Hi everyone! Today I am very happy to welcome Brita Addams to the blog. Brita is here to talk to us about her new release, Tarnished Gold. She also information about a FABULOUS giveaway going on! So please join me in giving Brita a big welcome!
To celebrate the release of my old Hollywood era novel, Tarnished Gold, I have embarked on a virtual book tour.
- Ebook giveaways at each stop. Random commenter’s choice from my backlist (Tarnished Gold excluded)
- Signed 8×10 glossies of Jack Abadie
Grand Prize is a Kindle, along with the winner’s choice of five (5) of my backlist titles, sent to them by email.
Rules:
Easy. Leave a comment at one or all the stops. At each stop, a random commenter will be selected to win their choice of backlist book (Tarnished Gold excluded.) This selection will be made daily throughout the tour, except where blog owners wish to extend the eligibility. Be sure to leave an email address in your comment.
All names of commenters and their email addresses will be put into the drawing for the Kindle, even if they have won the daily drawing. The more comments you make the more chances you have to win.
Other prizes include five (5) 8×10 glossies of Jack Abadie, signed. The winners will be selected on April 10, from all the commenters at all the stops, and notified by email.
The Grand Prize winner will be selected on April 10th and notified by email. Once I have heard from the winner and obtained a shipping address, I will order the Kindle and have it shipped directly to the winner. They will also be eligible to select five (5) of my backlist titles and I will email them to the winner.
Contest valid in the United States.
Full schedule for the Tarnished Gold Virtual Book Tour
An interesting discussion came across one of the author loops this week and I thought I’d share some thoughts on it, considering it had to do with historicals and what makes the piece interesting and acceptable for the reader.
Long before I started writing historical romances, I read them. Mostly by mainstream authors, Lisa Kleypas, Mary Balogh, Phillipa Gregory, but many others as well. I positively consumed them, set my favorites aside for a reread and shipped some off others to my local library, where they thrive today. We’re talking paperbacks here.
Why do I love historicals? Well, the answer is multi-layered and not always clearly defined. I thought I could only be content with historicals set in England, but then I started reading early American stories and found that as long as they were well written, I loved them as well.
There are always issues with a writer’s style conflicting with a readers preference—that’s a given. But when the style clicks with me—oh, my, I immerse myself in the story. This happens when the elements in the historical blend so fluidly that I am transported into another time and another place.
As I came to the realization that I had searched all my life for my writing niche, I realized that romance novels had a quality about them that adventure, murder mysteries, etc., didn’t have. Those aren’t my reading niches, therefore they aren’t what interests me when I write. Back then, I had never encountered paranormal, with shapeshifters (I actually had to ask my daughter what in the world that was,) vampires (I only knew Dracula,) and then the whole cyborg thing, which is totally lost on me.
Romance grabbed me, held my interest, but it had to be in the historical context. I admire how writers can write a contemporary romance and not have it all about the raunchy language and crudity that exists in the real world, but that isn’t my niche either. I’ve written a few and have been wholly unsuccessful at it, where as my historicals thrive.
The costumes, elaborate or every man, the ornate furnishings, the difficulties posed by lack of modern transportation and communication, these are elements of a historical that fascinate me.
One other element, and the subject of the aforementioned discussion, is language. Despite what our children think, they didn’t invent the English language, no more than they invented sex. Language has evolved over many centuries and still today, an element of society speaks in a very formal way, while the more common folk speak as simply as possible.
I want my historicals, in reading and writing, to reflect the time in which they are set. The one concession is, if written in the cant of the pre-20th century, we wouldn’t be able to decipher the writer’s intention. That’s where a writer must make a decision and I have.
I read books written in the period I write about, not only about the period. I trust that a writer who lived in that time, ie: Jane Austen, would have written in such a way that would give me a sense of the period. I also watched tons of movies, all the Austen efforts, which are adapted from her books and which have language that reflects the period, without it being cumbersome.
The above discussion revolved around the person’s ire at the lack of contractions in a Medieval piece he had read, written by a modern day author. He found that style stunted and was sure that people did indeed use contractions, even in 1100.
Not having lived then, I can’t be certain. Research says that there were contractions in existence early in history, some coming into usage much later than others. Few in 1100 however. I have a list of the more common ones, and they were unheard of, many even before the 1700s.
In historical romance, contractions often appear as a way of separating the lower classes from the higher. The lower classes used contractions, where the educated resorted to the more proper use of words. Someone once said that contractions were going to lead to the destruction of the English language. I wish I could find where I wrote the man’s name. Alas, he is lost in a sea of index card research.
Contractions shorten up words, but they also distract when reading, if the piece you are reading is of a historical nature. “I cannot imagine a suitor more worthy,” is far superior to “I can’t imagine someone I’d rather be seen with.” Cannot is not cumbersome and doesn’t disturb the flow of the sentence.
Yes, I have had readers who don’t like my version of antiquated speech in my Regencies. It is more formal, when called for, but I always keep the speech within the character I am writing for. I also use contractions and less formal speech in narration.
When reading historicals, we must remember that there were more genteel times in our past, when formality and manners were the call of the day. Our ancestors would likely cringe if they heard most of us speak today, as most feel free to express opinions and dispense criticism that simply wouldn’t have been welcome historically. I’ve heard people say that “no one spoke that formally, ever.” I beg to differ—greatly. You only need read period-written literature to see how formally they did speak, and write, and address one another.
Yes, I’m older. I actually remember 1968, quite well. I also remember my elderly aunts and uncles and how they spoke. Far different than people speak today.
Now, I know there are people who don’t like historical fiction, because they are very grounded in today. My hat goes off to them. I’ve always said that I was born in the wrong century, so my love of history in general and historical fiction in particular, is no surprise to anyone who knows me.
As I’ve done with my Regencies, I researched language, slang, sex slang, etc., for the early 1900s, so that I could portray my characters in Tarnished Gold properly. I watched some of the very first talkies, read books written about and in the period, and immersed myself in the culture of early Hollywood.
For me, it isn’t enough to know what clothes people wore and what movies were produced. While the language isn’t as formal as in the Regencies (and that isn’t all formal,) I do use some period slang to help ground the reader in the period.
Tell me what you think. I’d truly love to hear your opinion.
To get a sense of what I mean, I invite you to take a look at my two books at Dreamspinner Press. On April 1, Dreamspinner has both these books on sale at 25% off! Take advantage.
In 1917, starstruck Jack Abadie strikes out for the gilded streets of the most sinful town in the country—Hollywood. With him, he takes a secret that his country hometown would never understand.
After years of hard work and a chance invitation to a gay gentlemen’s club, Jack is discovered. Soon, his talent, matinee idol good looks, and affable personality propel him to the height of stardom. But fame breeds distrust.
Meeting Wyatt Maitland turns Jack’s life upside down. He wants to be worthy of his good fortune, but old demons haunt him. Only through Wyatt’s strength can Jack face that which keeps him from being the man he wants to be. Love without trust is empty.
As the 1920s roar, scandals rock the movie industry. Public tolerance of Hollywood’s decadence has reached its limit. Under pressure to clean up its act, Jack’s studio issues an ultimatum. Either forsake the man he loves and remain a box office darling, or follow his heart and let his shining star fade to tarnished gold.
Read an excerpt and purchase the Tarnished Gold ebook or print, signed by the author (if one of the first twenty sold.)
I also have For Men Like Us, which takes place during the Regency in England. You can find it at Dreamspinner Press. Just click the title to be magically transported.
After Preston Meacham’s lover dies trying to lend him aid at Salamanca, hopelessness becomes his only way of life. Despite his best efforts at starting again, he has no pride left, which leads him to sell himself for a pittance at a molly house. The mindless sex affords him his only respite from the horrors he witnessed.
The Napoleonic War left Benedict Wilmot haunted by the acts he was forced to commit and the torture he endured at the hands of a superior, a man who used the threat of a gruesome death to force Ben to do his bidding. Even sleep gives Ben no reprieve, for he can’t escape the destruction he caused.
When their paths cross, Ben feels an overwhelming need to protect Preston from his dangerous profession. As he explains, “The streets are dangerous for men like us.”
About Brita Addams
Born in Upstate New York, Brita Addams has made her home in the sultry south for many years. Brita’s home is a happy place, where she lives with her real-life hero, her husband, and a fat cat named Stormee.
She writes, for the most part, erotic historical romance, both het and m/m, which is an ideal fit, given her love of British and American history. Setting the tone for each historical is important. Research plays an indispensible part in the writing of any historical work, romance or otherwise. A great deal of reading and study goes into each work, to give the story the authenticity it deserves.
As a reader, Brita prefers historical works, romances and otherwise. She believes herself born in the wrong century, though she says she would find it difficult to live without air conditioning.
Brita and her husband love to travel, particularly cruises and long road trips. They completed a Civil War battlefield tour a couple of years ago, and have visited many places involved in the American Revolutionary War.
In May, 2013, they are going to England for two weeks, to visit the places Brita writes about in her books, including the estate that inspired the setting for her Sapphire Club series. Not the activities, just the floor plan. J
A bit of trivia – Brita pronounces her name, Bree-ta, like the woman’s name, and oddly, not like the famous water filter.
Please visit me at any of these online locations:
Thanks so much for talking about language! The voice of the character is so important, which is why your attention to detail is great! *And one of my favorite mainstream authors is Lisa Kleypas! I loved her historicals! 😉
OceanAkers @ aol.com
Hi Juliana,
If you haven’t, read It Happened in Autumn. I simply love Lord Westcliff, another broken hero.
There is no other way to write a historical but with attention to detail. I’m passionate about that, as you might be able to tell. 🙂 I get some flak for my version of archaic English, though only a few people comment that they don’t like it, but in Regencies, I feel it has to be present.
I would so like to be entered in the drawing for Tarnished Gold. I love the cover.
Hi Cindy,
Thanks for stopping by. Anne Cain truly did hit a home run with the cover, didn’t she? She’s terrific. It’s the only cover I’ve ever had that I haven’t asked for some little tweak here or there. She sent me the mock up and I fell in love.
I need your email, honey, to enter you in the drawing.
Isn’t it beautiful? I love the cover for For Men Like Us as well.
Loved the blurbs! Please count me in. Thanks!!!
You’re in! Thank you for coming by.
I did take note of the very formal speech in For Men Like Us. It seemed appropriate to the era. Plus, we have no audible records of speech from most eras, only the written word, which was written and printed by a specific group of people. So we may never know how a lower class Regency era man spoke. He might not have been able to read or write, and he may not have had the luxury of supplies or time to do so. Formal history erases those without access to commodities that were once only for the privileged. Which is why cultural history rocks, but is harder to research. I obviously love these posts way too much–thanks!
You are so right about no audible records. I lieu of that, I have watched so many period movies to get a sense of the language as interpreted by writers like Austen. The spoken word is supposition, of course, but I know how I feel when watching Austen movies and others interpreted from works written in the period.
There was a definite difference in the classes and education was one factor. Location, family, occupation, all played into the way people spoke.
Honestly, writing the less educated is easier to write, or was, when I first started. I’ve written so many historicals now, I tend to have difficulty escaping my version of period speech. Sometimes I speak it myself, which makes my family chuckle at me, with life imitating art.
I am so pleased that you are enjoying the posts. That’s why I write them. I love to share with readers, and for you to share with me.
Writing is so solitary a pursuit, it’s wonderful to know that you all are out there.
Hugs, and I hope you’ll continue to follow the tour.
The language of a historical sets the tone for me more than all the descriptions of dress and decorations (probably because my eyes start to roll back in my head when I read overly drawn-out paragraphs about such), so I feel immersed in a time that is not now. I’m reading a historical right now, (1600’s and Englishmen) that I’m absolutely loving because of how the author has captured the time for readers with the character’s language and manner. I haven’t felt a false step in the writing, and it makes me feel as I’m reading a written record from then instead of something published in 2009. That’s what makes a historical work for me (besides a story worth reading). So, Brita, as a reader, I appreciate the effort you put in as a writer to make your historicals feel of the time.
Thanks again for your generosity of time and effort as you keep sharing such interesting posts along the tour.
I think if description is woven into the story, ie: “her blue silk gown swished as she walked,” rather than, “she wore a blue silk gown, a red pelisse, etc.” the descriptions are palatable. They are necessary, but I have seen pages of them and I confess to searching for the next quotation marks. Sad, but yeah, I’ve done.
Language is important in any culture and will help to easily identify an era. I’m very careful to watch that I don’t use cliches and if I do, I make sure they were used at the time. There are great databases that I use regularly to date idioms, even words. Also, I make sure no to use cliches we use today, lest they sound too recent. Our language is rife with cliches written by Shakespeare, but I don’t use them.
I guess there’s a fine line, but I do try to make the formality with which my noblemen speak, less formal with the “common” man.
There are readers who love the attempt at period language, and again, if we wrote in true period cant, no one would understand us, and others don’t like it at all. Some people truly feel that all men spoke as we do today. I’ve seen that written too many times recently.
I appreciate you as a reader, I truly do, Carolyn, and everyone who so loves historical romance. Your love of them spurs me on to write even more.
Hugs and please continue to follow the tour. Lots more to go.
Brita, it made me laugh to see your comment about searching for the next quotation marks because I’ve done that so many times! I feel bad about it, but I just have no patience when an author describes where everything is in a room and what it looks like. You’re so right, when it’s done in the context of the action, I don’t mind it at all.
You keep writing, and I’ll keep reading. I don’t know what I’m going to do when the tour’s done. I’ll probably start emailing you. *grin*
Hugs to you, Brita; you are a gem!
Thank you so much Carolyn. I’m always around Facebook and I’ll be doing a photologue of our trip to England *we leave a month from tomorrow*
You can email me anytime. I love getting mail.
I do intend to keep writing, so I will count on you to keep reading. I’m glad you like my work. That means a lot.
Hugs back to you, honey. You are a treasure.
This sounds like an interesting book, thanks for the giveaway!
tiger-chick-1(at)hotmail(dot)com
Welcome to the tour, Emily. I do hope you find the book to your liking. Consider yourself entered in the Kindle drawing and of course, for the backlist book. Hope to see you along the trail.
Thanks for sharing what makes historical stories more appealing and unique compared to other genres. Also thank you for the giveaway =D
You’re welcome!!
I like when the slang matches the time period of the book.
bn100candg at hotmail dot com
Thank you! I so agree.