Why I Write Historical Fiction - A Guest Blogpost by Stephen Estopinal

 Stephen Estopinal grew up in theswamps and bayous of Louisiana. He graduated from  Louisiana State University(class of 1968) and was a US Army veteran (Combat Engineers 1969-1971). He joins me to talk about why he writes historical fiction.

I writeHistorical Fiction to introduce my readers to aspects of American History thatare ignored in most textbooks. I was a living history volunteer at theChalmette Battlefield National Park and a black powder expert. My infatuationwith history, particularly the history of Spanish Colonial Louisiana prompted meto write a series of novels to bring that history to life. I am a descendant of Canary Islanders (Isleños) transported to Louisiana by the Spanish during the American Revolution. My books are based upon on extensive research as well as family oral history. My stories of Colonial Louisiana are from a Spanish point of view.

My first novel wasElTigre de Nueva Orleáns published in 2010 and approved for sale by theNational Park Service at the Chalmette National Park Visitor’s Center. It hasbeen followed by a novel nearly every year. Incident at Blood Riverwas published in 2011, Anna in 2012, Escape to New Orleans in2013, Mobile Must Fall. in 2014, Pensacola Burning in 2015, Solitario;Bootlegging on the Bayou in 2018, The Man From Red Hill  in 2018 and Beneath the Bonnie Blue Flagin 2021. These novels are allhistorical fictions of 18th and 19th Century. They tellthe story of the Isleños settlers inLouisiana and their struggle for survival. Published under the label LibrosIsleños of Gonzales, Louisiana, writing historical fiction has provided me withan enjoyable hobby and a means of keeping the diverse history of colonialLouisiana alive.

Find out more about Stephen Estopinal and his books here.