Of course we all know that people in novels rarely use the toilet. Why? Because it was a disgusting experience. The wealthy might have a pot which would be cleaned out by some poor servant (sometimes by simply throwing the contents out the window \u2013 be careful how closely you walk next to a house). If there was an outhouse\u2014well, you can imagine how lovely that smelled.<\/p>\n
And then there were the animals. Yes, horses which leave what wherever they\u2019ve gone? And no, there was no one picking it up. There were also pigs, rats, goats and all manner of other animals living in cities, eating whatever waste lay about on the streets\u2014and there was definitely enough of it to feed them well.<\/p>\n
So where is all of this lovely detail in historical novels? Nowhere. Are you surprised? No, I didn\u2019t think so.<\/p>\n
And what of women? People who read romance novels love a feisty heroine. A woman who will stand up for herself. Who rides as well as the men. Or thinks nothing of engaging in some witty, sarcastic repartee with our hero. But did girls, especially unmarried young women, really behave so boldly? I don\u2019t think so. Not if they wanted to get married. And if they didn\u2019t get married they became nothing but a burden on their family. They had no other option.\u00a0 Women were quiet. Submissive. Treated like children\u2014who only spoke when spoken to. The brave young souls of the modern romance novel bears no resemblance to the actual women of time. It is a sad story, but true nonetheless.<\/p>\n
So enjoy your romance and other historical novels, but especially enjoy the fantasy that they create\u2014that\u2019s why it\u2019s called \u201cworld building.\u201d<\/p>\n
Meredith Bond is an award-winning author of a series of traditionally published Regency romances and indie-published paranormal romances. Known for her characters \u201cwho slip readily into one\u2019s heart,\u201d Meredith\u2019s paranormal romances include Magic In The Storm<\/i>, Storm on the Horizon<\/i><\/strong>, and the short story \u201cIn A Beginning<\/em>.\u201d Her traditional Regencies include The Merry Men Quartet<\/em> of which An Exotic Heir<\/i><\/strong> and A Dandy In Disguise<\/i><\/strong> have recently been republished. Her new series of New Adult Medieval Fantasy Romances, will be coming out beginning March 18th, 2014 with Air: Merlin’s Chalice<\/i><\/strong>,<\/strong> <\/i><\/b>followed by Water: Excalibur’s Return<\/i><\/strong> in April and Fire: Nimue’s Destiny<\/i><\/strong> in May. Meredith also teaches writing at her local community college. If you want a taste of her class in book form, Chapter One<\/i><\/strong> is available at your favorite e-retailer.<\/p>\n Want to know more? Visit Meredith at her website<\/a>, or chat with her on Facebook<\/a>\u00a0 or Twitter (@merrybond). If you\u2019d like to be one of the first to know of Meredith\u2019s new releases, join her no-spamming email list by clicking here.<\/span>\u00a0\u00a0 <\/a><\/p>\n Thanks so much!\u00a0 Meredith.<\/p>\n
![\"Meredith](\"http:\/\/thewritespot.us\/marlenecullenblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/03\/Meredith-Bond-book-244x300.png\")
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