Diversion: How to write in a Historical Setting
I was sitting up one evening, wrestling with the idea of why some people can write fabulous historical fiction and other authors, though story sound, cannot due any period justice. It led to the gradually culmination of several points.
* Style. This is very important when writing period. Look at Tolkein’s work: In Two Towers, during the Ride from Edoras to Helm’s Deep, Gandalf says to Legolas (this is a long quote!)”You have the keen eyes of your fair kindred, Legolas, and they can tell a sparrow from a finch a league off. Tell me, can you see anything away yonder towards Isengard?” Remember, you are not in your time but someone else’s and the language, though the same, maybe different as far as word usage. Good places to pick up style is in Jane Austen novels. Even if not the style, at least take the vocabulary. There were words used then, we hardly use now!
* Certain peculiarities of style in the 19th century is actually the brevity of language Simple changes in style actually seem more grammatical. Example: In the 20th century, we say “What do you say?” whilst in 19th century its “What say you?” Look we’ve lost a word! This goes on to “What have you?” “How goes life? Instead of “How’s life going?” Avoid the word “that” as well. You’ll find leaving it out makes your writing and speech, classier! In fact, you will no doubt notice, I never use it but for the mere mention no to.
* Rethink how you say things. Just because we say it this way doesn't mean its best. Do not believe that modern usage is superior because language "evolves". It "devolves" just as well and out version of English could be inferior. Nevertheless, what may seem good, could possibly reak of modernity and juvenile manners. Like, you know!?
* Person. Make sure at all times that mode is preserved. It does no good to slip from First to Third to second and back to third. If you're writing in first, stick to first! Also, avoid what I have done! (Ah, I could've said "What I just did."? I chose to sound more formal!)
* Conjunctions. They were vulgar and not considered words, the way ain’t is still a red headed stepchild. This is not to say the lower classes didn't but it is best to avoid them as much as possible.
* Speaking of words, many were not used until such a time. Sideburns, for example, wasn’t coined until 1887 despite men having them for decades. Also, certain words are used here and not there. In England, the hood of a car is the bonnet! A flashlight is a torch!
* Learn different articles of dress, equipment, occupations and places. Do you know what a dublet is? Why are bayonets important and what is their purpose? What were musketeers truly? Where was the Underground Railroad? For this you must do research! Check facts when placing things in story. Martial history (the history of how to kill someone, really!) is very important. Make sure the Springfield rifle was around before putting it in the story.
* Forget what was in a movie. Film is notoriously inaccurate and this is not a new development so don’t try to fall back on John Wayne films! If you are trying to recreate the feeling from a movie, read up on the historical basis behind the film and use it over the film.
* Make note of religions and cultures and where they had settled, how they behaved, bias against them and within them. Catholics, Quakers, Mormons, Jews and Muslims faced stiff prejudice in Europe, Early America and later into modern times. The Irish really had it tough for a long time as did many other ethnic groups in ethnocentric America.
* Read a lot of history! When writing within its borders, It is not something to bend or break because you always wanted to Prussia to survive as a nation. These confines have to respected so a story can be believable and taken seriously.
More points may follow later as my meager brain remembers them.
* Style. This is very important when writing period. Look at Tolkein’s work: In Two Towers, during the Ride from Edoras to Helm’s Deep, Gandalf says to Legolas (this is a long quote!)”You have the keen eyes of your fair kindred, Legolas, and they can tell a sparrow from a finch a league off. Tell me, can you see anything away yonder towards Isengard?” Remember, you are not in your time but someone else’s and the language, though the same, maybe different as far as word usage. Good places to pick up style is in Jane Austen novels. Even if not the style, at least take the vocabulary. There were words used then, we hardly use now!
* Certain peculiarities of style in the 19th century is actually the brevity of language Simple changes in style actually seem more grammatical. Example: In the 20th century, we say “What do you say?” whilst in 19th century its “What say you?” Look we’ve lost a word! This goes on to “What have you?” “How goes life? Instead of “How’s life going?” Avoid the word “that” as well. You’ll find leaving it out makes your writing and speech, classier! In fact, you will no doubt notice, I never use it but for the mere mention no to.
* Rethink how you say things. Just because we say it this way doesn't mean its best. Do not believe that modern usage is superior because language "evolves". It "devolves" just as well and out version of English could be inferior. Nevertheless, what may seem good, could possibly reak of modernity and juvenile manners. Like, you know!?
* Person. Make sure at all times that mode is preserved. It does no good to slip from First to Third to second and back to third. If you're writing in first, stick to first! Also, avoid what I have done! (Ah, I could've said "What I just did."? I chose to sound more formal!)
* Conjunctions. They were vulgar and not considered words, the way ain’t is still a red headed stepchild. This is not to say the lower classes didn't but it is best to avoid them as much as possible.
* Speaking of words, many were not used until such a time. Sideburns, for example, wasn’t coined until 1887 despite men having them for decades. Also, certain words are used here and not there. In England, the hood of a car is the bonnet! A flashlight is a torch!
* Learn different articles of dress, equipment, occupations and places. Do you know what a dublet is? Why are bayonets important and what is their purpose? What were musketeers truly? Where was the Underground Railroad? For this you must do research! Check facts when placing things in story. Martial history (the history of how to kill someone, really!) is very important. Make sure the Springfield rifle was around before putting it in the story.
* Forget what was in a movie. Film is notoriously inaccurate and this is not a new development so don’t try to fall back on John Wayne films! If you are trying to recreate the feeling from a movie, read up on the historical basis behind the film and use it over the film.
* Make note of religions and cultures and where they had settled, how they behaved, bias against them and within them. Catholics, Quakers, Mormons, Jews and Muslims faced stiff prejudice in Europe, Early America and later into modern times. The Irish really had it tough for a long time as did many other ethnic groups in ethnocentric America.
* Read a lot of history! When writing within its borders, It is not something to bend or break because you always wanted to Prussia to survive as a nation. These confines have to respected so a story can be believable and taken seriously.
More points may follow later as my meager brain remembers them.
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