Translating History

I am presenting a workshop at a writers’ conference in a couple of weeks. The subject is writing historical fiction. I am always astonished that I have things to say that no one ever thought of. I hope it is the case this time as well. My real aim is to get writers thinking about balancing their writing between the actual historical reality and the minds of the readers. How much will a reader take? If you write about the Roman cop, Samus Spadus, you certainly don’t write in old Latin, but you probably don’t write in modern New York detective speak, either. Certain things about your all too appealing hero won’t fly well with a modern audience, an acceptance of slavery as normal, for one. So I am calling my session Translating History. I will let you know how it goes.