Comments on: Researching Historical Fiction: Make it Fun by Jessica James

By: Jessica James

Jessica James — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 15:10:35 +0000

You certainly do have an advantage. That is very interesting! Knowing your subject makes the writing so much easier. Good luck!

By: Angelo Thomas Crapanzano

Angelo Thomas Crapanzano — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 22:12:19 +0000

I highly appreciate and respect the research you do. I have one advantage over you. I am 83 years old and have been through world war II. I have been in the technical field working on government electronic devices as an engineer all my life. I write from my own experiences. Of course I have to do some reasearch but it is minimal compared to you.

By: Virginia C

Virginia C — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 11:31:59 +0000

I truly applaud the detailed research which elevates so many works of historical fiction. The author who thoroughly and lovingly investigates and explores the social mores, politics, popular entertainments, foods, wardrobes, religious beliefs & etc. of the era involved paints a vivid picture with words.

By: Victoria Gray

Victoria Gray — Sun, 06 Dec 2009 04:37:37 +0000

I thoroughly enjoyed reading your blog. Like you, I find diaries, letters, and fiction of the period to be wonderful sources of inspiration as well as information. I live in Virginia, so I’ve taken many “field trips” to historical areas, though my husband didn’t realize our bicycle rides were actually research : )

By: Linda Henderson

Linda Henderson — Sun, 06 Dec 2009 03:35:34 +0000

Thank you for sharing your research information.

By: Kelley Heckart

Kelley Heckart — Sat, 05 Dec 2009 17:06:26 +0000

Hi Jessica,
I loved hearing about your research methods. Thanks for sharing them. I love doing research too. One book that really helped me learn more about life in a Roman fort was Garrison Life at Vindolanda. I was able to read actual letters and lists that were found at that site. It really helped bring my setting to life.

The Civil War is an interesting war to study. Best wishes on your book sales.

kelleyheckart.com

By: Jessica James

Jessica James — Sat, 05 Dec 2009 14:02:09 +0000

Oh, thanks for letting me know about that program. The cemetery is SO big, I just kind of wondered around. I own a couple of relics from a Civil War soldier buried there in a family plot and want to get down to find a missing link I need in the family tree.

BTW, I have heard stories from a lot of people who have seen a Civil War soldier at dusk, but when they stop the car to get a better look, he’s not there…

By: Nancy O'Berry

Nancy O'Berry — Sat, 05 Dec 2009 02:40:49 +0000

Hi Jessica,

I’m so glad you mentioned Hollywood cementary. Yes in the spring and summer on Friday afternoons, ( If I remember correctly) they have a program called Lunch with the dead and give tours with a boxed lunch. We Virginians can be quite taken with our dead.
If you are in Virginia and do take in Richmond, travel a bit futher to Pamplin Virginia to the Civil War Museum on the Petersburg Battlefield. The museum and 25 surrounding acres tell a lot about the seige of Petersburg and the end of the War.

I loved the Gettysburg battlefield. I went with three friends and we were there on July 5. It is quite a magical place. We were coming down one of the roads that led from the southern side and a young man stepped out and began walking across the field in Confederate garb. I still get goosebumps because it was growing dark and just the strangest thing. You really get a taste of history walking those battlefields.

Thanks for the great lesson

Nancy O in Virginia

By: Jessica James

Jessica James — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 21:51:56 +0000

If you come to Gettysburg in July the streets, restaurants and sidewalks are filled with people in period attire. It’s funny to drive home from work late at night and see people window shopping dressed in 1860s clothes (men and women). You can’t help but be drawn into the history here.

By: Jessica James

Jessica James — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 21:42:45 +0000

Well you opened a can of worms with that question! I got the book-collecting bug and I BOUGHT first edition copies of many books. The oldest book I have is actually on a RevolutionaryWar topic and is 1834, but I own a lot of first edition books written during the Civil War as well as immediately after (written by veterans).

There’s just something about holding that original copy in your hands – often times inscribed and dated. The only problem – if I actually added up what I spent, I’d probably cry

Libraries also have great original documents and collections from Civil War veterans. Many times you just have to make an appointment. I even went down into the vault at the Museum of the Confederacy and got to see some orginal battleflags.