My last
two novels have been set in early 20th century Ireland so here are some tips
about historical fiction, though they can apply to any fiction.
Know What You Write About
“Write
what you know” is the adage always given to authors. But for historical
fiction, I would stand that on its head and say – know what you are writing
about. It seems obvious, but researching your period or your setting really
matters. It helps you garner those authentic details that get lost in the
passage of time. But don’t get bogged down in the research. It’s important to
put it all aside as soon as you can and just write. History is just the entry
point. The aim is to soar above the facts and invent your own world to get to
the emotional truth of your story.
Spread Your Net Wide
This is a
fun bit and is the nearest you can find to a Time Machine. So wade into the
primary sources, which include diaries, journals, newspaper reports. But also
art, historic buildings, memoirs of the time. It all helps flesh out the past
and furnish rooms for your imagination to inhabit.
I have also made documentaries for British
Television, and I am very influenced by visual sources. Luckily, the period I
write about coincides with the beginning of photography and cinema. I love
pouring over old photographs to get the tenor of the time, including the
clothing. Looking at photographs also gave me clues as to what children were
doing when Dublin became a war zone in Easter week. A lot of the time they were
hanging around the streets. There are photographs of children scavenging
firewood from shelled buildings, little girls carrying jugs looking for milk.
The next
best thing can be watching plays and films of the period. Costume and set
designers usually take great pains to get authentic details correct. I remember
once filming at the Globe Theatre in London about child actors and the costume
designer there had completely reconstructed how Elizabethan clothing was made.
It was astonishing to see the pleating of the ruffle the whole length of a room
and the use of pins.
Or ask an
expert. Many historians have encyclopedic knowledge that they love sharing.
Send them an e-mail or arrange a telephone call. They are often only too happy
to help.
My study
often resembles a low budget Police Incident Room, with post-it notes,
photographs, postcards, maps, etc. I often write out a master timeline with the
major dates, so I know I have to work the plot around key events. I draw or
print out maps of key locations. I also blue-tac postcards of major artworks
from the period into a collage.
When I
was recreating the fishing village of Ringsend near Dublin city centre, I found
a painting by an Irish artist called Harry Kernoff of the shop in Whiskey Row
where a lot of the action is set. This shop was owned by my ancestors, so I was
able to marry the depictions with memories of my grandmother who worked behind
the counter as a child.
Have a First Aid Kit
If you
get stuck have some strategies in your back pocket to kick-start your
imagination. I write a scene from the point of view of another character. Or
pen a letter from one character to another. Both my novels The Easter Rising – 1916, Molly’s Diary and Deadly Shot – Dan’s War of Independence 1920-22 are written in
diary form. Sometimes I write an entry that isn’t going to make it in but frees
my imagination to let me get a handle on a scene.
Read Aloud
This
helps tone up rhythm and pace particularly for young readers who are still
mastering reading in their heads. Also I know my books are often read aloud in
class or by parents. Giving them a run through helps me cut out any slack or
unclear sentences or passages.
Writing is a Marathon Not a Sprint
Being an
author or doing anything creative is a long-term process. Malcolm Gladwell in Outliers calculated that it takes at
least ten thousand hours to achieve mastery. But even acknowledged geniuses
admit they are still learning and honing their craft. So don’t feel you have to
put everything into one book. Or if a novel keeps getting rejected or an idea
refuses to cohere – move on. The main thing is to keep writing. Cross-fertilize
with other creative projects that might spark your imagination and make you
feel less lonely, such as writing for theatre or making a short documentary.
Creativity can take many forms and its all storytelling. Keep the words and
ideas flowing and the brain active!
Patricia Murphy is an award-winning children’s
author and Producer/Director of documentaries. Her most recent novel is Deadly
Shot – Dan’s Diary - the War of Independence 1920-22. Previous works include
the critically acclaimed Easter Week 1916 – Molly’s Diary, described as
“brilliantly imagined”, “beautifully written and compelling” and “ fantastic at
bringing history alive for children”. She is also the author of The Chingles
Celtic Fantasy trilogy. She was the winner of the Poolbeg “Write a Bestseller
for Children” Competition 2004.
She is also an award-winning
Producer/Director of primetime documentaries for BBC and Channel 4. These
include Children of Helen House on the Oxford children’s hospice for BBC. She
created and filmed the launch programmes of Born to Be Different the Channel 4
flagship series following six children with disabilities through the 21st
century. Other films include Behind the Crime about criminals and Raised by the
State on growing up in care. She has also made Worst Jobs in History with Tony
Robinson for Channel 4.
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