Genschutze
Tier I: Initiate
I - [465/465] RP Level 1
"Don't you know? Toraйkeriй never die."
Posts: 125
|
Post by Genschutze on Oct 9, 2008 22:03:03 GMT -5
So, I've examined what I do, and what really good authors do, to write historical fiction. I don't pretend that I write better than most of you, in terms of style, grammar, and whatever else it is that makes stories good. I hope only to help all of you write good historical fiction.
1. Choose an event. Most HF occurs during some event, or period. (The former is much more fun to research.) Don't research it yet.
2. start with a character. Don't even name him yet, just call him Bob. He lives in a blank world with no action at all.
3. Find a good history book/source. Don't go to your textbook (its been through a million sensitivity committees). Find a book written by a single author at the library/bookstore. Read the first few pages, if it isn't written well, captivating, or doesn't follow the subject well, put it back. If it meets those criteria, you have found a good history book.
4. Read your book. As you read, you fill Bob's world with sights, sounds, textures, smells, and tastes. Give poor Bob a real name. Figure out what he looks like, what he wears, what he eats, sees, etc. Make yourself able to think like him
5. Write your story. I can't help you there.
There's the tutorial. Really the most important thing is being able to think like your character. You do the same things in fantasy and sci-fi, but you make up Bob's world and thought processes instead of researching them.
|
|