Gary Inbinder's Blog, page 7
June 18, 2012
Interview on historical-fiction.com
Arleigh Johnson interviewed me on her book blog, historical-fiction.com. She's reviewing Confessions of the Creature for the Historical Novels Review August Issue, and the interview focuses mainly on that novel.
My thanks to Arleigh for some very insightful and thought-provoking questions!
Here's the link to the interview:
http://historical-fiction.com/?p=4789
Gary
My thanks to Arleigh for some very insightful and thought-provoking questions!
Here's the link to the interview:
http://historical-fiction.com/?p=4789
Gary
May 19, 2012
Young Goethe in Love
I recently saw the film “Young Goethe in Love” (“Goethe!” in its original German release). I’ll admit I haven’t read Goethe since I was in college and have a somewhat sketchy knowledge of his biography; nevertheless, I enjoyed the film. And that’s because, from my perspective, this Biopic works well as a familiar but compelling story with engaging, sympathetic characters.
The story covers about two years (1772-1774) in Goethe’s life when the 24 year-old wannabbe author was on the verge of literary celebrity. And that unprecedented success, the publication of “The Sorrows of Young Werther”, an international best-seller that launched the Romantic Movement, is central to the film’s story-line, which blends historical fact with Goethe’s semi-autobiographical fiction.
We’re introduced to Goethe (played by a very likeable German actor) on the day he fails a Bar Exam. The scene is amusing and important from a dramatic standpoint because I believe most viewers--and who among us hasn’t screwed-up on an exam, interview, etc.--will empathize. And the young protagonist’s mind is not on the law; rather, he’s concentrated on wine, women, and poetry. Predictably, his father objects. The elder Goethe is not portrayed as a villain or oppressive tyrant. He’s just a typical concerned dad who wants his son to follow a respectable profession rather than waste time on poetry, novels, and plays.
In due course young Goethe is packed off to a provincial town to serve an apprenticeship as a law clerk. There he meets the grumpy, stolid boss who becomes Goethe’s antagonist and rival; a shy, stuttering co-worker who becomes Goethe’s best friend; and a smart, spirited, pretty young woman who bolsters his confidence, inspires his work and becomes the great love of his life. This all seems familiar, yet in its typical character arc and the skilful interweaving of fact and fiction it works quite well. Add beautiful scenes of the German countryside, some great music, meticulous attention to period detail, a clever script, fine acting with some real chemistry between the young lovers, and you have what was for me a very satisfying Historical Biopic.
For those unfamiliar with Goethe and his writing, I don’t want to include a major spoiler. Suffice it to say that life for both Goethe and Charlotte Buff Kestner—the model for Lotte in “The Sorrows of Young Werther”—did not end tragically, as in the novel. And for anyone in the mood for an intelligent, well-made Historical Romance I highly recommend “Young Goethe in Love.”
The Sorrows of Young Werther
The story covers about two years (1772-1774) in Goethe’s life when the 24 year-old wannabbe author was on the verge of literary celebrity. And that unprecedented success, the publication of “The Sorrows of Young Werther”, an international best-seller that launched the Romantic Movement, is central to the film’s story-line, which blends historical fact with Goethe’s semi-autobiographical fiction.
We’re introduced to Goethe (played by a very likeable German actor) on the day he fails a Bar Exam. The scene is amusing and important from a dramatic standpoint because I believe most viewers--and who among us hasn’t screwed-up on an exam, interview, etc.--will empathize. And the young protagonist’s mind is not on the law; rather, he’s concentrated on wine, women, and poetry. Predictably, his father objects. The elder Goethe is not portrayed as a villain or oppressive tyrant. He’s just a typical concerned dad who wants his son to follow a respectable profession rather than waste time on poetry, novels, and plays.
In due course young Goethe is packed off to a provincial town to serve an apprenticeship as a law clerk. There he meets the grumpy, stolid boss who becomes Goethe’s antagonist and rival; a shy, stuttering co-worker who becomes Goethe’s best friend; and a smart, spirited, pretty young woman who bolsters his confidence, inspires his work and becomes the great love of his life. This all seems familiar, yet in its typical character arc and the skilful interweaving of fact and fiction it works quite well. Add beautiful scenes of the German countryside, some great music, meticulous attention to period detail, a clever script, fine acting with some real chemistry between the young lovers, and you have what was for me a very satisfying Historical Biopic.
For those unfamiliar with Goethe and his writing, I don’t want to include a major spoiler. Suffice it to say that life for both Goethe and Charlotte Buff Kestner—the model for Lotte in “The Sorrows of Young Werther”—did not end tragically, as in the novel. And for anyone in the mood for an intelligent, well-made Historical Romance I highly recommend “Young Goethe in Love.”
The Sorrows of Young Werther
May 14, 2012
My Goodreads Giveaway is Over!
My Confessions of the Creature Giveaway ended this morning. 733 readers entered to win one of five copies.
Congratulations to the 5 winners! I'll be mailing their copies tomorrow.
And my sincere thanks to all who participated in the Giveaway!
Congratulations to the 5 winners! I'll be mailing their copies tomorrow.
And my sincere thanks to all who participated in the Giveaway!
April 17, 2012
Book Giveaway for Confessions of the Creature
Hi all,
I've just listed a Goodreads Giveaway for Confessions of the Creature, a re-imagined sequel to Mary Shelley's Frankenstein, told from the creature's perspective. The magically transformed creature falls in love, fights Napoleon, wins fame and fortune, and gets a second chance to become the man he was meant to be.
Here's the link for details, and to enter to win a copy!
http://www.goodreads.com/giveaway/sho...
reply | flag *
I've just listed a Goodreads Giveaway for Confessions of the Creature, a re-imagined sequel to Mary Shelley's Frankenstein, told from the creature's perspective. The magically transformed creature falls in love, fights Napoleon, wins fame and fortune, and gets a second chance to become the man he was meant to be.
Here's the link for details, and to enter to win a copy!
http://www.goodreads.com/giveaway/sho...
reply | flag *
April 5, 2012
Accuracy in Historical Research
A few years ago I participated in an online authors' panel sponsored by my former (now defunct) publisher. Accuracy in historical research was the topic of our discussion. Since that subject is always of interest to readers and writers of Historical Fiction, I'm posting an updated version here.
1. Period and Setting. Since my first novel, Confessions of the Creature, was inspired by Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein, the time (1799-1815) and the place (Russia & Europe during the Napoleonic period) were dictated by Mrs. Shelley’s work. You’ll probably begin with a good idea of the time and place in which to set your novel. But for more ideas, you might want to begin with a good comparative historical timeline. For example, my Oxford English Reference Dictionary has an excellent Chronology of World Events, containing a broad overview of cultural, political and technological developments from pre-historic times to the present.
2. Overview. Once you’ve set your time and place, get a good general history and take a look at relevant encyclopedia articles and biographical dictionaries. A familiarity with the literature of the period is helpful. For example, anyone writing Regency Romance ought to be familiar with Jane Austen. Underlining descriptive details—clothing, hairstyles, furnishings etc.—is a good starting point for drilling down in the next phase.
I began my research on “Confessions” by reading a good, contemporary paperback edition of Frankenstein that contained a concise biography of the author, a well-sourced introduction, an historical timeline (The World of Mary Shelley), extensive end-notes, and a list for further reading, including Mary Shelley’s other novels, Letters and Journals, Major influences on Frankenstein and Works about Frankenstein and Mary Shelley. That was a gold-mine of source material and a jumping-off point for Google searches on the internet. I also read collections of Percy Bysshe Shelley and Lord Byron (they appear as characters in Confessions, along with Mary) in paperback editions that also contained helpful source material for further research.
Next, since my protagonist Viktor, the transformed Frankenstein monster, was to become a hero of the Napoleonic Wars, I began with the military history of the period in a general overview and read a biography of Napoleon Bonaparte. I was also able to research on-line the memoirs of soldiers who fought in the wars and for more details of the Russian army of the period there was, of course, Tolstoy’s War and Peace. On-line research led me to a recently published history of the Russian Officer Corps of that period. With a wealth of information, I was ready for the next stage: organizing materials by category.
3. Details: In the final stage, it’s a good idea to organize your material by category and “missing pieces” can be filled in by on-line research. In my experience, the most reliable sites are those associated with institutions of higher learning and historical societies. And I kept a record of my sources for future reference. Here’s an example of categories for organizing your period research materials. The list is illustrative and by no means exhaustive, and categories can of course include sub-categories (see “Military” below), and some categories cross-over into others.
Fashions
Furnishings
Art & Architecture
Class Distinctions/Social Hierarchy
Political and Legal Organization
Military (Battle strategies, maps, uniforms, weapons, tactics, logistics, etc.)
Transportation and Communications
Technology
Economics
Philosophy and Religion
Medical Practice
Dining and Entertainment
Distinctive Customs/Manners and Morals
Pictures from the period (paintings, lithographs, etchings and, after 1840, photographs) are good for visualizing scenes, and there are plenty of visual references available in books and on-line. Movies and T.V. historical productions are also a good source, but a word of caution. The old classic Hollywood films often got things wrong. Fashions, furnishings, music, ball-room dances, etc. can be off by a decade or more. This brings me to the topic of anachronisms, and how I try to avoid them.
Years ago I read a biography written by a best-selling author and published by a major house. The era was Victorian, and I recall two glaring errors that ought to have been avoided. First, there was a reference to “wireless” communication in the 1870s. In fact, there was no “Wireless” until about twenty years later. The author should have used “wire,” “cable,” or “telegram.”
Second, there was a reference to “film” for a camera, again in the 1870s. At the time, cameras used plates; film wasn’t introduced until the following decade.
Now I’ll refer to two of the above categories: “Transportation and Communications” and “Technology.” If the author had done his homework (or, in the case of some best-selling authors, his researcher had done it) he could have referenced those categories when writing, and avoided the glaring anachronisms. And writers should not expect editors to catch that sort of thing.
Here’s an example from my own experience. In one of my published short stories, the protagonist travels from Paris to London; the time is 1848, just prior to the Revolution of that year. In my first draft I wrote that he took the Boat-Train from Calais to Dover, but I made a note to do further research because I wasn’t sure that that route had been completed at the time. My hunch was correct. In 1848, the French railway system had not yet been extended to the Channel Ports, and my character would have taken a coach to either Calais for the crossing to Dover, or Boulogne for a crossing to Folkestone. A minor detail that most readers might not have caught, but I’m glad I took a little extra time to get it right. Now if I’d been writing Steampunk, I might have had my character traveling through a Victorian era Chunnel!
A final word concerning info-dumps. After spending a great deal of time and effort gathering your material, there’s often an urge to show off your hard-earned knowledge by using everything you’ve got. I try to avoid that natural urge, and when I do introduce historical detail I try to work it into the action and narrative in such a way as to not draw undue attention to it.
For example, you may have a scene where your protagonist inspects some lines on her face as reflected in a mirror. Some detail about the mirror and the source of illumination (candle light, oil, kerosene, gas, electricity)can reveal much about the time and place of the scene, but those technological details must never crowd out what’s of primary importance: What does that look into the mirror reveal about the character and how does the scene connect to the story-line?
1. Period and Setting. Since my first novel, Confessions of the Creature, was inspired by Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein, the time (1799-1815) and the place (Russia & Europe during the Napoleonic period) were dictated by Mrs. Shelley’s work. You’ll probably begin with a good idea of the time and place in which to set your novel. But for more ideas, you might want to begin with a good comparative historical timeline. For example, my Oxford English Reference Dictionary has an excellent Chronology of World Events, containing a broad overview of cultural, political and technological developments from pre-historic times to the present.
2. Overview. Once you’ve set your time and place, get a good general history and take a look at relevant encyclopedia articles and biographical dictionaries. A familiarity with the literature of the period is helpful. For example, anyone writing Regency Romance ought to be familiar with Jane Austen. Underlining descriptive details—clothing, hairstyles, furnishings etc.—is a good starting point for drilling down in the next phase.
I began my research on “Confessions” by reading a good, contemporary paperback edition of Frankenstein that contained a concise biography of the author, a well-sourced introduction, an historical timeline (The World of Mary Shelley), extensive end-notes, and a list for further reading, including Mary Shelley’s other novels, Letters and Journals, Major influences on Frankenstein and Works about Frankenstein and Mary Shelley. That was a gold-mine of source material and a jumping-off point for Google searches on the internet. I also read collections of Percy Bysshe Shelley and Lord Byron (they appear as characters in Confessions, along with Mary) in paperback editions that also contained helpful source material for further research.
Next, since my protagonist Viktor, the transformed Frankenstein monster, was to become a hero of the Napoleonic Wars, I began with the military history of the period in a general overview and read a biography of Napoleon Bonaparte. I was also able to research on-line the memoirs of soldiers who fought in the wars and for more details of the Russian army of the period there was, of course, Tolstoy’s War and Peace. On-line research led me to a recently published history of the Russian Officer Corps of that period. With a wealth of information, I was ready for the next stage: organizing materials by category.
3. Details: In the final stage, it’s a good idea to organize your material by category and “missing pieces” can be filled in by on-line research. In my experience, the most reliable sites are those associated with institutions of higher learning and historical societies. And I kept a record of my sources for future reference. Here’s an example of categories for organizing your period research materials. The list is illustrative and by no means exhaustive, and categories can of course include sub-categories (see “Military” below), and some categories cross-over into others.
Fashions
Furnishings
Art & Architecture
Class Distinctions/Social Hierarchy
Political and Legal Organization
Military (Battle strategies, maps, uniforms, weapons, tactics, logistics, etc.)
Transportation and Communications
Technology
Economics
Philosophy and Religion
Medical Practice
Dining and Entertainment
Distinctive Customs/Manners and Morals
Pictures from the period (paintings, lithographs, etchings and, after 1840, photographs) are good for visualizing scenes, and there are plenty of visual references available in books and on-line. Movies and T.V. historical productions are also a good source, but a word of caution. The old classic Hollywood films often got things wrong. Fashions, furnishings, music, ball-room dances, etc. can be off by a decade or more. This brings me to the topic of anachronisms, and how I try to avoid them.
Years ago I read a biography written by a best-selling author and published by a major house. The era was Victorian, and I recall two glaring errors that ought to have been avoided. First, there was a reference to “wireless” communication in the 1870s. In fact, there was no “Wireless” until about twenty years later. The author should have used “wire,” “cable,” or “telegram.”
Second, there was a reference to “film” for a camera, again in the 1870s. At the time, cameras used plates; film wasn’t introduced until the following decade.
Now I’ll refer to two of the above categories: “Transportation and Communications” and “Technology.” If the author had done his homework (or, in the case of some best-selling authors, his researcher had done it) he could have referenced those categories when writing, and avoided the glaring anachronisms. And writers should not expect editors to catch that sort of thing.
Here’s an example from my own experience. In one of my published short stories, the protagonist travels from Paris to London; the time is 1848, just prior to the Revolution of that year. In my first draft I wrote that he took the Boat-Train from Calais to Dover, but I made a note to do further research because I wasn’t sure that that route had been completed at the time. My hunch was correct. In 1848, the French railway system had not yet been extended to the Channel Ports, and my character would have taken a coach to either Calais for the crossing to Dover, or Boulogne for a crossing to Folkestone. A minor detail that most readers might not have caught, but I’m glad I took a little extra time to get it right. Now if I’d been writing Steampunk, I might have had my character traveling through a Victorian era Chunnel!
A final word concerning info-dumps. After spending a great deal of time and effort gathering your material, there’s often an urge to show off your hard-earned knowledge by using everything you’ve got. I try to avoid that natural urge, and when I do introduce historical detail I try to work it into the action and narrative in such a way as to not draw undue attention to it.
For example, you may have a scene where your protagonist inspects some lines on her face as reflected in a mirror. Some detail about the mirror and the source of illumination (candle light, oil, kerosene, gas, electricity)can reveal much about the time and place of the scene, but those technological details must never crowd out what’s of primary importance: What does that look into the mirror reveal about the character and how does the scene connect to the story-line?
March 23, 2012
Mary Donnarumma Sharnick's "Thirst"- My Review
I just reviewed an outstanding new novel by one of my fellow Fireship Press authors. Mary Donnarumma Sharnick's "Thirst" is a very compelling story of deception, betrayal, love, crime, and revenge set in 17th century Venice.
http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13...
http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13...
March 2, 2012
A Strange Relationship-Mary Shelley and Frankenstein's Monster
My guest post, A Strange Relationship--Mary Shelley and Frankenstein's Monster--is featured today on the English Historical Fiction Authors' blogspot.
http://englishhistoryauthors.blogspot...
http://englishhistoryauthors.blogspot...
February 17, 2012
The Victorian Technological Revolution
I've guest-posted on the above referenced topic: The Victorian Technological Revolution. You can read the post at the English History Authors blogspot. Comments are welcome and encouraged!
Gary
http://englishhistoryauthors.blogspot...
Gary
http://englishhistoryauthors.blogspot...
February 9, 2012
Linda Collison Reviews Confessions of the Creature
Linda Collison, award-winning author of the Patricia MacPherson Nautical Adventure series and fellow Fireship Press author has just reviewed Confessions of the Creature:
"The author's knowledge of historical detail, of culture, of geography is evident throughout, adding verisimilitude and sensual pleasure for the reader. Highly recommended for readers of gothic and 19th century-style historical fiction."
You can read her entire review on Amazon.com.
http://www.amazon.com/Confessions-Cre...Confessions of the Creature
"The author's knowledge of historical detail, of culture, of geography is evident throughout, adding verisimilitude and sensual pleasure for the reader. Highly recommended for readers of gothic and 19th century-style historical fiction."
You can read her entire review on Amazon.com.
http://www.amazon.com/Confessions-Cre...Confessions of the Creature
February 8, 2012
Confessions of the Creature Returns!
My first novel, Confessions of the Creature, is back in print in a new Fireship Press edition. The new edition looks great, and I've corrected some minor errors, including a couple of issues of historical fact, that appeared in the first edition. I'm very grateful to the folks at Fireship Press for helping bring my creature back to life.
The story of Frankenstein's monster continues... In the Arctic waters of the Barents Sea, the creature has taken the ultimate revenge on his creator, Frankenstein. He travels south, where a chance meeting with a witch gives him the opportunity to overcome what he is, and perhaps become who he was meant to be. Transformed into a normal-looking man, but retaining his superhuman strength, the creature journeys to Moscow, where he becomes the protégé of a wealthy natural philosopher and the lover of his daughter, Sabrina. Taking the name Viktor Suvorin, the creature wins acclaim as a military hero while Napoleon rages across Europe. Following the wars, Viktor and Sabrina travel to Switzerland, where they meet Byron, Percy Shelley, and Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley, who bases her novel on Viktor's memoirs. Viktor faces a final challenge to his hard-won humanity when tragedy strikes his family and he returns to the Arctic. There, on a frozen sea under the shimmering Northern Lights, the creature must confront the meaning of his creation and his life. "... a compelling, thought-provoking novel with an undercurrent that made me always a little anxious about what will happen next to the characters." Camellia, Long and Short Reviews "This wonderfully written novel will have any reader hooked right from the beginning. It is an enjoyable and extraordinary story! I hope this will not be the last we see of this author, who obviously has a wonderful talent." Ann Marie Chalmers, Front Street Reviews
Confessions of the Creature is now available in paperback and e-book formats from Amazon.com, Barnes and Noble, and other retailers.
http://www.amazon.com/Confessions-Cre...
The story of Frankenstein's monster continues... In the Arctic waters of the Barents Sea, the creature has taken the ultimate revenge on his creator, Frankenstein. He travels south, where a chance meeting with a witch gives him the opportunity to overcome what he is, and perhaps become who he was meant to be. Transformed into a normal-looking man, but retaining his superhuman strength, the creature journeys to Moscow, where he becomes the protégé of a wealthy natural philosopher and the lover of his daughter, Sabrina. Taking the name Viktor Suvorin, the creature wins acclaim as a military hero while Napoleon rages across Europe. Following the wars, Viktor and Sabrina travel to Switzerland, where they meet Byron, Percy Shelley, and Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley, who bases her novel on Viktor's memoirs. Viktor faces a final challenge to his hard-won humanity when tragedy strikes his family and he returns to the Arctic. There, on a frozen sea under the shimmering Northern Lights, the creature must confront the meaning of his creation and his life. "... a compelling, thought-provoking novel with an undercurrent that made me always a little anxious about what will happen next to the characters." Camellia, Long and Short Reviews "This wonderfully written novel will have any reader hooked right from the beginning. It is an enjoyable and extraordinary story! I hope this will not be the last we see of this author, who obviously has a wonderful talent." Ann Marie Chalmers, Front Street Reviews
Confessions of the Creature is now available in paperback and e-book formats from Amazon.com, Barnes and Noble, and other retailers.
http://www.amazon.com/Confessions-Cre...
