It's Complicated

I've long been a fan of novels spanning more than one time period. I love it when an author writes a character both from their adult and younger selves. One such novel is Days of Grace, which I'm really looking forward to reading. (You can see Kim's interview of Catherine Hall over at What Women Write.)

I've written in multiple time periods before, but for some reason, I'm struggling with my WIP, THE ARCHITECT AT HIGHGATE. Although I've researched heavily, I still find my self stopping mid-sentence to learn what Italian immigrants ate during the Victorian era or the name of a famous architect.

My HIGHTGATE computer folder is filled with word docs and spreadsheets to keep track of my plot and characters. I'm thinking of working in some historical figures, like Giuseppe Mazzini or even a famous author or two. I've set up a family tree, a detailed outline, lists of details about architecture and churches, nuns, music halls, restorations. Some of my charts are more complicated and haphazard (and blurry!) than my desk.


Most of you know my obsession with Kate Morton's novels, House of Riverton and The Forgotten Garden. Ms. Morton is a master of weaving a complicated plot, then tugging the reader along a journey where it all comes together seamlessly. How does she do that?! Does she use spreadsheets and timelines and family trees?

My current diversion is locating an historically accurate map. Many of the street names have changed and while I use the internet as much as I can, interactive maps of the past are not always available and most are not very legible. (I've previously blogged about VictorianLondon.org, which is the most complete website on the era I've found, created entirely by author Lee Jackson .)

I picked a street off Red Lion Square for the home of one of my characters. In the 1850s, the street was named Prince's Street, and was later renamed Princeton Street. But were there were single family homes on the street? If so, do they still stand? Are any still inhabited by families or have they converted to businesses and charities as did those on Red Lion Square? I want so much to get it right. I am pining away for a book called The History of London in Maps, but it's $75 and in light of my recent splurge on research books, I just can't justify buying it right now and the library doesn't have it. (Anyone in Dallas have a copy I can borrow?)

In my obsession with detail, am I somehow making this manuscript too complicated? For some reason, I'm struggling more than ever before. Advice anyone?

Victorian London

Last Monday on What Women Write, I blogged about taking a break to research. Over the last week, I’ve pored over numerous books, including some quirky long-out-of-print titles I nabbed at Half Price Books. In searching for an 1850s map, I came across this wonderful site: victorianlondon.org offering details of the period’s housing, clothing, slang, transportation, money, you name it.

On the site, I noticed an advertisement for a book, The Diary of a Murder by Lee Jackson and a note to click to read for free. Well, why not? I felt sure I’d learn more about the period and I love a dark murder mystery, particularly a Victorian one. Mr. Jackson had published six novels and two non-fiction titles before deciding to publish this online. All he asks is that if you feel compelled, as I have now, either buy another of his books or send a payment via PayPal for the pleasure of reading his book. Fair stipulations, to be sure. Especially since I later realized the very useful site is his own creation, clearly his passion and the work of many years.

For the second time in one week, I devoured a book in one day. The first, We Have Always Lived in the Castle, was decidedly shorter. (Diary is 497 pages!) But I reminded myself that I was also researching and pushed my guilt at taking a day where I could have written on my WIP.

Mr. Jackson cleverly weaves a tale by alternating diary entries and chapters in which a murder is being investigated. He finesses the Victorian details into the story, not by dumping information as in many historicals, but by painting a vast canvas of London during the period, its smells and sounds, its divergent classes and neighborhoods. He also leaves you never quite sure if the narrator is reliable or not. The ending twist unravels perfectly, completely unexpected yet totally believable. I highly recommend you check it out.

By the way, I heard from Mr. Jackson that a small publisher plans to publish his book in the fall. Good news!