Final Notes on the Period

The Draw of the Victorians

Why am I taking the extra work of going back nearly 200 Years in time? Believe me, I have asked myself that question a multitude of times. Is it worth the effort of research to go back when I could transport the characters and storylines to my modern day and write in known spheres? Why go back in time?

Why Historical Fiction?

My answer has become clear as I progress through the formation of The Affections of Miss Lucian. The Victorian Era is really indispensable to the story when it is formed off of what I know of the Nineteenth Century.

The primary reason the Victorian Era is so important must be the real Christianity that still existed in culture at large. Though England at the time was solidly Anglican and violently anti-Catholic, there was still the firm foundation of Christianity to support morality. There were still nasty, monstrous people in the world, and horrible things still happened, but with solid morals still upheld and defended there was more support for anyone trying to lead a moral life. As previous posts have highlighted, even the monarch of the era was an upright, moral character.

Our modern world is not so moral as it once was. To bring Miss Lucian's story into our modern day, there would be a greater disbelief that such good people and communities could exist, and the bad men and women among my characters would seem almost normal. 

 My Favourite Attribute

The most formative aspect of the Victorian Era for me and my writing is the image of woman. Though the backlash against Victorian propriety and decorum in recent years has been quite violent, the truth of woman's position in Nineteenth Century society was not restraining and demeaning. Though the Victorian Era saw the beginning of feminism, the central, ideal image of woman was as the 'Angel in the Home' and the pinnacle of morality.

My entire novel is oriented toward the question of how women can achieve exemplary, feminine virtue in a real, organic fashion. And when women strive to be great, moral figures, what becomes of men and the family?

Now dancing, music, ballgowns, drawing-rooms, and British accents are really wonderful too, but they are only secondary to the real drive of a moral nation as my story's background.

Concluding

No one can deny that horrible, dark aspects of society have existed since the Fall of Man. There is no absolutely perfect society in this world throughout the course of history. I hope my portrayal of Victorian England may not prove to be overly sentimental and fantastically perfect, though I must say the green, lush countryside is far more appealing to me than the real, gritty streets of London.

Whatever I write, wherever it takes place, I must try to make an honest story if I can. Here's hoping that readers will find truth in the pages of my novel.

This post concludes my preliminary, historical/moral concentration. In future, my posts will focus upon the actual formation of my story in itself. I will muse upon character and plot development and bring you along on the amusing ride.

I hope you have found some interesting bits in my musings thus far and are up to following my writing further along this journey.

Warm wishes,

M. R.

The Queen and Her Prince

 A Royal Marriage

One of the absolutely popular attributes of Queen Victoria was certainly her solid, loving marriage to Prince Albert.

Unlike so many arranged, royal marriages, Albert and Victoria really loved one another and remained faithful throughout their twenty-one years of marriage (1840-1861). Theirs was certainly a fruitful marriage, both in their political influence and their nine children. Prince Albert loved the arts and scientific advancement, and Victoria happily helped him promote his interests throughout their empire. Albert's early death from typhoid fever was greatly mourned by his widow. 

Prince Albert and Queen Victoria

A Domestic State

Under the reign and influence of a happily married couple, England took a turn toward morality after its parade of unfortunate monarchs. Even amid a good deal of turmoil and nasty attributes, Victorian England prized and idealized the family and happy home life. We can read an abundance of Victorian authors who have sketched scenes of marital felicity. Charles Dickens -- my model in most story-relating topics -- had a habit of creating "Angel in the House" heroines in his novels, and rewarding them with a flawless family life in the end.

The domestic, family-oriented state of Victorian England has been most formative to my novel writing so far. In today's culture, The Affections of Miss Lucian would necessarily be a very different story, containing radically different characters and plots.

A Tradition

One of my favorite facts of the remarkable, royal couple is a minor detail, but an interesting one nonetheless.

Queen Victoria was married in a white dress. Until then, a wedding dress would simply be the colour and style that was trending or best fitting to the bride. When Queen Victoria wore white on her wedding day, the custom of the bride wearing white was popularized and young women eagerly took after their queen.

The white wedding dress will make an appearance at least once in my novel, and I owe that also to the Queen and her marriage.

Conclusion

I am happy to learn whenever I get a chance to deepen my knowledge of the royal family in and around my novel's timeframe. They are such fascinating people, and they lived during a time when the monarchy still held a definite power over their subjects. I come to realize more and more how many aspects of life and times I must understand of Victorian England in order to fully write my story.

Finally, I wish to send an apology from this Author Desk for my tardiness. Spring is notorious for busyness, and this spring has really outdone itself to keep up the reputation! I remain determined to continue this blog for a good while yet, so please do stay tuned, dear Reader!

Until I write again,

M.R.

Christ Is Risen! ALLELUIA!

 A Short, Non-Story Post...

Happy Easter, dear Readers!!

It has been a wonderful, dramatic journey to get through the Triduum's holy celebration, and now I am enjoying the rest and triumph of the Easter Octave. I hope you may do the same!

Such growth and life is springing up all around that my creative, hopeful thoughts and feelings are right at home. Our Easter Lily -- a must-have for this blessed Season! -- sits in the living room very near to the pianoforte (where I spend almost as much time as I do writing.) The sight and scent of that blossom, mingling with the joyous sounds of Easter Hymns, is enough in itself to remind me how great this new, redeemed life in Christ is.

The Easter Lily

Perhaps I will find more time to write in his holiday-like season. I certainly hope so!

Concluding:

Miss Lucian will not make any appearance in this post, but I promise she will be back very soon! Easter preparation and celebration made it very hard to get even one post in, but I shall soon be back to usual schedules.

Until we meet again, I hope you will enjoy many good things this Eastertide. Smell an Easter Lily at least once, and think often of the Risen, Glorious Lord.

With Easter Joy: 
M. R,

P.S. The Catholic Writer's Guild is publishing a blog post by your Author on April 23, 2022. Please do hop over there if you would like to read that post!

The Beginning of an Age

 To the Past

Welcome to Nineteenth Century England! 

The beginning of the century was a dramatic, eventful period in world history. The aftermath from both French and American Revolutions was still predominant, and Napoleon Bonaparte had shaken the world with his conquests. All sorts of technological and scientific advances marked the nineteenth century, rapidly modernizing the world.

However, let me focus upon Great Britain itself, where my story is planned to unfold.

Leading up to the monarch who would rule England during some of its most progressive years, the royal family was almost a mockery of morality. Victoria's grandfather, King George III, went mad ten years before his death in 1820. Due to the mad king, the eldest son (later King George IV) took the position as Prince Regent. During his regency and afterward his reign, George IV was decadent dandy. While his father remained faithful in his marriage despite his mental illness, George IV kept a mistress and publicly destroyed his marriage. 

George IV produced only one legitimate child, and it was a daughter.

Following the death of his brother, William IV succeeded to the throne. His character was decidedly different from his brother. He spent his early life as a navy man, working among the people he would later rule. In his youth he did live, unmarried, with more than one woman. However, he did marry and remain faithful and happy with his wife. William's short reign of seven years did not allow for him to become as known and loved as his successor would be.

William IV died on June 20, 1837, having produced no heir.

The only living heir among three brothers was eighteen-year-old Victoria.

A Young Queen

Not only was the new monarch a woman, she was also exceedingly young. She had only just come of age to avoid another regency. The beginning of Victoria's reign was rough, and the subjects distrusted such a young ruler. (An excellent source for information on Victoria's early reign has been the 2009 film The Young Victoria.)

The Queen's actual coronation took place on June 28, 1838, just over a year after her uncle's death.

Concluding:

A marked change in the people's admiration for Queen Victoria took place after her wise marriage to Albert. Together the royal couple would stand as a shining image for the people of their country. My next post will continue on this actual history strand, highlighting especially the marriage of Victoria and Albert and what it meant for England both politically and morally.

This has been a very brief, very condensed overview of the years between 1800 and 1838. I hope it will provide enough of a foundation for my continued study in this blog. 

Until next visit!
M. R.

The Affections of Miss Lucian

Five Arrivals, One Little Village

Spring 1839

Arbville has never hustled or hurried for a day of its long life. The tiny village, in the heart of Southwest England's farmland, is graced with serenity, peace, and undisturbed quiet. Yet, Arbville's serenity cannot withstand the excitement of five Newcomers. Four gentlemen and one lady charge into the peaceful existence of the country village, and all at once life becomes... colourful.

Who are they?

Arbville thought the arrival of its new, young rector at St. Lucy's enough excitement for the year, but now it must brace for more? Following the pious rector, Mr. Richmond, accompanied by a romantic Mr. Allman, returns from travels in Europe, bringing with him fresh, imaginative prospects for life. However, most dreadful of the gentlemanly arrivals is a certain Mr. Addison, businessman, money-lender, and son of a famed miser.  

While the four gentlemen are soon known among the villagers, the young lady remains a mystery. Who is Rosa Lucian, and what is her story?

Arbville: Serene, Peaceful, and Quiet.

Closing Thoughts

I have attempted to lay out above a vague, interesting outline of my developing story. It is a rough outline, but it ought to give you a hint at the story's purport. Each of the characters above are accompanied by many family and friends, all of whom are becoming rather dear to me. I hope you, dear reader, will soon know them as well as I.

Please leave a comment below if you find a particular interest in any of the five characters! I would be happy to hear your questions and attempt to answer them in later posts. Not only that, reader questions and comments on characters are always VERY helpful!

I hope you continue to find some interest in my posts and continue to accompany me!

Best,
M.R.

A Roadmap

Direction and Purpose

As mentioned in the preceding post, here I offer a vague idea and outline of what the road looks like for this blog. My goal is to journey with this blog until the completion of the first draft. If the draft has been completed and the blog has not yet come to the forecasted conclusion, I will carry on until a suitable ending.

The Map:

• The Era: What Defines the Victorian Period?
• Queen Victoria: Who Was She? Why Does It Matter?
• The Cast: The Creation Process For My Characters
• Florashire: An Imaginary County
• Writing Point of View: How Is The Story Told? Who Tells It?
• Virtue: Importance In the Novel
• Genre: A Close Look at Romance, Tragedy, and Comedy.
• Conclusion: Closing Thoughts and Plans

Our Roadmap

Final Notes

The outline above is only a very broad sketch. Each bulletin point opens into at least three posts. This outline will provide an aid for my writing when I am lacking inspiration, but if anything fresh comes to mind I'll be sure to add it.

I do hope the list here excites some interest to you, dear readers! I am certainly looking ahead eagerly to many of the upcoming posts. And if you, as you read, find I have missed something crucial, or that you would like to see something more touched on from the time period, story, etc., leave a comment and I shall do my best to accommodate you!

Until next time!

Best,

M. R. 

Let Us Begin

Why Blog?

It has been a while since I last attempted blogging. My last post is coming up on two years ago. So why take it up again? If I could so easily set it down, why try again?

As yet there has been a low readership for most of my blogs, so this Writing Story is certainly not bound to break records as a reader's favorite. What I have come to think more important about this blog is a place to put my ideas, my journey, my progress through the writing of a story where I can go back and see how far I've come. When thoughts just come and go at whim, it is easy enough to forget every one of them. I hope to look back on this blog after something good has come of my novel writing and see what I have thought throughout the process (and delete it if I think myself too silly!).

One other idea that has spurred me toward a renewal of my blogging is the nature of my Work In Progress. So far, my novel scribblings have been either Fantastical or Science Fictional/Dystopian. Worldbuilding in such instances is fun, but entirely imaginary, though perhaps it rings with reality. My new project is different. I am endeavoring to go back in history, go to a country in this real world, and bring my readers into Victorian England. Big task. Lots of research.

This blog going to (hopefully) act as an extensive notebook for my historical research. And, if anyone has the fortitude to read it, I hope I can present interesting bits of information for the enlightenment of others.

Where to Start?

This is not so easy a question to answer. I've put together my list of ideas and points to touch on and share, but what goes first? Next post will provide a road-map to what ideas will make their way to the page, though I cannot promise complete adherence to it! For the sake of any generous readers, I will certainly give some ideas of what my story is and what they can expect from it.

When?

Another difficult, but necessary, question! I hope to keep up once a week posting, but if time and inspiration permit, I may find myself here more often. But remember: I am writing this as notes for my novel writing, so this cannot take up all my time!

Closing

Thank you, any readers, whoever you are, for joining me for this first post! I hope to see you again! Come back to join me as I explore history and the human condition throughout the ages.

With my Best Wishes,

Maggie Rosario