Let’s take a look at men’s fashion during Kye’s and Chance’s era. The 1870s in men’s fashion was marked by “sobriety and understated style.” Nobody was making fashion waves during […]
research
Historical Research for the Author
As a writer of historical fiction, I’m always researching. It’s not just the big picture, either. Sure, I need to know the basics of life in the late 1800s, but […]
For You: 1800’s Parties
This is another interesting tidbit from Light and Shadows of New York Life, 1875 – all about how to throw a good party. New York has long been celebrated for […]
The Price of Fashion in 1870
I’ve found a great little book for my research: Light and Shadows in New York Life, published in 1872. There’s a chapter that gives some idea of how much a […]
What’s in a Name?
Finding Names for Characters and Places One of the questions I constantly hear from new writers is “Where do you get all those names?” Here are some of the […]
Setting: San Francisco
When I was scouting around for a place to set the Devon Day and the Sweetwater Kid stories, I checked out several cities that would have fit their bill back […]
Short-Shorts: 1870 Fast Facts
HERE’S a good page on the 1870’s – Pop Culture!
Short-Shorts: A La California
HERE’S a great reference for anyone writing about historic California – A La California: A Sketch of the Golden State, by Col. Albert S. Evans
Short-Shorts: Name Lists
HERE’S another good list of names from the 1800’s – ship’s passenger lists (back before privacy laws!)
Short-Short: Train Trip to California
Found THIS little gem while researching the lads’ trip to New York. A letter by a fellow traveling from New York to San Francisco during the right time period. Don’t […]