Write what you know

I love historical fiction and I love romance and I really love historical romance. And honestly, I think all great stories have an element of romance in them. Even Star Wars! In the first movie, there was that chaste kiss on the cheek from Leia to Luke...they were both kinda short, both cute. Of course we didn't know at the time they were brother and sister, but still....Then the dynamic sexual tension between Han and Leia in the second movie...well, you get my point.

So I write historical romance because you should write what you know and I know (or at least really like to learn about) the past and I love the way a well-written romance makes me feel.

But there is a world of genres out there and it is nice to challenge oneself, so on my back burner, simmering until I finish the current Regency romance I'm writing (only 22K more words to go! Any day now!) is the idea for a Steampunk novel. Action, adventure, some other ingredients I'm hoarding until the time is right. And of course, romance.

I'm rather new to the whole Steampunk thing. And honestly, I got into it for the costuming. Some friends started a CosPlay group and set as the first event a Steampunk event. Corsets, gears, top hats, goggles. I had a blast making the costumes for myself and daughter number one. Then (literally, the day before the event) daughter number two, hubby, and dad decide to join us so I whipped together three more outfits. But I digress...the point being that I love the whole mix of old and modern that Steampunk provides (Corsets and Gears!) BUT what makes a good Steampunk novel? The first one I read was...ehhh. And there was even a hint of a love interest (but guess what, only hinted at so you'd read the next book in the series. Not even a Han and Leia in the passageway of the Millenium Falcon scene!).

I went back to reading and studying historical romance and left the Steampunk idea on low. Then I saw an article on NPR by Christina Dodd listing the best romances of 2012. And guess what? There was a Steampunk romance listed! I'll tell you the title when I've finished the book. At this moment the jury (me) is still out. I'm mildly intrigued, but have yet to see sparks between the love interests. (I suppose you could track me down on Goodreads and figure it out...)

But whether or not this book turns out to go on the re-read list, I still have to figure out how to really KNOW the genre. And make it my own. Hmmm...I made need to make another costume for inspiration. The trials of being an author...

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