Bisky's Twitterling's Scribbles! discussion

What do you guys think about historical events inspiring new stories or plot details in a book? I've seen a lot of it lately. Both as historical fiction and in science fiction and fantasy. Is this something you do? If so, do you have research parameters? Why do you think writers do this? Does it even make a difference in the book quality? I'm a researcher who uses history to inspire science fiction elements in my books. But, other writers don't do this. Do you think there's a tangible difference in the final product? How much is too much? Any thoughts?

I know I shouldn't write this here but I'm useless at navigating around these sights but a great topic could be MISTAKES I have made in my writing, would be interesting for everybody I think, one mistake is getting too close to current events, another mistake is building your story's out of newspaper articles. Another mistake is to make ones story's too close to real life, there should always be a big dose of fiction in a novel.

I think historical events can be a great source of stories or plot inspiration. I think it can be challenging to write a sci-fi story based on inspiration from current events or technologies. A lot of writers might get the same idea at the same time, so if you're going to do it, you have to strive really hard to be unique.

So for that reason, I think historical events are a good inspiration, since you have a lot of stuff to pick from. My book Guarding Angel takes place through the 1700's and 1800's. Some of it was inspired by true events (I have a minor character based on Ersebet Bathory with a different name and living in a different time period) and some of it incorporates a different perspective on true events (such as the storming of the Bastille as told from angels'/demons' perspectives).

And, yeah, I did a crap ton of research for that novel. Everything from "what did people wear in colonial Maryland in 1759" to reading a long book on the French Revolution, which I may or may not have finished. >.>

I tend to stick to history if I can, but it tends to play out in the background. I love the idea of alternate history as you can tweak it to fit then.

@Anthony - A mistakes topic would be a great thread! Just wondering, why do you think those particular approaches have been a mistake? I have heard readers complain about authors who use relatively recent events as inspiration for their stories. But as the writer, why do you consider this a mistake?

@ S. - I think it is more challenging if your book is taking place during a particular period. Writing a story while taking into consideration the customs, technology, and language of the time would definitely add a deeper level of difficulty, though the depth of realism it would add would just enhance the book. I think this is why I like science fiction and fantasy more than good old historical fiction. We can play with it a little more. I've used certain projections of current technology in my science fiction stories and pushed them to the limits of my imagination. It is actually really fun. Do you think readers pick up on the historical references you use in your books?

@Neil - I love sticking to history too, but maybe not in the same sense. I've been using ancient roman traditions and believes in my futuristic science fiction stories. History then become more than just a background, It becomes the ground for the development of the plot. What do you usually write, good old historical fiction, fantasy, science fiction?

@M.C. The most notable historic plot device I've used so far is the Great Plague of London in 1665. I had a wanderer come home from a brutal and long war, but there wasn't any particular war going on at the same time, so it was a struggle to accommodate that background. I am planning on beefing it up into a novel at some point in the future, so it may change by then.

I tend to write horror and fantasy.

@Neil - great concept and period to work around. You should look into the first and second Anglo-Dutch wars. I believe the first one started ten years before your time period, and the second one about ten years later, ending in 1667. It might give you the opportunity to add depth by involving the father of your main character in the first war since a considerable amount of time lapses in between. Just a thought. Good luck!

@M.C. I do remember there being a Dutch war at the time, but I didn't think it was on AT that time. Should have checked earlier when I posted, as the idea that it was the closest war at the time is still in my head, but I haven't read the story in years for clarification.

@M.C. I'm not sure about picking up historical references, at least when it comes to the details. Most people know that there was a French Revolution and maybe have heard of storming the Bastille. But they probably don't know anything about the customs of the times or political climate--I know I didn't. I still tried to make it as realistic as possible by sprinkling in details.

But in the end, it's a fantasy anyway, so most of my focus was on that sort of world-building. I feel like the historical parts were finishing touches.

I got stuck for awhile because I wanted two things to happen in reverse order. I wanted the storming of the Bastille to happen and then the installation of the first president of the US. They both happened in the same year, but not in the order I wanted. It turns out we can't move history around like that. :) (I ended up taking the presidential inauguration out of the book.)

@S. You are right. When it comes to history, there is nothing we can do to change it to fit our needs. But that forces us to be more critical and find solutions for our plots.

What exactly do you mean by "historical events inspiring new stories or plot details in a book"? Because I can actually think of several things.

If you're referring to novels depicting alternative histories, and/or sci-fi/fantasy novels based on historical events (the only example I can currently think of is Guy Gavriel Kay's body of work) - I'm pretty fond of the concept.

If you mean working historical events into our stories, or basing our stories on historical events - well. I think combining actual events into one's story can inspire a certain sense of authenticity. Not unlike knowing what the people of the time used to wear, read (if they did) and eat.

Actual history can also be inspiring in its own right, not to mention: relate to the present in very interesting ways.

As for research, I usually use google scholar + google books.

@ Miatrol - I meant both of your approaches. Another fantasy example would be Game of Thrones, which is supposed to loosely suggest England during the Wars of the Roses (mid- 15th century civil wars). It also exploits medieval cruelty to push the concept of the world created.

Some people go as far as to say that a few characters were inspired by real life people that lived during the time.

Anyway. Both of your approaches hit it right on the head.