(Continued from Part 1)
My previous post on researching to write historical fiction recommended starting large.
That is to say, beginning with a book that provides a broad overview of the historical era in question.
Tag Archives: History
On Researching to Write Historical Fiction
When it comes to writing historical fiction, your plot, however entertaining, will only take you so far.
You also have to present a well-constructed setting that captures the culture, customs, details, and ethos of the historical period in question. In this way, histfic genre conventions have as much in common with an honours-level history class as with any other genre of fiction.
Writing the Historical Road Less Travelled (How to Build a Historical Fiction Plot – Pt.3)
On Historical Boundaries and the Resulting Artistic Bounty (How to Build a Historical Fiction Plot – Pt.2)
(Continued from Part 1)
Some writers are blessed with an abundance of ideas for future stories.
I am not one of those writers, to my great and ongoing dismay.
How to Build a Historical Fiction Plot: A Guide/Reminder for You/Me
When I wrote my first historical novel, I made all the mistakes.
Not just those pertaining to good writing in general—and I made those big time—but also those specific to historical fiction in particular.
Rape Culture in the Middle—And Modern—Ages (Medieval Mondays #10c)
The previous Medieval Mondays post on sex discussed perceptions of women’s sexuality in the Middle Ages.
It covered historical notions of women as “misbegotten” lesser humans, as helplessly insatiable and promiscuous, and as ever in danger of being considered unmarriageable and “spoiled goods” if subject to even the hint of impropriety.
The Joy Burden of Sex for Women in the Middle Ages (Medieval Mondays #10b)
Medieval perception of women’s sexuality
The first two Medieval Mondays posts on sex focused on proper sexual conduct as dictated by the Church.
But no discussion about sex, be it in a historical or a modern context, can be deemed complete without a parallel discussion about the societal perception of women as sexual beings, as well as their sexual agency, or lack thereof.
The two topics are intrinsically linked.
Saying So Long (For Now) to Medieval Mondays
Three years ago, I decided that writing a research essay on some aspect of medieval history once a month would be a good idea.
To be clear, it was a good idea. Although I’d already written the first draft of the first book of my historical fiction trilogy in 2006, I went on a six year writing hiatus after that, during which time I’d convinced myself I was giving up writing forever.
The Joy Burden of Sex in the Middle Ages – pt. 2 (Medieval Mondays #10a)
(Continued from Part 1)
The previous post on sex in the Middle Ages discussed its various contradictions as espoused by the medieval Church.
Another important inconsistency was that even though sex was considered a requirement between spouses, this didn’t mean just any sexual act was acceptable.
The Joy Burden of Sex in the Middle Ages – pt. 1 (Medieval Mondays #10a)
Sex and sexual relationships in the Middle Ages, much like during any age, were fraught with contradictions.
Most of these contradictions stemmed from the involvement of the medieval Church in dictating proper sexual conduct. In turn, according to Marty Williams and Anne Echols, authors of Between Pit and Pedestal: Women in the Middle Ages, the Church’s involvement was owing to the fact that,
Many theologians were completely unable to reconcile sex and the sacred because sex was viewed as something unholy and unclean (p. 86).
