Introductions

[Judy]

Hello. I am also writing a WW II novel, though mine is set in Kiev. Nice to know we're not alone.

[Victor]

Hi Judy,

I know a little about Kiev. I'm originally from Odessa. What's your story about?

[Judy]

Hello Jz, I visited Kiev and was fascinated with the people and their history. My focus is the German invasion and the Battle of Kiev. Contact with a writer from Odessa is a valuable resource. Your book on Warsaw during the Holocaust sounds like a fascinating topic.

[Ruby]

Assaph wrote: "Hi All,

I'm a reader (and now a writer) of historical fiction. I like all eras up to the 20th century. My favourite is still ancient Rome, but since my wife introduced me to Boris Akunin's Fandori..."

Seems like you really have a great potential with the subject matter you have chosen and I wish you all the best.

[Assaph]

Ruby wrote: "Seems like you really have a great potential with the subject matter you have chosen and I wish you all the best."

Thanks!
I do have some ideas for another historical / fantasy mash-up around 19th century Russia - but for that I have to finish reading War and Peace... Might take a while ;-)

[Paul]

Margo wrote: "I love historical fiction and have decided to finally work on a novel about the Oneida. I am looking forward to hearing about people's tips and trials in this challenging genre."

Hi Margo I write historical fiction and one thing I try to do is have actual events occur within the proper timeline. For example if my character encounters an actual historical figure on a specific date than make sure that figure was available and not somewhere else in the world. In my book The Serpent's Eyes this happens quite often so checking the history books was a part of my research. Hope this helps.

[Victor]

Assaph, I had to study War and Peace in high school. I can't see why you would voluntarily go through the torture of reading this monstrosity. Even a thought of it gives me chills. :)
Just my two kopeykas, but I would stick with Akunin if I were you.

[Paul]

Jz wrote: "Assaph, I had to study War and Peace in high school. I can't see why you would voluntarily go through the torture of reading this monstrosity. Even a thought of it gives me chills. :)
Just my two k..."

LOL I chose to read it and the teacher gave me credit for 3 book reports. It was exhausting.

[Assaph]

JZ -
I might end up reading only the Sveastopol Sketches (which is the era I want anyway) - but that's only because I'd like to fit in some Dostoyevski and some non-Fiction books about 19th century Russia...
Still, I'd like to finish War and Peace one day.


Paul -
Nice. Didn't work for me with Lord of the Rings. I think my teacher didn't quite like fantasy...

[Kara]

Hi everyone! I'm Kara McKenzie. I've been in other groups in Goodreads, but this one looked interesting. I've been an avid reader of historical fiction and spent many years writing it. I have some published works. I like writing England period dramas and also have written one set in Rome and two in Biblical times. I read out of many genres, yet historicals are my favorites! I hope to learn from others here.

[Victor]

Whelcome, Kara!
Looking forward to your recommendations!

[Kara]

Thank you, Victor!

[Ruby]

Assaph wrote: "Ruby wrote: "Seems like you really have a great potential with the subject matter you have chosen and I wish you all the best."

Thanks!
I do have some ideas for another historical / fantasy mash-u..."

To write about Russian History, I would recommend three books for you to read first (if you haven't done so yet):
Maxim Gorky's Mother?
Tolstoy's autobiographical fiction, which describes the Pre-Revolution era.
Resurrection
Tolstoy's Anna Karenina.

[Assaph]

Ruby wrote: "To write about Russian History, I would recommend three books for you to read first (if you haven't done so yet):"

Thanks Ruby. I know Anna Karenina of course, and I'll check out the other two.

[Kara]

Ruby wrote: "Kara wrote: "Hi everyone! I'm Kara McKenzie. I've been in other groups in Goodreads, but this one looked interesting. I've been an avid reader of historical fiction and spent many years writing it...."

Hi Ruby! Thanks for the recommendations. You have some interesting titles!

[Monica]

Hi everyone. My name is Monica, and after many years as an avid reader of historical fiction, I am now in the beginning research stages of my own historical novel, to be set in 19th century Ireland. One of the main settings will be a lunatic asylum. I'm in the process of researching several asylums during that time period. I'm very excited to embark on this new project!

[Paul]

Monica wrote: "Hi everyone. My name is Monica, and after many years as an avid reader of historical fiction, I am now in the beginning research stages of my own historical novel, to be set in 19th century Ireland..."

Hi Monica - sounds challenging. For my first novel I relied heavily on the internet when I went fact finding. The one I am currently working on involves native peoples and I hope to contact and work directly with native historians in order to keep my facts straight. Good luck on your project, it sounds interesting already.

[Harold]

Paul wrote: "Monica wrote: "Hi everyone. My name is Monica, and after many years as an avid reader of historical fiction, I am now in the beginning research stages of my own historical novel, to be set in 19th ..."

Paul, I'd be interested to know what native people you plan to write about, where they were located, and at what time in history. I'm curious because I'm writing a novel about the Algonquians at and near Roanoke 1583-1584.

[Paul]

Harold wrote: "Paul wrote: "Monica wrote: "Hi everyone. My name is Monica, and after many years as an avid reader of historical fiction, I am now in the beginning research stages of my own historical novel, to be..."

Hi Harold I am researching the tribes north of Superior mostly the Oji-Cree. Is your novel to do with the missing settlement. If so I would be interested in reading it at some point.

[Paul]

Harold wrote: "Paul, that is the settlement. My novel will end in 1584. The Lost Colony aspect of the settlement covers the years 1587-1590. I have posted several informational pieces about the settlement of Roan..."

I look forward to checking it out Harold. I should have said missing settlers. I have yet to get serious about my blogging and I know it is an important element for us authors. I am researching creating a site and blog on wordpress or just a blogging site.

[Harold]

Good luck with it. It does take time away from writing fiction, but it allows you time to think more about how you want to develop your characters and determine the direction you want your story to take.

[Diana]

Monica wrote: "Hi everyone. My name is Monica, and after many years as an avid reader of historical fiction, I am now in the beginning research stages of my own historical novel, to be set in 19th century Ireland..."
Hi Monica, my name is Diana Khalil. I look forward to reading your first novel. The plot seems interesting. For my novel, I relied on the library. You'll find that books give a more detailed history of the time. Also, word of mouth is good. If you can't find oral history from a native of your setting, a good autobiography or biography of the time period and setting could replace that. My book relied on stories told by my elders. Middle Easterners carry a sturdy oral history that can go back generations. I wish for you the best in your endeavor. Most importantly enjoy yourself. It makes for the best of novels.

[Steven]

Hello all new members. Welcome.

This is a great group with lots of good people to get to know.

Enjoy yourselves,

Steven

[Vivienne]

Hello everyone, my name is Vivienne and I'm an 'accidental' author. Let me explain. I've had the idea for a book percolating for years, based on my family history from 1905-1945. When my husband faced 8 weeks recovery, I started writing to remain sane. When he had a relapse I kept on writing and writing until I had a novel (not a true biography). It's being published! Looking forward to sharing the journey.

[[deleted user]]

Hello from South Dakota! I'm new to Goodreads. Currently working on a novel related to the U.S.-Dakota War of 1862. Ever heard of it? It has been overshadowed in national memory by the Civil War, but it ended with President Lincoln ordering the mass hanging of 38 Dakota warriors, the largest mass execution in U.S. history. On that bright note, I'll say I'm glad to be among you. I'm new to online discussions, so bear with me.

[Vivienne]

Hi Phyllis
have absolutely no clue when it comes to social media, but am trying. Good luck with your story, sounds like a lot of research. Even my novel involved some heavy duty research--don't want to be caught out by inaccuracies.

[[deleted user]]

Vivienne wrote: "Hi Phyllis
have absolutely no clue when it comes to social media, but am trying. Good luck with your story, sounds like a lot of research. Even my novel involved some heavy duty research--don't wan..."

I hear you re social media/online discussions. To be honest, I'd rather be researching or writing my work. But I'm trying, like you. Yes, the novel has been a lot of research, most of which will never be on the page, but I've enjoyed the detective work. How about you?

[Vivienne]

Hi again
As a high school library technician for over 20 yrs, I did a lot of research (old style--books). when I started writing my family history I wove real events into their story and a novel was born. Always loved early European 20th century history, such a fascinating period--they went through so much. I also got quite involved with women's issues and how they evolved by design and by necessity into the work place.
Good chatting with you--never 'chatted' before!

[[deleted user]]

Vivienne wrote: "Hi again
As a high school library technician for over 20 yrs, I did a lot of research (old style--books). when I started writing my family history I wove real events into their story and a novel wa..."

I look forward to hearing more about your novel on the discussion group!

[Jamie]

Good afternoon all. Or evening or morning if you prefer. I have had an interest in naval warfare for many years, and have combined it with my love of narrative fiction. I've a couple of short stories completed - as well as a novel.

I'm looking forward to pitching in.

[James]

Hello from Melbourne, Australia.
My name is James Jeffries and I am working on a novel set in 15th Century. It's a rags to riches love story set around the spice trade about 2 friends journey from slavery to creating a new world order. The characters are all real people, The Sultan of Cairo, Cosimo Medici and his mistress, Pope Martin V and The Chinese explorer Zheng He - among others.

[Rebecca]

Hello James,
It seems we are the new kids on this block. I look forward to being part of the historical fiction community. While working with a local historian I became absorbed in Kansas history. I am developing a dual timeline novel exploring 1900’s Abilene, Kansas and early prosthetics of WWI. The story centers on a professional organizer who discovers a peculiar mask while cleaning out a hoarder’s home. She soon learns the tragic tale of Abilene’s own phantom whose life reflects the book Phantom of the Opera. The main characters in this story are fictional but are woven around actual events and places. I am looking for a writing group to discover tips of the trade.

[Sarah]

Hi! I am Sarah Hahn (pen/maiden name), and I am a literature and history teacher in Georgia. I have published a couple of Southern Gothic-esque stories and am starting my first novel. It is historical fiction, of course, and is centering around Atlanta between 1917& 1950. Currently, I am in the research phase and am seriously considering Margaret Mitchell as my main character. Looking forward to learning and growing with y'all.

[Rebecca]

Sarah wrote: "Hi! I am Sarah Hahn (pen/maiden name), and I am a literature and history teacher in Georgia. I have published a couple of Southern Gothic-esque stories and am starting my first novel. It is histori..."

Hi Sarah, I think Margaret Mitchell would be an excellent main character. And I just love the history in Atlanta. In reading Doc by Mary Doria Russell I learned Doc Holiday was her cousin. When I heard her speak she spoke quite a bit on Mitchell and his relationship. Happy researching!

[Rebecca]

James wrote: "Hello from Melbourne, Australia.
My name is James Jeffries and I am working on a novel set in 15th Century. It's a rags to riches love story set around the spice trade about 2 friends journey from..."

James, I can just smell the spice markets in thinking about your story. It reminds me of the two brothers in the movie Second Hand Lions and their back story. Will there be sword battles along with the romance? Happy writing!

[Rebecca]

Phyllis wrote: "Vivienne wrote: "Hi Phyllis
have absolutely no clue when it comes to social media, but am trying. Good luck with your story, sounds like a lot of research. Even my novel involved some heavy duty re..."

Phyllis,
I understand how consuming research can be. Though I have read articles warning on letting it take over and not getting the writing done. Having said that, I am driven to have may story correct historically and so I keep researching to find those little known facts that make it creditable. Research we must!

[Rebecca]

Vivienne wrote: "Hello everyone, my name is Vivienne and I'm an 'accidental' author. Let me explain. I've had the idea for a book percolating for years, based on my family history from 1905-1945. When my husband fa..."

Vivienne, I have heard,"Write what you Know!" Your family history would certainly fit that bill. Best wishes in your story and here's to keeping busy!

[Vivienne]

Just when you think everything that could be written has been, you read the premises above and think Wow! I am intrigued by James book about the spice trade in the 15th century, and so many others. Good luck all, sounds like fascinating journeys. My book "The Train Now Leaving" is launching May 13. It's only been 3 years!!! (2 of them since I signed the contract).
Patience is certainly a virtue.

[Tom]

Hello writers of Historical Fiction!

I'm Tom from Wichita, Kansas and I enjoy writing historical fiction because I love history!

I'm writing a historical fiction novel about the events of November 11, 1918 when WWI ended at 11 am and the first peaceful Christmas 1918. I also am writing a drama play about Christmas 1918 as well as the Armistice on 11 November 1918. I have some historical fiction projects in the near future so what I need is a writing buddy who would help me improve my historical fiction writing as being a mentor.

You can email me at thomasheeren@cox.net. Thank you for having me give my introduction. Take care!

Tom

[Rebecca]

Tom wrote: "Hello writers of Historical Fiction!

I'm Tom from Wichita, Kansas and I enjoy writing historical fiction because I love history!

I'm writing a historical fiction novel about the events of Novemb..."
Welcome fellow Kansas historical fiction writer! What a life turning event to arrive home after seeing the world of war. Like the song says, "How 'Ya Gonna Keep 'Em Down on the Farm? After They've Seen Paree"? Bests in your writing endeavors!

[Rebecca]

Vivienne wrote: "Just when you think everything that could be written has been, you read the premises above and think Wow! I am intrigued by James book about the spice trade in the 15th century, and so many others...."

Vivienne, How terrific that your book will soon be in print! That is one train I want to read about!

[[deleted user]]

Hi there! My name is Peter Cane, and I'm a writer as well as an avid reader.

I was born and educated in England, lived for the better part of a decade in Brazil, and then moved with my spouse and two teenage boys (and a beagle and a husky) to Canada, which I love and where I plan to stay - and my passion is the way in which we communicate with one another - verbally, visually, tactilely.

Before arriving here, I lectured for a while on the sensory triggers we use when displaying emotion, how they are used to direct attention, and how they misdirect it, for example with camouflage. It's a new science called Bioaesthetics. Anyway, I was doing research on a particular type of triggers that make us stop and stare, hold our breath and listen, perhaps subconsciously expecting something to happen: tension triggers... and it occurred to me that the two famous fingers of Adam and God on the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel were a good example.

While examining a high resolution image of the two fingers, though, I noticed that something seemed to have been camouflaged between them, and I decided to do some digital enhancement. What I found was some letters, letters that spelt out the word 'chiave', which, when I looked it up, was Italian for 'key'. And then I noticed more letters, and yet more. Over the next few weeks I found that Michelangelo had used Genesis - its superficial topic - as a series of allegories for his bitter experiences while working in the Vatican. Indeed, I found that the whole ceiling had a second and more profound meaning - that it was a passionate denunciation of a crime committed by the then Pope, Julius II.

Slowly over the next few years I found that this use of painting to vent the traumas the artist encountered in their everyday lives, nightmares arising particularly from dealing with rich and powerful patrons, was not something that Michelangelo invented, but that it was universal, and that it was present in all art done in times of tyranny, from the days of the frescos in the Palace of Knossos to the flourishing of democracy in the 19thC.

And with that discovery came not only the realisation that works of art constitute an entirely new and untapped source of historical documentation, but that being from the heart, and not intended (like many tax records or records of birth or death) - as much to fool the reader as to inform them, that we had something uniquely reliable.

More, the story these unexpected documents told was very different to what I had learned in my history books. Not only different, but it was a history that although on the surface seeming incredible, it actually explained a lot that conventional history did not. So I began writing, and the book grew so much I had to split it into six more reasonably sized tomes, which, alas, could not then be published because Kindle had not yet enabled the creation of such image-heavy books, and publishers threw up their hands at the cost.

So I decided instead to focus on just one character, a particularly prolific artist, and tell his life story in novel form... no pictures, and thus publishable. Then, on finishing one month ago, I found to my amazement that I no longer needed an agent and a sympathetic publisher - I could do it myself. Which is where I am now.

My work therefore falls in an uncertain genre, lurking somewhere between historical fiction and alternative history, with a very subversive sort of semiotics as undercurrent. What I hope for in this group is to get a much broader understanding of why people read, how they come to choose what they put on their bookshelves, and - of course - how other authors manage to get their books to a public that would adore them!

[D.L.]

Peter wrote: "Hi there! My name is Peter Cane, and I'm a writer as well as an avid reader.

I was born and educated in England, lived for the better part of a decade in Brazil, and then moved with my spouse and..."

Hi Peter,
Welcome to the group! As a life-long amateur artist and art lover, I found your discoveries fascinating and so true! As a child I was painfully shy and kept a lot of feelings and thoughts locked inside. I used drawing and painting to express the frustrations and trauma happening in my life. Hidden in every drawing was a story and a record of what was going on in my life. Sometimes it was obvious and sometimes it was carefully cloaked. All the while I was telling myself a story that no one else could laugh at or criticize because they didn't even know it was there. It wasn't until a few years ago that I realized I was actually as good if not better at writing than art. I've since used this "hidden message" trait as a premise for my historical fiction character. There are many ways and medium in which to tell stories, prose is only one and art is certainly another. I think having dabbled in the "storytelling" aspects of art and music, it has enhanced my prose storytelling as well. Your stories sound interesting! I'd love to read them when you get them published.

[[deleted user]]

I think it is something every artist is tempted to do... I did a certain amount of commissioned design work, and was sorely tempted on occasion to tuck things away that better reflected how I felt about a subject! Then when I came to writing, I could do exactly what I wanted, except... sometimes there was a brilliant quote from someone not even born when my character was alive, so what to do? One example was something from Cervantes I really wanted to include, but he didn't say it until my character had been dead forty years. I just Italianized the real person's Christian name, and used that. A search for the quote on Google would then link to the actual author... I did just publish one of the key books on this, as it happens... it's on Amazon, called 'Aly, Michelangelo's Son'. I'm going to check out your 'Chained to Life', also!

[Gretchen]

I used to be on this group as Wintersunlight and over time drifted away ( I got busy writing historical fiction LOL) and forgot the information related to my account (as well as my old email) and so here I am again, under my new Goodreads account. I hope to connect with some of the same people here and meet new ones as well. I am as yet unpublished but currently pursuing representation of my Byzantine trilogy The Varangian Chronicles, starting with The Serpentine Key.

[Carla, The Virtually-Real Modern Historical Mod]

Gretchen wrote: "I used to be on this group as Wintersunlight and over time drifted away ( I got busy writing historical fiction LOL) and forgot the information related to my account (as well as my old email) and s..."

Well then, Gretchen, I re-welcome you with open arms! Ha.

But srsly, thanks for returning to our little hive; it means more when someone does that than when they leave but say nice things about you, y'know?

We're kind of a quiet bunch (still), with me in school (still), and doing my art (I got notification that I just won the same coloured pencil competition I won two years ago [they didn't hold it last year] out of a record worldwide 838 entrants!), so have little time to write (still), but love popping in every now and again to see how things are going. I likes to be da hands-off moderator as much as possible.

Y'know, I think I'm going to begin a thread where folks can crow loudly about ANY accomplishments they make, be they writing or art or even that last pesky 10 pounds. It may even help some of the group members feel closer to one another, since there doesn't seem to be much discussion anywhere except in this thread, which seems weird to me.

Anyway, once again, just remember to observe the rules/guidelines, and I hope you'll post more of your on-going WIPs for critique, then jump in to critique other works. It's how we learn (even though some are coming to that realisation slowly).

Have fun!

~~C

[Faith]

I joined this group several months ago and then had no time to introduce myself or even follow the group. I've been writing all my adult life, first as a public information officer for the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission. That entailed writing a centennial history of fish and wildlife management in Nebraska and historical articles about the state parks. Later I worked for a Lutheran Social Ministry Organization that also included writing a corporate history. Since "retirement" I've published four books--two memoirs, an historical novel, and a book of short essays that includes some prose poetry, some book reviews, some environmental essays, and some animal antics. I'm currently working on a novel set in the Great Depression and World War II. I also have an unrelated collection of short stories, some published, some not.

[Mark]

After almost 40 years in academic medicine, I moved to the windswept Oregon coast to write historical fiction. In 2012, I self-published my first novel about Japanese balloon bomb and submarine attacks on the Oregon coast during WWII. Currently, I am finishing up a second novel, about the Battle of the Atlantic in 1942. Although there is plenty of action, and detailed technical information in my books, I also dive into the personal lives of my protagonists, both at war and on the home front. I am inexperienced, and most interested to learn how to identify my potential readers to assist me in well-targeted book promotion.

[Harold]

Mark wrote: "After almost 40 years in academic medicine, I moved to the windswept Oregon coast to write historical fiction. In 2012, I self-published my first novel about Japanese balloon bomb and submarine att..."

Just curious as to where you live on the Oregon coast. I live in Florence. We are both finishing a second historical novel. Sorry I can't help you about promotion.

[Mark]

We're in Manzanita, Harold. What are your novels about?