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Writing Historical Fiction
Every now and then, you’ll read about something that has happened in history and wonder what went through the minds of the people involved. Like say, for instance, the day the Twin Towers fell, The Battle of Gettysburg, or the 300 Spartans. It could be about anything that has happened in the past that catches your imagination and won’t let go. That is historical fiction: a piece of history where there are a lot of people involved, many characters looking at the scene from different perspectives, that you could write dozens of stories about that pertain to that particular historical event.
There is no way to know for sure what these people were thinking when the event occurred. So, you try to imagine what it was like, what it is you would have said or done if it had been you in the situation. This is what most of our blockbuster movies are based in; this is the stuff of Hollywood.
But this is also where you have to do some research. Yeah, I know the word ‘research’ sounds a lot like work, but it will help fill in the blanks for you, and make your story as historically accurate as possible. Plus, you will get some ‘bird’s-eye’ viewpoints from people who were actually there.
Then, you can begin to improvise. Tell the story in your own voice, because maybe the way you look at it, is totally different from what the history books tell us. That’s when things start to get interesting, and that’s what makes writing historical fiction so much fun.
I know I am not well-known as a historical fiction writer, but I have dabbled in it a bit, and have discovered how easy it is to write when there is so much already known. All the ground work is laid out for you: the time, the place, the outcome. All you have to do is develop a character to stick smack in the middle of it.
My first endeavor was when I wrote about the conquest of Guam by Spain in the mid-sixteen hundreds. It’s called, "The Peskadot Warrior" , wherein I introduced a ‘Conan the Barbarian’ type character that mixes it up with some Catholic missionaries.
While doing the research on this piece, I fell in love with the people of Guam. Back then, they had no religion, no industry, and knew no diseases. The Spaniards compared Guam to the lost ‘Garden of Eden’. But, as history would have it, that didn’t last long.
One of the most thrilling discoveries I made while doing the research on this, was the fact that the Peskadot warriors had an extra vertebra at the base of their necks, and that no other race of people, on the face of the planet, has ever been found to have that. Of course, right away I wanted to write an alien encounter story, but forced myself to stick to the actual historical facts.
Another piece I did was called, "In The Spirit Of Brotherhood" , which I was compelled to write after seeing the internet video of the American journalist, Nick Berg, decapitated in Iraq.
So, pick a time in history and write a story. You’ll be amazed at how much fun it is, and how much you will learn in the process.
Until next time,
billwilcox
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Historical Fiction Written By Members Of WDC
[A well-written piece about the death of Thomas Becket]
[When in Rome....]
|  | Atia's Rain (13+)
Fan fiction inspired by the HBO Series, "Rome." Atia confronts Servilia.
#1251780 by StephBee  |
[Robin's in the Hood...]
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This item number is not valid.
#1190164 by Not Available. |
[A taste of Civil War...]
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This item number is not valid.
#1071083 by Not Available. |
[How's about a little tea party...?]
| | | Invalid Item
This item number is not valid.
#1477448 by Not Available. |
[A fabulous place to enter your historical fiction...]
| | | Invalid Item
This item number is not valid.
#1364200 by Not Available. |
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Historical Email
wildbill 
Submitted Comment:
Bill, you couldn't be more perceptive about what it takes to fill in the blanks for the reader in the way of nuances of expression and body language.
The unfortunate thing about so many of our site's contests is that they limit the writer to such a short 2500 word count that most of the descriptions that enance the mood, location and character development go by the wayside through editing.
Sometimes I feel that the goal of learning how to write better prose is downgraded in importance to a less meaningful search for merit badges and points.
Short word counts are really for the reading convenience of the judges---and I do appreciate and understand the demands of reading and anlyzing so many works in a short period of time (I taught writing at U. Of Houston)---but my hat is off to those few hardy souls who run contests with larger word counts.
Hell, I can't clear my throat with 2,500 words and produce a great mystery or short story or chapter.
Cheers, wildbill
monty31802
Submitted Comment:
As always, your Newsletter is outstanding Bill.
NanoWriMo2018 Into the Earth 
Submitted Comment:
I LOVED this NL!
Bluesman
Submitted Comment:
Thank you for that snippet... It was wonderful... What book was it from?
Caroline
Submitted Comment:
I loved this newsletter! The snippet was a great pick; I enjoyed reading it, and definitely learned from it. I'll be saving this issue so I can go back and read it again.
bobneH .. aka.. just bob
Submitted Comment:
Yes, that was an intresting bit of dialogue... but.
Had I been reviewing that, I would have burned him for: POV shifts (5), unnecessary "yuck" tag-lines, repetition of names, and an unnecessary info dump.
just bob
Vivian 
Submitted Comment:
Bill, excellent example of dialog setting up the scene and giving it punch. Wow! ~~ Viv
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Action/Adventure: October 22, 2008 Issue [#2671]
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