I do my best to slip in the context, but, like almost everything in writing, it's a balancing act. If I include enough explanation for Reader A never to get confused by anything, Reader B will accuse me of stopping the story every few pages for a research dump.
And my writers group is an interesting test ground because none of them read what I write recreationally. And in some ways that makes them good first readers--they're not coming to the text with a big set of assumptions from every other historical romance they've read. But OTOH, I have to keep in mind that at least 90% of my actual target market if and when I sell this book IS regular readers of historical romance. So if the writers group makes a suggestion that feels way off to me, I try not to dismiss it right away, but I'll check with a critique partner or beta reader who's familiar with my genre before making a major change.
How does one generally go about finding a writer's group? I hope to hook up with one when I go back to St. Louis.
I'm totally the bomb with cornerspeak now...for a suburban white girl. You feel me?(I'd better stop. Linguistic earworm.)
Who knows? The book tanks, I may have a future in "freelance pharmaceuticals"...nah. Don't like the retirement plan.
I feel pretty
Best.Description.Evah. Smart is sexy.
That's a good point, Susan. If someone picks up a book or story, they've at least shown an interest in the tropes.
Anne, mine evolved out of a class I took at the local community college. And there are several critique groups within my RWA chapter--that's how I met my critique partner who also writes Regencies. So I'd say look for writing classes or join a writers organization.
I tried the library. That group sucked.
Hey.
I am fine with long, elegant sentences, preferably broken in mid-thought by the judicious use of the semi-colon; it allows the reader a very quick breath.
I have no trouble with description. It's a thing. But I try to write periods in which I have some familiarity. I don't necessarily agree with "write what you know", but "know what you write" makes some sense to me.
Oh, look who's back. How were the trips?
mine evolved out of a class I took at the local community college
This was basically how I found the great group I was a part of back in SF.
