So I don't want to talk about what I'm doing, because if I do, I may not do it. I'm not nearly as comfortable talking about creative endeavours as Jeff.
But I do have some questions that I'd love opinionated answers too.
Historical fiction: Do you read/watch? Why or why not? How close do you want it to stick to the source material. I mean, is it OK if they stray from facts? What about dialogue? Do you like a third person narrator? Is it important that you have a P.O.V. character? If it ties in with themes of today, does that make it better, or stretching itself?
Basically I've got an idea based on a minor story in American history, and I'd love some opinions before I get started.
Oh yeah, and anyone who noticed the post "Hello" in an RSS feed, but didn't see it. Sorry about that. I was trying to play with this web comic creator thing but it's giving me too much grief at work.
2 comments:
Do you read/watch?
Sometimes
Why or why not?
Depends if I like the writer or am interested in the subject - I generally prefer genre fiction.
How close do you want it to stick to the source material. I mean, is it OK if they stray from facts?
It depends if I know the history and straying from facts would jar me out of it.
What about dialogue? Do you like a third person narrator? Is it important that you have a P.O.V. character?
Even with historical fiction, I think the story comes first. If it gives you a good ride, I don't care how it was accomplished.
If it ties in with themes of today, does that make it better, or stretching itself?
It depends if it fits in naturally or stands out.
Oh man. I don't ever want to hamper creative process, but I'm not a fan of historical fiction, mainly because most people seem do it in a really irritating fashion that plaguerizes history to capitalize on pbulic appeal. Which is to say, they feature Lincoln because he's a character from the period everyone knows, not because he adds something to the story in some way.
That having been said, I prefer historical fiction that actually makes broad departures from the truth at some point; more like alternative histories. Suppositions on actual events kind of irritate me, because I never know what's history and whjat ain't, and if you have a story to tell -- tell it! You don't need the actual event!
But I don't know what you're hatching, and I could be makijng completely irrelevant complaints. Just write. The voice should be chosen according to the kind of story you want to tell. And the advice of all friends should be summarily ignored at this stage, anyway. Paradox, paradox...
Post a Comment