American Historical Fiction discussion
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Jenny
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Nov 06, 2012 09:09AM
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Hi, all, I just joined this group because I'm working on some fiction that takes place during the American Revolution, and I would like help in getting my facts straight. I read Jenny's introduction at the beginning of this thread and am excited to learn that she reads a lot of books about that period. I will try to post my questions and discussions in the right sections. I may need a little guidance to do that right.
P.S. Just noticed Lulu's post above. I hope I won't offend her; I confess my Revolutionary War story is about a vampire. It's not one that glorifies or romantasises vampires. I am writing from the point of view of an evil person who is very different from myself, and I strangely find it fun. I hope people will find the historical and human details of my story interesting. The anthology I want to submit it to wants really scary stuff. I hope I can pull it off. Guess that's all I should say here; I'm deathly afraid of putting something in the wrong section.
Mod
I admit, I used to be a historical fiction purist, but I'm not anymore. I have really enjoyed several paranormal historicals. I'm all for anything that gets people into history and historical fiction! And the lore of vampires, werewolves, witches, and faeries has been around for centuries, so I have no problem believing those creatures in a historical setting.
And don't worry--if you post something in the wrong place, I'll move it :)
Thanks, Jenny. I went to the general section and started a thread for my questions about the Revolution. I put it in the Revolutionary War file, but I don't know what that does, where it makes my post end up. I hope you can answer my first questions or direct me to some source that can. And if my story gets published, I will be sure to share about it here. A book of horror stories set in various wars should appeal to some people in this group. (And since the publisher pays in royalties, it would be worth my while to advertise it.)
Hi I haven't been active in this group for awhile but I was wondering if there are any 4-6 teachers out there who have some ideas my daughter she is currently at a school where they are getting no history or science taught so I am looking for good books for her to supplement that we can go through together. I was going to do American History starting with Native American's. I was thinking Sign of the Beaver or Calico Captive. Anythoughts would be appericated. Thanks
My daughter is in the fifth grade, her history teacher read, Blood on the River, by Elisa Carbone (I believe), with them. It's about the New World. My daughter loved it. Although, it was read to fifth graders, please double check, age/grade appropriateness, my daughter is in an advanced class for gifted students. At times they read books that are a bit more advanced, but not always. Hope this helps.
Hello. My name is Kiersten. I am turning twenty in January. I love American history. I have tons of books in my room about it. My favorite era is westward expansion and the Wild West. I am currently working on a novel about the Oregon Trail.
Mod
Hi Kiersten,Welcome to your fellow history-lovers group. Have you read "Women's Diaries of the Westward Journey"? by Lillian Schlissel. It was written way back in the 1980's; but, you should still be able to access a copy. Schocken Books, NY was the publisher.
Happy reading. History is fascinating!!!
Anne wrote: "Hi Kiersten,It was written way back in the 1980's; but, you should s..."
Love the "way back"...I was then in my 40s. To make myself feel young, I'm now reading "Studs Lonigan", which was written in 1932.
Hi everyone, I'm Melissa, an architect who loves American history, reading about and visiting historical sites in the US. I am a big Civil War buff and also love the Revolutionary period. I'll read stories, romantic or not :), about the frontier and the early west, like "Dr. Quinn: Medicine Woman" type stories, or mail order brides. I've gotten some historic Christmas romance collections over the years as gifts, which are always nice. I have "My Name is Mary Sutter" on my 'next-to-read' shelf, plus I've received "The Union Quilters: An Elm Creek Quilts Novel" for Christmas. I can't wait to add some of my books to the group's shelf! Hope to have some fun here.
Welcome to the group Melissa! Hope you find many books recommended for your reading list here.
Quick note: Publisher of the anthology didn't use my story but said he would like to if they do a future volume. A couple others are interested in it, and I am seriously considering making it into a book. Which means it will need a cover. Anybody have any ideas what surgeon's mates wore in the Revolutionary War? Not sure I want to show my main character on the cover, but it depends on many things. As for my questions, no one posted any answers in this group. I've done some research since then and came up with partial answers. If the names that would apply to my story can't be found, it's to my advantage because it allows my fictional character to be there! (See my new comments in under General/Revolutionary War, if interested.)
Robin wrote: " I've done some research since then and came up with partial answers."Which leg?
Which horse?
I was curious but not enough to dig.
Mod
Katie wrote: "..currently at a school where they are getting no history or science taught"Considering what is being passed off as history and science in the schools today, you might consider this a blessing.
Melissa wrote: "Hi everyone, I'm MelissaWelcome! I think you will love "My Name Is Mary Sutter". One of the best books I read in 2012.
Hi,My name is Gail and I live in Massachusetts. I love historical fiction, especially early American, with good character development and strong female characters. Favorite reads in 2012 were Ahab's Wife, The Wolves of Andover, Remarkable Creatures, My Name is Mary Sutter, and Caleb's Crossing.
Favorite authors in this category are Sally Gunning, Geraldine Brooks, Kathleen Kent, and, of course, Diana Gabaldon of Outlander fame.
Looking forward to sharing books and authors with the group.
Gail, we must have been made from the same mold. I like all the same!
Mod
Welcome, Gail! I couldn't agree with you more!!
Hi! I'm Victoria, long-time resident of the South, new author of Inheritance, the first in a trilogy called Southern Son: the Saga of Doc Holliday, and lover of all things historical. I have a particular affinity for the American South and the Old West, (being a Doc aficionado) but I also dabble in piracy (as a literary discipline, of course!), and have forever been captivated by English history. Thrilled to have found fellow lovers of HF! Looking forward to many great discussions.
Additionally, Michael, I have a daughter very fond of all Titanic history and storytelling. I'll have to make the referral!
Mod
Hi, my name is Kelly O'Connor McNees, and I write historical fiction. My first novel, The Lost Summer of Louisa May Alcott, was published in 2010 and tells the story of a summer lost to history in the life of the famous author of Little Women. In Need of a Good Wife, my second novel, tells the story of mail-order brides traveling west from NYC to Nebraska in 1867. I look forward to discussing historical fiction with you! http://kellyoconnormcnees.com/
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Hi, I'm J.D.Langston, my first book, an historical novel set immediately after WWII has just been released. Iniquitous Connections: The Dark It tells the tragic story of a young family caught in the dispare of the father's PTSD, which was unknown then, and with the death of the mother the children's lives are harrowing resulting the younges girl having multiple personalities. Many senarios of the war are detailed in some nightmare scenes. For the American Revolution period, 1776 by David McCullough is awsome!I love history and all things warfare. I know I will enjoy this group.
http://INIQUITOUSCONNECTIONS.com
Hi Group,I'm Diana Rubino, and I write historical and paranormal novels, some with romance, some not. Some of my books are set in medieval and Renaissance England, and some are set in the USA. I'm a huge Lincoln buff, and especially enjoy historical novels set in New York City.
Diana
www.dianarubino.com
Hello, I am looking for an active Historical Fiction group that is good at helping newer readers find the best of the best!I have read everything (HF) from Dorothy Garlock to Rosanne Bittner. When I find an author I like I head over to Fantastic Fiction for book and series listing then read everything they have written.
For me American Historical Fiction is Native American, the old west and some pre WW2 stories. I have come to love Native American stories most. Although Rosanne Bittner is touted as a romance writer, I find that her style encompasses the history first and then the romance follows.
I feel the same way about authors, Christine. If they touch me with a good book, I'll read their entire library of works.One author that I've grown to love is Noah Gordon. I read his "Shaman" a couple of months ago and it did not disappoint. The book is second in a trilogy and deals with the Cole family who eventually settle on the American plains and their interactions with the Native Americans they share their world with is one of the best I've read in awhile.
My historical novel is set in a utopian community that really existed in South Alabama in the early 20th century. That Was Tomorrow introduces an adventure in an early progressive school in the reformist enclave of Fairhope, involving some historical characters along with a few fictional ones. It is only available in electronic format but has gotten very good reviews on amazon and I would be extremely gratified if there was some interest from Goodreads readers.
Mod
Jenny wrote: "Sorry I've been a bit behind! Welcome, Diana, Christine, and Mary Lois!"Thanks Jenny. Hope to follow you.
Christine wrote: "Hello, I am looking for an active Historical Fiction group that is good at helping newer readers find the best of the best!I have read everything (HF) from Dorothy Garlock to Rosanne Bittner. Whe..."
Hi, Christine!
Is there a particular era of native American history that interests you? Personally, and likely because I live in the area, I am fascinated with the history of the Creek Indians. The neighboring little town of Senoia (where "Walking Dead" is filmed, by the way!) was named for a Creek Indian princess who married a Scotsman named McIntosh shortly after the American Revolution. In the matriarchal society of the Creeks, their son became "Chief of the Wind Clan," but was educated as a white man in Savannah. He tried to convince his people to sell off their land before the white men stole it and drove them out, but his people considered him a traitor and assassinated him. The next Creek chief publicly apologized for the murder after Chief McIntosh's warnings came true: the Creek land was stolen and the people were driven on the Trail of Tears to the Indian Territory of Oklahoma. The Creek called the trail, "The Place Where They Cried" -- a true American tragedy.
Sorry to carry on! That story is part of a family saga I have in the wings entitled "The McIntosh Legacy," but it has to wait until I finish my current project, "Sailing," another real life tale about a sugar planter turned Caribbean pirate. But McIntosh keeps sneaking into my thoughts!
Would love to hear about Native American stories you have enjoyed. Welcome to the group!
Best,
Victoria
Hello! I'm Diane. I joined GR and AHF last summer but never introduced myself. I live in coastal North Carolina and love the beach. I read a little bit of everything and a lot of historical fiction. I started with James Michener, John Jakes, James Alexander Thom, Edward Rutherford, to name a few. Since joining this group I have been reading Elswyth Thane, Anya Seton and Kathleen Winsor. I am really enjoying these older books. Take a peak at my favorites shelf if you are interested. Looking forward to lots of good reading and discussions. Thanks for having me even though I took so long to introduce myself!
Mod
Hi Diane. Welcome to the group! I too am a fan of Michener, Anya Seton and John Jakes. I'm a CT Yankee, but I like reading HF set in the South.
Cathy wrote: "Hi Diane. Welcome to the group! I too am a fan of Michener, Anya Seton and John Jakes. I'm a CT Yankee, but I like reading HF set in the South."I LOVE HF set in the South also & that's what I write because I love doing the research and sinking deeper roots in that Southern soil. There's something mystical about the south, I think. Of course, there are flaws and they need to be written about also (my next bk deals with the Civil Rights Movement, for example).
Rosalie wrote: "Cathy wrote: "Hi Diane. Welcome to the group! I too am a fan of Michener, Anya Seton and John Jakes. I'm a CT Yankee, but I like reading HF set in the South."I LOVE HF set in the South also & ..."
I wrote a novel set in south Alabama in 1921, based on the history of the area. Fairhope was an unusual Southern story--a reformist utopia founded in 1894 by intellectuals from Iowa. In THAT WAS TOMORROW, a young teacher from Hoboken NJ travels to the town to learn the method of early childhood education taught at Fairhope's School of Organic Education. TWT is available only as a eBook, but I hope it would be of interest to people who love old-fashioned books.
Hi All,I just joined your group. I love American history so I like books from the Revolutionary War to maybe WWII. I prefer historical romances in this time period, though I do enjoy straight historical fiction. I also write historical romance, primarily from the start of Civil War through the end of the free range cowboy. The most fun I have, aside from reading is doing all the research for my books, and I especially enjoy the Civil War.
Mod
Hi everyone,Another Kathy here. And like everyone else here, I love history. I like biographies and I really enjoy historical fiction. And I like many different eras, but recently I self published a historical novel set during the first full year of the American Civil War. Called Gone for a Soldier, it's based around the fact that more than 400 women disguised themselves as men to fight for both the north and south. It's also a romance, but the history takes center stage. Or, at least I hope it does. :)
Kathleen wrote: "Hi everyone,Another Kathy here. And like everyone else here, I love history. I like biographies and I really enjoy historical fiction. And I like many different eras, but recently I self publishe..."
Sounds good. I'll check it out. Thanks.
Mary Lois wrote: "Rosalie wrote: "Cathy wrote: "Hi Diane. Welcome to the group! I too am a fan of Michener, Anya Seton and John Jakes. I'm a CT Yankee, but I like reading HF set in the South."I LOVE HF set in t..."
I'll check it out. I love Fairhope - a neat area.
Mod
Kathy wrote: "Hi All,I just joined your group. I love American history so I like books from the Revolutionary War to maybe WWII. I prefer historical romances in this time period, though I do enjoy straight hist..."
Hi Kathy and welcome. I write historical fiction set in my native Mississippi, concentrating (most recently) on Reconstruction.
American Historical Fiction
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