tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3103707002868692486.post5703985810196620318..comments2023-10-16T00:18:32.138-06:00Comments on Footnotes: Novel Inspirations from History: The Ladies Mile Stephanie Grace Whitsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02442621477644235666noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3103707002868692486.post-28149183362512057132011-08-02T08:09:41.675-05:002011-08-02T08:09:41.675-05:00James, thanks for writing! Your great aunt owned ...James, thanks for writing! Your great aunt owned Thorley's? And you've been there? I'm envious. How amazing. My source is a 1987 book called "Great Merchants of Early New York: The Ladies Mile" by Joseph Devorkin. You might be able to find a copy online. It has fabulous pictures of the early stores of NYC and includes great information.<br /><br />I'm a sucker for the Gilded Age. Such an exciting time with all the new innovations bubbling around, plus the elegance of style, manners, and class. <br /><br />If you liked "Masquerade" you might like "An Unlikely Suitor". I took the immigrant Scarpelli girls from Masquerade and had them travel from NYC to the grandeur of Newport. Now there's another place that sparks my imagination!Nancy Moserhttp://www.nancymoser.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3103707002868692486.post-69931398833679841212011-07-29T20:58:04.513-05:002011-07-29T20:58:04.513-05:00Having a strong sentimental component, I often Goo...Having a strong sentimental component, I often Google things from my youth that made a big impression, believing I can't be the only one cherishing the things I seek. Frankly, I am often disappointed, but not when I last searched for Thorley House of Flowers. It seems I have you to thank Ms. Moser. Between this blog and your book titled Masquerade, you provided two of the three search results for an amazing place in my memory. (The third being "This month in real estate history" on The Real Deal Online.)Several times a month we would visit my Great Aunt Rose Van Namee, owner of Thorley's, my Grandmother, Margaret Will and my Uncle Joe Will, at the store that seemed like a dreamland. Lit glass cases of flowers lined the wall, with welcoming, white cast iron garden furniture set just so. To this day, each time I enter a florist, the fragrances always take me "home" to Thorley's. I thank you Ms. Moser and if ever you have the time and inclination, please let me know your source. You have a new fan.James Griffinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03007808167969967244noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3103707002868692486.post-55020150425316304232010-09-29T20:17:13.953-05:002010-09-29T20:17:13.953-05:00Our story ideas DO come from our research, often b...Our story ideas DO come from our research, often by chance. When I found out about A.T. Stewart and his department store, and found a photo of his house too...that was it. They had to be the inspiration for my Tremaine family in "Masquerade". Repeatedly a piece of trivia sparks a scene or a subplot. It's an "oooh!" moment.Brenda Joseehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14372850292511402313noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3103707002868692486.post-23874793047433570182010-09-29T18:51:46.694-05:002010-09-29T18:51:46.694-05:00You know, I don't like research, but you guys ...You know, I don't like research, but you guys make it absolutely fascinating on this blog! And I see where some of your story ideas come from, too!Deborah Raneyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04252126648118644451noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3103707002868692486.post-27504442373305702692010-09-23T22:13:17.326-05:002010-09-23T22:13:17.326-05:00I agree the couple is in the midst of a moment. T...I agree the couple is in the midst of a moment. The angle of the man's head, as if he's tipping his hat. It's almost like the man saw her getting into her carriage and is accosting her. "Mrs. Brunwald, how nice to see you!" Or let's make it more interesting. Maybe Mrs. Brunwald is inviting the man to join her in her carriage... Hmm.Brenda Joseehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14372850292511402313noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3103707002868692486.post-1910816397221309192010-09-23T22:05:22.198-05:002010-09-23T22:05:22.198-05:00I love all the pictures. Especially the one from C...I love all the pictures. Especially the one from Christmas. The couple in the middle are quite interesting. They have a story for sure!! Thanks for the post. I learned a lot!!Kristenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14683245998938431038noreply@blogger.com