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Why the Regency?
With all the time periods throughout history to choose from, why is the Regency apparently the most popular period for romance books? I want your opinions.
How about Victorians? Medieval times? The Rennaisance? Vikings? Westerns? There are followings for each of these, but overall it feels like the Regency wins out and I’m curious about what draws readers to it. Is it because of writers like Jane Austen and, much later, Georgette Heyer who laid out the template for what a Regency story should contain? Is it because many of us grew up reading that formula and so are very comfortable with it? We know the language of “rakes” and “the ton” and eloping to Gretna Green.
Maybe it’s the pretty, flowing clothing that’s the draw. The simple, clean lines of an Empire waist dress are certainly more romantic than a huge hoop skirt.
Personally, I’m very fond of the turn of the century time period, the advent of the Industrial Revolution and advancements like automobiles jostling for position with horse-drawn conveyences. One can see glimmers of modern times yet it’s still old fashioned enough to fulfill a kind of fairytale fantasy of romance. Plus, I love the clothing circa early 1900’s ala Titannic, all the beaded trim and elaborate hats.
By definition, historicals can include any time period fifty years or more in the past. Do you realize that makes a 1950’s era book a historical? Wow!
If this post sounds like I’m anti-Regency or something, I’m certainly not. My book, “The Countess Takes a Lover” was released this week, so I’m foresquare behind reading Regencies, but I’m also curious about their popularity. Please, drop a comment and tell me your favorite time period to read about, and if it’s Regency era—why?
You know, I’m actually not very fond of the Regency period. I think it’s because there is so many rules and social circles to remember. Give me a knight or pirate any day. I love historicals. Love them. But just can’t do the regencies! I know, I’m the odd ball out here.
Yanno, I majored in History in college after switching from English and I haven’t the foggiest. Despite those interests, I was too distracted by Star Trek to read Jane Austin unless my grade point average depended on it.
I’m paying for that now because I’m writing a Time Travel Romance at the moment and, goshdarnit, it’s in an era not so popular in the Romance genre – World War II. This means there’s not as many resources for me.
Come to think of it, my heroine from this one would be a total blast at a Regency cotillion. I just don’t think there’d be any survivors. Story over.