One
hundred years ago women won the right to vote in the United States. It’s hard
to believe we couldn’t vote until 1920, but that’s the fact. It was a long,
hard fought battle, one for which American women owe gratitude to the
suffragettes who made it happen.
For
several years an idea has been simmering in my brain for a novel set during the
struggle for American women’s voting rights. As with many of the
yet-to-be-written multitude of novels floating around in my head, scenes from
this one play themselves out in my mind every so often. I don’t think this will
be the next novel I write (after Erin’s
Children, my novel in progress, and sequel to Kelegeen), but certainly it is in the top three currently germinating
in my imagination.
As
with all good historical fiction, there will be lots of research before and
during the writing. Though I may not start the actual writing for a while, when
a research opportunity pops up I’m certainly not going to ignore it.
This
afternoon I will be attending an event at the Worcester Historical Museum
entitled “Suffragist Tea with History At Play”. The play, “How Long Must We
Wait?” is a “multi-modal performance art piece detailing the struggle for women’s
right to vote and equality” according to the Worcester Historical Museum’s
website.
Despite
being way ahead of my schedule regarding research for my future novel, I’m not
about to pass it up. Something like this might not be available when I’m “officially”
ready to start my research. Notes can be kept, memories held, videos replayed
(History At Play’s website appears to have videos of many past performances).
As an author of historical fiction, research is a high priority. When an
opportunity comes my way, I’ll grab it while I can. No need to wait!
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Ah, reserch. Even for books that aren't historical call for research. Good luck with your stories.
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