\"Writing.Com
*Magnify*
SPONSORED LINKS
BY ONLINE AUTHORS
Printed from https://shop.writing.com/main/newsletters/action/archives/id/6638
Fantasy: November 26, 2014 Issue [#6638]

Newsletter Header
Fantasy


 This week: What makes the story true to the period?
  Edited by: Storm Machine Author IconMail Icon
                             More Newsletters By This Editor  Open in new Window.

Table of Contents

1. About this Newsletter
2. A Word from our Sponsor
3. Letter from the Editor
4. Editor's Picks
5. A Word from Writing.Com
6. Ask & Answer
7. Removal instructions

About This Newsletter

All knowledge is worth having. ~Jacqueline Carey


Word from our sponsor

ASIN: B00KN0JEYA
Amazon's Price: $ 4.99


Letter from the editor

Recently I read a submission for a writer's workshop. I had to mentally count though my mind to understand that it was most likely set in the 1870s with some attention to the fae brought into the story. I loved the deep theme and how it was carried out.

However, the story didn't know whether it was in present or past tense, and the names did not feel very common for the period. I felt a modern tone to the thing, and I had trouble getting involved within the story. My brain wrapped around the math and vocabulary and I couldn't enjoy the story properly.

Each period of time has its own words. Think back older movies, little things your parents or grandparents say, or even your children or grandchildren. I know in high school we said words that mean nothing, and those words have changed as I've gotten older. (Haven't heard anyone say Pshaw in years.)

But not only each period of time, we also have to take place into account. Are your characters educated? The education received, whether it would be an internship at a local factory or college education or domestic drudgery would give clues about your character's background. Is there a reason that they would know specialized words or have a vocabulary that isn't shared with the general populace? In one of Jacqueline Carey's novels, a bunch of people from different cultures with different languages were imprisoned within a zenana, so they formed a common language with bits of words from all within.

Every story has a unique voice and each character has a part to play within the story. Many of them will sound true to the period so the current characters can understand. But others will sound out of place, like time travelers. They might try very hard to fit in, but if someone drops a bunch of 'likes' in the 16th century, the natives will look at them oddly. "Like, you know, that one time when we, like, had all these people over?" Remember which characters you want to have that odd feel, and give them appropriate voices. The rest might want to blend in.


Editor's Picks

 Insolent Fop Open in new Window. (13+)
Just some typical Hawthornian fare.
#2018902 by KMH Author IconMail Icon

 Portent of the Dragon King Open in new Window. (13+)
In dreams may we overcome our inhibitions.
#2018830 by BrandiwynšŸŽ¶ Author IconMail Icon

 
Image Protector
STATIC
The Woods Man Open in new Window. (13+)
The Woods Man encounters strange creatures in the forest.
#2002612 by Fhionnuisce Author IconMail Icon

 The Sound of Screaming Open in new Window. (18+)
When eternal life means eternal pain...
#2018742 by Formal Dehyde Author IconMail Icon


 
Submit an item for consideration in this newsletter!
https://www.Writing.Com/go/nl_form

Word from Writing.Com

Have an opinion on what you've read here today? Then send the Editor feedback! Find an item that you think would be perfect for showcasing here? Submit it for consideration in the newsletter!
         https://www.Writing.Com/go/nl_form

Don't forget to support our sponsor!

ASIN: 1542722411
Amazon's Price: $ 12.99


Ask & Answer

The Run-on King PDG Member Author Icon
You know I just loved that last line of yours about choices. That is so very true. I use my secondary chars as the "magic users" subject to the main characters whims.

When your dealing with aliens I tend to make the aliens more human and let the living computers do the "magic." After all their technology is so far advance it would be magic to us. Thus we would have a hard time understanding them as you pointed out. But the humanoid alien using them that has feelings does make it gel and come together in my universe. I just never realized why I paired the two together. It looks like for once I made some great choices.

You are right it would seem strange for a computer to tell these stories. It is more believable coming from a human, or a human like alien then a machine.

I did do a story from a dragons point of view. To get around the alien nature of dragons as a species, I had them transform into humans thus they have feelings as humans and can relate to the reader. Now I understand why I did it that way. Great article I learned quite a bit from it. Thank you for taking the time to show us these interesting things we need to do as writers!

Thank you for taking the time to comment! I love aliens and creatures, and making them into human form is one way to make them more relatable. *Smile*

*Bullet* *Bullet* *Bullet* Don't Be Shy! Write Into This Newsletter! *Bullet* *Bullet* *Bullet*

This form allows you to submit an item on Writing.Com and feedback, comments or questions to the Writing.Com Newsletter Editors. In some cases, due to the volume of submissions we receive, please understand that all feedback and submissions may not be responded to or listed in a newsletter. Thank you, in advance, for any feedback you can provide!
Writing.Com Item ID To Highlight (Optional):

Send a comment or question to the editor!
Limited to 2,500 characters.
Word from our sponsor
ASIN: 1542722411
Amazon's Price: $ 12.99

Removal Instructions

To stop receiving this newsletter, click here for your newsletter subscription list. Simply uncheck the box next to any newsletter(s) you wish to cancel and then click to "Submit Changes". You can edit your subscriptions at any time.


Printed from https://shop.writing.com/main/newsletters/action/archives/id/6638