http://fictionwritersreview.com/blog/dispatch-from-bread-loaf-3-maud-casey-on-historical-fiction fiction matters Fri, 18 May 2012 13:03:33 -0500 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8 hourly 1 http://fictionwritersreview.com/blog/dispatch-from-bread-loaf-3-maud-casey-on-historical-fiction/comment-page-1#comment-2888 Erika D. Wed, 16 Sep 2009 12:13:48 +0000 http://fictionwritersreview.com/?p=4870#comment-2888 Wonderful post, Celeste. I am reminded of the words of an author whose reading/Q&A I attended a number of years ago. He'd written a work of historical fiction, and he told us: "It has to fly as fiction first." Which, I think, speaks to the aspect you've noted above--it's not wise to attempt a primer/history textbook when writing an historical novel or story. At the same time, writers need to be mindful of the freedom the fiction affords them. Making obvious historical "mistakes" (setting the French Revolution in 1889, for instance), reduces the validity of the "historical" adjective. So much to think about--thanks again for giving us the chance to do so. Wonderful post, Celeste. I am reminded of the words of an author whose reading/Q&A I attended a number of years ago. He’d written a work of historical fiction, and he told us: “It has to fly as fiction first.” Which, I think, speaks to the aspect you’ve noted above–it’s not wise to attempt a primer/history textbook when writing an historical novel or story. At the same time, writers need to be mindful of the freedom the fiction affords them. Making obvious historical “mistakes” (setting the French Revolution in 1889, for instance), reduces the validity of the “historical” adjective. So much to think about–thanks again for giving us the chance to do so.

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