While writing the first draft of Regulated for Murder, I realized that the climax of the book, where stakes were highest for my main character, Michael Stoddard, fell on 14 February 1781. My first thought was, “Valentine’s Day!” My next thought was, “Would Michael and his contemporaries have linked Valentine’s Day with romantic love during the American Revolution?” If so, I wanted to use Valentine’s Day to impart a chilling, kinky twist on the climax of Regulated for Murder.
Research showed me that commercialization of the holiday didn’t happen until the 19th century, when mass-produced Valentines became available. But it’s amazing how long ago people celebrated Valentine’s Day in association with romantic love. Would you believe as far back as the Middle Ages and Geoffrey Chaucer (The Canterbury Tales)?
It turns out that on Valentine’s Day in Revolutionary America, lovers would have expressed their amorous feelings to each other—possibly with the help of gifts like flowers, sweets, or homemade Valentines. Gifts. Hmm. How fortunate for me and my twisted imagination.
Happy Valentine’s Day! If you celebrate the holiday, how will you do it today, and what will the highlights be for you?
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How interesting! There is so much history behind St. Valentine’s Day, that it’s hard to imagine it not always being celebrated. It’s good to know our Founding Fathers appreciated the love-day just as much as we do today – with perhaps less commercialism!
Today I’m spending Valentines Day with my children, and a friend (and her children) as our husbands are gone (off with the Marine Corps at training). My husband is spending his evening in the car, driving home, and I will probably see him at about 11pm (just in time to give him a Valentine’s kiss). We are, however, going to the theater on Sunday to see Romeo and Juliet, and then out to a nice dinner!
Next Valentine’s I’ll be in SoCal – hopefully at a coffee shop with the SoCal Edition ladies!
Welcome to my blog, Regina. The “courtly love” idea that started in the Middle Ages was still going strong by the time of the American Revolution. There are so many love songs dating from the 18th century. Lots of romantic letter writing going on, especially from soldiers who were apart from their sweethearts. Those who were fortunate enough to be with their ladies on Valentine’s Day no doubt acknowledged how special it was.
And I can see that you’ve a somewhat belated Valentine’s Day this year — but with “Romeo and Juliet” and the romantic dinner on Sunday, it’ll be worth the wait. Enjoy!
Very interesting. It is amazing what you never think to question until you start writing a book!
This Valentine’s day is to be spent at work. Hopefully this evening will be a tad more romantic!
Here’s to hoping that I get to spend at least part of this weekend making eyes at some beautiful men in kilts with the SoCal Edition Ladies at the Scot’s fest!
Thank you for a lovely blog!
Thank you for stopping by my blog, Jenn. Ah, questioning. I agree with many authors who say that a book often starts with a, “What if…?” A news article, for example, gives us a scenario to question that we never before might have considered. “What if…?” twirls around in our brains, and the next thing we know, we’re writing books with unique storylines.
Here’s hoping this evening will be romantic for you, and next weekend will be filled with kilts. 😉
I love your blog! Great historical info I had never really thought about before. It’s interesting to know Valentine’s Day has been around for a long time. I always thought it was invented by Hallmark!
Welcome, Brenda, and thanks. You’re close about Valentine’s Day being invented. That’s basically what happened in the 1800s when they discovered they could mass-produce greeting cards. After that, the popularity of Valentine’s Day rose exponentially.