One of the best things about being an author, Gentle Reader, is all the odd things I end up having to look up. Here’s a non-spoiler window into some of the things I had to research, investigate, or cogitate while working on Imprudence, as well as a few writer-beast revelations. Weird Goings On Mid 1850’s […]
Jun292016
Behind the Scenes Custard Protocol: Things Miss Gail Had to Research
Jan252016
Victorian Money Means Coins! Research Behind Steampunk
This is one of those blog posts in which I demonstrate the nitty-gritty of research in an aggravatingly nit-picky way. This is an amended reboot from 2012 when I first started writing Prudence. Read at your own risk. To protect the guilty I’m not going to name any names, Gentle Reader, and I’d like to state […]
Jan172016
All About Steampunk: Goggles, Gaiters & Glory
The World of Steampunk: Goggles, Gaiters & Glory To me there are two main kinds of steampunk. The first, which I shall be call, traditional steampunk, envisions a future as the Victorians imagined it. The writings of H.G. Wells and Jules Verne are good examples. The second, which I think of as industrial steampunk, sees […]
Nov162015
Unused Finishing School Notes
And now, Gentle Reader, for some serious bloggage… Finishing School DVD Extras! One of the last things I did, Gentle Reader, when I was handing in my final draft of Manners & Mutiny, was go over my story bible for the whole book series. I’m not going to let you peek at the bible itself. […]
Oct302015
Research into History of Women’s Education in England for Manners & Mutiny
The Final Finishing School Book, Manners & Mutiny, releases next Tuesday. Eeep! Also, I just learned that Imprudence is available for pre-order here in the US. (Possibly elsewhere, but I can’t check that.) Meanwhile, I had a wonderful time doing the Dork Forest with Jackie Kashian. Here’s a glimpse into some of the research I […]
Oct232015
Researching The Enigma Project & Victorian Spies for Manners & Mutiny
So when I was doing research for the Finishing School series, Gentle Reader, I did a bunch of research into the Enigma Project. It totally fascinated me (yes I’ve watched the various movies). Not a lot ended up making it into the books, but here is a peek at the vocabulary notes I took. My […]
Oct192015
Historical Questions for Victorian Ladies 1853
If you were a respectable young lady in the Victorian Era, Gentle Reader, here are a few conversation topics you might be expected to have words on. This is the kind of thing Lady Linette might instruct the girls of Mademoiselle Geraldine’s with, in order to adequately prepare them for societal integration. Historical Question […]
Oct122015
A Conflagration of Research: Victorians & Food, Etiquette, Photo Resources
Today my dear Gentle Reader, I have a collection of stuff (all the stuff!) I thought might be of interest. Have fun! Some stuff about the Victorians and Food! Two of my most favorite subjects rolled together like a pig in a blanket. “As, for the fashionable, dinner moved later, after-dinner tea was no longer […]
Aug172015
Teapot Carrier AKA the Carriage Cozy: Transporting Tea (Victorians On the Go)
Some time ago, Gentle Reader, a dear friend gifted me with a teapot carrier AKA carriage cozy. At first, when I saw it I was confused. Why would she give me one of those 1950’s hair dryer cases? Then I opened it up and inside was a perfectly nested teapot! I thought, “My my my, […]
Aug32015
Vampires & Werewolves: Around the World in 8 Absurdities
Little article for you today, Gentle reader… Vampires & Werewolves: Around the World in 8 Absurdities Since I write comedy and alternate history, I spend a good deal of time investigating historical quirks. One of my favorite things to do is take vampires and werewolves and make them responsible for the most unexplainable facts and […]
Jul222015
Victorian Slang for Lord Akeldama
1811 Slang for Lord Akeldama Backgammon player ~ A sodomite A bang up cove ~ A dashing fellow who spends his money freely Bachelor’s faire ~ Bread and cheese and kisses Blanket hornpipe or Buttock ball ~ The amorous congress Pink of the fashion ~ The top of the mode Prinking ~ Dressing over nicely; […]
Jul172015
If Mangnall Wrote My Author Bio from Gail Carriger (1830)
Mangnall’s Questions were well known in their day, Gentle Reader and I had a blast reading them myself for research. The 1830s volume was designed for young ladies to read in order to educate themselves to converse properly in polite society. One section is all about famous people. The style in which the descriptions of […]