Good morning Catherine. I would like to ask you a few questions about your interesting historical novel Kept Safe.
Did you have knowledge of the weather patterns which you describe in Kept Safe?
Absolutely. From 1808 to 1815 a series of volcanic eruptions culminated in the massive eruption of Indonesia’s Mount Tambora in April 1815. These eruptions produced a substantial build-up of atmospheric dust in the stratosphere, blocking out sunlight for almost 2 years.
A ‘volcanic winter’ resulted in the Northern Hemisphere, dropping earth’s temperature, and producing extreme climatic aberration. The greatest effects were experienced in 1816, referred in historical accounts as ‘The Year Without Summer”.
At that time Europe was in economic slump, recovering from the Napoleonic Wars and, in Canada, the American War. With the extended Volcanic winter came massive crop failure from this extreme cold and incessant rain. Farmers fell into debt, the cost of food surged, and food scarcity, starvation and disease occurred throughout the Northern Hemisphere.
Olivia arrives at the dawn of this climatic event; extreme weather is definitely a factor in the plot.
Why did you give Wesley a role that would keep them apart for prolonged periods of time?
Without giving away a spoiler, Wesley’s post-war responsibilities are consistent with what would be expected of a British Officer in post-war Canada where the British Military still held legislative authority.
Captain Wesley Bryson investigates war compensation property claims throughout Upper Canada. As an Officer’s wife, Olivia is required to accommodate and support his responsibilities. Accompanying her husband to the frontier would interfere with completion of his duties.
Did you study the types of sewing, dressmaking and materials used to give it credence in the novel? How did you learn so much about styles?
For Regency upper-class women, decorative stitchery provided a creative outlet, in making pillows, fashion accessories and less functional decorative objects. Olivia was able to apply these skills once she overcame her class prejudice to doing the work of a seamstress.
As an amateur historian, I have belonged to several historic societies hosting many informative presentations and publications. While living and traveling in the United Kingdom, I visited many excellent local museums and manor homes that had displays on ‘fashion,’ materials and functionality. On social media, I follow several women that I would consider experts in this field.
In historical fiction the conditions under which a character lives must be appreciated for their restrictions on what is possible. Clothing denoted one’s status in society. Excellent deportment, a reflection of this status, was assured at the expense of movement. The higher a woman’s status the greater clothes restricted her ability to do physical labour, the work of servants, not ladies.
For Wesley to request Olivia to be ‘uncorseted’ was shocking to her. The term ‘loose woman’ comes from a perception that the looser a woman’s corset’s lacing, the freer her inclination to indulge in moral ‘shenanigans.’ Furthermore, a women’s underwear was open at the crotch, being simply two separate pantalettes tied at her waist. This enabled an ease to ‘void,’ but it also made ‘looser’ women more vulnerable to attack.
Did you have to do further research (of Olivia, Rosetta, Annie, and Sally) noting their vastly diverse backgrounds?
In my blog Catherinegroveauthor.ca, I have published some of my research.
I write to promote reconciliation. With the interactions of these diverse women, I endeavor to share laughter, shock and even some tears through their reconciliation and friendship growth. Inspired by true accounts, they are representative of three influential groups left out of Canadian history: Country Wives, Camp Followers and African Refugees from enslavement.
Refugees from American enslavement, post War of 1812, were the beginning of the ‘underground railway’, whereby between 30,000 to 50,000 migrants came to Canada. This reveals a peculiar compromise in Canadian history. Slavery was not abolished until 1832, yet Black refugees were welcomed and viewed as useful in undermining the American Republic’s economic dependence on slavery. The British military actively recruited Black men. Though restricted to the ranks, they were granted one hundred acres of Canadian land upon demobilization. I descend from one such recruit.
Viewed as loyal British subjects, Black settler migrants were also given land and armed to serve as ‘shield settlements,’ positioned to defend Canada from post-war American invasion through Georgian Bay or across Lake Erie.
Country Wives form the foundation of economic development and early settlement of Canada. Marriage of Indigenous women, following Indigenous practices, was respected until mid-1800’s. I recently wrote a blog on these marriages and their immense contribution to the fur-trade and exploration of Canada. If not for their assistance Canada would not have expanded peacefully and Western Canada might have been annexed by the American Republic. The wife of Sir James Douglas, first Governor of the colony of British Columbia. They later ‘churched’ their marriage.
To sum it up, the friendship of these diverse women is an example of both ‘iron sharpens iron’ and the beneficial Indigenous ‘companion planting’ of the ‘Three Sisters’ of squash, beans, and corn. It is my hope that a similar reconciliation and strength will result within Canada’s diversity.
Did you ever light a fire in the way described in your novel?
My father taught me to fish, hunt and glean edible food from the bush but he always brought matches on our forays.
After watching many You-Tubes I, unsuccessfully, tried to light a fire. Craig Macartney, my editor, acquired a flint and was able to successfully light a fire this way. He suggested a few revisions to my description.
Was smoking a customary practice?
It was indeed. By Regency time sniffing snuff (powdered tobacco) was considered polite for both women and men of the upper-class.
In the lower-class, smoking a pinch of tobacco in a small clay pipe was common and encouraged for both men and women. It was observed that smoking was a deterrent to the Ague (mal-air or malaria), believed to be caused by bad swampy air. This was likely true because tobacco smoke would have kept away mosquitos—the real cause of Ague.
Voyageurs used the length of time to smoke tobacco in a clay pipe to measure distance and time. Smoking was used by the military and their accompanying families to provide a break in the monotony of marching and to stave off hunger and combat weariness.
In addition to the above, Indigenous people used tobacco for both social and religious purpose.
Is it possible there are descendants of wolfdogs today, like Gizzy?
Yes. I’ve admired wolfdogs from a distance. Several breeds of wolf dogs exist today. They are usually 2 to 3 generations from being 100% wolf. Highly energetic and social, they are also tenacious and independent. If properly socialized at an early age, they are good companions for humans.
Where can readers purchase your books?
Kept Safe is available in e-book form from Amazon and Apple Books. The paperback is orderable through Indigo-Chapters. Paperback copies are available at the Ottawa Public Library and the Arnprior Public Library. I will also be in Perth, April 27, selling my book at the Perth Festival of the Maples.
Thank you, Catherine, for a fascinating peep into your novel.