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dribs and drabs
Jul. 17th, 2012 10:24 amProject: Napoleonic Era Arthurian Romance With A Happy Ending
Deadline: Labor Day-ish
New words written: since my last update? 313
Present total word count: 59774
Mean things: meh
Fun things: meh
Stimulants: catching Patrick O'Brian in a couple of minor errors/artistic license
This was just a short intro to the wedding night scene. As for Patrick O'Brian's slip-ups? For the first, he has a letter dated 20 September 1804 happening some time before actions ascribed to 12 September 1804, and no, the sequence doesn't double back on itself -- the 20 September is just after the Polychrest has cut out the Fanciulla, and the 12 September is when the Lively is preparing to go after the Fama, the Clara, and the rest. I was reading closely because I was wondering if any of the incidents were relevant to stuff in my story, given that the viscount was proposing on or around 19 September, and I sort of wondered what the lieutenant might have been up to at sea (probably still boring blockade duty).
For the second, if you remember the very affecting scene in which Stephen observes Diana in Canning's box at the opera? There is a small but important detail where the reason Stephen spots her is that her party arrives late, and he sees the flash of light as the door to their box opens against the darkened house.
Except. The house lights didn't darken then. It's completely impractical with candles. It didn't become the custom until gaslight came in, and in 1804 it hadn't yet.
I take some comfort in the knowledge that if O'Brian could do this, I can certainly be permitted a small mistake or two.
Deadline: Labor Day-ish
New words written: since my last update? 313
Present total word count: 59774
Mean things: meh
Fun things: meh
Stimulants: catching Patrick O'Brian in a couple of minor errors/artistic license
This was just a short intro to the wedding night scene. As for Patrick O'Brian's slip-ups? For the first, he has a letter dated 20 September 1804 happening some time before actions ascribed to 12 September 1804, and no, the sequence doesn't double back on itself -- the 20 September is just after the Polychrest has cut out the Fanciulla, and the 12 September is when the Lively is preparing to go after the Fama, the Clara, and the rest. I was reading closely because I was wondering if any of the incidents were relevant to stuff in my story, given that the viscount was proposing on or around 19 September, and I sort of wondered what the lieutenant might have been up to at sea (probably still boring blockade duty).
For the second, if you remember the very affecting scene in which Stephen observes Diana in Canning's box at the opera? There is a small but important detail where the reason Stephen spots her is that her party arrives late, and he sees the flash of light as the door to their box opens against the darkened house.
Except. The house lights didn't darken then. It's completely impractical with candles. It didn't become the custom until gaslight came in, and in 1804 it hadn't yet.
I take some comfort in the knowledge that if O'Brian could do this, I can certainly be permitted a small mistake or two.
