Another Review for "Deliverance"

[vashtan]

"Deliverance" has been reviewed by "Speak its Name":

http://speakitsname.wordpress.com/2009/09/18/review-forbidden-love-anthology-various/

Comments

[gileonnen]

These reviews could very well make your reputation in historicals--as the go-to guy for period accuracy. Which is, in my opinion, more important than a reputation as 'the go-to guy for steamy sex.'

[vashtan]

Absolutely. If I would have to choose, I'd choose accuracy over steamy-ness. (My professor would be so proud). :)

[erastes]

I think it's very important, obviously - and the reviewers at Speak Its Name always take both factors into consideration - the writing, and the accuracy. Obviously anyone can make mistakes, god alone knows I have, everyone I know has, but it's obvious when people are trying, and when they haven't BOTHERED to check their facts.

We wrestled as to whether we were going to review Dreamspinner's new line of history-lite books, which give themselves an automatic disclaimer that they don't consider accuracy too important, but in the end we decided we would, purely, really, to attempt to keep the quality up.

Eventually, and very sadly, there is bound to be gay historicals along the lines of the worst of the het historicals: Men wearing kilts a la Braveheart and Dark Ages architecture taken from Merlin the TV series - but not - I HOPE - yet.

[vashtan]

Definitely. But I think the stories that will end up being the "classics" of the genre will distinguish themselves on both counts: writing, and research. I'm really excited to be writing in that genre. :)

[ozambersand]

First of all I have to say that I didn’t like the faux olde worlde English, which was used not only in the speech, (Mayhap it is best) but unforgivably-in the narrative! (He oft’ wondered). It’s a difficult line to walk, I know, but back in 1075, the protagonists would not be speaking any kind of English that we would understand, and I prefer to see speech patterns indicate a sense of antiquity rather than sticking in random “antiquated” words that actually wouldn’t be used until a much later time. (for example, mayhap is from the 16th century.) It’s a personal dislike, but prithee don’t forsooth and nuncle me. It’s horrible.
My feelings entirely. Whereas in your piece there were no modernities that jarred the reader out of the time and place.
It's more what you don't put in to give it a period feel rather than what you do.

[vashtan]

but prithee don’t forsooth and nuncle me

Okay, that's incomprehensible for me, the non-native speaker. :)

I think a "lean", "ageless" prose is the best way to go. Granted, "Deliverance" reads different from "Special Forces" - every piece has its way to be told, but I think the style is recognizably mine. :)