Historical Writing Workshop Review, plus Bonus Fiction Assignment

This past weekend, I went down to visit the family (without my husband and son, who were having bonding time), with a few key points on my agenda.  The initial desire to visit this particular weekend was because I had learned that a workshop was being offered at Heritage Park Village in the Pinellas Park area of Pinellas County, FL.  For 2 hours and $10, we were led to believe that we'd be infused with vast amounts of knowledge on how to do research and incorporate historical aspects into our writing.

That was the hype.  Did it live up to it?  Meh.  Was it worth it?  I'd say so, if only because it got me writing and time away by myself, which is very rare.

The speaker for the group (who I won't mention by name) is a published author of multiple novels, none of which I'd ever read or known anyone to have read.  She had a cheaply assembled set of documents printed with website addresses and some lists for things to consider when writing in a historical timeframe rather than in contemporary times.  We were reminded to consider things like the type of clothing, food, and work that were customary in the era in which we were writing.  After about 20 minutes of reviewing this packet and introducing ourselves (several of whom were already published novelists), we were told to read 4 pages of densely packed text on the culture and habits of the people of 17th Century England and write 3 pages, 2 at the very least.  We were given half an hour for this.

After spending my time scanning and attempting to absorb all the data that seemed sensible (particularly given my familiarity with 19th Century England), I allowed myself to proceed with writing.  And a story started to write itself.  I had mental images from other stories and films sort of mashing themselves together in my head, and admittedly my visuals largely seem to borrow from the movie Ever After, but after completing my assignment as much as possible in the time allotted, I felt rather accomplished and proud of what I'd achieved.

Our group was then subjected to the unnecessary and bizarre experience of witnessing the speaker dress in period costume and pretend to be the protagonist of her latest novel (on sale for less than bookstand prices, free autographs available, on the table by the wall).  This didn't seem too harrowing until it proved to last a full 20 minutes or more, providing an insanely developed synopsis of the plot of her book (which reminded me immensely of Auntie Mame, though it's really an unfair comparison).

Only then were we free to share our own writing.  There were golf claps and murmurs of encouraging words for everyone, at the very least.  One woman there surprised me by being far better than either herself or myself thought was likely, so I'm humbled by witnessing that.  But I couldn't help but notice that I got the best reaction from the crowd of other hopeful writers and the workshop's speaker.  While I'm not normally very self-congratulatory about my writing, I was pretty proud of what I had been able to throw together on the fly, so I felt the praise was well-deserved and have since subjected several family members and utter strangers to subsequent readings of this random assignment.

And therefore, given that I'm currently finding this a good thing, I'm going to share my efforts with you.  Aren't you lucky?  (Go on, you can throw up now.  I would, too.  But it's me, so, you know, I'm not going to do so just now.)

Okay, here goes (transcribed from chicken scratch by flashlight at 1am), unedited:

Jane heard the carriage wheels and hoofbeats of the horses and was startled out of her reverie.  In her mind's eye, peering out the kitchen window, she had pictured how she would change things if she were the mistress of Whitcomb Park.


Jane called out to the scullery maid, "'ere, look 'a that, Colleen.  'E's gone and fetched 'imself up a bride!  It'll be a fine load of work for us tonight.  Mind you straighten your hems.  And ne'er you mind if the new Lady Whitcomb calls ye Mary.  Them as are high born 'ere willn't stoop to using your Irish name."

Jane took her own advice and promptly straightened her petticoats.  She reset her head scarf and plucked a few saucy curls into good order.  Dusting her apron clean of flour as best she could, Jane made one last look around the kitchen before rushing out of the kitchen house to greet the new mistress of the house.


____________


The master should look happier than this, thought Jane.  He's got a wife and now his daughter can once again have a mother.  But he don't even have the decency nor grace to look pleased.


Jane watched Lord Whitcomb assist Lady Elizabeth Whitcomb from the carriage.  Her attire was a glorious display of velvet and silk.  But the sheer disdain that her eyes displayed on viewing the house and its staff members, in line for her welcome, was one that would forever color the perceptions of those who were there that day.


Colleen finally stumbled her way awkwardly out of the kitchen house and across the lawn to join the other servants.  Now it was the staff's turn to glare disdainfully at the Irish girl's disheveled status.  She hadn't even seen fit to cover her flame-red locks.  Without so much as a turn of their heads, the butler, upstairs maids, personal attendants, and even Jane managed to convey their disgust, and Colleen found herself suddenly standing several feet from the others.


Jane mentally prepared herself for the explanations she was certain would be demanded of her for the behavior of her only subordinate. I could say she en't right in the 'aid, that I 'ired 'er out o' charity, or so.


She contemplated her references to consider if a new location and employer might be a simpler matter.  Jane watched fearfully as her new mistress approached, still squinting along her nose and daintily holding her skirts above the muck in the yard with one hand and the master's arm with the other.

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So, that's where I finished in class, and that's probably where I'll leave it.  I'd love some feedback (criticism is always welcome, provided it's constructive).  What did you like?  What did you think was weak?  I know there are weak parts in it, so don't pretend otherwise, or I won't value your opinion.  Is there anything in particular that strikes you?  Why do you think it's effective?

Thank you for taking the time to read all of the above!  Please be sure to leave a note in the comments!