Finding out about the daily lives and concerns of your characters is hard, especially when they aren’t famous historical figures. You don’t want to put all the details of food, dress, housing, etc. into your novel, but you still have to provide a convincing social background to the story.
Tag Archives: historical fiction
History People #8: Tim Taylor Looks at the Boundaries of Historical Fiction
Today, I’m delighted to welcome a fellow Crooked Cat author, Tim ‘T E’ Taylor, to the History People slot. He looks at the ways in which history has inspired his novels, and continues to do so. Take it away, Tim.
History People # 7: Jane Bwye asks “What is History?”
It’s a great pleasure for me to welcome an old friend, Jane Bwye, to the blog today. This is a special day for Jane. Grass Shoots, the sequel to her bestselling novel Breath of Africa, set in Kenya, launches today. I’m helping with her launch party on Facebook – and you can win some terrificContinue reading “History People # 7: Jane Bwye asks “What is History?””
History People #6: Carol Maginn, Lured by History
Next up in my series about people who write historical fiction is Carol Maginn, who shares with us her journey into history and its influence on her writing. She also tells us how she avoids the pitfalls of historical research – and I know from my own experience what those are!
Magic and the Supernatural in Corsica
The Corsican people have always held strong beliefs in the supernatural and magic, which predate the modern Catholic religion by a long way. The spirit world was, Corsicans believed, never very far from ours and the two coincided at certain times. The dead had to be appeased and bad omens banished with spells to avertContinue reading “Magic and the Supernatural in Corsica”
History People #5: Sue Barnard, Random and Retrospective?
Sue Barnard is not only a friend and fellow Crooked Cat author, but she’s also my editor! Today, she’s here with her author hat on, though, to tell us about her approach to the history she includes in her own books. Take it away, Sue.
History People #4: Nancy Jardine, fascinated by Roman Britain
A big welcome back to the blog to Crooked Cat colleague Nancy Jardine, the latest of my history people. Nancy’s enthusiasm for her subject leaps off the page! Read on and you’ll see what I mean.
History People #3: Cathie Dunn, a Medieval History Fan
I’m delighted to welcome back author Cathie Dunn to the blog today, who continues my series about writers of historical fiction. Thank you, Vanessa, for hosting me today. I love talking about history and research, and I’m grateful for the offer to do so again.
Happy New Reading Year 2017
Wishing all my readers a very happy, peaceful and healthy 2017, full of good reads and literary contentment.
Chestnuts are not Just for Christmas in Corsica
“Chestnuts roasting on an open fire,” goes the Festive Season song. We associate chestnuts with Christmas, roasted whole or made into succulent stuffing. But this seasonal treat was once a staple food for many people, including the Corsicans.
Vanessa Couchman 