Writing Historical Fiction discussion
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Hi Helena. It's based mainly on SOE in France. I was using a real person as the main character but for me, it wasn't working out -might have been ok if it was a minor character but I think I was being a little ambitious for a first book. So, i had to start over. It's basically outlining one resistance circuit and what the female/male soe agents got up to. I'm not even half way through now on account of revisions but that can't be helped. If only I were Hilary Mantel!(in another life)
The joy is in the writing, Suzy. Enjoy every aspect of it -- especially the research on location in France! Biographical fiction is extremely demanding. You are probably right, for a first book, to use real stories for inspiration, but then synthesize and evolve your own story. Keep us informed of progress, or share problems if you want. That's what this forum is for. Good luck!
Thanks for the advice, Helena. I will do.
Hello I'm Simon. I just self published my first book The Battles are the Best Bits which is a factual history book and now I am taking my first tottering steps at writing historical fiction which is a whole new ball game. My Byzantine adventure Fall of Empires is at an early and delicate stage. Thinking of using Wattpad to give it an initial airing whilst still writing it.
Simon wrote: "Hello I'm Simon. I just self published my first book The Battles are the Best Bits which is a factual history book and now I am taking my first tottering steps at writing historical fiction which i..."Hi Simon,
I write historical fiction of the immediate post-civil-war era, the effect of "Radical Reconstruction" on the Southern states that tried to secede, and the westward movement from those states. My first book, "Enemies of their Own Blood", self-pub, is selling moderately well. I, too, write best about battles. I'm curious: What is Wattpad? Have you had the experience of seeing your first book in print, re-reading it a year later, and seeing how much differently you would have worded it now? The old adage tells us: It's what we start to learn - after we already know it all - that's really important. Best wishes for your future writing. Robert
Robert wrote: "Simon wrote: "Hello I'm Simon. I just self published my first book The Battles are the Best Bits which is a factual history book and now I am taking my first tottering steps at writing historical f..."In answer to your question wattpad is a very popular creative writing site. The standard of stuff on there is very variable and some of it is very mediocre but the reader numbers can get into the hundreds of thousands, so as a platform for getting your name and work known it is pretty good. My plan is to use the online novel to hopefully direct potential readers towards my published book.
I finished my book about a year ago and then spent the next year editing it so right now its just the way I want it. Whether I still feel that way in a year will be interesting to see. But the joy of kindle and print to order is that it is very easy to make changes post publication.
Thanks, Hazel. I just put your book on my TBR list. I look forward to checking it out. William Wallace's time is such a gorgeous era to write about.
Jack Weatherford has an even better book called The Secret History of the Mongol Queens. It amazed me, and I specialize in that area. I have stolen one of his heroines (with his full approval—he is a really sweet guy, although not someone I knew before I read his books) for my "Winged Horse," now all of 12 pages long.Worth reading, if you like that period! It is available in the usual online bookstores and for Kindle, iPad, etc.
Oh, and I have one book out, mixed historical/contemporary, and one pure historical (16th-century Russians and Tatars—descendants of Genghis Khan) due by the end of this month. Nice to meet you all.
Genevieve wrote: "Thanks, Hazel. I just put your book on my TBR list. I look forward to checking it out. William Wallace's time is such a gorgeous era to write about."This is the second medieval novel I have done, but I love that time period as well. I wrote a YA about Wallace as a teenager which was fun and challenging at the same time. Thanks for adding my book! I'll be having a giveaway for it at the end of the month too =)
Simon wrote: "Hello I'm Simon. I just self published my first book The Battles are the Best Bits which is a factual history book and now I am taking my first tottering steps at writing historical fiction which i..."Simon,
Just back from Istambul, which has made me very interested in Byzantine history. The walls are very impressive, to say the least! I look forward to hearing more about your book.
Helena
Suzy wrote: "Thanks for the advice, Helena. I will do."
Suzy wrote: "Thanks for the advice, Helena. I will do."
Murdo wrote: "Hi, my name is Murdo Morrison. My book Roses of Winter is set in WW2 Scotland. I was happy to find a group devoted to writing historical fiction."Murdo, Welcome aboard!
I was immediately attracted to your book title because I once wrote a short story called "Roses in November" also set in WWII, but the south of England, where I lived as a child.
Helena
Hey everyone. My name is Jack DuArte and I have already published three WWWII historical ficton novels. I love the genre and have already completed half of my next novel. My website is jackduarte.com. I invite everyone to take a look. My last novel, Spitfire, is doing really good numbers that are building each month. I will answer any questions you might have.
@David: I haven't seen a new Jacobite novel for a while. Mainly people write about Wallace and Bruce (guilty as charged). My old (seriously old) stuff was set during the '45 but I haven't yet got back into that, though I'm planning one for an adventure series I have in mind. I'll have to take a look at your book sometime!
Hello group!
I have just published a collection of monologues for performance but I am also a writer of Historical Fiction. "The Way Home", set during the First World war is sitting at home all but done bar the final research work and I am currently working on "The Turncoat" (that's what I'm calling it today, anyway) set in the years following the English Civil War. Hope to have the first draft done by the end of October so, fingers crossed.
Anon!
Jxx
I have just published a collection of monologues for performance but I am also a writer of Historical Fiction. "The Way Home", set during the First World war is sitting at home all but done bar the final research work and I am currently working on "The Turncoat" (that's what I'm calling it today, anyway) set in the years following the English Civil War. Hope to have the first draft done by the end of October so, fingers crossed.
Anon!
Jxx
Julia wrote: "Hello group!I have just published a collection of monologues for performance but I am also a writer of Historical Fiction. "The Way Home", set during the First World war is sitting at home all bu..."
I love both those time periods! I wrote a story set post Civil War about a highwayman and I'm hoping to eventually get my WWI WIP published. I'd like to hear more about your stories though =)
Well, both are based in Sussex.
"The Way Home" moves between Sussex and the Western Front and is told from the perspective of an army chaplain trying to do his duty as a kind of unconscious penance for abandoning a friend when he needed him most.
"The Turncoat" is set about 6 years after the end of the English Civil War and sees a young man with no memory arrive in a Sussex village which, in its own way, is still recovering from the impact of the conflict.
Any more than that and I'm into spoilers. In due course I will be after readers but I'll be back then. The Highwayman story sounds very interesting. Is that published?
J
"The Way Home" moves between Sussex and the Western Front and is told from the perspective of an army chaplain trying to do his duty as a kind of unconscious penance for abandoning a friend when he needed him most.
"The Turncoat" is set about 6 years after the end of the English Civil War and sees a young man with no memory arrive in a Sussex village which, in its own way, is still recovering from the impact of the conflict.
Any more than that and I'm into spoilers. In due course I will be after readers but I'll be back then. The Highwayman story sounds very interesting. Is that published?
J
Hazel wrote: I haven't seen a new Jacobite novel for a while. Mainly people write about Wallace and Bruce (guilty as charged). It felt as though it was neglected territory, and the novels that DO exist are fairly traditional. But I'd come across the story of a divided Manchester in the 1740s whose Catholic merchants were determined to see a Stuart restoration more than anybody outside Scotland itself. And then there were all the linked threads about tea smuggling as a revenue source for the Jacobites, the Lima silver, etc, etc. So this is really the story of the '45 in England's North West - including, of course, the last battle evr fought on English soil.
J. Lee wrote: "Well, both are based in Sussex."The Way Home" moves between Sussex and the Western Front and is told from the perspective of an army chaplain trying to do his duty as a kind of unconscious penance..."
Nice summary of two stories that sound interesting. Where are you up to with them?
David wrote: "Hazel wrote: I haven't seen a new Jacobite novel for a while. Mainly people write about Wallace and Bruce (guilty as charged). It felt as though it was neglected territory, and the novels that ..."
Sounds interesting. I never read anything about that exact history. The Wars for Independence is more my speciality. But the Jacobite era was actually what sparked my interest in Scottish history to begin with so I have a fondness for it.
Julia Lee wrote: "Well, both are based in Sussex."The Way Home" moves between Sussex and the Western Front and is told from the perspective of an army chaplain trying to do his duty as a kind of unconscious penance..."
Hi Julia,
Your novel sounds really interesting -just my kind of story. I'll be looking out for it when it's published. I'm writing a WW2 novel right now.
Hi Suzy
Thanks very much - lot of research still required but it's in typscript form at least. Will look out for yours too. :)
Julia
Thanks very much - lot of research still required but it's in typscript form at least. Will look out for yours too. :)
Julia
Hello Harry,What a fantastic review. Excellent news indeed. Well done and best of luck with your novel.
Suzy wrote: "Hello Harry,What a fantastic review. Excellent news indeed. Well done and best of luck with your novel."
Hello Suzy, and thanks. May the Muse stay close by you.
Thanks, Julia. How are your own books doing?
Monologue book is going quite well, considering the relatively narrow market. The short stories have taken off since I put them in KDP collect (and dropped the 75p charge!). I've just sent my little collection of historical short stories to publish. They're a try out really so I'll offer them for free too. Otherwise I have two full length novels, one awaiting a final push on the research front (WW1) and the other still in the writing. They've both taken about ten years and promise my attendance at the British Library for as long again! Still, it's fun. I might never have looked into C17th agriculture in Sussex but for the latest one.
So really, I'm just starting out - let's just hope the readers keep reading.
Good luck.
Jx
So really, I'm just starting out - let's just hope the readers keep reading.
Good luck.
Jx
Julia Lee wrote: "Monologue book is going quite well, considering the relatively narrow market. The short stories have taken off since I put them in KDP collect (and dropped the 75p charge!). I've just sent my lit..."Ten years is not rushing it! Mine only took four - but they were happy years.
I'll be keen to see the WW1 when it's ready (I've an interest there - my dad was wounded on the Somme). Let me know when the historical shorts are out. Meanwhile I'll nip over to look at the others.
Julia Lee wrote: "Monologue book is going quite well, considering the relatively narrow market. The short stories have taken off since I put them in KDP collect (and dropped the 75p charge!). I've just sent my lit..."Hi Julia,
As you're writing a WW1 novel, have you read any of Pat Barker's books -the regeneration trilogy is great -well, I loved them and they follow an officer in WW1, both at home and at the Front. Really great writing too.
Hi Suzy
I haven't dared go near the Pat Barker stuff since I started writing it though it is definitely something I will look at afterwards. In fact I suspect my stuff is different enough to risk it now so I'll add it to the list... thanks
I haven't dared go near the Pat Barker stuff since I started writing it though it is definitely something I will look at afterwards. In fact I suspect my stuff is different enough to risk it now so I'll add it to the list... thanks
Steven A. wrote: "HI all, I've written a historical fiction novel based on the Robin Hood legend. It's written in a modern style, and I'd love people to read it and let me know what they think.Cheers
Steven A. McKa..."
I LOVE Robin Hood novels. I'm definitely checking it out!
Hi everyone I am pleased to say I've just recently joined this group as I'm an avid historical novel reader.I hope to gain some advice and assistance, as I'm in the throws of writing my first historical fiction novel. As I live in Scotland where else could I set my story, It's based around the borders of Scotland where my heroine is a master with a bow and a sword, and she has to avenge the brutal murder of her father the clan chief. while been on the run for her own life. set around 1435 after the Scottish wars of independence.This story has romance,murder,betrayal,revenge,deceit,love,war,power,and sex.which I hope has enough to interest everybody.As this book is a work in progress I have give my self a target to try to get it nearly finished for the end of next year. some of my favorite authors are Ken Follet, C j Sansom, and Hilary Mantel, to me personally these three authors bring history alive for me, their characters are so real and make you believe in them. I hope that over the next few months or so I can get to pick the brains of some of you, my fellow writers/readers. p.s I forgot to tell you the title of my book is "The Flower of Scotland" all the best to one and all. many thanks
I'm Laura Gill, author of self-published books set in 13th century B.C. Mycenae. Right now, I am working on a book set in Minoan Knossos.
Gordon wrote: "Hi everyone I am pleased to say I've just recently joined this group as I'm an avid historical novel reader.I hope to gain some advice and assistance, as I'm in the throws of writing my first histo..."Hi Gordon,
Your book sounds really great. I'm writing my first novel also and probably won't be finished for another 6 months, so roll on 2013! All the best with it.
Welcome, Gordon! Your book sounds good! Suzy - will you be doing NaNoWriMo?
Laura wrote: "I'm Laura Gill, author of self-published books set in 13th century B.C. Mycenae."
Hi, Laura -
I have enjoyed yoiur writing. I liked your 'take' on Helen in your latest...
Hi, Laura -
I have enjoyed yoiur writing. I liked your 'take' on Helen in your latest...
Diana wrote: "Laura wrote: "I'm Laura Gill, author of self-published books set in 13th century B.C. Mycenae."Hi, Laura -
I have enjoyed your writing. I liked your 'take' on Helen in your latest..."
I hope you give the Orestes novels a try, too.
Suzy wrote: "Gordon wrote: "Hi everyone I am pleased to say I've just recently joined this group as I'm an avid historical novel reader.I hope to gain some advice and assistance, as I'm in the throws of writing..."Hi Suzy, thanks for your welcome note, I hope you achieve what you wish for your book, I would be glad if you could keep me updated on how you are progressing. Also can you let me know the title and what theme of your novel, I would like to know if I could become one of your writing friends. all the best and many thanks,
Diana wrote: "Welcome, Gordon! Your book sounds good! Suzy - will you be doing NaNoWriMo?"Dear Diana, I would also like to thank you for your welcome note, If you can offer any advice or help for a novice writer I would be more than thankful. I would also like to ask you the same as Suzy and wish to become your writing friend also. All the best and many thanks.
Diana wrote: "Welcome, Gordon! Your book sounds good! Suzy - will you be doing NaNoWriMo?"Hi Diana, yes I'm all signed up for NaNoWriMo. I'm guessing you are too?
Gordon wrote: "Suzy wrote: "Gordon wrote: "Hi everyone I am pleased to say I've just recently joined this group as I'm an avid historical novel reader.I hope to gain some advice and assistance, as I'm in the thro..."Hi Gordon, my novel is set during WW2 -historical fiction. I haven't set a definite title as yet and I don't expect my manuscript to be fully completed for another 6 months. Have hit a 'rut' with some facts and now doing some additional research for the writing. I don't mind admitting that it's hard work! (for me anyway) Please feel welcome to become a writing friend. I'd be glad of any support/contact.
Thanks for allowing me to join your friend's list, I am more than grateful.You have picked another part of history that I find very compelling. As I have had relatives that were in the WW2. I have grown up listening to the story's of this part of history.I would like to wish you all the best with your book and if you get stuck, If I can help you in anyway I can I would be glad to help. all the best for the future.
I'm Jack DuArte, and ALL of my novels are WWII based. I find that that era is always alive in many reader's minds, it was so poignant in the history of the world. I have also been fascinated by the British, who always play key parts in my novels. The period of 1939-45 was compelling in many ways---and a great tribute to the British people. I simply bring out some of the lesser known aspects of their struggles in my novels.
Well, with 500th anniversary of Flodden & 500th anniversary of John Knox's birth in 2013 & 700th anniversary of Bannockburn, a referendum on Scottish independence in 2014 and of course the success of Brave and Braveheart perhaps there'll be an upsurge of interest in Scottish history. I'll check out your novels, Hazel. Keep the Saltire flying.
Let's hope. I have found a couple that came out this year though, One I'm reading: The Forest Laird: A Tale of William Wallace and the other is The Lion Wakes
Diana wrote: "Welcome, James!"I would also like to welcome you James as well, and look forward to your contribution to this site my friend. Welcome.
Gordon wrote: "Diana wrote: "Welcome, James!"I would also like to welcome you James as well, and look forward to your contribution to this site my friend. Welcome."
Thank you for the welcome Gordon, I look forward to being an active and productive member of this site.
Diana wrote: "Welcome, James!"Hi Diana, Good to talk freely again. Have you managed to assemble any 'Egyptians' yet? Although its not my field I enjoyed the chat and learned more than something.
Hi everyone,Wow, there are a lot of Stevens in this group. I am a writer of a HF novel placed during the Civil War,and I've published a couple of straight history articles and other things.I have knowledge about Roman and post Roman Britian, Celtic Britian,the Middle Ages, the Civil War, and the American West, WW2, as well as many other areas of history.I also have been a writer's coach. I am eager to support writers and get some for myself as well.
See my Goodreads page for my site and interests.
This is a great idea for a group and I'm glad I've found it.
Writing Historical Fiction
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The World Wars and the Inter-War Years are a goldmine for good historical fiction. I've set three of my novels in WWII, as that is my specialty. I look forward to hearing more about you book. Where is it set? What is the general outline? Do you mind sharing?
Helena