tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7360883111566430056.post5251336991667389002..comments2023-04-14T17:39:20.193+02:00Comments on The Runcible Pen: What was she thinking? Inside the head of a historical characterThe Runcible Penhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11404638468437546854noreply@blogger.comBlogger7125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7360883111566430056.post-78153566238679362422011-04-11T21:28:06.850+02:002011-04-11T21:28:06.850+02:00Thank you for opening up the subject. I suppose we...Thank you for opening up the subject. I suppose we have to tread that fine line between authenticity and our own era's perception of a historical period - a thing you all do so well!The Runcible Penhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11404638468437546854noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7360883111566430056.post-66075632294022559782011-04-08T11:10:44.182+02:002011-04-08T11:10:44.182+02:00Rebels. Yes, they do exist. My favourite medieva...Rebels. Yes, they do exist. My favourite medieval author, Wolfram von Eschenbach, was way out of step with his contemporaries when it came to the themes of his romances (the brotherhood of man, no matter what race or religion). But look how he fit those ideas into story lines that are so typically 12th century! He didn't break out of the box, just bent its sides a little.<br /><br />While getting into a character's head is essential, I think Anita makes a good point. As authors of historicals, these days we're treading a thin line between authenticity and political correctness. We're also stuck with what readers believe to be correct for a period, whether or not it actually is accurate. Having said that though, I think we still have some wiggle room to create the kind of characters our readers today crave while maintaining some level of authenticity.<br /><br />+ Male characters can start out as domineering, cold, unfeeling, insensensitive, etc., and through their interaction with the heroine (if its a romance) or the things that happen to them, change.<br />+ By the way, the cold, unfeeling stuff doesn't start until the Victorian Era. Men before that were allowed to show their emotions. But most men are still boys, even as adults, and let's face it, boys are callous. The sensitive male that today's romance reader responds to is a figment of her imagination, for the most part (and yes, they do exist, but not as extensively as we'd like.)<br />+ There are rebels in every society -- or those whose thinking is more advanced. But they also still carry with them a pile of baggage from their own time period. They're usually only out-of-synch in one aspect of their lives.<br />+ When people's thinking goes against social norms, they have to pay the cost. This includes self-doubts. (Which can add to the black moment.)<br /><br />We read historicals not to be transported to some alien realm, but rather to find in the experiences of others in the past validation of our own feelings and experiences. The trick for the historical author is finding the connection between the genuine experience of the past and the reader's experience today.Vickyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00651106209473639029noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7360883111566430056.post-86234803790906754662011-04-07T09:41:14.696+02:002011-04-07T09:41:14.696+02:00Religion was important in the lives of those born ...Religion was important in the lives of those born in previous centuries. Governments were so much harsher, and money so much harder to come by. How we'd react such harsh lives would dictate how we thought about things, don't you think? So maybe our easier lives only mask our real feelings? Maybe I'm not explaining my self very well!Jen Blackhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12628305777383099281noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7360883111566430056.post-26907296104746667462011-04-07T09:17:22.675+02:002011-04-07T09:17:22.675+02:00I made my hero the epitome of 17th Century man in ...I made my hero the epitome of 17th Century man in his attitude and behaviour - and my critiquers hated him for his chauvinism, and his lack of emotion. I'll aim for a middle ground next time!Anita Davisonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13068890701803582595noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7360883111566430056.post-3186478290266485162011-04-07T06:14:25.046+02:002011-04-07T06:14:25.046+02:00How interesting Susan. There are quite a few histo...How interesting Susan. There are quite a few historical romances that have kick ass heroines ignoring the mores and constraints of the society in which they live, unfortunately. I reviewed a book which had a strong Victorian heroine who made only small inroads into freeing herself from those constraints. It was believable enough for me to enjoy it. And Only To Deceive by Tasha Alexander.Maggi Andersenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15430261880092452319noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7360883111566430056.post-6232715440949157342011-04-07T05:21:04.367+02:002011-04-07T05:21:04.367+02:00I think you make a good point Susan. Our society d...I think you make a good point Susan. Our society does influence us whether one wants to admit it or not. I think being true to your audience and the character is a fine line to draw for historical novelists. How much authenticity is too much for modern sensibilities?L.M. Elmhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11948411078623636496noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7360883111566430056.post-12411182480753181832011-04-07T05:04:45.239+02:002011-04-07T05:04:45.239+02:00Interesting post, Susan.
I love reading the diarie...Interesting post, Susan.<br />I love reading the diaries I've bought written by Victorian women. They are so helpful for getting into the spirit of the times.AnneMarie Brearhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12913093174855808979noreply@blogger.com