My NANOWRIMO project is set in 1834-1835 England and beyond. I’ve already done some research, but I’m doing more this month in hopes of preventing major errors. Per usual, pre-writing research provides story ideas and inspires scenes. It can also create problems.
I had my opening scene in mind until I discovered social norms of the period would affect my protagonist and possibly restrict her actions. Additional investigation into the particular topic somewhat assuaged my concerns but still made me wonder if I needed to open the story at a different point.
Argh!
So while I continue my period research I’ve been mulling over a different opening scene. I considered switching the location of two scenes. Moving a later scene to the front and delaying my original opening scene. Mmmm, might work.
But as I was falling asleep last night I decided to stick with my original opening scene. I can probably make the social norms work and maybe fudge a little. What the social doyennes don’t know won’t affect my protagonist. Whew! That dilemma solved.
Meanwhile, when exactly was the leaping horn added to ladies’ sidesaddles?!
Mary S. Potter 