5 Things You Can’t Forget- Conference Countdown!

If you’re heading to Dallas for the national ACFW conference in a few days like I am, you’re probably drowning in lists. I have a one that I typed out that includes everything from my one sheets to toothpaste. As I check things off, I know they are packed and hopefully, I won’t forget a single thing.

But as we hurriedly make lists, iron gala dresses, and print out one sheets, do we miss the most important things we need to be taking? So as we countdown the days to Conference, here’s a final list to consider.

1 – A smile – They say you’re never fully dressed without one, so don’t forget to pack your smile. And not just at your dream editor or best friend/critique partner. Smile at people you don’t know. Huge conferences tend to be overwhelming and it’s easy to feel a little lost. Especially if you’re new. So challenge yourself to not only see old friends and pitch to editors, but to be a bright spot in someone else’s day. Simple gestures often have long lasting results.

2 – An open mind – In a changing publishing industry, things don’t always go the way we plan. And when our hopes get dashed, it’s easy to feel discouraged. Remembering to keep an open mind before the conference makes it so much easier to handle if the unexpected happens.

3 – A willingness to learn – There’s an abundance of information to be gleaned at a writer’s conference, so be prepared to learn it. Not only during workshops, but in all aspects of the conference. Are you ready?

4 – A readiness to assist – Be prepared to be there for other people and to make your conference experience more than just about you. Taking the focus off yourself and onto others will help calm your nerves, plus make someone else’s day in the process.

5 – Prayer – More important than any of the others, this is number 1. Being too busy or too preoccupied with everything to pray, leaves out the Lord who is our reason and ability for even being there.  While the conference is huge and hectic, find time for a few minutes with the Lord. It will bless you beyond belief! And if you need prayer, visit the prayer room. It’s a special perk of the conference.

Have we added these items to our lists?

Looking forward to seeing many of you in Dallas!

Happy Writing,
Amanda

P.S. Check back Wednesday, September 26^th for a conference recap. Expect lots and lots of pictures!

Let the Party Begin! English Country House Parties!

We had an Indian tent set up under the cedars on the lawn where I used to sit with our guests. We always brought out the Times and the Morning Post, or a book or two, but the papers were soon discarded for conversation…  Sometimes we played tennis or rowed on the lake and in the afternoon the household played cricket on the lawn. The tea table was set up under the trees. It was a lovely sight, with masses of luscious apricots and peaches to adorn it. There were also pyramids of strawberries and raspberries; bowls brimful with Devonshire cream; pitchers
 of iced coffee; scones to be eaten withvarious jams, and cakes with sugared icing.
– Consuelo Vanderbilt, The Glitter and the Gold.

I don’t know about you, but I want to crash that party. That party being a house party at Blenheim Palace.

House parties were one of the most time-honored social customs in Regency, Victorian, and Edwardian England. They were generally held between the months of August through December, when guests had returned from their London houses and were gearing up for pheasant shooting and foxhunting, the former, which began the first week of September. Ah, the social whirl.

In the Regency era, country house parties could last up to several weeks. But by the Edwardian era, with the invention of the railroad, and by the early 1900’s, the motorcar, they were typically Friday evening to Monday morning events. Typically twenty to thirty guests were invited with invitations sent out several weeks in advance. They were nerve wracking affairs for even the most experienced hostess who had to make sure the numbers were balanced, which meant that there were enough single ladies and single gentlemen, and be sure to have enough rooms prepared. Plus menus needed to be gone over, entertainment decided upon for the ladies who didn’t care to watch the men shoot, arrangements for the servants who came with the guests, and the list went on. Luggage was extensive, as a lady needed a breakfast outfit, something fancier for luncheon, a tea gown, and then the dinner dress. And a lady tried not to wear the same outfit twice during the same weekend, so during a three day country stay you could wear fifteen different costumes. For men it was simpler, tweeds during the day and white tie in the evening.

The guests typically arrived Friday evening in time for dinner, leaving Saturday occupied for shooting, one of the most important aspects of a country house visit. The gentlemen competed with each other to see who could “bag the most birds.” King Edward VIII was a champion of shooting and even had the clocks set forward a half an hour at his estate Sandringham, to allow more time for hunting. This became known as “Sandringham Time.” The crack of gunshot could be heard across the spacious lawns to within the county house where ladies lounged in the drawing rooms, scribbling letters and playing bridge, idling away the time until the men had finished the day’s sport. Sometimes a hostess would arrange for a few men to join the party, who didn’t shoot, to amuse the ladies indoors. In the case of Mr. Bott in Anthony Trollope’s Can You Forgive Her he would have probably been better off indoors as Trollope writes that, “Twice he went out shooting, but as on the first day he shot the keeper, and the second very nearly shot the Duke, he gave that up.”

Besides hunting there were two other main occupations during a house party. Eating and flirting. Both were favorites of King Edward who defined society from the 1870’s onward to 1910 and attended many of the house parties himself, including the ones held by Consuelo Vanderbilt, the Duchess of Marlborough.

There were three large meals during a house party, four if you included the afternoon tea observed by the ladies. Breakfast was served between nine and half past ten. Although meals were simpler during the Regency era, by the Edwardian they were veritable feasts, including fruits, eggs, meats, fish, toast, rolls, tea cakes, muffins, hams, tongues, pies, kidney and fried bacon. Tea, coffee, hot coca, and juice was the common drinks. Breakfast was laid out on a sideboard and guests could help themselves, much the way continental breakfasts are served today at hotels.

Luncheon could be both formal and informal. The formal events were similar to dinner, with everyone seated according to rank in the dining room. Informal could mean the ladies joining the gentleman out of doors for a shooting luncheon, a very lavish picnic. Dinner of course, was very formal with full dress and everything done as it would be at a dinner party.

After dinner, charades and other games were played, or the carpets were rolled back and an impromptu ball begun. Cards were also de rigour.

House parties signified the end of the London Season and many a desperate miss, who did not find a husband in London, did her utmost to assure her social success at a house party. Activities such as picnics, walks, riding, croquet, billiards and lawn tennis could show off the young lady and perhaps help her secure an offer. They were also a time for a newly married couple who had wed at the end of the Season, to begin to establish themselves in society.

House parties are still in existence today and I would love to attend one. J What better way to spend a weekend (whatever that is) changing clothes, sitting on a chaise lounge, and dancing the night away.

For Further Study

The Country House Party by Phyllida Barstow
The Marlborough House Set by Anita Leslie
Society in the Country House by Thomas Hay Sweet Escott
The Glitter and the Gold – Consuelo Vanderbilt

What Jane Austen ate and Charles Dickens Knew – Daniel Pool

 

As always,

Happy Writing!
Amanda

Conference Packing List

Okay, I admit it. Similar to obsessing over what to wear to prom, I’m debating between outfits and picking out accessories to wear to the ACFW Awards Banquet at the upcoming conference. Plus, I’m scanning my array of business casual,  wondering what would make me look most like “an independent professional woman”, as Lady Sybil says in Downton Abbey.

But what if I forget something? What if I don’t pack enough one sheets or forget my proposal altogether? Thankfully, I’m making this list. Hopefully it will help you as much as it does me while you wonder how you’re going to fit it all into that one little  suitcase.

1 – Business Cards – BRING A LOT! I handed out at least 30 business cards last year, most to new friends I wanted to keep in touch with after the conference. These little cards are not just for agents and editors, so stock up. The little pocket inside your name badge is a great place to store these so you’ll always know where they are.

2 – One Sheet and Proposal – I’m bringing 10 copies of my one sheet, plus a copy of my proposal.

3 – First three chapters – 2 copies. Last year, I actually gave a copy to a friend of mine who read it on the plane ride home. So although an agent or editor might not want these, they’re great when hooking up with potential crit partners.

4 – Pitch – Hopefully I can recite this in my sleep by then, but I’ll write it on an index card just in case.

5- My camera – I forgot this last year and was sooo sad when I couldn’t take any pics to share on my blog.

6 – Clothes and shoes - Find out what the weather will be before you pack so you can bring clothes appropriate to the climate. Also keep in mind that this is a business event, so jeans and T-shirts aren’t recommended. I consider how I’d want to look at a job interview for my dream job and pack accordingly. Still, don’t go overboard. High heels aren’t for everyone and you don’t want to fall at the feet of your dream editor. J  Be comfortable, yet neat and professional.

7 – Gala Dress – The gala on the last night of ACFW is always a much anticipated event. Not only do we get to hear who won the Genesis and Carol awards, we get to dress up, something most writers don’t do very often while chained to their laptops. Sunday best, to formal, is what it says on the ACFW website and it is always a very elegant evening. Some authors even go in period costume, and this year I’m trying my best to create an Edwardian/Downton Abbey style outfit, with minimal success.

8 – Laptop – I usually bring this so I can check my email and read blogs in the evenings, or in the morning before breakfast. Plus, if you have family traveling along, they can use it to watch the live video blog of the gala on Saturday night. Don’t forget your charge cord!

9 – Thumb drive – If you have to make extra copies of something, this is definitely something to pack.

10 – Cell phone – This is a must if you want to find your friends or meet up with someone. The Hyatt is huge!! Again don’t forget your charge cord!

12 – An empty duffle bag – For books that you buy or for all those workshop handouts and goodies. They do give you a nice tote bag, but you might want to have a larger one on hand just in case.

11 – Books to read - I’ll usually bring a few books to read in the car or plane or a hard copy of the manuscript I’m currently editing. But don’t take too many. A Kindle or e-reader would be great to use!

12 – Pocket Bible – It takes up less space than a larger Bible, plus you can keep it in your briefcase. A Bible on Kindle or Nook would work too.

13 – Misc items such as the following:

Cash for buying books, tipping, eating out, etc.

Pajamas
Makeup
Hairspray
Hair stuff, such as curling iron, etc.
Toothbrush and toothpaste
Mints
Nylons
Jewelry
Tylenol or Ibuprofen
Safety Pins
Sewing Kit
Bandaids
A movie or two, but usually I’m too tired to watch them.

 

Whew! What a list! But I feel more organized already after making it. Did I miss anything?

See you there,
-Amanda

Fashion – Titanic Style!

Since I’m currently at work on a novel set in 1912, I thought I’d give a brief overview of the ending years of Edwardian ladies couture, which are some of the most gorgeous ever in the history of fashion, at least in my opinion. The styles took on an almost Regency feel, with high waistlines, narrow skirts, and Grecian hairstyles. This compiled with the amazing picture hats, makes this era a fashion lover’s dream.

1910-1913 was an era of transition between the heavier lacier look of the early 1900’s to the boyish attire of the 1920’s. Beginning in 1908, Paul Poiret constructed a new design, which consisted of narrow bodices, slim skirts, and raised waistlines. Other designers soon followed suit, including Paquin, Lucile, Doucet, Fortuny, Lanvin, and Callot Soers. One of these designers, Lucile, Lady Duff Gordon was actually on the Titanic on her way to present her spring collection of gowns in New York. She survived and still presented her spring collection.

Dressing to dine at a fashionable restaurant, or on the Titanic, an Edwardian lady would begin with her undergarments, which although not as elaborate as they had been fifty years before, were still quite ornate. They consisted of a chemise, corset, corset cover, drawers, and petticoat. Sometimes combinations were worn, such as a combination chemise and drawers. The Edwardian era was the first where a high emphasis was put on undergarments. Silks and hand embroidered lace were all used in greater quantities than in eras past.

After donning all those layers (assisted, of course by her lady’s maid), it was time for her gown. The fabrics of the era were very filmy and almost cloudlike, unlike the heavy velvets and satins of the 1870’s and 1880’s. Organdy, chiffon, crepe, tulle, silk, crepe de chine, and lightweight versions of velvet, satin, and brocade, were all popular and sometimes several could be used on one gown, a crepe overskirt and a silk underskirt. The colors favored were pastel, pale blue, lemon yellow, cream, pink, white. Stronger colors were worn by the more daring, such as black, royal blue, and emerald green. Necklines were open and often V necked, with large V’s in the back. Often a filmy shorter layer was worn over a more substantial underlayer.

Long white kid gloves were a must for every evening as were fans. Jewels were plentiful, diamond tiaras, teardrop necklaces, long strings of pearls, and bracelets were common. Feathers and elaborate headpieces were favored as well as bandeaus, which were headbands worn across the forehead and decorated with rhinestones, spangles, and feathers.

Although hats were not a part of evening dress, one cannot mention the Edwardian era without making note of the hats, huge feather and ribbon bedecked creations. The Merry Widow hat was so large it became difficult to pass through doorways wearing it, and picture hats were only slightly smaller.

Nothing can describe fashion, like fashion itself, so below are some of my favorite fashion images from the Titanic era. I’d love to see some of these in person!

Hope you’ve enjoyed this trip down Fashion Avenue! As always if there are any topics you’d like me to cover on either writing or history, post a comment and I’ll do my best!

-Amanda

Your Best Pitch

The ACFW conference is less than two months away. Scary, because I haven’t done even half of all I have to do to get ready.

But today I’m going to talk about pitching, which might rank among one of the most nerve wracking experiences ever. There can either be one of two outcomes. Either the editor/agent really likes your story…or she really…well, doesn’t. I usually have nightmares about the latter. :) It’s one thing to write the book. It’s another to walk into a room where (insert dream editor’s name) is sitting and have to tell them what the book is about. What if they think it’s the most inane idea they’ve ever heard? What if another star author already wrote a book just like it?

Thankfully, there are a few things that can help in creating and giving the perfect pitch.

1 – Keep it succinct – You want to have something that can be said in less than three minutes, which means it has to be under 100 words. You can’t outline every plot point or go into deep character analysis. It has to be short. For a long-winded writer this is not easy. J I generally aim for under 100 words but others say to keep it to three or four sentences. I’ve never been able to pare mine down to that length, but do try and keep the word count in your pitch down. The editor/agent will have questions for you too, and you’ll want to give them time to ask them.

2 – Do your research – Perhaps this should be number one, because your perfect pitch for a historical romance will be wasted on an editor who only publishes young adult. Definitely check out the editor/agent’s website and guidelines and if they publish a blog read that too. If you’re going to the ACFW conference this September, ACFW has a brief bio for each professional, along with what they want to see during an appointment. Read it!

3 – Practice – Don’t let the first time you pitch be to your dream agent. Find some guinea pigs first. It could be your family, another writer friend, the mirror, even your dog (although he isn’t likely to give you much feedback J). I practiced several times before I actually pitched, even having several role playing scenarios.

4 – Be professional – Yes, you may be terrified and barely able to remember your name, let alone the title of your book, but when it comes time to give your pitch, professionalism is a must. Have your one sheet and business card ready when you walk in but don’t shove it at them! Also, say a polite hello when you walk in don’t just launch into your pitch. Think of it as a job interview where there is naturally give and take involved in the communication. Calm your nerves by remembering that agents and editors are interested in what you and your book have to say or else they wouldn’t be there.

5 – Be prepared – Along with your pitch, you’ll want to have included on your one sheet or have the answers to some questions such as: What’s the word count? What’s the audience of your book? They also might ask you some follow-up questions about your story and plot so be prepared to give those as well without too much rambling.

6- Follow up- It’s very likely that after they look at your one sheet they’ll hand it back. This doesn’t mean they aren’t interested, it just means they don’t have room in their briefcases for a ton of loose paper. If they request further info they will give you a business card telling you to contact them and what they want you to send after the conference is over. Directly after leaving the appointment it’s a good idea to write down exactly what they requested on the back of their card. I didn’t do this last year and had to wrack my brain to remember who wanted what. Don’t make this same mistake!

Following these steps should make pitching a less stressful procedure. After all who doesn’t enjoy talking about their book to someone who actually wants to listen? Remember the agents and editors are there because they are looking for writers and you wouldn’t be there pitching if you weren’t one.

As always, happy writing!
Amanda

Let’s talk pitches. Any pitching horror stories? How did your first pitch go?

Winner of Below Stairs

We have a winner!

Congratulations to Cara, the winner of Below Stairs by Margaret Powell. She has been contacted and her book will be mailed to her shortly.

Thanks so much to all who entered!

Happy Writing,

Amanda

Upstairs Downstairs – An Overview

Where would m’lord and m’lady be without their servants? Lost, most likely, as Lord Grantham says in Downton Abbey. Without the footmen, housemaids, cooks, and butler; throwing lavish parties and maintaining their two hundred room house, would be impossible.

Staff in the Regency, Victorian, and Edwardian eras were gigantic and it wasn’t uncommon for large houses such as Blenheim Palace and Highclere Castle to keep over fifty indoor servants, and another forty, outdoors. The Marchioness of Bath details her indoor staff in this lengthy and mind-boggling list:

One House Steward
One Butler
One Under Butler
One Groom of the Chambers
One Valet
Three Footmen
One Steward’s Room Footman
Two Odd Job Men
Two Pantry Boys
One Lamp Boy
One Housekeeper
Two Lady’s Maids
One Nursery Maid
Eight Housemaids
Two Sewing Maids
Two Still Room Maids
Six Laundry Maids
One Chef
Two Kitchen Maids
One Vegetable Maid
One Scullery Maid

And we thought they had a lot at Downton. J

This was rather large, even for a country mansion, and the typical staff was usually more representative of what we see on Downton. Typically  twenty to twenty five servants. The butler would often take on the role of steward, and groom of the chambers was a post rarely occupied.

The staff was hired and sacked (fired) by the housekeeper and butler, except the valet and the lady’s maid, which were engaged by the master and mistress of the house.
Most servants began at the bottom of the hierarchy, starting as kitchen maid or hallboy, and hoped to rise in the ranks. Many of them aspired to eventually become butler or housekeeper, the two highest ranking positions among domestics. Yet, as this was not always possible, servants often moved on to another place, rising in the ranks by acquiring a new job. Good references were a must and a bad one could ruin a servant’s entire career. In the case of a bad reference some servants forged their own, or when they went to hand in their notice, devised some excuse about how sorry they were to leave, but as their mother broke their leg, they were afraid they must. 

The staff had a very strict schedule and were only given one half day off a week, one full day a month, and a few hours on Sundays. Their lives were never truly their own, which was why, as the century wore on, it became harder and harder to staff a large house as young people preferred to find jobs as a secretary or shop worker.
The first servant to rise in the morning was the scullery maid or tweeny, the lowest ranking female servant. She would light the kitchen fires and draw and boil water. If there was no scullery maid, this task was assigned to the kitchen maid. She would then begin work on the servants’ breakfast after making sure everyone had been woken.

Housemaids and footmen were up a half an hour after the scullery maid, and after donning uniforms and livery, would go upstairs and light fires, empty chamber pots, and put out clean water for washing. They would then move on to the main living quarters and tidy the drawing rooms and Saloons; plumping pillows, dusting, sweeping, opening the curtains, etc. They would then eat their own breakfast and go about their designated tasks for the day. (During a later post, I’ll go in depth as to what the tasks were for each servant.)
Bells were the pagers of the Victorian era (we see a glimpse of them in the opening credits of Downton) and in the servants’ hall a long row of them was in plain view, so at a moment’s notice, the servants could be summoned to wherever the family was in need of them. I’d love a set in my house. J

Check out the following books if you would like more Information on domestic service:

1 - Up and Down Stairs: The History of the Country House Servant by Jeremy Musson
2- Life Below Stairs in the 20th Century by Pamela Horn
3- The Rise & Fall of the Victorian Servant by Pamela Horn
4- Rose: My Life in Service to Lady Astor by Rosina Harrison
5- Life Below Stairs: In the Victorian & Edwardian Country House by Sîan Evans
6- Below Stairs: The Classic Kitchen Maid’s Memoir That Inspired “Upstairs, Downstairs” and “Downton Abbey” by Margaret Powell
7- Manor House: The Companion Guide to the PBS Television Series

Since starting this new blogging schedule, with writers posts alternating with historical posts about the era’s in which I write, I’ve decided to title the historicals, “Carriages, Costumes, and Customs – Life in the Regency and Victorian Eras”, and the writing related posts “Writer’s Workshops” Hope you all are enjoying the new schedule!

I also hope you’ve enjoyed this peek into life Below Stairs. I hope to do more about this aspect in detail, as we approach the release date of Season 3 of Downton Abbey. If there are any posts you’d like me to cover either in Carriages, Costumes, and Customs, or Writer’s Workshop, I’d love to hear!

Giveaway!!!

To celebrate my return to blogging regularly after a several week hiatus due moving recently, and to get you all in the mood for Season 3 of Downton Abbey, I am giving away one of the recommended books above, “Below Stairs: The Classic Kitchen Maid’s Memoir That Inspired “Upstairs, Downstairs” and “Downton Abbey” by Margaret Powell. This book is a hilarious, fact filled, true to life rendition of what it was like to be a servant in early 20^th century London. I enjoyed reading this book very much and know you will too. So leave a comment with your email to be entered into a drawing to win this book.

Happy Writing,

Amanda