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Stories with historical influences can be a lot of fun to read, and write. But it can be tricky!
This week's Action/Adventure Newsletter is all about history and how to use it in your work.
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Do you enjoy reading or writing stories set in medieval times? I know that I do. Reading them, at least. I haven’t had the courage to write a story with historical influences, as I am afraid I will get something wrong.
I love Arthurian legends. One of my all-time favourite novels is The Mists of Avalon, by Marion Zimmer Bradley. It’s got a bit of everything – history, fantasy, myth and legend, action, adventure, romance, religion, politics... a perfect combination, in my opinion. The author did a lot of research before writing it, and it shows.
One of the great things about novels set in historical times is that, when the author has indeed done their research, you can visit some of the places mentioned in the novel. Tingagel is a setting in The Mists of Avalon, and when I had the opportunity to visit it, it was a memorable experience. I also visited the Glastonbury Tor and after the lengthy climb, I sat there, imagining myself in times past, and in the story Marion Zimmer Bradley had created.
Not everyone has the time or the means to do extensive research before writing a piece. I sure don’t. I don’t have the right connections and, usually, writing is a spur-of-the-moment thing for me. I get inspired, I write, and that’s it.
There is a way around this – world creation. You can take historical events and adapt them to a realm of your own. That way, you get all the fun, whilst you can’t be accused of inaccuracies. One author who has done an excellent job of this is George R. R. Martin, with his A Song of Ice and Fire series. The novels have a medieval feel to them, and he’s used historical conflicts and events as inspiration. The War of the Roses, for example, and Hadrian’s Wall. He made them his own and has created a rich world filled with interesting characters. I very much look forward to the next novel.
Another author who took inspiration from past events was Sir Terry Pratchett. His Discworld novels are filled with references to our world, from characters based on Leonardo da Vinci and Genghis Khan, to the Terracotta Army and the pyramids, all the way to the invention of the printing press and the steam engine. His work is fascinating, insightful, and a load of fun, with the occasional hard-hitting moment.
Pratchett also wrote a series of novels for children, one of which (Johnny and the Bomb) features a time travelling bag lady. Johnny and his friends travel back in time to The Blitz. It is an interesting read for children and adults alike – educational and, once more, insightful as well as fun.
If, then, you enjoy history, it is worth having a go at creating a historical piece of your own. I intend to write one once the academic year is over. I will most likely opt for the George R. R. Martin and Terry Pratchett approach, though I am nowhere near as good a writer as them and I will go for a short story rather than a novel, let alone a series of novels. It is always interesting to try something new, and whenever we try something new, we tend to learn a thing or two from it.
I am not sure yet which time or setting I will choose. I do have an interest in medieval times, as said. I also have an interest in the French Revolution and the reign of Napoleon. Ancient Rome and Ancient Greece were fascinating. There is a lot to choose from. Maybe I will write several stories...
Whatever you choose, good luck, and have fun!
NaNoKit
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Wishing you a week filled with inspiration,
The Action/Adventure Newsletter Team. |
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Action/Adventure: April 04, 2018 Issue [#8838]
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