darker" Regency would be. Just sounds intriguing to think about, though. :)

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    3. Sure does. I still say go for it!

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I love getting feedback. Thank you for taking the time to comment!