Give Your Setting a Role to Play
Author: Cheryl Zach
Original Publication Date in Love Notes: April 2002

In many ways, the setting of a historical novel functions like a strong secondary character. Setting should contribute to the mood and theme, affect the action, sometimes impede the conflict resolution, and help define the main characters. What it should not do is slow the pace of the story or steal the spotlight from the hero and heroine. 

The author will always do a lot of research on historical and geographical background that won't show up directly in the story, in the same way that a writer spins a long involved backstory for a character even though not all will be directly referred to in the book. The worst mistake is to stop the story to give the reader a history lesson! But small details of time and place, dialogue and costume, add spice and authenticity. 

For example, when David, the aristocratic hero of Lady in Waiting, goes incognito to stalk a suspicious diplomat, he poses as a hot chestnut vendor. 

"I want to rent your push cart, and your clothes as well," David told the man. "Especially the cap." 

"Me clothes?" The vendor's mouth dropped even wider. "Ere, what kind of unnatural monster are you? You want to see me naked in the street? I don't 'ave no more!" 

"No, no," David said. "Never mind, I'll find my own clothes. I'll settle for the cart." 

The vendor shook his head, but the jingle of the coins that David shook in one loosely cupped hand drew his gaze. "You can't do nothing rude to me regular customers," he cautioned, though he already reached for the money. 

"I promise to be the most gallant hot chestnut vendor in the west of London," David assured the other man. He wanted badly to laugh, but this was serious business, even with hot nuts added.... 

Although historical detail must be balanced with the needs of the story, this doesn't mean that the author can skip the necessary research. Used judiciously, historical details add an extra dimension to the story. Plus, readers are well versed in historical facts, and an out of place word or object can jar them out of the story. 

The good news is that the research can pay off in numerous ways. When we discovered an unsuccessful revolt against Austrian rule in Piedmont (part of modern Italy), as well as the existence of the Austrian Empire's much-feared Secret Police, the mystery/adventure subplot in Lady in Waiting, where our English heroine Circe has just returned from years of study on the Continent, at once began to take shape. These are the moments that make plotting fun!

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