by Glynn Young I learned a very hard lesson while writing a historical novel. I learned how hard it can be, and it’s hard for both the research you do and for the research you have to ignore. I’m writing a novel that takes place in two historical periods – the Civil War and its immediate aftermath, and 50 years …
When Research for Your Historical Novel Changes Your Understanding
By Glynn Young For more than a year, I’ve been researching / writing/ researching / writing a historical novel set during the American Civil War. It’s loosely based on the experiences of my great-grandfather, but the more I write and research, the looser it becomes. I thought I knew the basic story of the war. What I soon learned is …
Integrity an Integral Requirement for Historical Fiction
By Donna Wichelman How many of you read historical fiction and why? I asked this question in an informal survey on Facebook to get a pulse on what makes the genre compelling. Many answers complied with what you would expect: “It makes history come alive; because I love the eras and events surrounding the stories; it transports me to a …