Saturday 17 February in Summerville, SC, I taught a workshop
on researching historical fiction for the Lowcountry chapter of the Romance
Writers of America.  I regret not having the time to tour historic Summerville,
once a woodsy summer escape for plantation owners who wished to avoid malaria.
Nearby are Middleton Place, restored gardens from the eighteenth-century
plantation of one of SC’s signers of the Declaration; and Moncks Corner, where
the forces of General Isaac Huger and Lt. Colonel Banastre Tarleton clashed in
April 1780. Charleston, which I’ve yet to visit, is less than half an hour
away.  All that history: I need an excuse to return for several days.

Heads up, fans of historical fiction.  Be on the lookout for
ten ladies from the LRWA chapter who have fascinating ideas and a load of
enthusiasm for their historical projects.  Researching historical fiction isn’t
for the faint of heart.  You have to be a detective, think outside the box,
synthesize information from dozens of sources –- and knit it all into a seamless
presentation.  Small wonder that many authors take two years or more to produce
a work of historical fiction.  But each of these ladies, some of them already
published, stepped up to the plate, undaunted.  The
hands-on portion of the workshop was lively with sagacious discussion and
inspiration.  I expect a crop of published historical novels out of this group
within a couple years.

Many thanks, LWRA, for the opportunity to present the
workshop, as well as the opportunity to learn from each of you.

Next up: the Friends of the Library in Lumberton, NC, 8
March.