Research is something I enjoy almost as much as writing—& for a historical fiction author, it’s key to authentic storytelling.

I once read an engaging novel set in Jamestown Colony & was humming happily along when suddenly a dance scene commenced…& the characters began waltzing.

WHAT?

I share that story knowing full well that my own novels are not 100% anachronism or idiosyncrasy-free. No historical novelist gets every single detail right. But authors owe it to our readers—& to our own reputations—as well our respect for history, to research deeply enough to understand the century we’re writing about: its customs, foods, clothing, news, language, social conventions, transportation, technology, & the everyday details that make a historical world feel real.

For me, the research begins months before I write a word of the novel. I start collecting books & give myself time to soak up the era, the setting, & the people I’ll be spending nearly two years with. I want to know their world so well that it becomes second nature.

I wish I could master Scrivener, but I’m still hopelessly old-fashioned when it comes to research. I prefer handwriting everything on legal pads & in pretty notebooks. There’s something about putting pen to paper that sparks creativity— it slows me down & I also remember what I’ve handwritten far better than what I’ve read on a screen.

Last winter, I twisted my husband’s arm to turn our youngest son’s room into a little library. We’ve only managed two walls of bookshelves so far, but here’s a peek at my favorite vintage collection.

I adore vintage books & would line the entire house with them if I could. There’s something wonderfully inspiring about being surrounded by the books, ideas, and stories that came before us.

Perhaps that’s one reason I love writing historical fiction so much.

I’m writing for readers today—but I’m also quietly hoping someone will still be reading these stories a hundred years from now.

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Writing has always seemed more worship. Not publishing, writing. God gifts us all to do His work in unique ways & we have to trust His outcomes. Our focus must be on working from the soul for Him. That gives clarity of mind & perfect peace in a chaotic, competitive “look at me” world. My small creative efforts might not mean much to many but they mean the world to Him & in the end that’s all that truly matters .

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It’s a joy to hear from readers about my novels. This landed in my inbox recently & made me look at writing differently. A kindred spirit here. So thankful she found my books in the sea of them out there. Thank you, thank you.

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One of my favorite podcasters is Alison Treat who asks wonderful questions & is a writer herself. We had quite an enjoyable time discussing books, life, & more. Have a wee listen below!

Historical Fiction Unpacked

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One of my favorite things about the 18th-century is the fashion. This silk cape is a beautiful, even whimsical example of why it’s a favorite for me. At first glance it may seem just another pretty, genteel garment but…

Per The Met, “The extraordinary embroidery of this cape shows the delight of the British in the age-old tradition of representing nature in embroidery. The whimsy and pleasure expressed in the embroidery is evident.” I especially love the beribboned straw hat!

In this third Scottish novel I’m writing I have toddler twins. My heroine meets them & is wearing this cape. Her heart for children leads her to choose something she knows will appeal to them. The nursery scene is one of the favorites that I’ve ever written. Children add so much to a story.

For those patiently waiting, this third Scottish novel will release January 2025. There’s another novel coming out before then in January 2024. I promise I’m writing as fast as I can. It’s research that takes time. And I try to get it right. I love the working title of this novel though I’m not going to share it since it gives too much away. I’ve just reached the midpoint in writing so the novel is half finished. And wheest, I do love it!

Here’s hoping you love it, too!

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So, I’ve just returned from the Lucy Worsley tour. France has never been on my bucket list but that’s entirely my mistake. If I was younger, I’d become fluent in French & move there! While there, thanks to my hosts, I was blessed to visit the chateau that opens this upcoming Scottish novel releasing next January 2023. It was interesting to see how my pandemic research lined up with reality. Walking the grounds and gardens of this castle was an emotional experience for me. Setting is so important in my novels and actually being there was more beautiful and grand than I ever imagined it to be. I could easily envision my heroine moving along the chateau’s paths and parterres and fountains in her beautiful 18th-century gown!

I’ve been a Lucy Worsley fan for years, both her books and her BBC series. She really is the historical queen! As Chief Curator at Historic Royal Palaces, her office, from what I understand, is Hampton Court Palace. She is a fascinating speaker and so personable.

I had a cheeky American moment & remarked that if she ever tired of British history I had some American I would give her;) But honestly, who ever tires of centuries of British history? She was gracious about my novels and took a bookmark from me. I now wish I’d gotten a selfie with her but I wasn’t that cheeky!

We experienced so many amazing things while in France like the Louvre museum, the palace of Versailles, Malmaison – the country estate or chateau of Napoleon Bonaparte and Josephine, the little village of Barbizon which was the historical home to artists, the Conciergerie where Marie Antionette was imprisoned before her execution, and much more. French cuisine is delicious! Best croissants and coffee ever. I’m still not a fan of macarons but I did try Laduree!

I’ve been blessed to travel quite a bit since childhood, even attending school in England years ago, but the more of the world I see the less I know! If you’d like more photos, please visit me on Instagram. If you’re wanting even more photos, tap my Travel button on that page…

Laura’s IG

So thankful to be out & about in the world again!

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During my last stay at Colonial Williamsburg’s historic lodging, this clever little sign on my door made me chuckle. But the truth is, the 21st-century is what I need rest from, not the 18th-century! Writing, a doorway to the past, has always been a blessed escape. So… what worlds am I in for the next contracted books?

January 2022

A Heart Adrift

The cover for my 13th historical novel is one of my favorites, compliments of Revell’s Laura Klynstra who has designed covers for New York Times bestselling authors. While it would be a dream to land on such a list, my real hope is that this sea captain hero & chocolatier heroine sweep you away in this next Tidewater tale that opens in autumn of 1755.

January 2023

The Rose &Thistle

I’ve finished & am editing/polishing my second Scottish novel due in January. My tentative title is The Rose & Thistle though my publisher might decide on a better title. I have a few most beloved stories I’ve written and this is one of them. Inspired by my Scottish heritage, this novel of a Lowland Scot and a Northumbrian heiress weighs in at over 400 pages. Cover art begins soon!

January 2024

Untitled

It’s always a joy & a challenge to begin a new novel. This time I go north before I veer south again with an Acadian heroine and a frontier hero. I have a stack of research books I’m wading through, taking notes, and combing through character names. I’m returning to Colonial WIliamsburg in the year 1755 and will also move west over the mountains. I love my heroine’s unique but period-appropriate name.

January 2025

?

Exciting adventures ahead!

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I had a delightful time on the CHRISTIAN HISTORICAL FICTION TALK podcast with author Liz Tolsma. Nothing two wordsmiths like better than talking books! If you enjoy audio then please have a listen at the link below…

CHRISTIAN HISTORICAL FICTION TALK

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I really enjoyed my time on HISTORICAL FICTION UNPACKED despite being camera & microphone shy:) It’s always fun talking books with another bibliophile. Alison has a voice made for audio & asks all the right questions. Have a wee listen as my new hero might say. Just click on the link below…

Podcast

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Today I happily turned in the pages of Tidewater Bride, my last look at the book before it goes to print. January 5th will be here before we know it! I hope you enjoy reading this novel as much as I enjoyed writing it. Now if only I could time-travel back to the 17th-century and meet some of those characters who inspired my characters. One of them was considered a master gardener in James Towne, a woman by the name of Joan. That tiny speck of research helped inspire 398 pages. So in honor of Joan, I ran out to my garden and brought it some of the flowers and fruit she must have loved way back then.

Only 148 days till release!

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