If you love Regencies and historical romance in general, you've probably thought about writing a romance yourself. Maybe you already have an idea for a story or two.
Here's a chance to write that story and share it thousands of readers-and win a prize!
Whether your story's lighthearted or heartfelt, sweet or suspenseful, we'd love to read it.
We're looking for romantic short stories set in Regency England (the years between 1800 and 1830). Stories can be any length up 5,000 words.
The first-place winner will receive the novel A Lady of Letters, by Andrea Pickens, and her/his story will be published here. The first and second runners-up will also have their stories published here.
Submit your stories in the body of an email (no attachments) to cj_inge@suite101.com.
Here are some general tips on writing the traditional Regency:
Plot:
Try to keep the story lighthearted, witty, and upbeat. Stories should be a fun diversion. A happy ending is a must, as in most romances, but don't forget to include conflict within the story. Conflict of some kind is essential to all fiction. In most romances, much of the conflict tends to be between the hero and the herione. Although this can make for a good story, don't forget that conflict doesn't just have to be between the two main characters. The hero and heroine can also be brought together by both struggling against some other source of conflict. Or the heroine may face some adversity on her own, thus developing her character and introducing a second plotline.
Characters:
Strong, interesting heroines are a must. The protagonist needn't be superwoman, but she has to be able to hold her own within the social maze of the Regency ton. She can be an unconventional woman, ahead or her time. Or, she can fit in well with what was expected of ladies of the era, yet be strong, and intelligent, much like Jane Austen's proper yet lively heriones.
To match this dynamic herione, a hero needs to be multidimensional. Even though he usually isn't the central character, he should be just as interesting and realistic a character and the female protagonist.
Secondary characters are usually kept at a minimum in a short story, but including a few will greatly enhance most stories. You don't need to creat too many, or describe them in too much detail.
Setting:
Long descriptions of setting, such as the furniture of a room, tend to slow down a story. Just sketch the characters' environment briefly. Add a few sentences of detail so that readers know where a scene is happening. Research is important in order to get the details right.
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