tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3266371808927804670.post9098969566435382406..comments2023-08-15T05:06:03.233-06:00Comments on The Writing Sisterhood: The Treasure Box of HistoryThe Sisterhoodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09889577041903181315noreply@blogger.comBlogger15125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3266371808927804670.post-26791716447654147582013-09-18T23:05:00.302-06:002013-09-18T23:05:00.302-06:00That's it! Just that tiny little clue of the n...That's it! Just that tiny little clue of the next project?!? :) :)<br /><br />I have to say I love this: 'Just this summer, after I handed over my third novel to my beta readers (a contemporary one, for a change), I found myself in a restless state. I didn’t want to sit around and wait for their feedback or for news from my agent regarding The Black Letter. I wanted to write again.'<br /><br />There's something about that passage which just strikes me as so pure. Suzehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07908805179119217608noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3266371808927804670.post-62243450573043850802013-08-26T09:42:10.782-06:002013-08-26T09:42:10.782-06:00Hey MP! So nice to see you here!
You're right...Hey MP! So nice to see you here!<br /><br />You're right. Life inspires fiction. I just feel a little guilty for tweaking history in benefit of my plot. ;)Lorenahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17848249911635132594noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3266371808927804670.post-14587400489097275052013-08-22T18:10:32.878-06:002013-08-22T18:10:32.878-06:00I don't think it's cheating. Creativity do...I don't think it's cheating. Creativity doesn't happen in a vacuum. In a sense, everything is based on inspired by real life events.Missed Periodshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10343265071637032284noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3266371808927804670.post-44933176894459362792013-08-20T19:30:40.426-06:002013-08-20T19:30:40.426-06:00Can't wait to share more!Can't wait to share more!Lorenahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17848249911635132594noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3266371808927804670.post-35852160079525429592013-08-20T19:29:27.540-06:002013-08-20T19:29:27.540-06:00"The more obscure that fact in history, the m..."The more obscure that fact in history, the more fun it is to write!"<br /><br />I absolutely agree!<br /><br />I did suffer from writer's block for a little bit last year. Probably because I knew I didn't want to write a historical novel after all the work it took to write TBL and get an agent. :) But fortunately, this doesn't happen to me very often. Lorenahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17848249911635132594noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3266371808927804670.post-78928809203496534132013-08-20T19:26:21.633-06:002013-08-20T19:26:21.633-06:00Dear Malena, I've heard readers refer to novel...Dear Malena, I've heard readers refer to novelists as "cheaters" when they get inspiration from real people and real events! (I even defended the writer-in-question!) Ideas have to come from somewhere, right? Especially for historical fiction.<br /><br />I also adore period pieces, but it was a nice break to write a contemporary novel this year. However, I am ready to go back to corsets, hats and long dresses!! (Thanks for the compliment!)Lorenahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17848249911635132594noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3266371808927804670.post-39805850182421367282013-08-20T19:20:51.873-06:002013-08-20T19:20:51.873-06:00"So THAT is what that box looks like!"
..."So THAT is what that box looks like!"<br /><br />Yes!! Ha, ha. Maybe I should include the picture in the book. ;)<br /><br />I still want to read your historical novel, Steph. Even if it's not complete. What happens with me is I get so impatient in the research stage that I start writing anyway and I have to continue my investigation as I go along. (That's why it took me so long to write TBL). Lorenahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17848249911635132594noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3266371808927804670.post-3542274188438545872013-08-20T19:15:59.251-06:002013-08-20T19:15:59.251-06:00It seems like a lot of people (especially American...It seems like a lot of people (especially Americans) are fascinated with your country, Denise, so you've picked a great setting! Good luck with this new project. Can't wait to read more about it. :)Lorenahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17848249911635132594noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3266371808927804670.post-87130747935081376512013-08-20T19:11:44.338-06:002013-08-20T19:11:44.338-06:00I find alt-history, dystopias or fantasy much more...I find alt-history, dystopias or fantasy much more difficult to write. I guess it's easier for me to create something from an existing world rather than come up with one entirely. Thanks for stopping by!Lorenahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17848249911635132594noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3266371808927804670.post-21702077639220575922013-08-19T10:26:31.571-06:002013-08-19T10:26:31.571-06:00P.S. I can't wait to see what you come up with...P.S. I can't wait to see what you come up with in this new novel!Mary Maryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09429769115085903305noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3266371808927804670.post-58443615751181583952013-08-19T10:25:52.558-06:002013-08-19T10:25:52.558-06:00I really love this post, Lorena, mainly because I ...I really love this post, Lorena, mainly because I walk in your shoes when it comes to writing historical novels. I'm always amazed at how a story immediately takes shape in my mind when I come upon some fascinating fact in history. My mind can't seem to stop! I mentioned once before that I watched a documentary on Ellis Island and instantly I started seeing a new story come to shape in my mind. Writing what I write, I never suffer from writer's block. And, no, using history is not cheating! It's bringing some fascinating aspect from the past to life and, in my personal opinion, the more obscure that fact in history, the more fun it is to write!Mary Maryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09429769115085903305noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3266371808927804670.post-28290712724963234272013-08-19T09:08:19.870-06:002013-08-19T09:08:19.870-06:00Funny that you use the word “cheating” in referenc...Funny that you use the word “cheating” in reference to historical fiction. It´s almost like calling autobiographical works “cheating”. Mixing facts and fiction is so tricky that I tip my hat to all those who dare to do it. You have mentioned the hazards and sorrows of researching, but what about working with historical characters? When does historical fiction clash with alternative history and become an ucronia? Dabbling in historical novels can be very difficult.<br />Sister Lorena, it´s admirable that you have gone that way and survived to tell the tale. I adore customers and period pieces, but hate when the piece is not well researched, so there is a lot of admiration from my part to those who do their homework and come up with great stories set in impeccably researched historical background. (as her Beta Reader, I can vouch that The Black Letter is a fine example of historical fiction)<br />Malenahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08764070340451077376noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3266371808927804670.post-54630097558336126142013-08-19T08:15:52.065-06:002013-08-19T08:15:52.065-06:00So THAT is what that box looks like! :)
I did set...So THAT is what that box looks like! :)<br /><br />I did set one novel in 19th-Century England, but it wasn't based on historical events, I just wanted the historical backdrop. Nonetheless, I had to do tons and tons of research, and that in itself can be problem ... when to stop researching and start writing? I went down so many rabbit holes that my momentum suffered.<br /><br />I think the idea of taking an historical event and bringing it to life through fiction is a great one, for all the reasons you list. The plot is already there for you, your job is to breathe life into the characters and setting. (Which you did!)<br /><br />I can't wait to hear more about your fourth novel! And I really want to be on that beach right now.<br /><br />Great post!Stephaniehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02187854108656107958noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3266371808927804670.post-23063697472806431572013-08-18T22:13:21.227-06:002013-08-18T22:13:21.227-06:00No, of course it's not cheating using history ...No, of course it's not cheating using history for your story ideas. I am already fascinated by your novel idea and hope you flesh it out and bring it to fruition. It is the perfect time to start a new novel when your other is being critiqued. I like to have some snatch of history in my novels but haven't attempted a fully historical novel yet, but my next novel idea will be set in Australia about a century ago, Just starting my research now. I LOVE this stage. Denise Covey https://www.blogger.com/profile/07106490051555233439noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3266371808927804670.post-29789101115584587912013-08-18T19:57:48.095-06:002013-08-18T19:57:48.095-06:00Fascinating post, Lorena! I've written some al...Fascinating post, Lorena! I've written some alt-history, but never true historical fiction. But I couldn't twist and warp history if I weren't interested in how it works, how it's transmitted, etc.Joshua David Bellin, Sci-Fi Authorhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18259500581833010699noreply@blogger.com