tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3901370917824739259.post4716214230766614616..comments2024-03-27T10:02:56.747-04:00Comments on Fiction University: Finding the Story in History Janice Hardyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02356672149097741248noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3901370917824739259.post-1559654732599626312014-06-27T15:47:45.250-04:002014-06-27T15:47:45.250-04:00Well said, Krista. There are some particular art-i...Well said, Krista. There are some particular art-inspired times I'd like to research too, and it's hard to know where to start. I'd love to see a follow-up "how to keep track of your notes" post -- how about it? -- Sandy FryAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3901370917824739259.post-11141493925319861832014-06-25T19:26:49.741-04:002014-06-25T19:26:49.741-04:00I like the whole `get to' do research instead ...I like the whole `get to' do research instead of `have to.' It's a nice perspective change. I've long found the idea of research very intimidating, but I love reading mythology, Classical Greek writings, and anything about early archeology. If I consider those research instead of just netting ideas, I probably do a lot more of it than I realize.Chicoryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16504144663440678542noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3901370917824739259.post-5818799062621751782014-06-24T20:59:17.348-04:002014-06-24T20:59:17.348-04:00Love this post and your quotes. Emotional Truth--Y...Love this post and your quotes. Emotional Truth--YES! And boy, is it hard to stop researching. It is the thrill of the hunt!Carol Baldwinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10444182118975929045noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3901370917824739259.post-66113361510157559152014-06-24T12:37:28.284-04:002014-06-24T12:37:28.284-04:00This is fantastic, as I have long held a heightene...This is fantastic, as I have long held a heightened interest in the historical genre. Thank you so much for writing this post. One thing I have struggled with in my current WIP, is being historically accurate with the expressions used in my character's dialogue. For example: contractions, slang, and other words/phrases that are common today. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3901370917824739259.post-64422863543101478612014-06-24T12:00:48.681-04:002014-06-24T12:00:48.681-04:00Wonderful post! I don't write HF and the very ...Wonderful post! I don't write HF and the very idea of it is daunting, but I LOVE the idea of getting inspiration from a painting. I am a painter myself and when I go to an museum exhibit, sometimes there are those paintings that literally stop me in my tracks. Can't wait to listen to Tracy Chevalier's TED talk! Thanks for giving me this jolt of idea-generating inspiration.lesliehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01867886481362543250noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3901370917824739259.post-21851996805348764542014-06-24T07:34:22.501-04:002014-06-24T07:34:22.501-04:00Wow. Glad I found this today. I'm currently ou...Wow. Glad I found this today. I'm currently outlining my first middle-grade novel, and it's a historical. This was by accident. I've always been intimidated by the historical genre simply because of the research required. But my fascination with history overrode my fear. I'm fascinated, specifically, with Naval history. And I happen to be a former Navy Brat. Dad was a lifer, so I've been around. Recently I became fascinated with the USS Scorpion disaster. The Scorpion was the last US sub lost at sea, in 1968. Of all the material written about the Scorpion, there is not one book, fiction or non-fiction, written about the families. So in steps Ron, former Brat, who says, "There were kids standing on that pier waiting for their fathers to come home, and they never did." That really happened. Subs only surface and radio in a few hours before they're due, so the families were waiting on the pier. So my novel is from the POV of an eleven year old boy, one of the Brats waiting on a father who wouldn't be coming home. The problem? This is only 1968. Those people are still around. Yes, I can talk to them. But if I mess up details, a lot of people will know. Will the details hurt the story? No, because the real story is the boy and his coming of age after the loss. But I still want to get those details right, because there are other stories there--the life of a Navy Brat, the school, the housing, the shipyard, etc. Yeah, I have the advantage of experience, but I was born in '66, so I'll be struggling in places. But you're right. The research is a blast. I'm learning things all the time, and some of those will spawn other stories. So look for more Navy Brat historicals. If you love it, it ain't work.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16473774179937702258noreply@blogger.com