Historical Fictionistas discussion
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How did you get into Historical Fiction?
Barry wrote: "I also read Classics Illustrated as a kid. Until then I was reading things like Hardy Boys and the Tarzan books but when I found Classics Illustrated I also read some of the novels those stories we..."A kindred reading spirit! I never understood why people always felt like they should be embarrassed by the books they read. A person can't read only serious literature ALL the time. Don't get me wrong, I'm a big fan of classics & literary fiction & the like. But what's the hurt in reading some fluff now & then, even if the only thing you get out of it is being entertained & having some fun?
Reading is what I do for fun. I'll try any genre once--how else will I know if I enjoy it? And if I don't--no harm done.
When I was younger I read the heck out of those Dear America and Royal Diaries books lol as I grew up I got into more "adult" historical fiction. I still reread those books for fun though because it's so nostalgic :)
My grandmother used to tell me stories about the Second World War in her small town in England, getting bombed and all the women sticking together and getting stronger. So then I began reading stories about the war, journals and memoirs too. It's a fascinating time!
Jennifer wrote: "My grandmother used to tell me stories about the Second World War in her small town in England, getting bombed and all the women sticking together and getting stronger. So then I began reading stor..."That is so incredible--what a wonderful opportunity to hear those stories firsthand!
I have always loved anything to do with history since I was a little girl. I wanted to experience the lives of those who had gone through the experience. I started reading historical fiction with the Little House on the Prairie series. I started writing stories in Kindergarten and then progressed from there. I'm highly addicted to reading and writing historical fiction.
Partially due to my ancestry and my fasciation with my ancestral Latin culture. I always enjoyed reading and learning about the colonial era up through the Cold War ear and their impacts on the local populations.
For me, it was the tiny, dusty church (of all things!) library across the street from my house. It was a Baptist church at that, and in a small Southern town, but the older single woman who ran it singlehandedly had a marvelously broad idea of what belonged in a church library, and she included any number of classics in every genre there. Mary O'Kelley was her name, and i'm eternally grateful to her. I wasn't old enough at the time to hop on my bike and ride across town to the (also small) public library, but I could pad barefoot across the street and browse those church library shelves for hours--and no late fee for a book I kept too long. Wonderful way to spend a summer reading by a stream....
I don't know what got me so interested in historical fiction...I think it was one of those things I didn't realize I preferred reading until I actively took a step back one day and noticed. That, and I grew up reading books like the Chronicles of Narnia and Half Magic. So the foundation was always there.
C.C.Webb wrote: "I don't know what got me so interested in historical fiction...I think it was one of those things I didn't realize I preferred reading until I actively took a step back one day and noticed. That, ..."
I love the Narnia books, too!
Joy wrote: "For me, it was the tiny, dusty church (of all things!) library across the street from my house. It was a Baptist church at that, and in a small Southern town, but the older single woman who ran it ..."That sounds absolutely wonderful! That sounds like a library to be cherished!
My Dad was a WWII vet and did not speak of the war very much. I found that I was drawn to that period in time to better understand what his life was like during the war and to try to comprehend the horrors that occurred during Hitler's reign. To this day WWII is my favorite type of historical fiction read.
Growing up, I always had a love for myths and legends. At the age of 5 I was reading European epics like the Song of Roland and Beowulf (even if I might not have understood them at the time). Then I had a more mature appreciation of world history in my early 20s, around 2010/2011. I was taking a course on Jose Rizal and the Emergence of a Filipino Nation, and at the same time I was taking up European Studies. I also had electives in Anthropology which touched on cultural heritage. Ironically though I barely made it in my Western History classes in my sophomore year in college, much more international relations. For some reason, when learning history is required (and featured eras that weren't interesting to me, like the Antiquities). My love for history grew so much deeper as I started working, and then when I had my own source of income, I bought a lot of Historical Fiction based in Medieval and WWI/WWII Western Europe, notably Kate Mosse's series and Carlos Ruiz Zafon's trilogy. After that everything just followed suit. I began reading more Southeast Asian historical fiction later on, but still have a soft spot for anything about Spain, the Americas as part of the Spanish Empire, and the Philippines between 1565 and 1945.
I completed a college course called the History of War and Society in which we read a novel called Gettysburg. I've written a short story about a Confederate deserter who walked out of a field hospital after the Battle of Chickamauga. I may be able to convert it to a novel if I could figure out how to transport him to St. Louis from Georgia. There's a railroad in Chattanooga but no passenger travel during the war.
Helen wrote: "My Dad was a WWII vet and did not speak of the war very much. I found that I was drawn to that period in time to better understand what his life was like during the war and to try to comprehend the..."My father did not speak much of the war also. He sent his mother post card pictures from Paris and I put them in an album for him.
Mod
Can you get the character to Mississippi and then possibly have them travel via river? I don't know much about travel during that time period, but having lived in the Mississippi Delta I know river travel is possible, though no longer really used.
Thank for your suggestion. I would consider all options, and that does seem plausible, doesn't it?
Carol wrote: "I completed a college course called the History of War and Society in which we read a novel called Gettysburg. I've written a short story about a Confederate deserter who walked out of a field hosp..."Think he's going to have to go overland. By Sep '63 (Chickamauga) the river and rail routes were all closed heading west to St Louis by Union forces. They controlled the entire Mississippi by then and all the Gulf ports.
Maybe have him make the trip on foot up one of the old traces, then disguised as ______? up the Cumberland or other rivers, maybe get him onto the Ohio and then make his way to St Louis that way? I'd say you could have any number of interesting troubles, near misses, etc along the way to make it thrilling. Your story, make it up. Only has to be plausible.
Another great idea with historical knowledge of that waterway situation. I suspected as much.
Jasmine wrote: "Carol wrote: "I completed a college course called the History of War and Society in which we read a novel called Gettysburg. I've written a short story about a Confederate deserter who walked out o..."Only if you had him convincingly disguised. Chickamauga was after Vicksburg fell and the Union controlled 100% of the Mississippi River and the western third of the state of Mississippi. But it would make for exciting travel, wouldn't it?
Jeffrey wrote: "Carol wrote: "I completed a college course called the History of War and Society in which we read a novel called Gettysburg. I've written a short story about a Confederate deserter who walked out o..."One last thought. Great you're writing in the Civil War period but you'll need to be extra careful you've got your characters in strongly plausible situations with no anachronism groaners. Civil War hist fic is very popular with a very loyal and VERY knowledgable readership. You'll get called out, so be diligent in your research and question all your choices until 99% sure. (We never get to 100%, do we?)
Jeffrey wrote: "Jeffrey wrote: "Carol wrote: "I completed a college course called the History of War and Society in which we read a novel called Gettysburg. I've written a short story about a Confederate deserter ..."I'll keep your advice in mind. Thank you. I feel prepared. I had written the story in an online writing group at gather.com which is now no longer a website. I received positive commentary from people that live in Georgia who liked their state as the initial setting.
Simple. I was a teacher of fifth-graders here in California. For students in that grade, as it is in most of the country, they study American History. I reflected upon my own ninth-grade History teacher who brought the Nuremberg Trials to life. I had the role of a French judge. For the first time, ever, I got what it meant to really understand the past in an entirely new light. I also taught my students based on how I learned at The Evergreen State College in Olympia, WA. The college's premise was simple, really: Create connections through seminars - discussing ideas and concepts together - through the words of fiction and non-fiction, we were accessing the highest possible critical thinking centers of our brains in order to create the highest possible mastery. Moliere, The Beatles, Maslow, The Norton Scores, Chief Seattle, John Muir, Dr. King, Jean Piaget, Fritjof Kapra, Matthew Brady (Civil War photographer), Emily Dickinson, abolitionism, and "Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee." In History, we see ghost-like images of ourselves. Recent studies prove that our neurological pathways are hardwired to forget; thus, allowing us to re-learn it and solidify its understanding further when encountered once more. Many times as a young teacher I would explain this to concerned parents: children learn on their own time frame. I showed them, I encouraged them, and if I was lucky, I inspired them, yet, there were always concepts that were like a balloon just floating out of reach. This is my long-winded answer to this wonderful discussion question: I grew to love History the more I learned it again and again and again through the teaching process. I brought it to life. When I discovered authors who did that, whoa, I was hooked! Though many novels are on my list, I believe it was Richard Adams's "Traveller" that was likely the top candidate for the singular switch. Robert E. Lee's gallant equine reported on his own version of The Civil War, in a voice so heavy in drawl and precious, melancholy and wise, that it lured me away from only reading Mysteries. Though similar, Caleb Carr's "The Alienist" was for me one of the first examples of Historical Fiction to not only include actual people from history, but it was a dazzling Mystery with a strong female character, that also educated readers about the emerging science of forensics! All that in one book. This led to mainly selecting literary pieces, like Sue Monk Kidd's masterpiece, "The Invention of Wings" or Markus Zusak's, "The Book Thief." The past has unlimited layers, like striation in geology, and talented authors can dig deep: entertain, inform, inspire, and most importantly evoke emotion. That's how one former teacher became hooked on History.
For me, my interest in history and eventually historical fiction started young. Around age 8, i went on a famaily vacation to the East Coast. We saw the Civil War battlefields and walked upon them. Visited Mt. Vernon and tslkwd of Washington. Saw Monticello and talked of Jefferson. During that trip, we visited a family friend who was a museum cuarator at Valley Forge. He gave me several thousand Civil War HO squale soldiers. I was never the same after that. Drove me into History. Reanacted the battles of the Civil War and joined the Army as a result. As for Historical Fiction cannot remember when I crossed over to the fiction side of things. But I definitely remember what caused me to write Historical Fiction. I was in Romania with my in-laws drinking homemade wine out of Pepsi bottles and scarfing down sarmale when my uncle said, we still remember the Turks stealing our children. He went on to add, we had to pay tribute to the of 20,000 Romanian children a year to the Muslims.
When I got back to America, I started research and discovered Janissaries. Led to my historical epic.
Mod
Sorry Jasmine. You can delete mine as well if needed
Mod
I'd rather you just edit your comment and remove your novel title. This is a place for discussion and I don't want to take away from that, however, I do want to be fair in making sure everyone follows the rules.
You can stop the "spam" by changing your settings on Goodreads.Christopher Hathorne Moss
And then GR changes the settings for you. Just to be helpful.
There's just a part of me that's "there" not here. So when I start reading a HF book that part of me finds a home. There was a time when I read books set in prehistoric periods (maybe inspired by Clan of the Cave Bear) like I couldn't go back far enough. Since researching my genealogy I've settled in Northern Europe, especially during the Danish invasions, since that's my heritage.
Those readers that like to settle in the ninth century probably are already familiar with The Last Kingdom. I can also recommend The Strongbow Series. by Judson Roberts (extremely well-researched) and The Circle of Ceridwen by Octavia Randolph, more of a mystical journey through the same time period.
Those readers that like to settle in the ninth century probably are already familiar with The Last Kingdom. I can also recommend The Strongbow Series. by Judson Roberts (extremely well-researched) and The Circle of Ceridwen by Octavia Randolph, more of a mystical journey through the same time period.
I lived in France and attended a French school for 3 years (high school). Needless to say, I encountered castles, La Chanson de Roland, and medieval history... thus I write about the Dark Ages leading into the First Holy Crusade. The Dark Ages threw humanity into flux, and it's almost miraculous that humanity survived it. A most fascinating period!
I am writing a series set in France in the ninth century. Song of Roland is a great source of inspiration. The Lays of Marie de France provide another window into the romantic ideals of the medieval era.
I think at first was the disney cartoon gargoyles, but when i began college and started to learn more about history and began blogging and reviewing books, it was the variety of historical fiction that helped me discover new authors.
I have always loved the Tudor time peroid due to the beautiful clothes and the DRAMA!A few years ago an editor told me my writing style was better suited for historical fiction and I gave one a try and it's now published! (eek!) I haven't looked back since.
I started with an old family rumor. When I was young, I found out my family was descendants of Richard the Lionheart. Despite the fact it wasn't someone from pop culture, I thought that was the coolest thing ever. I researched, reading and printing off everything I could find. Eventually I realized that my family's relation was rumor rather than truth given the general consensus is that Richard the Lionheart died without kids. Still, that rumor triggered a love of history which in turn became a love of historical fiction as I ventured into other eras, especially Regency, Victorian, the roaring 20s, and WWII.
Mine started as a child. I loved transporting myself back in time. I really enjoyed Little House on the Prairie and after that I always felt like there is a bit of truth in each historical fiction book. Then I fell in love with The Diary of a Young Girl and started to enjoy all things WWII era.
My mother, a history teacher, also loved historical fiction. I think my first real historical fiction was "The Witch of Blackbird Pond' - I've been hooked ever since! The Witch of Blackbird Pond
K.M. wrote: "I have always loved the Tudor time peroid due to the beautiful clothes and the DRAMA!"Me too! Give me kings and queens over boring politicians any day lol
K.M. wrote: "A few years ago an editor told me my writing style was better suited for historical fiction and I gave one a try and it's now published! (eek!) "
Go you :)
I have always enjoyed history but, it was Rutherford's work, "Sarum", that got me interested in historical fiction. When it is done well, it is hard for me to put the book down.
Michele wrote: "K.M. wrote: "I have always loved the Tudor time peroid due to the beautiful clothes and the DRAMA!"Me too! Give me kings and queens over boring politicians any day lol
K.M. wrote: "A few years a..."
Thank you Michele!
But I like the idea we have a chance to vote out our leadership ever few years...especially right now!
Anthony wrote: "I have always enjoyed history but, it was Rutherford's work, "Sarum", that got me interested in historical fiction. When it is done well, it is hard for me to put the book down."I have that book on my shelf and need to begin it again. Thanks for the reminder.
K.M. wrote: "But I like the idea we have a chance to vote out our leadership ever few years...especially right now! ."Ha! Well yes, there is that ;)
Leona wrote: "Anthony wrote: "I have always enjoyed history but, it was Rutherford's work, "Sarum", that got me interested in historical fiction. When it is done well, it is hard for me to put the book down."I..."
Year ago, my mother and I both read Sarum: The Novel of England. Then she and I had the opportunity to go to England together, and, as we toured Salisbury, we would poke each other and say "Remember in Sarum when . . ."
Kathy wrote: "...as we toured Salisbury, we would poke each other and say "Remember in Sarum when . . ."There is nothing like a book-saturated tour of a countrym is there? Christopher Buehlman, author of Between Two Fires which is set in 14th century France, is leading a French tour this summer which follows the path of the characters in his book. We are soooo tempted...
I really can't remember what motivation bated me to read historical fiction other than I loved history as a young child. And so I read history books for Chosen and eventually graduated to historical fiction.
My previous comment should have read .....and so I read history books for children and finally graduated to historical fiction.
I've always loved history, especially ancient history. But I think the first book that hooked me onto Historical Fiction / Thrillers was Wilbur Smith's River God.
Historical Fictionistas
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Oh, I loved Felicity--I think her books were some of my favorites! My definite favorite was Kirsten though. They were such a fun & engaging way to get into history!