I had some time to actually *GASP* WRITE today, so I’m working on the sequel to “Thread,” tentatively titled “Ashes.” I’m just trying to get back into writing semi-regularly (every day would be awesome, but that’s doubtful), so I was thrilled that I was able to produce over 600 words. I often keep a spreadsheet with my writing progress: if I’m working towards a deadline, I REALLY need one to help me keep on track, and if I’m just pantzing along, it helps show me how I’ve progressed and makes me feel better. Plus, doing word counts and entering in the spreadsheet when I have a break in my thought process is probably better than checking Facebook (which I do anyway).
I often think I should turn the internet off, but today I looked up or made a note to look up the following things related to just 600 words I wrote:
1) Do turnips grow in England?
2) How did people wash clothes in the middle ages?
3) Treatment of burns in the middle ages
4) Doctors & midwives in the middle ages
5) Abbeys: are there lands around them that are farmed? Villages? Would the villagers work in the fields for the church or for a lord?
Sigh. WHY do I write historical fantasy? Let’s take a metric-ton of research (no matter how much you read and watch in various time periods, when it comes time to write day-to-day life, you HAVE to look things up) and combine it with creating rules of magic. Sure! Easy! Um. No.
Amie Rose Rotruck 