Laurence O'Bryan Laurence’s Comments (group member since Sep 26, 2011)



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Sep 27, 2011 09:59AM

50x66 Interesting point, but I would say balance is a more important than accuracy esp for minor matters. Getting the color and texture of the clothes from the civil war era IMO is not as important as the true words that key players spoke, and the reasons for their views.

Balance/weighting is also the critical thought in your remark "when both don't deserve an equal hearing".
Sep 27, 2011 06:36AM

50x66 Interesting point Elliott.

How we view bankers is almost a touchstone of our views of the world, and what happens in the next ten years will color it even more, darker or lighter. I see all of us coloring our novels to suit our opinions. Can we name one historical character there isn't opposite views on?
Sep 26, 2011 10:26PM

50x66 Hi all,

I think this is a very interesting area for discussion. In particular the notion of picking sides, or trying to stay away from "sides" as a way of reflecting the past. The problem is, IMO, that our opinions as writers are reflected in our take on a scene, whether we want to describe the horror of war (War and Peace), the suffering of the poor (The Grapes of Wrath) or the lavish lives of the wealthy (The Great Gatsby).

Do each of you take a position, to sick with story, to let "facts" speak for themselves, to avoid contentious issues, or to embrace them? And if "contentious issues" are to be avoided does writing lose its power?

50x66

The Role of History in the Making of Stories: A...


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