Hi everyone! I'm new to the boards, but am enjoying laughing and learning from all of you. I have a WIP that begins in the years leading up to the Civil War. Just wondering if you all think it's possible to write something from this period with a fresh take on things--or has it all been written?
Civil War Historical Romance-ish
- Thread starter KimberlyInMichigan
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She is writing her first hand experience.
That's mean!
Well, my WIP is hopefully fresh--I've never read anything like it. I sent it off to an agent last night--my first time to ever submit anything. It was quite exciting for me, and I'm keeping my fingers crossed. In the meantime, I will be submitting to other agents since I should be so lucky to have the first one accept it.
The secretary at my office has been reading it as I write, and has enjoyed it and was thrilled when I told her what I'd done. Hopefully the agents like it as much as she does.
I think any era is open to something fresh. Just avoid the cliches of that period. There are still stories to tell.
I love Civil War era novels. And I don't find nearly enough especially romance. But I'm a bit of a Civil War junkie.
There are fresh takes to be had out there...you just have to be creative enough to find them and write them well.
Good luck!
There are fresh takes to be had out there...you just have to be creative enough to find them and write them well.
Good luck!
Ok, here's the plot. Any constructive comments would be appreciated!
It’s the story of a young lady from Boston who meets and falls in love with a Harvard medical student from Charleston. Unfortunately for them, it’s 1857 and their country is on the verge of splitting in half and fighting the Civil War. My intention at first was to write the story all in one novel, but before I had gotten far in writing, I realized that it would be better to tell the story of Anna and Matthew in two parts. The first part would be the four years leading up to the start of the Civil War—ending in December of 1860 when South Carolina secedes from the Union. This first book involves the couple meeting, falling in love, marrying and starting their family. All the while facing strong opposition from both of their families, and watching helplessly as their country finally splits in two. I have given this first book the title The Calm Before the Storm.
The second book deals with the Civil War years, and the effects it has on Anna and those around her. When war breaks out, Anna’s husband and brothers-in-law march off to fight for the South, while her own brothers enlist in the Union Army. Anna is stuck in Charleston, living with her staunchly pro-secession and anti-North in-laws and her two babies with a third on the way. Matthew doesn’t believe in secession or the war, but feels duty and honor bound to enlist as a field surgeon for the Confederacy. As her “men-folk” are off battling, Anna, whose loyalties are divided, is left to witness the Siege of Charleston and fight her own battle to keep her sanity while her world falls apart around her. This book is called A House Divided for obvious reasons. The title is taken from the famous speech by Abraham Lincoln. Not only is her country divided, but she is living in a house whose occupants are also divided in their loyalties and opinions.
Women of that time were faithful correspondents, and many upper-class ladies kept detailed diaries. The novel is written in journal form from Anna’s point of view. At the beginning she is a carefree sixteen-year-old who is troubled by little more than beaux, balls, and clothes. As the story progresses, she is forced to mature as her life becomes anything but carefree.
It’s the story of a young lady from Boston who meets and falls in love with a Harvard medical student from Charleston. Unfortunately for them, it’s 1857 and their country is on the verge of splitting in half and fighting the Civil War. My intention at first was to write the story all in one novel, but before I had gotten far in writing, I realized that it would be better to tell the story of Anna and Matthew in two parts. The first part would be the four years leading up to the start of the Civil War—ending in December of 1860 when South Carolina secedes from the Union. This first book involves the couple meeting, falling in love, marrying and starting their family. All the while facing strong opposition from both of their families, and watching helplessly as their country finally splits in two. I have given this first book the title The Calm Before the Storm.
The second book deals with the Civil War years, and the effects it has on Anna and those around her. When war breaks out, Anna’s husband and brothers-in-law march off to fight for the South, while her own brothers enlist in the Union Army. Anna is stuck in Charleston, living with her staunchly pro-secession and anti-North in-laws and her two babies with a third on the way. Matthew doesn’t believe in secession or the war, but feels duty and honor bound to enlist as a field surgeon for the Confederacy. As her “men-folk” are off battling, Anna, whose loyalties are divided, is left to witness the Siege of Charleston and fight her own battle to keep her sanity while her world falls apart around her. This book is called A House Divided for obvious reasons. The title is taken from the famous speech by Abraham Lincoln. Not only is her country divided, but she is living in a house whose occupants are also divided in their loyalties and opinions.
Women of that time were faithful correspondents, and many upper-class ladies kept detailed diaries. The novel is written in journal form from Anna’s point of view. At the beginning she is a carefree sixteen-year-old who is troubled by little more than beaux, balls, and clothes. As the story progresses, she is forced to mature as her life becomes anything but carefree.
That's not a romance. That's historical fiction.
She's right. Romances tend to involve mostly around one relationship with some subplots. These stories sound more like an epic fiction. I would also be a bit hesitant to pin the entire series on the first book. Not because I think it's a bad story idea, but because even in series, the book has to "stand alone" to sell the first one. If you query the first title, it might be a turn off to some agents/publishers. You might want to take a gander at One Wore Blue, One Wore Gray, and One Rode West.
Thanks for all your comments. I intended for it to be more of an epic historical fiction, but as I started writing, it seemed to be heading more towards the romance side. I guess because the beginning is romantic since it involves them meeting and falling in love.
I've got nearly 70,000 words written, and I'd love to have you all read it, but I'm scared to death you'd tear it to shreds!! lol
I've got nearly 70,000 words written, and I'd love to have you all read it, but I'm scared to death you'd tear it to shreds!! lol
It's REALLY hard to lay your heart and soul out on the line like that. When I started working with my critique group, I was terrified. You need to get some good beta readers, but be sure they are people that will be honest with you. It does a writer no good at all to just have people pat you on the back.
I'm not published yet, but I know mechanics, and I critique for my published friends. I would be glad to look at some of it to see if I can help. PM me if you want. I don't know if I have time to do the whole manuscript because I'm finishing one of my own and hashing out two new ones. But I'd take a gander at a chapter for you to look for obvious things.
I am, however, brutally honest.You ought to find a local writers' group to work with as well. Joining Indiana RWA helped me tremendously!!!
The secretary at my office who is a huge bookworm and devourer of this sort of genre has been reading it for me. She has been very helpful, giving suggestions and things. When I gave her the first few chapters to read, she kept saying nice things about it and I was waiting for the big but, but it never came. Anyway, if she sees something she doesn't like or thinks needs changing, she lets me know. In fact, I re-wrote an entire couple of chapters re-working things that we both agreed were a bit over the top.
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I am funny like that too... I always believe the negative comments and think the positive comments are coming from people that are afraid to be honest with me. I think I might have self-esteem issues...
It sounds like just the kind of thing I love to read, and I think the era still has plenty meat on it's bones for those willing to glean it. Good point about each book in the series having to stand alone (especially the first). See also Gabaldon's Outlander series, which started off more romancey before taking off into historical fiction. Good luck.
Well, if anyone wants to read a little snippet they can go to the share your work forum--it's there in the romance/women's fiction under Antebellum Scene. It's written in the first person in diary/journal fashion.
I tried to copy and paste, but it wouldn't let me.
I tried to copy and paste, but it wouldn't let me.
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