Writing Historical Fiction: A Writers' and Artists' Companion

ISBN-13: 9781780937854 / Angielski / Miękka / 2014 / 344 str.

Celia Brayfield; Duncan Sprott

Opis

Writing Historical Fiction: A Writers' & Artists' Companion is an invaluable companion for a writer working in this challenging and popular literary genre, whether your period is Ancient Rome or World War II. PART 1 includes reflections on the genre and provides a short history of historical fiction. PART 2 contains guest contributions from Margaret Atwood, Ian Beck, Madison Smartt Bell, Ronan Bennett, Vanora Bennett, Tracy Chevalier, Lindsay Clarke, Elizabeth Cook, Anne Doughty, Sarah Dunant, Michel Faber, Margaret George, Philippa Gregory, Katharine McMahon, Valerio Massimo Manfredi, Hilary Mantel, Alan Massie, Ian Mortimer, Kate Mosse, Charles Palliser, Orhan Pamuk, Edward Rutherfurd, Manda Scott, Adam Thorpe, Stella Tillyard, Rose Tremain, Alison Weir and Louisa Young. PART 3 offers practical exercises and advice on such topics as research, plots and characters, mastering authentic but accessible dialogue and navigating the world of agents and publishers.

Recenzje

A treasure trove of elegant and inspiring thoughts about historical fiction, cut with hard-nosed practical advice. A must for all writers and lovers of the field. Madeline Miller, author of The Song of Achilles

Spis treści

ForewordPrefaceThe Writers' and Artists' Book of Historical FictionPart One: Historical FictionPart Two: Tips & TalesPart Three: Write OnIntroductionPart 1: Historical FictionReflections 1 by Duncan Sprott1. On being stuck fast2. On myth and historical fiction3. On being not quite proper4. On writing about antiquity5. On the heartReflections 2 by Celia Brayfield1. The Past Polemical2. Love and sex, fact and fiction3. Welcome to my Storyworld: History in digital games4. The Land of Stories: Historical fiction for children5. Heroine addiction: Women as protagonists in historical fictionA Short History of Historical FictionFrom Gilgamesh to Rome by Duncan SprottFrom Beowulf to King Arthur by Duncan SprottEarly Modern by Celia BrayfieldLe Morte d'Arthur to The Castle of OtrantoModern by Celia BrayfieldWaverley to MiddlemarchTess of the d'Urbervilles to Wolf HallNew WomenSeeing with fresh eyesPart 2: Tips and Tales - guest contributionsMargaret AtwoodIan BeckMadison Smartt BellRonan BennettVorona BennettTracey ChevalierLindsay ClarkeElizabeth CookAnne DoughtySarah DunantMichel FaberMargaret GeorgePhilippa GregoryKatharine McMahonValerio Massimo ManfrediIan MortimerKate MosseCharles PalliserOrhan PamukEdward RutherfurdManda ScottAdam ThorpeStella TillyardRose TremainAlison WeirLouisa YoungPart 3: Write OnPlanning by Duncan SprottFinding your subjectChoosing a periodEvaluatiuonHistorical research by Duncan SprottHow much research?Finding your directionEstablishing foundationsAdvice from expertsBasic sourcesModern times 1500+Early timesWhere to start?Ancient Greece and RomeAncient EgyptRoman BritainDark Age BritainMedieval BritainWalesScotlandIrelandOnline sourcesSearch enginesOnline genealogyGoing offlineLibrariesPublic librariesMajor librariesUniversity librariesSubscription librariesSpecial interest librariesArchivesNational ArchivesWales - National archivesScotland - National archivesNorthern IrelandBasic sourcesArchivesUniversity librariesOther librariesBirths, marriages and deaths - UKWillsLocal archivesCounty Record OfficesWhat can you expect to find?Other useful organizationsHistoric buildings and monumentsHeraldryMuseums and galleries - EnglandLondon - MuseumsLondon - GalleriesMuseums outside LondonMuseums and galleries - ScotlandHistorical societies and relevant organizationsWelsh journalsHouse historyTopographyPicture librariesIreland (Eire)Basic sourcesArchivesLocal archivesUniversity librariesMuseums and galleriesUSAResearchBasic sourcesNational archivesLocal archivesLibrariesPublic librariesUniversity librariesOther librariesMuseums and galleriesHistorical societiesCanadaResearchBasic sourcesNational and local archivesLibrariesMajor librariesMuseums and galleriesAustraliaResearchBasic sourcesPublic librariesMuseums and galleriesNew ZealandBasic sourcesResearch planCosting, time management, travellingWhat will it cost?How long will it take?Last minute questionsBeginningHow to focusHow to get goingDrafting a plotDraftsPractical stuffTroubleshootingWhat to do with a gap in your evidence?Writer's blockExercises by Celia BrayfieldWriting coursesHow can they help?Writing courses - UKOrganizations - UKWriting courses - USAWriting courses - CanadaWriting courses - Australia and New ZealandEnding by Duncan SprottHistorical Fiction from A-ZLastly...Is it really really finished?Getting publishedLiterary agentsFinding an agentSubmitting the manuscriptWhat to send?Contacting an agentThe LetterWriting a synopsisHandling rejection(s)Agency agreementsPublishersSelf-publishing by Celia BrayfieldOnline publishing by Celia BrayfieldAcknowledgementsPermissionsBibliographyIndex

O autorze

Celia Brayfield is a multi-award-winning novelist, journalist and critic. She is the author of 9 novels ranging from modern social fiction to international bestsellers including Wild Weekend (2004) and Sunset (1999). She also teaches Creative Writing at Bath Spa University. Born in North London, Celia was educated at St Paul's Girls' School and briefly studied French language and literature at Grenoble University. She has one daughter and lives in Dorset. Duncan Sprott is a writer and journalist. His novels include 1784 and Our Lady of the Potatoes.