One of my favorite parts of writing historical romances is…research! Dry and boring as the word is, it can be a great deal of fun finding out unique aspects of Victorian history. I must admit I’m not a big fan of researching politics and the economy, but I love the bits and pieces of everyday life that I discover.
For A Study in Seduction, I spent time researching Victorian puzzles and pastimes and found a number of activities that children still play today (tops, dominos, kites, marbles) and other less-familiar games like “Hunt the Hare,” “Catch and Keep,” and “Prisoner’s Base.” Some familiar games were known by a different name, as “Tig” and “Cross-Tig” in Victorian England is the same game as tag.
Some Victorian pastimes are more specific to the era—while children today certainly keep pets, the hobby of catching and keeping animals was far more prevalent among 19th-century children. Books about Victorian sports and pastimes include detailed guides on catching and caring for wild rabbits, squirrels, songbirds, and mice. There are also chapters devoted to magic tricks, puzzles, and riddles, some of which might not exactly connect with the 21st-century child (“Why is a king like a book? Because he has pages”).
There’s no doubt that such handbooks and guides give us great insight into Victorian childhood, but the most interesting fact is how many of the activities are still so much a part of children’s lives today. I see it in my own children’s daily lives—even with the prevalence of TV, computers, and video games, they still love a good game of tag or an afternoon of kite flying. The name of the game, both then and now, is all about fun.
[Ed. Nina is giving one lucky commenter the chance to read all about these fun games and puzzles she researched. Leave her a meaningful comment or question and you’ll be in the running for a copy of A Study in Seduction.]
Hi Nina. I love the cover to your book. Your research sounds fun. I like to learn interesting historical facts.
Hi Nina, so true how these simpler pasttimes are still fun for kids today. Congrats on your book, made my wishlist, love trying new authors in this genre and this sounds good.
Hi Nina, I love your color too. Researching children’s pasttimes sounds like a lot of fun!!! I did not know that “Tig” and “Cross Tig” was tag in Victorian England. Did they have jacks in Victorian England?
That’s a great research topic! Every day life is so interesting. One would think everything has changed since then but there are still similarities between now and then. I noticed that the simpler games are most of the time the most entertaining games kids can play (at least when they’re younger). They don’t need much to be occupied for a time.
Thank you for the giveaway!
When it comes to historical time periods I’m also interested in how people spent their daily lives. Everything from games and other social events. I l=thinking learning about these things does give me a better insight into what hept them occupied.
I think kids will always like physical games and puzzles. I think it is when they get a bit older that technology becomes more interesting.