Posted by Sara Ramsey Oct 11 2011, 12:17 am in craft, golden heart, Regency, writing tips
making some space here making some space here
Continuing our series on tips for entering the Golden Heart, today’s post is all about finaling in the Regency. Join us, dear reader, as we discuss the strategies that made our Regency entries sparkle!
Step 1: Choose the right category: Regency vs. Historical.
The Golden Heart contest rules define the Regency category as: “Romance novels in which the majority of the story is set against the Regency period of the British Empire.” Technically, the Regency period is limited to 1811-1820 (the period during which the Prince Regent, later George IV, effectively ruled Britain while his father, George III, was mad). Some people argue that there is a “long Regency” period from approximately 1795-1830, corresponding with George IV’s sway over the fashions and mores of the ton, and the lines are definitely blurred between late Georgian romances, Regencies, and very early Victorians.
However, your judge could be someone who loves a good Regency-flavored book and doesn’t care whether it’s set in 1809 or 1821 – or your judge could be a stickler for the most limited view of what a Regency is and mark ‘incorrect category’ if you fall outside that narrow window. If you aren’t sure whether your entry fits into the Regency, or if you are writing about an ‘exotic’ setting (say, a woman following her lover through the Napoleonic wars, or a couple in British India), you may want to choose the Historical category instead.
- Elizabeth Essex (finalist in 2009 as Elizabeth Baldwin) says: For me the ‘setting’ of a Regency novel is not just the time period but its “English-ness.” While your story may be set almost anywhere in the world during this general time period, whether it’s London, the countryside, France, British India or even the high seas, Regency readers expect the world the characters inhabit to be defined in relation to English values of the period. So think British-centric.
Step 2: Think about what judges want to see in a Regency.
Why do you love reading and writing Regencies? Is it the historical setting? Do you love the rakes, bluestockings, heiresses, spinsters, disgraced dukes, battle-scarred Waterloo veterans, etc.? Or maybe you are just really jealous of the clothes? The aspects of the Regency that made you fall in love with the genre are the ones you should play up in your own writing – and you should make sure some of those themes show up in the first fifty pages of your manuscript. Chances are the judges love those themes too.
- Elisa Beatty (finalist in 2009, winner in 2010) says: I think it’s a safe bet to say what judges look for in Regency is very different from what they look for in Historical. Readers who love Regency—and that’s a lot of people, judging by sales—usually love Jane Austen, or if not Austen, then Georgette Heyer or Julia Quinn. They love wit. They love irony and razor-sharp dialogue. They want a bit of bite.
At the same time, Regency readers want to see the surface restraint and polish of the time period, and woe betide any Regency writer who hasn’t mastered the nuances of polite interaction in the early 19th century. (Not to mention the fashions, the dances, the carriages, the foodstuffs, the jewelry, the behavior of servants, the political and military intrigue….Do your research, Regency writers!!)
At its best, Regency finds the perfect balance between elegance and irreverence. Which is perfect for the time period—a time of strict rules but also bad, bad private behavior, a time of nearly-suffocating social propriety but also the liberating spirit of Romanticism. It’s the interplay between restriction and freedom that makes Regency so darn much fun.
- Anne Barton (finalist in 2008 and 2009, winner in 2011) says: Stephanie Laurens gave this cute tip at a workshop a few years ago. She said that in any Regency novel, “The author must give the reader three dresses.” Her point was that Regency readers typically savor descriptions of elegant gowns . . . as well as glittering ballrooms and picturesque landscapes. Readers want to be skillfully transported to that place and time. This can be difficult to do in a contest entry where you’re trying to establish the characters and the conflict in fifty pages or less, but a few authentic details and fresh descriptive phrases go a long way.
At another RWA workshop this year Stephanie Laurens and Victoria Alexander discussed the reasons that the Regency genre remains so popular. Their theory is that the social values of the historical period still resonate with the modern reader. Then, as now, a woman could marry for convenience, marry for love, or choose not to marry at all. As writers, we need to make sure that our stories resonate with a reader living in today’s society. Yes, we can (and should strive to be) historically accurate—but we can’t forget that we’re writing for someone living in 2011. She needs to be able to put herself in the heroine’s slippers.
Step 3: Make sure your research and characters live up to the Regency promise.
You know your book is Regency, and you’ve chosen the right setting. But have you done the research necessary to add all the little details that make a Regency feel authentic? It’s easy to get sucked into research, so it’s important to find a balance between research and writing time, but the best Regencies have enough period detail to satisfy the expectations of Regency readers.
- Louisa Cornell (finalist in 2008 and 2009 as Pamela Bolton-Holifield) says: Research and character development go hand-in-hand when it comes to writing Regency historical romance. The rules and manners of Regency society make it (in my opinion) one of the most intriguing, challenging and romantic eras in which to set a romance. How many eras are there where a hero can become aroused at the sight of a well-turned ankle or the touch of your heroine’s bare hand? Make sure you do your homework when it comes to what your hero and heroine would and would not do and say. And if they break the rules, give the reader a believable (translation PASSIONATE) reason for them doing so.
When it comes to the other side of research – the historical details you use to put the reader in the ballroom, in the bedchamber, in the drawing room and in the clothes – my theory on their use is simple. Do TONS (pun intended) of research on every detail. Immerse yourself in every aspect of the Regency. Accumulate every sort of spice and flavor you can before you write. But when you do write, use those details as seasoning. Too much and the reader will be overwhelmed by it. Too little and the book is bland. Remember, the Regency is all about good taste.
Helpful Hint: Join the Beau Monde chapter of RWA – You cannot put a price on the help the members of this chapter will give you. I also recommend reading books such asThe Jane Austen Handbook by Margaret C. Sullivan and Regency Etiquette – The Mirror of Graces (1811) by A Lady of Distinction.
- Sara Ramsey (winner in 2009, finalist in 2011) says: I second the suggestion of joining the Beau Monde – that online chapter has some amazingly knowledgeable experts on all things Regency.
I also second Louisa’s research book suggestions, with a couple of additions: The Regency Companion by Sharon Laudermilk and Teresa L. Hamlin, and English Women’s Clothing in the Nineteenth Century by C. Willett Cunnington. There are also some fabulous original sources out there for developing both your knowledge and your voice. I haven’t tracked down all of them, but reading Glenarvon (Caroline Lamb’s thinly veiled attack on Byron), Harriette Wilson’s memoirs, and other contemporary books are all available either in print, in libraries, or via Google Books.
Step 4: Develop your Regency voice.
You have your setting, research, and characters – but does your voice feel emphatically Regency-esque, or does it sound like a Southern belle wandered into a Deadwood saloon? Both your narrative voice and your characters’ dialogue should feel appropriate to the times. That doesn’t mean you have to write like Austen or Byron, but even if your voice has a punchier, more modern feel, it should immerse your readers in the story rather than making them wonder when the cowboys and outlaws (or Bridget Jones) are going to show up.
- Louisa Cornell says: Retired opera singer here, so I know a bit about “voice.” How do you develop your Regency voice? Same way you get to Carnegie Hall. PRACTICE !! And study – they don’t tell young opera singers about that part! For a writer, I would say READ, READ and READ some more. Read Georgette Heyer and Jane Austen first. Then read every past and current writer of Regency historical romance you can. You aren’t reading for the story and you don’t want to copy anyone else voice or style. What you are reading for is the rhythms of speech, the sweep of the descriptions and all of those little things unique to this genre. THEN, sit down and write. Take everything you have learned and put it down in your words, your style and your vision of the Regency. Do that – do it passionately and it will show up on the page. Show the reader what you love about the Regency, what you love about your hero and heroine and they won’t be able to put your story down.
- Elizabeth Essex says: I think an author’s ‘Regency’ voice must spring from the character’s unique voices, and for me that comes from a very specific knowledge about the portion of the world your characters inhabit. A London miss will have a very difference voice, vocabulary and view of the world than someone who has always lived in the Cheshire countryside, or who grew up in British India. They will have different points of reference in their lives. Similarly, a man who has spent his formative years on a ship of the Royal Navy will have a different vocabulary, and more importantly, an entirely different outlook upon life than a London-bred man of the same age. When you make your research as specific as possible to the character you want to portray, you give them greater authenticity.
Step 5: Give the judge a great ending.
A strong opening is crucial, both on the contest circuit and in the battle to suck editors (and someday readers) into your story. But for the purposes of a contest like the Golden Heart, knowing where to end your entry is just as important. If you’ve judged a contest, you’ve probably run across an entry that ended mid-chapter or even mid-sentence. While that’s certainly a type of cliffhanger, it may not leave the impression that you want.
We’ve included the endings from our Golden Heart entries in a separate post (check below this one) to demonstrate the point, but here are some thoughts from our group:
- Sara Ramsey says: End your Golden Heart entry at a great chapter or scene break, one with rising conflict and a sense of forward momentum. You don’t have to enter exactly fifty pages; if your previous scene ends at forty-seven or forty-eight pages, leave the judge there, wanting more, rather than stuck in a bit of frothy dialogue on page fifty. This is actually a good technique for your entire manuscript – end chapters with a sense of conflict and immediacy so that the reader can’t put the book down.
- Liz Talley (finalist in 2009) says: Ending on a hook – really this helped me the most I think.
- Ashlyn Macnamara (finalist in 2011) says: Begin with a hook, and end with a hook, even if the perfect killer hook comes before your allotted 50 pages. It’s far better to keep your entry short and leave the judge hankering for more, than to fill out your page allotment and end on a blah note.
Step 6: Write the best book you possibly can. Then write another one.
It’s sad but true: most authors don’t find fame and fortune with their first manuscript. Entering the Golden Heart is a fantastic goal, and if you final, it can be a huge boost. But keep your real goal in mind: is it to final in the Golden Heart? Find an agent? Sign a publishing contract? It’s easy to get wrapped up in tweaking the first fifty pages over and over again to final in a contest, but don’t lose sight of how wonderful it can be to write something new.
- Valerie Bowman (finalist in 2011) says: If you’ve been entering the same manuscript(s) in the GH for 1 or more years, seriously consider writing something NEW. I kept working on the same 3 mss and they didn’t final no matter how much I changed them. Last year I decided to write something completely new with the purpose of being a GH finalist. I thought long and hard about my hook, tried to make the first 50 pages really rock, and brought everything I’d learned to the table. It worked! Sometimes you just have to let go of a story no matter how much you love it and how much potential you think it has. A new story can be so fun and freeing!
Step 7: Join the discussion below!
What do you think? We’d love to hear all questions, comments, thoughts, arguments (classy, ladylike arguments, of course 
, and suggestions. The Regency ladies will be stopping by throughout the day to answer comments. Best of luck to all of you who are entering the Golden Heart!
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For more information on the 2009 Regency finalists, check out their sites and release dates below:
Anne Barton: Her debut, tentatively titled The Proper Miss’s Guide to Bad Behavior, releases in early 2013. Her website is www.annebarton.com.
Elisa Beatty: Her website is www.elisabeatty.com.
Elizabeth Essex: Her next release is The Danger of Desire, coming November 30, 2011. Her website is www.elizabethessex.com.
Liz Talley: Her next release is A Touch of Scarlet in October 2011. It’s not a Regency; instead, Liz has five Harlequin Superromances on the shelves. Her website is www.liztalleybooks.com.
Louisa Cornell: Her website is www.louisacornell.com.
Sara Ramsey: Her website is www.sararamsey.com.
Fabulous post, ladies! I started a Regency for kicks last year. One of these days, I’ll get back to it.
That’s so fun, Laurie!!! I hope you do!!
Thanks Laurie – hope you do get back to that Regency someday. While Regency is still my fave, I’ve done some genre-hopping in YA – if nothing else, it’s given me renewed energy for all my projects.
Enjoyed the GH Regency tips, ladies! I write contemporary, but I love reading Regency. Great tips for a world that sweeps you away in a breathtaking ballgown! Just love it!
Thanks, Marian! It’s fascinating how many people have a secret jones for Regency even if they write something else. I think it may be the most outright *fun* genre out there.
Elisa–I think half of the fun is all those blasted rules around the ton and proper society (ha) and how much fun it is breaking them! LOL.
I agree with that, Marian! It’s one of the reasons I love writing and reading Regencies – there are so many rules, and it’s so fun to try to find ways for the heroes/heroines to break them in new, believable ways.
Absolutely!
Not to mention all the sexual tension you can get out of those “rules”!
Also–and this goes for every category–don’t be afraid to enter, even if your previous contest results weren’t always the best. My GH finaling MS was a very polarizing one with the judges in chapter contests. They either loved it or hated it, mostly, I think, because I did something a little outside the box. But that didn’t prevent me from finaling in the GH, landing an agent or selling. So go for it, because you never know what might happen.
Great advice, Ashlyn! And congrats on your wonderful success!
Oh–I just read the little blurb for A TALE OF TWO SISTERS over on your website. “Sense and Sensibility but with more love scenes.” I’ll be buying that book the moment it comes out!!!
Thank you so much. I really hope you like it when it comes out. I’m still waiting on my revisions letter (and chewing my nails).
Great words of encouragement for GH’ers, Ashlyn. And there’s plenty of us waiting to buy your release, lala sis!
Yes! I have a “polarizing” element to my last ms and, therefore, have experienced the love/hate response. Definitely write YOUR story, but be prepared to have some people remain cool to it.
‘Morning, Eileen!! Good to see you here!
And, yes, you’ve got an unconventional element that a few judges haven’t known what to do with, but at this point I’d say the response has been overwhelmingly positive! (And congrats again on that shiny new Golden Pen Historical final!!!!)
You’re writing industriously today, right? RIGHT????
Well… the *preliminary* judges have loved it. It’s the final judges (who’ve usually been editors and agents) that haven’t known what to do with it.
And yes, my dear CP, I’m writing industriously today. And plotting. And judging contests as well.
WOOT!!! And as for those final judges. may I remind you of multiple requests for the full?!!!
Hello there. I am outing myself here, but I read your MS recently in a contest and LOVED it. And yes, polarizing element, but most definitely do NOT let that stop you. I was iffy on the point myself until I read the actual pages and you sold me on it.
Hey, cool. Thanks for the kind words!
I never expected this ms to do well — I seriously started it as a writing exercise. To see if I could actually complete an ms, learn the ropes, and construct a story.
Trust me… the current WIPs are totally traditional. (Not that I’ve given up on my telepathic dog story, but… well… publication is my real goal.)
See, now I’m dying to know what the polarizing element is. I never had anything like that in mine, so maybe that’s what I needed to spark something. Always felt like mine were like a ham sandwich. Nothing too spectacular but it would get you by. Not sure you should ever feel that way about your writing. LOL.
Liz, there’s a matchmaking dog who has the ability to “communicate” his thoughts (in truly doggy fashion) to the heroine. It adds a lot to the book’s humor, but it puts some people off.
I guess they’ve never met a border collie. Those creatures are (as Garrison Keillor once said) “on the verge of speech!”
I completely agree – don’t be afraid to put in your manuscript. While there are always more typical Regencies, the experiences of the people in that time period were as varied as our lives today. Don’t be afraid to explore a different take on the period. My GH manuscript wasn’t set in London, featured no balls, and depicted a very politically astute heroine, who many judges found cold or forbidding. The key comes in motivating your characters clearly enough that judges/readers understand their unusual or different perspective on the period.
Ashlyn, Excellent advice! Having a strong voice, like yourself, sometimes you have throw the dice several times to get a set of judges that get you.
I agree! The two mss I finaled in the GH with, I’ve never finaled in any other chapter contest, and I think it’s because in the GH you get an overall score without having to break it down to specific component parts. And for whatever reason, I tend to get high scores and low scores with nothing in between, so it’s such a crapshoot as to who you get as judges.
That’s an interesting point, Amanda. I judged two contests recently (actually, at the same time – always look at due dates when you volunteer to judge months in advance
. One was the Golden Pen, which scores like the Golden Heart on a 1-9 scale. The other was my San Francisco chapter’s contest, which judges scores 20 areas on a 1-5 scale, for a final score between 1-100.
And while I can’t compare the entries directly because they were different lengths, my judging process definitely felt different. I couldn’t really judge the SFA contest based on whether I enjoyed it – I had to score different elements, which totally changed how I looked at it. That’s why contest scoring isn’t a guarantee of success/failure of a novel – it’s a snapshot of a few judges’ opinions through the scoring sheet they have to use.
So I second Ashlyn’s advice – enter even if you haven’t done well in other contests. If nothing else, it’s a good deadline to have
Great advice, ladies, especially the part about joining the Beau Monde chapter. A few days on their loop will make it evident that a Regency author MUST have a clear and perfect grasp of the “correct forms of address.” Heaven forfend one doesn’t inadvertently refer to a viscount’s daughter as Lady Mary.
I think it’s also important to be a big reader of Regency — from the original texts of the period, to the well-respected masters of the modern age of Regency writing.
And, if you have your heroine breaking the hard-and-fast rules of proper Regency decorum, you darned tootin’ better make sure her GMC is clearly defined and well-reasoned.
Phew. The viscount’s daughter (minor character) in my WIP is addressed as Miss Caldwell. No Lady Louisa there.
The heroine, however, is a fast-and-loose rule-breaker…. Will keep my eye firmly on the GMC.
I got caught on this right out of the shoot. Also, the eldest is Miss Caldwell, but her younger sisters would be Miss Annabel, Miss Kitty and Miss Louisa, right? Only the eldest gets the last name in proper address…
I can’t remember exactly…but, yeah, there are some particulars you must get right.
And I like Regency heroines who play fast and loose a bit. After all, there were plenty of women who broke the rules throughout history.
They’d actually be “Miss Annabel Caldwell,” “Miss Kitty Caldwell,” and “Miss Louisa Caldwell” — surnames are included when referring to younger siblings. Only the eldest is hailed as “Miss Caldwell” if the other sisters are present, or if more clarity is required when discussing one of them.
Though I think if you were chatting with them, you’d address the younger sisters as “Miss Annabel” and “Miss Katherine.”
The oldest is Miss Caldwell, the younger ones get their first names stuck in between the Miss and the Caldwell, when referring to them, but if you address them directly, it’s Miss Elizabeth, Miss Louisa, etc .
Again, I absolutely agree – clear goals and motivation for your characters will make any judge or reader follow them and cheer for them in their conflict.
And I absolutely adore those fast and loose rule-breakers, Elisa!
I love the point of GMC. I love it when a heroine breaks the rules, and the current series I’m working on has some serious rulebreakers. But the reasons for breaking the rules have to be so clear and so believable. I’ve read a lot of books recently where the hero and/or heroine do something so far beyond the pale of what was acceptable, and often times it just seems to be for lust or because they’re in the right/wrong place at the right/wrong time.
Not saying that lust is a bad reason
But if you’ve written a prim/proper spinster and she jumps into bed with the hero (or, worse, does it in a public place), and you haven’t given me a clear reason why she’d risk everything for that, I have trouble staying in the story. Or maybe that’s just me, and I’m what the Rubies like to call an ‘East German judge’ without knowing it 
Love reading them, can’t imagine writing them!
Well, I *do* imagine writing them, but my fantasies never involve the intensive research I know would be necessary.
Well, for some reason I can’t imagine writing contemporary or series, so we’re even. The research aspect doesn’t faze me – in fact, it’s one of the best procrastination tools in the world, because I can lose myself for hours in books and chalk it up as ‘work’!
Ha! Jamie, the other day I had this great idea for a contemporary series and I’m sitting here thinking, “How the h#ll can I ever write a contemporary series?”
I love being swept away by these stories. Don’t even think about writing them. Bowing to you.
You offered up lots of great advice that goes across the board on genres. I’ll address one topic. Hooks. I don’t know how many entries that I’ve judged that ended in a mid-sentence–which was a what the ***8 moment.
JMO but don’t worry about the reaching the 55 page limit to the page. End your entry with the best hook possible. So what if the total entry is only 50 pages. You want your reader to want more. You want your reader to run up to at nationals and say I need to know what did so and so do after such and such happened. Again JMO.
Totally agree with you, Autumn – whenever I judge an entry that ends midsentence, it makes me feel cheated. Going to the score sheet with an annoyed feeling is never good
Ugh! I *hate* when entrants think they must have 55 pages (including syno) exactly. I feel so cheated and annoyed when the entry leaves off mid-sentence. Yes, it does factor into my scoring, I’m sad to say.
Yeah, the hook thing is so hard. At 20, 25, and 30 pages, I don’t have a hook on my current WIP, so I just plain don’t throw it at any contests. What harder, I think, is getting an entry that I feel the author clearly thought she was leaving off on a hook where she absolutely didn’t. Not that it can’t be subjective, but I find it difficult to explain what actually constitutes a hook. I feel like I totally know ‘em when I see ‘em, but more than that, it’s so hard to say. For me, at least.
Great post, ladies! I’ve dabbled in a Regency YA that shall never see the light of day. I didn’t make it past the first 2 chapters before I realized I didn’t have teh Regency chops. Sure, I love to read them and watch movies (and I even do Regency dancing), but it takes a certain je ne sais quoi to write them that I don’t possess.
Brava!
Thanks! Every genre has its quirks. For me I could never, ever fathom writing a mystery or a suspense. I can barely come up with a halfway believable Regency villain, let alone all the clues, redirects, red herrings, etc.
That’s the cool thing about YA, though – it’s such a broad genre that you can find your own niche within it. I was just having this debate with someone the other day over whether YA should be split into multiple categories for the RITAs/GHs. It’s probably still small enough in terms of number of entries that it doesn’t have to be split. But lumping YA mysteries + YA contemporaries + YA paranormals, etc., seems crazy to me. Still, at least there’s a home for all of that within YA, so if you do go back to your Regency YA, I would love to see it!
If I do ever go back to it, I will definitely take you up on that offer.
I am contemplating a 1890s American-set YA historical mystery at the moment. I haven’t started writing it of course, so who knows? It may share the fate of my Regnecy YA. LOL
I hope it doesn’t share the same fate! I’d love to read it!
Oh, real life Regency dancing! It’s soooo fun! I got to do it at the Beau Monde Soiree at the D.C. Nationals, and we were all laughing the whole time. I wonder how often Regency folks laughed at their own mistakes (in the movies, even looks so elegantly choreographed and serious…but I kinda suspect even with all the dancing masters and the practice aristocrats got, that lots of people still tangled over their own or their partners’ feet.)
I haven’t gone in a while (having a toddler makes it difficult — it was easier when she was an infant because we could bring her along and she’d happily sit in the infant carrier and play and babble to herself while we danced) but there’s a historic ballroom at Gadsby’s Tavern (circa 1785) in Old Town Alexandria that does 18th century English country dancing lessons every Tuesday night, and hosts frequent balls throughout the year. I got hooked because they do a Jane Austen Ball.
I have the best husband ever. He must really love me because not only did he agree to go to the lessons with me, but he even dressed in period costuime for the the balls!!!
Period costume! Yes, that’s a man in love!
Absolutely fabulous advice, ladies! You’ve given me much to think about while I polish my entry.
Thanks for stopping by, Magda! Best of luck with your entry
You’ve got a great Regency voice, Magda, as we clearly saw in the Make It Golden contest! It’s clear from just those 250 words that you’ve got the right level of cheekiness and an eye for characters who know how to push the envelope on the rules!
I loooooooved your entry from the Make It Golden contest, Magda. Good luck in the Golden Heart!
Yeah, I loved your entry. I’m so thrilled that you won and am a little intimidated entering the GH knowing I’ll be up against you. Then again, I never final in anything, so what the hey. I’ll have fun cheering you on!
What an excellent post, Rubies!!! And so much of this applies to any type of writing. Just great advice! My first ms was a Regency set historical. I have such a love for the period. Makes me want to drop everything and go read a book. Or, IDK, write one. LOL.
If I knew that your first mss was a Regency, I totally forgot that fun fact. If you ever get sick of paranormal (unlikely, I know), we’ll welcome you back with open arms!
LOL, thanks, Sara!!! I just love reading and writing Regency so much. Maybe someday.
Oh…I knew you liked READING Regency, but I didn’t know you’d WRITTEN any!!!!
Your hilarious voice in FIRST GRAVE and SECOND GRAVE makes me think you’d write wonderfully fun Regency. OH, I hope you go back to the Regency ms some day soon!!!
Thank you, Elisa!!! I have been thinking about it a lot lately, even to the point of saying, “Hey, I am now a paranormal writer, but who says I can’t write a paranormal in a Regency setting?” LOL
Yes, please!!!!!!!
I must admit I adore paranormal Regencies. There really aren’t a lot of them, but they’re so much fun! I bet you’d do it WONDERFULLY!!!!!
Lots of great advice! I actually thought my non-finaling entry would be the better scorer, but boy was I wrong. If you have multiple mss and can afford it, I say enter them all! I also wrote a post at the Lady Scribes blog (here
) about my thoughts and advice, though it is not necessarily Regency-centric.
Good luck to everyone entering – it truly is life changing!
Oops – didn’t come through with the link:
http://ladyscribes.blogspot.com/2011/08/its-that-time-of-year-again-my-friends.html
Great point, Erin! I’m not quite as prolific as a lot of you ladies, so the multiple-manuscripts-at-once thing was never my problem
But I’ve heard so many people who scored better with the manuscript they almost didn’t enter, so it’s worth considering if you have multiple projects and the means to enter them all.
I’m reading this post with interest as Regency is my favorite Era/genre. I didn’t have anything ready for this year, but definitely looking to enter next fall! Thanks for the advice!
Good luck, Kristen! I do hope you’re able to enter next years – good luck with your WIP!
I don’t write Regencies, but I’m curious … when I started writing 10 yrs ago, it seemed to me that long Regency-era books with love scenes were described as Regency-set historicals, while “Regencies” were shorter books without love scenes.
Are both types of ms entered in the Regency division of the GH?
Tx!
Thanks for the comment, Greta! Someone else please jump in if I get this wrong, but I believe both would/could be entered in the Regency category. The shorter non-love-scene books are called traditional (or ‘trad’) Regencies, and while they would definitely be entered in the Regency category, they’ve fallen out of favor with the publishing industry. Every Regency-set historical that I’ve written has gotten feedback that it should have more and more sex/heat.
Some books are moving in the other direction; one of my fellow 2011 finalists sold her Regency without any sex scenes, and I’ve heard rumors that trad Regencies are making a comeback. But for the purposes of the GH, either sexy or non-sexy Regencies can be entered, as long as they are the right time period/setting for the genre.
Sara’s right on all that….
I did just want to add that some e-pubs (like Carina) are apparently showing interest in reviving the short traditional Regency. I’d love to see them come back! Some of Mary Balogh’s short traditionals from years ago are still among my favorite books!
Thanks, ladies!
I was a member of the Beau Monde for a while … what a great bunch of writers.
Thanks so much as awlays, gals, for all the awesome tips! My current ms takes place in 1830 (it has to b/c of an event in the book critical to the plot). I have this vision of the judges picking up my ms and expecting a cowboy or something and being disappointed for that reason!
LOL on the cowboy thing!! 1830 is a great time…. so much cultural change going on!
Miranda,
The 1830′s are a great period to write about! And you should take heart that there are a lot of great published historical writers (and past GH finalists) working with a slightly more Victorian aesthetic. Just stay true to your character’s experience of their period and your entry is sure to resonate with judges. Good luck!
Now I’m sure I’ll never try to write a Regency. Eeep!
Oh, but I’d love to see what you’d do with it, Rita! You could do a great spitfire heroine, I’m sure!
Great point on the ending hook. So much attention is paid to the beginning page that I’ve neglected thinking about the last impression for the judges. (LOVED the examples–well done all)
I’ve edited harshly to end on a pivotal scene, but am still over the page limitation. I could not find the GH standard on font. Normally I work in TNR 12, but if I dropped down to 11 font size would it violate rules or be too distracting?
Thoroughly enjoy a Regency romp. Keep them coming!
Oops . . . addressed on the “Endings” thread. Thank you.
I’m sorry I’m so late, Regency sisters. Doc day. Just got in a wee bit ago, but hurried to see the post! You see, I wrote a Regency era book back in the 90′s. I have A Regency Companion (or, rather, Laurie does, at the moment) and am sorry to say, it’s nigh impossible to get without spending major $$$ (Laurie looked, and darn near choked—especially when I told her my copy cost $14.95. Since it’s all but irreplaceable, she is caring for it with lots of love). So, check your local library, ladies or, as in the case of me and my CP, beseech a friend who also loves the period—but be warned, you may have to sign your name in blood and do other arcane things if you want to take it home.
Wonderful hooks, btw. I enjoyed reading every one of them.
Wonderful day here at the blog. Wish I could have been more help but it’s been well over two years since I donned a frock and put quill to parchment. Guess I got rusty, but I do so love the genre and the time period. And I enjoyed remembering why today.
Very late popping in, but I enjoyed all the wonderful info and comments. Thanks for the great discussion!
I second that, Anne, fantastic discussion. With hat’s off to Miss Austen and Ms. Heyer for their inspiration to all of us.
[...] Slippered Sisterhood blog with my fellow ’09 Regency finalists – we’re discussing what it takes to final in the Regency category of the Golden Heart. If you’re entering, considering entering, or even just thinking about how to polish your [...]