i loveee history but i've been so scared of writing historical fiction because it seems so daunting with all the research, but these tips are SOO good. maybe I'll try a short story first hehe. thank you for this video
Great video! Your discussion of following vs subverting tropes about historical periods was really interesting! I love it when my assumptions are subverted and I get to learn something new or consider the setting through a different lens. Equally though, if I'm looking for comfort and cosiness, I'd probably prefer to follow the trope lol. Where did you read that viking stuff? I'd love to read more
thank you so much! i definitely agree, historical fiction is at its peak when i'm learning new things without realizing it imo. i read it on world history encyclopedia!
when you mentioned subverting expectations, i immediately thought of the tv show Black Sails, which involves pirates but ends up decimating the stereotypes throughout the show, but especially in the mid-season 2 twist. it's definitely one of the top reasons why i picked up writing again! anyway, i like this video! would love to hear your tips for other genres
I want to write the story of Puerto Rican girl visiting Spain for the first time in her life in the late 1800s. I'm fascinated by the cultural clash between "old world" and "new world" Spain and the places it's conquered and how that's shaped the modern identities of people all across latin america My hesitation is -- because I'm not Puerto Rican -- it might be difficult to encapsulate what the identity of a puerto rican woman from that time might feel like, what her perceptions of spain might be. (Not to mention that I really just like the late romantic and early realist era of european literature so I'd want it to be kinda inspired by that)
Look, I don't know if this is true or not, but I remember reading somewhere that carefully reading about three well rounded contemporary books on a particular subject will put you roughly on par with the average PhD graduate at least ten years out. So the good news there is four or five books may actualy be a little unnecessary, for fiction anyway.
I love me some historical fiction, but much like you I'm definitely someone who tends to write more speculative fiction than anything. I think that my current project is the closest that I'll ever get to "historical." It takes place in 1950s Japan, and I do have a degree in Japanese Language & Literature, so the history can't help but feed itself in there, but it being a dieselpunk story, I definitely took a few liberties with the historical accuracy. Haha (To give a reason for why I chose this time period--for anyone who wants an idea of what to think about for their own stories--it was partially because of my love for classic Hollywood and Japanese movies, and partially because I'm just so tired of literally every English made story about Japan being about Samurai.) Aside from that, I do have a couple historical fantasy ideas that I want to explore. One set in what I would loosely describe as Heian era (794-1185 AD) Japan, and one in what I would describe as 1930s Appalachia. The latter of which will require some very intense research. 3:58 On the topic of that, I think of the Japanese manga/anime Vinland Saga. In (what I beliiiieve) was the first episode, there was a scene in which the English planned an attack on Saturday because that was bath day for the Vikings. While all the Norsemen were bathing in the river (completely exposed and unarmored), the English crept in from the shadows and led a very devastating assault. I thought that was a really interesting detail that they threw in there.
This is so wonderful! I’ve read several historical fantasy and historical horror books that I’ve enjoyed. Although I don’t write historical fantasy, I will keep this in mind if I ever decide to write it in the future! Thank you for adding the part about authenticity readers! As an authenticity reader myself, it’s always great to be able to help authors with what I’m knowledgeable about and I hope to get authenticity readers for my side characters if my PhD dissertation novel (Adult contemporary fantasy) ever gets published! 🥰 Some of my favorite historical fantasy or horror novels: THE HACIENDA by Isabel Canas VAMPIRES OF EL NORTE by Isabel Canas WHAT THE RIVER KNOWS by Isabel Ibanez ONE FOR ALL by Lillie Lainoff (my friend/critique partner’s novel) THE RECKLESS KIND by Carly Heath (not fantasy or horror, but still historical, also my friend’s book)
if you read it, did you enjoy the familiar? i personally didn’t because i found the characters and the plot sort of boring? i guess i was expecting something totally different. i would love to know your opinion though!
