To create authenticity or believability in historical
fiction is just like setting a scene
in any kind of writing. The writer needs
to pay attention to details. As a reader, I’m more likely to immerse myself in
a story universe that is believable and accurate. If I want readers of WHEELS OF CHANGE to
follow Emily Soper’s adventures, they have to be grounded in the reality of
1908 Washington DC.
What
was life like in the Nation’s Capital 100 years ago?
It
was very rural for one thing. With the
exception of Pennsylvania Avenue, the area around the train station, and a few
streets bordering 7th Street – the main street of commerce - there
was only gas lighting and no electricity.
Indoor plumbing was still a novelty.
Many roads were unpaved or had cobblestones. There were farms and wooded
areas surrounding the government buildings. Most people still rode in
horse-drawn wagons, carriages, or buggies.
Many goods were still made by hand.
Incorporating these details into the story grounds it and fixes the time
and place.
Character
is another way to create an authentic story.
When a story takes place in another era, the writer has to be sure to
use language and sentence structure that rings true. In 1908, children spoke in a more formal
style, like their parents. Very little
slang was used. Children addressed other
adults as Mr. or Mrs. and often used “sir” or ‘ma’am” when speaking to their
parents.
A character’s actions
and behavior was different than it is today. Expectations for males and females were much
more divided and specific. Boys had more
freedom to explore and be adventurous.
They were expected to roughhouse and get into trouble now and then. Girls on the other hand, were expected to be
lady-like and exhibit proper behavior at all times. They were encouraged to excel at the
“domestic arts” such as sewing, cooking, housekeeping, and child rearing.
Here are some of the “Rules of Etiquette” young people
were expected to follow at the turn of the Twentieth Century.
General
Rules of Etiquette for Ladies and Gentlemen
13 Mannerisms
to be avoided by all:
1.
Whispering or
pointing in company.
2.
Giving
attention to only one person when more are present.
3.
Contradicting
parents, friends, or strangers.
4.
Laughing
loudly.
5.
Making noise
with hands and feet.
6.
Leaning on the
shoulder or chair of another.
7.
Throwing
things instead of handing them.
8.
Crowding or
bumping elbows.
9.
Contempt in
looks, words, or actions.
10.
Drawing attention to self with dress.
11.
Lending a
borrowed book.
12.
Reading when
there is company, or when others are speaking.
13.
Laughing at
the mistakes of others.
Manners
appropriate for all:
1.
To be gentle
and patient with others.
2.
To remember
that while speech is wonderful, it is sometimes better to be silent.
3.
Speak with a
gentle tone and never in anger.
4.
Learn to deny
yourself and put others first.
5.
Give applause
only by clapping hands – not by kicking or stamping feet.
6.
Rise to one’s
feet when an older person or dignitary enters the room.
All this makes me wonder: How many of
these rules do any of us consider important today?
Darlene Beck Jacobson has loved
writing since she was a girl. Although
she never wrote to a president, she sent many letters to pop stars of the day
asking for photos and autographs. She
loves bringing the past to life in stories such as WHEELS OF CHANGE, her debut
novel. If you’d like to see a trailer
for this book click here: http://youtu.be/qtGXALonq4w
WHEELS OF CHANGE by Darlene Beck Jacobson is published by Creston Books, Berkley, CA. ISBN: 978-1-939547-13-2
BOOK
BLURB: Racial intolerance, social
change, sweeping progress. It is a turbulent time growing up in 1908. For
twelve year old EMILY SOPER, life in Papa’s carriage barn is magic. Emily is
more at home hearing the symphony of the blacksmith’s hammer, than trying to
conform to the proper expectations of females. Many prominent people own Papa’s
carriages. He receives an order to make one for President Theodore Roosevelt.
Papa’s livelihood becomes threatened by racist neighbors, and horsepower of a
different sort. Emily is determined to
save Papa’s business even if she has to go all the way to the President.
Wheels
of Change has been chosen as a Notable Social Studies Trade Books for Young
People 2015 by the National Council for Social Studies (NCSS) and the
Children’s Book Council (CBC).
WHEELSOF CHANGE was also chosen as one of 2014 Mighty Girl Books. Here is the link to
view all: http://www.amightygirl.com/mighty-girl-picks/2014-mighty-girl-books
The
book has also received a 2015 Grateful American Book Prize Honorable Mention. http://gratefulamericanbookprize.com/news.html
Darlene’s blog features recipes, activities, crafts and
interviews with children’s book authors and illustrators. She still loves
writing and getting letters. Check out
her website at: www.darlenebeckjacobson.com or on Twitter@dustbunnymaven
EXCITING NEWS: Darlene has agreed to give away a copy of her Book, WHEELS OF CHANGE to one LUCKY winner. To be entered in this drawing, please leave a note in the comments telling us your favorite period and history. Drawing will be held on March 4, 2016. Good luck to all who enter!
EXCITING NEWS: Darlene has agreed to give away a copy of her Book, WHEELS OF CHANGE to one LUCKY winner. To be entered in this drawing, please leave a note in the comments telling us your favorite period and history. Drawing will be held on March 4, 2016. Good luck to all who enter!
Thanks so much for inviting me to be on your great blog Lynne.
ReplyDeleteGreat post, Darlene! I'd say my favorite period is late 19th - early 20th century. Always been a big fan of Emile Zola and the writers from that period.
ReplyDeleteIt's one of my favorites as well...more so than the Strict Victorian. Thanks for visiting Robin.
DeleteIt has been such a pleasure to have you here! Thanks for sharing your inspiration at My Word Playground! XOXO
ReplyDeleteFantastic advice to readers AND writers and thinkers of ALL generations! Best of luck to this book in our world. Thank you for sharing your words.
ReplyDeleteMy favorite period in history is 1876. That year just glows with the best, the worst, the most potential the beginnings of change.....the Gilded Age losing it's light and the Progressive Era just tuning up. LOVE 1876. That is the book I want to write.
I would love to see the book when you finish it, Mitchell.
DeleteThanks so very much for stopping by My Word Playground to visit with me and Darlene @Robin Newman and @Mitchell Linda!
ReplyDeleteWow. Looks like a fabulous book. Thanks for info.
ReplyDeleteJohnell -- you are now the winner of the book. Please PM me with your mailing address. Thanks so much!
DeleteI think my favorite time in history (for reading) is mid-late 1800's to early 1900's! Isolated life on the prairie also intrigues me. I love DC though! Thank you for the giveaway!
ReplyDeleteGood luck Christina!
DeleteFor reading, I like old classics: Balzac, Trollope, Tolstoy
ReplyDeleteHi Darlene!
ReplyDeleteI just finished book two in my narrative nonfiction series. It covers the weeks just before the Titanic set sail so I guess I would have to say 1912 England is my favorite historical time and place right now, although I'm also currently researching World War Two in London for book three in my series...;-)
Great post!
Hi Donna,
DeleteI'd LOVE to hear more about you books. Please send me the titles so I can add them to my list of must reads!
@Donna L Martin -- I am a big Titanophile (aka Rivet Counter LOL), and also interested in the History of World War II, so I am intrigued.
ReplyDeleteHave either of you read the books by Kristina McMorris? She's written 3 and I just finished THE PIECES WE KEEP. All take place during WWII era. She's a great writer!
DeleteI certainly enjoyed this post. As I read it, I kept picturing my work and noting how it lacked the qualities laid out for us . This is such a good resource for our writing. I'm excited about my revision. Whoa, never thought I'd ever say that. Thank you for this post. As for a favorite period, I'm not sure I'm able to define a favorite time period in history. However, I'm inspired by the turbulent and all too limited times of the Reconstruction Period, after the Civil War. A real effort to genuinely allow interracial participation in the political and financial arenas for newly freed slaves. Not a favorite but an inspired one.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the kind words Pam. Good luck with your revisions!
DeleteWhat a lovely book! I have a weakness for a period of time many years ago - ancient Egypt! I would do anything to see how the Pharaohs and Priestesses actually lived.
ReplyDeleteThanks for your kind words Lydia. There are SO many great periods in history. Reading about them is like time travel.
DeleteKeep the comments coming, everyone -- I am enjoying the mind time travel! XOXO
ReplyDeleteRobin Newman is the winner of this fabulous book give-away contest! Robin, please e-mail me at LiterallyLynneMarie@Gmail.com with your mailing address. Congratulations!
ReplyDeleteRobin already has a copy of my book...maybe you want to draw another winner...give someone else a chance to read the book?
ReplyDeleteI picked a second winner, @Darlene Beck Jacobsen. Johnell.
ReplyDelete