So I'll admit it, my count for published historical fiction
is zero, BUT I would like to someday in the future! Several of my friends have
noticed within our classes, how hard it is to get decent feedback for written
historical fiction. We're taught not to use overly complicated metaphors or
archaic language, yet these are common for books written during most historical
periods. There is also the added difficulty of historical accuracy, very few
people in any writer's workshop can often claim to have a large amount of
historical knowledge. But there are a few guidelines and practices that I have
found useful, when practicing my writing of historical fiction.
- Read up on the time period you are writing in - This can be
both historical fact and fiction, often I've found the best ways are through
good fiction writers, but non-fiction has its uses and you won't learn
everything from fictional accounts. I recommend Philippa Gregory, Hilary
Mantel, Eva Ibbotson, Adeline Yen Mah, John Boyne and Markus Zusak.
- Research about a normal day - If you have some characters in
your mind, find out what would have been a normal day for them. Shocking
political upheavals and plagues aside, learn what they would have done in the
morning, how their family would have spent their time, what they would have
eaten, what would they have talked about. The key with historical fiction is in
subtle details, interwoven into the plotline. There will be all sorts of things
you haven't ever thought about, but do so when just describing their day and
it's a good way to kick start your research.
- Don't just rely on firsthand testimonies - This is mostly
for 20th Century historical fiction (unless you happen to know someone who was
alive during the battle of Hastings)! While firsthand accounts are useful,
whoever you're gaining the information from won't be omnipresent. So make sure
you have knowledge of both the period and events going on. The invented
character can be naive or, like many people, not entirely aware of everything
going on, BUT you should be. Your informant may have forgotten certain parts of
what happened and you may want to change the story in some way. Remember the
key is in subtle details and if you don't know something it will show.
- Don't rely on films - As fun as films are, they have a perchance to take a few liberties with historical details. Some are perfectly reasonable, but most of us would draw the line at landing craft, that weren't even invented until 1920, in a medieval film *coughRobinHoodcough*. Also, most films and TV shows use modern phrases to make their characters more appealing or to market it better to the public; and it's unlikely anyone was as gorgeous as...
Or:
Or:
However, drooling over the above men is perfectly
acceptable!
- Having said that... - Don't bawl your eyes out if you don't
know something and can't find it out. Sometimes what you want to know is so
obscure and bizarre, you won't even be able to find it in any books, articles
or online journals. Take a good guess or move onto the next bullet point...
- Historians are your friends - Sometimes this won't even be a
professional historian, just a person who bloody loves whatever era you're
writing about. If you give this person you work to critique, don't get pissy if
they leave little historical notes all over your work. Run to them, kiss them
and seek their advice. Take this opportunity to learn more from someone who's
already done a load of research for you! They're not criticising you, just your
work.
- Historical criticism is just as useful as writing criticism
- I don't understand why this divides some people, apparently you're only meant
to look at the writing itself, but if you had made an error with a Sci-fi book
(say a particular piece of science) or a murder mystery (say police
organisations) then people would point it out as a flaw in your writing.
Getting things badly wrong in a historical novel is not something you want a
publisher or agent to see. As I've said, sometimes you can take liberties, but
it's better to know what you're talking about when it gets to that stage.
- Immerse yourself in the world - Visit castles, visit
museums, visit churches, visit wherever your character toddles off to; within
reason obviously, but find pictures and written pieces about the place. If your
character likes certain places, e.g a woods or lake, try to find one near you
and picture your character there. See if you can make a dinner they would have
eaten or spend some time doing the activities they would have done.
- Get to know the Bible - Yes this sounds weird, I'm not
trying to convert anyone I promise! But generally, if you're writing about a
time in European history, then the Christian faith was a big part of everyone's
life for thousands of years. Catholic, Church of England, Protestant, Quakers,
learn how religion influenced every day life and huge political goings on.
Naturally, if you're writing about China in the 12th Century, you don't have to
worry so much about this!
- Get to know stories - Arthur and the Knights of the Round
Table, Greek Myths and Legends, Shakespeare's work, etc.
- Enjoy doing what you do best - Writing a great story and getting to research your favourite historical period.
Good Luck!
No comments:
Post a Comment