What are some of your most recent research projects for your writing? Week before last I was researching murder weapons and whether you could indeed kill someone with an air rifle. This week I’m researching the Gens de Couleur Libres, the free people of color in antebellum New Orleans. Call me crazy, but I actually love to research. It’s one of the things about writing that makes me say, “Isn’t this awesome? How cool is it that I get to do this?”
Plus, it lends itself to comedic relief. My husband walked in on me week before last and read the search I’d typed into Google (ahem…”air rifle murder weapon”). He just shook his head and walked back out.
But on a more serious note, I’ve become fascinated by the Gens de Couleur Libres. Did you know that at one time the Gens de Couleur Libres had a higher literacy rate than the white inhabitants of New Orleans? And that they owned over 2.5 million in property in the city (we’re talking pre-civil war here…so that was a LOT of money). Balls, opera boxes, wealthy creole sons being educated in Paris–it was an artistic renaissance of sorts. There was actually a three-caste system in New Orleans, with free people of color essentially making up the middle class. It’s just amazing to me that this pocket existed in the antebellum South, which was such a hostile and brutal environment for persons of color otherwise. Don’t get me wrong –it wasn’t perfect, and racism was still a part of every day life (the treatment of Creole women as objects by white men–the quadroon balls and placage system), but it is still fascinating that New Orleans developed into a society like this, which allowed for such a vibrant, cultured and wealthy class of non-white Americans, while the rest of the United States remained in such violent opposition.
I thought I’d leave you with a few pictures this week of some paintings and prints of the Gens de Couleur Libres in pre-war New Orleans:
Edmond Dede, the famous violinist:
Julien Hudson, a famous artist and teacher (below is the first known self portrait of one of the Gens de Couleur Libres):
Alfred Mercier, lawyer and novelist:
A watercolor of three Creole women walking (note the beautiful dresses – all the latest fashions came from France):
Henriette Delille, daughter of an old and wealthy free family who founded the Sisters of the Holy Family:
Rodolphe Lucien Desdunes, civic leader and scholar:
Unknown Creole woman:
Hope you enjoyed this brief historical tour! What are some of your favorite research projects? Any tips or methods you have that you’d like to share?
This is so interesting! Very cool and I had no idea. Sounds like they were ahead of their time in New Orleans.
I often enjoy research, but there comes a point where it`s like okay I just want to start creating the story!
I hear you –I always get to that point too. Nothing beats the furious wonder of pecking out a first draft.
Research.. yeah. It’s awesome and it creates more life and authenticity in whatever we’re writing, That was funny–with the search for ‘air rifle murder weapon’ and being found doing it.
It’s interesting what we learn so much as we write because of research.
Absolutely. Who doesn’t love digging into fresh earth and uncovering all the things hidden beneath? Who doesn’t enjoy expanding their minds and picking up new areas of expertise? Probably the same people who aren’t compulsive learners, right? Better than most addictions!
Right!?
“Compulsive learner” -So that’s what’s wrong with me!? My friends and family will be happy to finally have a diagnosis. LOL
Well, I’m glad you spend some time rooting around on Google, because I didn’t know any of this stuff, and frankly it opens the window on a whole new world I’d like to know more about. Fascinating
Thanks for sharing your research with us- I agree. It’s fascinating. And yes, I have always known I’d need a profession that requires constant learning. I like how storiesbywilliams put it: we are compulsive learners. Love it!
And aren’t we lucky we have such supportive, and tolerant, husbands?
Totally!
I LOVE the research phase! The hardest part for me is when I have to force myself to stop researching and get back to writing. There are so many amazing nonfiction books out there. Thanks so much for sharing this unique historical time in New Orleans. Sounds like an amazing novel is in the works
Yay –another kindred research nerd spirit!
I dedicate time to research as I need to. I’ll write to a point where I realize that I need a little extra, so I go looking for it
Example: I’m writing a story set in the 9th century – who was king in France at the time? Who was he at was with? etc. The other kind of research I do goes on all the time. If I know I’m going to be writing about a particular topic or in a certai setting, then I’ll load up on books on the topic and read them over the course of the writing project. This kind of only works for novels 
I don’t mind research, but I like writing more. As with everything, it’s about balance.
It’s amazing how many things you need to know if you want to use another time period. I have the hardest time with all the clothing and finding names for everything. I love your idea about loading up on books and reading them over the course of the project.
I enjoy research, too. I’ve been delving into child psychology texts for an upcoming book project and have been simply fascinated by what I’ve been learning.
Psychology is so interesting -especially child psychology. I can’t wait to hear what your new WIP’s going to be about. Hint, hint.
I absolutely love research! I only write about things I’m interested in, so research is always fascinating to me.
That’s the best part about it –we can choose the things we’re interested in!
Yes, like you I love the research. For my last book I had to learn about meth (how to make and transport) and drug running. Some of the sites I discovered were disturbing, to say the least.
Oh, wow. That would be some wild research. Meth is crazy these days. A friend of mine on the police force basically said it’s so rampant they can hardly do anything about it –and it’s apparently so easy to make (as I’m sure you discovered). Coke bottles and decongestant and batteries, etc. Ugh. Can’t believe people put that in their bodies! I’m sure you encountered some “colorful” research.
There’s nothing like good and thorough research. It irks me when people get a few details wrong because I can’t help but wonder if such issues are somehow “forced” by the writer or creator for a reason in order to make the story “flow” or for some event(s) to be included. Case in point is the heart murmur detected in the character of William (2nd Footman!) was not quite right. Mitral Valve prolapse was not described in the medical literature until 1966.
OoooOoooh –I never would have noticed that! I love Downton Abbey, too. They totally need you there as the medical expert for their screenwriters.
Nahh! They probably have enough of them. I adore Downton Abbey in spite of the little niggly detail snafus.