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While discussing historical accuracy at Romance Divas, it became clear that there were different reader expectations for different genre of historical writing. Readers walk into a bookstore and pick up a book because they want one thing or another. While this is not news, it's easy for me to forget.
Keeping it simple, I see three different genre that call themselves 'historical'. This is simply my interpretation, but there are people out there who have defined it, argued over the definition, etc. I'm not interested in debate, really, there's leeway and gray areas, of course.
1. History. Like Bruce Catton's three-book Civil War series (which one day, I will rescue from a box in my ex-bf's house). Just the facts, ma'am. These are things you buy in the college bookstore and then keep on your shelf for "reference". You expect the facts to be accurate, because even through the bias of authorship, some things are written in stone, and they're pretty dry.
2. Historical Fiction. The Historical Novel Society defines it thus and so, including historical fantasies, like Alma Alexander's books, time-slip novels, and alternate realities, like The Court Martial of Robert E. Lee. Of course, it also includes books by authors like John Jakes, James Clavell, and Jeff Shaara, from my own shelf. In many ways, the history is a central character in the story. A great deal of research goes into many of these stories, and there is a great expectation of accuracy.
3. Historical Romance. While the Historical Novel Society includes romances in their definition of historical fiction, and I believe it's rightly included, I'm seeing that romance readers bring different expectations to the table. The love story is the central theme of the story, and the history is in many ways a supporting character. There may be less emphasis on detail, less importance on accuracy to the nth degree. This is not an excuse to bail on your research, yet from what I've heard from readers, bending history to suit the needs of the story is more forgivable. Some authors will do a great deal of research, but others will do less.
For me, I read a lot of all three of these classifications. I admit to favoring Historical Fiction, and were I given a mandate to go into a bookstore and buy just one book, my purchase would probably be from that area. But do I take that emphasis on heavy research and accountability into my romance writing? Do I toss it aside? You tell me...
After the last post, a lively discussion at RD, and other comments on historical accuracy in fiction...what a multi-faceted subject. While I knew what some of the discussion would involve, the idea of the perception of history is something I had left in the background of my mind.
It's not there any longer. The June 23 post by Medallion author Karen Mercury that detailed highlights of the Historical Novel Society Conference in Albany, NY, had a lot of insight. One point of which (paraphrasing) was to surprise the reader with a new angle on historical "marquee characters" in your story. They already think they know them, so challenge their perception. That's one way to pull fringe historical readers into your world, as well as keep your story fresh.
Beyond that, challenge your own perception. I should have dug into the "suburb issue" that bugged me in that inspriational, but I didn't. It might have been correct in a way I hadn't considered. I'm not endorsing being a fact-checher for everything you read or browbeating an author for creative license. Some readers take joy in finding fault, and I'm not interested in that kind of business from either end of the reader/writer relationship.
Curiosity can be a writer's best friend, so challenge yourself!
When is it okay to 'bend' history?
The historian in me says, "Never!" Yet, I read and watch lots of historically-based stories and there's always something that's not quite right. If it's a big thing that's not right, I consider that sloppy. If it's a tiny thing, it's easier to let it slide--unless lots of tiny things start to add up. I once put down an inspirational story set in antebellum America because of a reference to the "suburbs" surrounding Washington, D.C. That word wouldn't have been in the dictionary at that point--it ruined the story for me because it was on page one.
As a writer, I'm finding that, despite the zestful desire to be entirely accurate, I'm not always. Example: in Bootlegger's Bride, I have Aiden driving a car that I'm not postive was available for purchase at the time of the story. I did contact specialists in an attempt to verify the 'facts' as I wanted them to be--and I would have changed the model if they had told me point blank that it would have been impossible for him to have that car in January of 1921. But they didn't--since there were no 'model years' at that time (as we have now, where the next year's model comes out in the previous calendar year), it's virtually impossible to pinpoint the exact date a model hit the road. In short, sure, it 'coulda' happened that way.
I watched season one of the HBO series Rome last weekend (loved it!). All my research on the architecture, interior furnishings, and clothing says they didn't have beds as we knew them, and that they frequently slept with most of their clothing on. But I understand the need for something identifiable, and, given the amount of sex in the series, the need for a big bed and few layers of clothing. Creative license...or lies?
So where is that fine line? What's forgivable and what's not? Does it matter if the story is a historical romance or straight historical fiction? If so, why? I'll tell you what I think the difference is in the next post...
My thanks to Marianne Arkins, at The Long and the Short of It for her review of Bootlegger's Bride...it made my day!
Here's a snippet:
At fifty-six pages, this book is the longest eBook I've read to date. Despite the trouble I have staring at the computer too long, one of the hardest things I've had to do in a long time was stop reading this in the middle and let my eyes recharge until the following day.
It was that good.
The hero, Aidan, is a well-rounded, tortured but fascinating hero and Grace is a strong woman and good match for him. Ms. Kindall's writing is smooth and interesting, full of vivid description that plops the reader smack dab into the story. I danced in a speak-easy, drove a car full of shine and attended a funeral. I was right there with Aidan and Grace.
What are you waiting for?
To read the full review, click HERE!
Now why can't I find anyone to cart me about like that? I'm just as cute...
So what do you do when your new e-book comes out? Well, aside from teaching Aunt Margaret how to download an e-book, you hit the pomo trail. Here's a few recent shout-outs for Bootlegger's Bride:
Bootlegger's Bride Hits the Diva Bookshelf!
Click the image to visit the virtual bookshelf and browse not only me, but other talented authors. Kudos to Stacy Dawn for this fabulous idea and opportunity!
June 7 will be my first appearance at the Sweeter Romantic Notions blog! Please stop by to comment on my random musings on the author's life--or as I call it, "Writing and the Single Gal." Thanks to the ladies of SRN for letting me join in--I know my writing fits the 'sweet' better than the 'hot', so it seems like a good fit.
The Wild Rose Press will be taking over the Yahoo! board of AORAAG on June 7 as well! I have NO IDEA when I might show up, depends on how busy the Day Job is.
What? You haven't checked out Bootlegger's Bride? Here's what one reader had to say: Wow! This is a page turner - very hard if not impossible to put down. The blend of suspense, well drawn characters and a real sense of the period combine to make "Bootlegger's Bride" a great read.
So, I was looking for something interesting to watch, and my friend Charles handed me this mangled, chewed-up DVD case. "Trust me," he says. OK, the case had been a chew toy for Dudley-Do-Wrong, his over-zealous Boxer pup, but the DVD was intact. AND my DVD player cooperated. How lucky am I?
Pan's Labrynth was one of four Spanish language films nominated for Academy Awards this past year. Subtitles, so be warned. But it matters very little. Pan's Labrynth is an enchanting fantasy set against the cruel backdrop of the Spanish Civil War. Centered on a child named Ofelia, whose mind swirls with fairy tales, she uses the power of imagination to overcome the real demons in her life. Without giving away the plot, you'll get a wonderful cast of characters, and two plots for the price of one--one real, one fantasy, and it's not until the end that you realize exactly how the two converge. It's very cleverly done. You'll also get a fantastic visual treat, as the stark realities of Franco's revolution are contrasted against the highly stylized fantasy world that Ofelia dreams up.
This movie, while in part a 'fairy tale,' is not for children. There are moments of extreme violence and cruelty. Because it's not an American film for an American audience, the pace might not grab you right off the bat, but it's worth the investment to witness the power of one girl's imagination.
All my favorite shows are now on hiatus. Prison Break. Lost. Nip/Tuck. Dirt. What's a girl to watch? I could always watch some favorite movies, or go back and watch seasons of PB, Lost, or Buffy...
I'm waiting for 300 to come out on DVD, and I ordered season one of the HBO series Rome. For research (hee hee). I guess I thought vintage wasn't obscure enough, so I've started a story set in ancient Rome. Why is it when you have other things you *need* to write, a new idea always steals your energy?
Is there anything new, entertainment-wise, that's captured your attention?