tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1755502616289652010.post1340558778583389217..comments2024-03-29T06:57:01.951-05:00Comments on The Storyteller's Inkpot: History vs. Historical Fiction - A Case of the WilliesUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1755502616289652010.post-47377702088936510032010-04-01T12:50:16.497-05:002010-04-01T12:50:16.497-05:00Claire, I sympathize. Facts are a seductive source...Claire, I sympathize. Facts are a seductive source of confidence. They give nonfiction writers the feeling that what we are writing is important because it is about something/someone else other than ourselves, plus the security in knowing that our information can be traced back to reliable sources. Of course nonfiction books are as much about the writer as they are about the subject. And fiction books are as much about the subject as they are about the writer. But it's easier to play the mind trick of getting up the chutzpah to write a story when it doesn't stray from documented sources.Cheryl Bardoehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00084503940091474111noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1755502616289652010.post-31385146157811373642010-04-01T11:13:26.804-05:002010-04-01T11:13:26.804-05:00Marsha, you might have hit it on the nail. I'v...Marsha, you might have hit it on the nail. I've spent a lifetime being a good girl. Not always so helpful for a writer.Claire Rudolf Murphyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11520445613916601377noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1755502616289652010.post-1824220117618116002010-03-30T12:25:57.267-05:002010-03-30T12:25:57.267-05:00Oh yes, Claire. It's so hard to not look over ...Oh yes, Claire. It's so hard to not look over your shoulder while writing or to ignore all the whispering you imagine you hear from back there. When I dipped into family history and used real lives to inform my Vietnam novels the voices were so loud. And I'm sure it's especially hard when the voices belong to real people you haven't met or know slightly but want to honor. <br /><br />But what's the story saying? Why is it so hard for us to listen to that instead? Is it a result of being a scrupulous historian/reporter or is it connected to a lifetime of being a good girl/nice boy?Marsha Qualeyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02506544531376399293noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1755502616289652010.post-63160160341447293922010-03-30T11:06:25.186-05:002010-03-30T11:06:25.186-05:00I have included several historical people in my no...I have included several historical people in my novel. I will include a disclaimer in my author's note that says these were real people whose actions in this story were fictionalized. They are not my main characters, however. If I were to write a sequel to this book, it would need to include John Brown, as he appeared on the scene during the months immediately following my current story. <br /><br />Eleanora Tate included several real people in Celeste's Harlem Renaissance. Her main character meets them and in some cases exchanges a few lines of dialogue with them, but they are not at the center of her story. <br /><br />After working on a nf picture book about Nisei (1st generation Japanese-Americans) college students during WWII, I have considered taking that general story line and using it for a YA historical. I have many 1st person accounts of incidents that could be worked into the plot. But, as with you Claire, I worry about using these real-life stories of people, many of whom are still living. Maybe now I'll be brave enough to do it.Debra McArthurhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10587430032638512594noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1755502616289652010.post-9047163748783390692010-03-30T08:16:24.653-05:002010-03-30T08:16:24.653-05:00I must admit that after reading this I think I wo...I must admit that after reading this I think I won't add historical fiction to my "to do" list. I've got enough willies to last a lifetime. As you say Claire, letting the old doubt creep in. It's so good to hear someone address that and the need to put that away.molly b. burnhamhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03244578003834630167noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1755502616289652010.post-2929240880656390392010-03-29T20:46:26.818-05:002010-03-29T20:46:26.818-05:00I've written a picture book during my semester...I've written a picture book during my semester with Phyllis Root. It's historical fiction. The main character is...a house. <br />I'm still researching and getting some help for the interviews I can't travel for, but a historical fiction picture book is something I never considered.<br /><br />I wonder what makes something historical enough to be historical fiction. I've researched the roots of Kansas City history enough to write a tall tale (picture book) about the invention of barbeque sauce. This can't be historical fiction can it? Isn't it just a picture book with some researched elements for inspiration? <br /><br />Now I wonder if I should write a non fiction version to go along with it, just about Barbeque sauce. I wonder who would want to read it and why I (who don't even eat the stuff) am so interested in writing it. <br /><br />What I'm really keyed up about is literary fakes. I'm dying to write several--only for adults. I believe a literary fake is like historical fiction only it takes place in the present. It's something that could be true, but isn't. Well I guess that's fiction. Hmmm, I need to get back with my library cataloger friends to figure this one out.pollyalice_artisthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17583471955974483276noreply@blogger.com