Laurence’s Comments (group member since Sep 26, 2011)

Laurence’s comments from the The Role of History in the Making of Stories: A chat and Q&A with authors Andrew Williams and Aly Monroe group.

Interesting point, but I would say balance is a more important than accuracy esp for minor matters. Getting the color and texture of the clothes from the civil war era IMO is not as important as the true words that key players spoke, and the reasons for their views.

Balance/weighting is also the critical thought in your remark "when both don't deserve an equal hearing".

Interesting point Elliott.

How we view bankers is almost a touchstone of our views of the world, and what happens in the next ten years will color it even more, darker or lighter. I see all of us coloring our novels to suit our opinions. Can we name one historical character there isn't opposite views on?

Hi all,

I think this is a very interesting area for discussion. In particular the notion of picking sides, or trying to stay away from "sides" as a way of reflecting the past. The problem is, IMO, that our opinions as writers are reflected in our take on a scene, whether we want to describe the horror of war (War and Peace), the suffering of the poor (The Grapes of Wrath) or the lavish lives of the wealthy (The Great Gatsby).

Do each of you take a position, to sick with story, to let "facts" speak for themselves, to avoid contentious issues, or to embrace them? And if "contentious issues" are to be avoided does writing lose its power?