Category Archives: historic details

Contemporary to Historical ~ A New Slant on Research

Posted on August 3, 2020 by Connie Stevens

I am delighted to welcome Ane Mulligan to my blog today. Ane has a wonderful sense of humor that translates into spunky, sassy characters in her stories. IN HIGH COTTON is definitely her best one yet! I know readers won’t … Continue reading →

Posted in ACFW Author, backdrop for characters, Contemporary to Historical, creating characters, historic details, historical fiction, new release, Research, Research for fiction, setting details | 9 Comments

THE ART OF DESCRIPTION

Posted on June 29, 2020 by Connie Stevens

Authors have debated for years over how much description to insert in a scene. Description is a lot like seasoning in a stew. If the stew lacks seasoning, it’s bland and uninteresting. But if you shake too much seasoning into … Continue reading →

Posted in creating characters, creating setting, Description, historic details, minor characters, settings | Tagged | Leave a comment

SETTING DETAILS — Where am I?

Posted on May 29, 2020 by Connie Stevens

There is an expression used in fiction writing–“talking heads.” It means a character is speaking, his lines of dialogue are there, but the reader has no idea what this character looks like. Is he tall, short, fat, skinny, does he … Continue reading →

Posted in backdrop for characters, conflicting emotions, creating setting, fictional characters, historic details, readers, Relatable characters, secondary characters, setting details, settings | Leave a comment

WHEN RESEARCH GETS IN THE WAY

Posted on June 12, 2018 by Connie Stevens

Have you ever read a book and found a glaring error? I’m not talking about a misspelled word or a grammar mistake. How does it make you feel as a reader if the author has obviously not done her research … Continue reading →

Posted in backdrop for characters, cemeteries, creating setting, fictional characters, historic details, historical fiction, readers, Research, Research for fiction, settings, unexpected plot twists | Leave a comment

NEW AND OLD

Posted on September 23, 2016 by Connie Stevens

As excited as I am when a new book releases, I am every bit as excited when my publisher releases some of my previous books as a three-in-one repack. Okay, I’m just a little over-the-moon giddy! New: In October, the … Continue reading →

Posted in backdrop for characters, Brides of Georgia, conflicting emotions, creating characters, creating setting, fictional characters, Harbinger of Healing, historic details, historical fiction, New releases, north Georgia fiction, novella collection, Trail of Tears, War Between The States | Leave a comment

RESEARCH BOOKS–oh my!

Posted on May 4, 2016 by Connie Stevens

In my last post I offered some suggestions for research sources, so in keeping with the research theme, I’d like to focus the spotlight a little tighter. While some of the best information can be gleaned from speaking directly with … Continue reading →

Posted in character's occupations, creating setting, historic details, historical fiction, Research books, Research for fiction, writing tools | Leave a comment

NAVIGATING THE RESEARCH JOURNEY

Posted on April 21, 2016 by Connie Stevens

When you’re a writer, research is part of the job. But here is the thing: some writers would rather have root canal surgery than endure what they consider the drudgery of research. I, on the other hand, am one of … Continue reading →

Posted in backdrop for characters, character's occupations, creating setting, historic details, historical fiction, Research for fiction, World War I, writing tools | Leave a comment

SETTING–a character in itself

Posted on February 20, 2016 by Connie Stevens

One of the questions writers get asked the most—after “How do you come up with your story ideas?”—is, how does an author decide where to place a story. Recently, an email from my agent prompted me to consider that question … Continue reading →

Posted in backdrop for characters, creating setting, historic details, historical fiction, Research for fiction, settings | Leave a comment

STORY IDEAS?

Posted on January 15, 2015 by Connie Stevens

As a writer, I am often asked, “Where do you get your ideas for stories?” The answer varies as much as the many stories that line the shelves of bookstores. I’ve stumbled across items in antique stores that set my … Continue reading →

Posted in ACFW Author, family history, historic details, historical fiction, old houses, Research for fiction, seeking | Tagged | Leave a comment

TIME TRAVEL–for research

Posted on September 18, 2014 by Connie Stevens

It’s no secret that I love research. Of course, my husband may have a differing opinion, especially when supper is late because I’ve been “time traveling.” Since I write historical fiction, sometimes it’s not easy finding the details I need … Continue reading →

Posted in historic details, historic sawmills, historical fiction, New Echota, north Georgia fiction, novella collection, Research for fiction, Sunday houses, Sundays in Fredericksburg, Trail of Tears, traveling | Leave a comment