writing frustration and the corset myth

[chelseagirl]

Aaargh.

Since my first novel was a Western historical romance, I joined various Facebook groups to promote it.

I JUST read a post where EVERY SINGLE RESPONDENT except me and one other buys the corset myth -- that they fainted, that they removed ribs, that they were all short of breath and in pain all the time. The other woman posted a link to a Bernadette Banner video, but she and I were swimming against a tide of "I heard, I read." (And yes, I can think of much more serious issues where the same is true, but I'm fortunate to mostly travel in circles where science is respected, for example, so I don't run into it.)

And some of these people WRITE historicals. No wonder there are so many books with wildly inaccurate depictions in them.

Meanwhile, I'm realizing just how much research there's left for me to do, even with a PhD in the period I'm writing in! But at least if it's the first of a series, all that research will pay off more than once.

I'd hoped to be querying by spring. I've realized that's not going to happen -- maybe fall 2022 will be enough time, to write the book I WANT to write. I suspect I could dash it off and find a small house that'd take it, but I wouldn't be happy with it. (Not dissing small houses!)

Comments

[amaka]

I enjoy Bernadette Banner. Also Jill Bearup.

FWIW, as a sidelight on the persistence of this misunderstanding, the first place I ever encountered the characterization was in Louisa May Alcott's Eight Cousins (which I loved more than Little Women as a child), where the heroine is rescued from her aunts' misguidedly imprisoning her in a corset by her freethinking uncle. Rational dress reformers themselves characterized their opponents in terms that perhaps came down to contribute to our modern misunderstanding. Propaganda! Fake news! ;-D I learned a more nuanced understanding of that era's corsets only fairly recently, I must admit.

[chelseagirl]

I remember Eight Cousins from childhood, as well -- I had my mother's copy. And I suspect putting a child in a corset at that age isn't a great idea. I honestly am not sure Alcott -- other than Little Women -- has that much cultural impact anymore, though. But it's dug in deep; it wasn't until I started talking to costumers that I learned otherwise. The notion that women would subject themselves to minor discomfort (underwired bras, high heels) for the sake of their appearances is plausible, the notion that women would subject themselves to the incredible discomfort and hampering of everyday life that's imagined for corsets just makes no sense.

[amaka]

P.S. Good luck and best wishes on your writing!

[chelseagirl]

Thanks!

[lunabee34]

I hope you write the book that you are extremely happy with. *hugs*

[chelseagirl]

I am feeling very discouraged now, not going to lie. But if I give up, then I've definitely failed, so . . . .

[lunabee34]

*hugs*

I'm so sorry. That's a rotten feeling.