When I decided to write a trilogy about three Victorian prostitutes living and working together in the city of Bath, the first thing I needed to uncover were the differences and similarities in these women's lives... or rather their pasts.
One of the most essential aspects of storytelling is knowing your characters inside out and which events in their childhoods through to the present day made them who they are today.
In book 1 of the Ladies of Carson Street trilogy (A Widow's Vow), Louisa Hill has married a former 'client' and is completely reliant on his money and generosity. So when he dies, leaving her only a house in Bath that she never knew existed, his secrecy feels like a betrayal and makes her realise how she must never again trust anyone to look after her.
Her journey to independence becomes the overriding theme of the series as each heroine faces their past and finds a way to build their own independent futures.
A Widow's Vow took my research into the world of Victorian prostitution and boxing, book 2, Trouble For The Leading Lady took me to the Victorian theatre and the Workhouse and book 3, A Very Modern Marriage took me out of Bath to travel north to Manchester's cotton mills.
Writing is exciting! As a writer, you might have a rough idea of what your story will be about, but it is always wonderful when your research takes you in an unexpected direction or, better still, provides inspiration for future novels.
Research is a big part of why I love writing historicals and I cannot imagine that changing any time soon - and with the first book of what could potentially be a brand new series just contracted with The Wild Rose Press, I am looking forward to sharing the worlds I will be immersing myself in next!
Happy Reading!
Rachel x
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