Taste of Kiwi: Blog of Author Shelley Munro

Today I started polishing/editing the new gothic romance I finished last month. Part of my day was spent surfing the web and consulting my collection of reference books. One of the points I needed to check on was 18th century cosmetics.

Last week during my blog hopping, I visited Carol Dunford’s blog, Les Femmes d’Ecriture. Author Brinda Berry was visiting and discussing the use of podcasts for research. Brinda said she finds podcasts an excellent way to research various topics. You can read her post here.

The idea of using podcasts struck me as brilliant. I spend a lot of time walking the dog and often wear my iPod. Sometimes I listen to RWA workshops but hadn’t thought of checking out podcasts for research purposes. Today I came across the perfect podcast at the Colonial Williamsburg website, which answered all my 18th century cosmetic questions. It was called The Art of Beauty. For those who are interested in history or who write historical novels some of the other podcasts look exciting too. Topics vary from The Art of Cut (about men’s tailoring) to Music and Dance and Animals.

So what did I learn about cosmetics?

1. Pale is good and tans were frowned upon. A hat was a woman’s best friend.
2. Dark eyes and hair were preferred because both set off a pale skin.
3. Most people of the time bore scars and smallpox marks on their faces and many had hollowed cheeks after losing teeth.
4. Things like lead and other harmful substances were used to make the skin appear pale.
5. Patches in the shape of moons, stars and other shapes were very popular. They were perfect to disguise smallpox marks.
6. Mouse fur was used to make eye brows appear thicker and darker. Yuck!

Armed with this information, I’ll be able to make my heroine appear more authentic. If I suddenly time traveled back to the 18th century the other women would laugh for sure. Each summer my freckles join hands, go forth and multiply. A hat and suntan lotion don’t seem to help much!

What do you think of the beauty ideals of the time? Pale skin and dark hair? Do you listen to podcasts? Do you have any favorites that you subscribe to and would recommend?

It was a weird sort of a weekend for me. I attended the conference, but I have to admit I had trouble focusing on what the speakers were saying because of the personal stuff going on in our lives. I did, however, have a couple of real lightbulb moments – thank you Fiona Brand and Mary Theresa Hussey – and I think that once I return from holiday, it will be with renewed energy and inspiration for my writing.

I attended an early morning talk with agent Melissa Jeglinski from the Knight Agency. They read the first pages of manuscripts and she stopped them when she reached the point where she’d make a decision. The following is a summary of her dos and don’ts. For you experienced writers out there this is probably commonsense to you, but a reminder never hurts!

1. Don’t start your manuscript with a one-sided conversation. i.e. phone call. You’re wasting an opportunity to use characterization through dialogue.

2. It’s good to make the reader want more. i.e. intrigue them but don’t throw everything and the kitchen sink into that first page.

3. Add characterization rather than too much backstory. i.e. have your characters make an appearance early rather than giving lots of narrative first up.

4. Sentence length – don’t make those opening sentences too long and convoluted. You want the reader/agent/editor to understand the sentence. If they have to read it twice you have a problem.

5. You need a coherent flow of dialogue and narration. Don’t have all dialogue and no narration at the start of your story. Make the dialogue meaningful.

6. Don’t feel the need to give a detailed description of clothes etc in that first page. One or two details are fine but don’t describe everything in minute detail.

In a talk about Harlequin and the various lines editor Mary Theresa Hussey gave us a list of points that the editors use when they’re reading a submission.

1. Are the opening and closing lines strong? i.e. it’s that hook thing. Use strong hooks!

2. Do the characters make decisions? i.e. are they active rather than sitting back and letting things happen.

3. Do the conflicts come across as strong and interesting?

4. Are the characters compelling?

5. Does the story start in the right place? i.e don’t be tempted to slide in all that back story!

6. Do you want to read on?

If they can answer yes to all these questions, your manuscript is in good shape.

Mary Thesesa also mentioned that the Harlequin Intrigue line and the Harlequin Presents line are definitely looking for new authors, so if you’re interested in either of these lines get writing!

And two final things: If you’re interested in the new Harlequin YA line check out the prequel for Rachel Vincent’s debut story. You can download your free copy here.

Harlequin do regular podcasts that can be downloaded at this link or at iTunes. There are some additional ones coming any day now so keep checking back. The existing podcasts include editor inside information and interviews with authors.