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Gloria Marlow
Unity Member
Post Number: 2002
Registered: 04-2002

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Posted on Friday, July 20, 2007 - 06:06 pm:

A book I was reading a few weeks ago and another thread on this forum led me to notice how much has changed just in the last few decades.

I was reading a book in which the hero is angry and is telling the heroine that he has been with countless women since his wife's death. My first thoughts consisted of "yuk, aids and condoms". I flipped to the front of the book and realized it was published in 1985. I remember 1985 and I remember that AIDS was not something the average person knew anything about. So, that has definitely had to change the romance genre somewhat.

My newest book is set in the time period from the 30's to the 50's because the concepts and plot no longer work in this day and age. Unwed mothers and their children no longer face the real stigma they once did. Internet and 24 hour news make it impossible to imagine that the murder of a prominent businessman and his mistress would not be plastered somewhere for eternal perusal by interested people.

Even the availability and popularity of cell phones have completely changed things.

Gloria

Gloria
www.gloriamarlow.com
Flowers for Megan**Shades of Silence**The Butterfly Game

Claudia Turner VanLydegraf
Mindsight Moderator
Post Number: 3105
Registered: 06-2002

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Posted on Friday, July 20, 2007 - 09:07 pm:

there is really a lot that you have to consider as new when you are delving into writing in the times of 30's to 50's, like there were no fax machines, no color tv, no microwaves, no stereos, most phones only had party lines, many homes only had "ice" boxes, cars nly went so fast and a trip that we consider nothing nowdays, took about three hours and was an all day outing to go into town in many places. Going to a show was a major event, seeing a stage show or live performance was really expensive, casino's were only for the really "naughty" or rich and debauched. An airplane trip was very unlikely, more likely was the train or bus rides. Virtually everyone listened to the evening news and father was always home for dinner and everyone sat down at the table and talked during dinner.

Good luck in putting it tall together, course you will have your family to give you some heads up on many things and coming from where you grew up will be a plus for this type of novel. I wish you well on it, and BTW, I never got your latest book that you were going to send me......

Claudia
MINDSIGHT MODERATOR

Harry Simenon
Unity Member
Post Number: 1633
Registered: 10-2003

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Posted on Saturday, July 21, 2007 - 01:38 am:

In some aspects we still live in the 50's: I'm usually home for dinner, we all sit down at the table and talk during dinner.

But indeed many books seem dated.

Still they can be fun to read: I remember that as a boy I found an old book in the attic. The spelling was old, but it was still an exciting read. The plot was rather timeless I suppose.

But also words often change meaning, making it strange to read older manuscripts: an English example is the word 'gay.' That gives rather un intended twist to older stories.

In a way that makes me sad, as a writer. I would hope to write something that reads the way it was intended, but everything we write will get stail after a while. There is not much we could do about that I'm afraid.

Stephen Lodge
Wisdom Member
Post Number: 567
Registered: 06-2004

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Posted on Wednesday, August 01, 2007 - 08:55 pm:

Things have sure changed around this forum. No one seems to be posting much anymore. Maybe we're all on vacation ~ (or out to lunch)

http://www.stephenlodge.com
Novels by Stephen Lodge:
"Charley Sunday's Texas Outfit!"
"Nickel-Plated Dream"
"Shadows of Eagles"

Nancy Mehl
Mindsight Moderator
Post Number: 2612
Registered: 08-2001

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Posted on Wednesday, August 01, 2007 - 09:51 pm:

Hi, Stephen!

How are things going? What are you up to?

Nancy

MINDSIGHT MODERATOR

Look for "In the Dead of Winter" from Barbour Books
March 2008
www.nancymehl.com

Stephen Lodge
Wisdom Member
Post Number: 568
Registered: 06-2004

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Posted on Thursday, August 02, 2007 - 04:53 am:

I'm keeping myself busy working on a book of essays I've written about my life in and around the movie business. I plan to combine the behind the scenes photos I've taken over the years and hope to end up with something worthwhile.

http://www.stephenlodge.com
Novels by Stephen Lodge:
"Charley Sunday's Texas Outfit!"
"Nickel-Plated Dream"
"Shadows of Eagles"

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Posted on Wednesday, April 30, 2008 - 03:43 am:

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