History and Magic
By Juliet Marillier | October 2, 2014 |
Lion statue, Tarquinia
Recently I attended the Historical Novelists Association annual conference, this year held in London. It was a great weekend with plenty of lively and informative sessions, though slightly more aimed at the aspiring writer than I’d expected. Highlights for me were a workshop on Battle Tactics and a panel entitled Confronting Historical Fact with the Unexplained: from myths & the occult to fairytales & the Gothic, chaired by Kate Forsyth.
Initially I felt a little out of place at this conference, since I write historical fantasy rather than straight historical fiction. However, anyone who writes in my genre can tell you that the historical research still needs to be done, and done thoroughly. A novel containing fantasy elements should be consistent to its time and culture, whether that time and culture are historical, imaginary or some blend of the two. (Many fantasy stories have a setting closely resembling medieval Europe. Also popular are settings suggesting the Victorian era.) The story may be brimful with fey beings, weird magic and humans with unusual powers, but woe betide the author who includes New World vegetables in quasi-medieval England, or gives an army the wrong weapons or a village band the wrong instruments. Readers are quick to point these errors out.
The conference sessions on research were as useful to me as they were to the writers of straight historical novels. A historical fantasy should be built on a strong foundation of known fact. The writer should become as familiar as she can with the time and culture that provides the basis for the story’s world. And, of course, the writer must also know her magical or uncanny framework, the ‘Otherworld’ side of the history. In my books, that Otherworld springs from the probable beliefs of the people who would have lived in that time and culture, whether it is the north of Britain in the Pictish era, Anglo-Norman Ireland or Norway at the time of the Vikings. I haven’t always got it right; I’ve learned from my errors.
At the HNS conference there was some discussion about which periods are currently most popular in historical fiction. What would your guess be?
The consensus was, the Tudor period and Ancient Rome. That doesn’t mean you should rush to write novels based on these periods – by the time you get your masterpiece written, the hot periods may be World War One and the Regency. For me, the most fascinating parts of history are the ‘grey areas’ – times and cultures with few or no contemporary written records. They allow scope for the imagination to run (relatively) free. Not that a writer should simply make things up to fill the gaps. Whatever you write has to be plausible and convincing (yes, even in a book containing the uncanny.) Research comes first, to provide what little is known about the time and culture – for instance, what artefacts did those people leave? What mark did they make on the landscape? What did other cultures say about them? Of course, take this last one with a big pinch of salt, as it may be propaganda or outright lies!
Next comes informed guesswork, based on the known facts, and taking into consideration what was going on in other cultures at the same time in the same general area. For instance, when I wrote the Bridei Chronicles, a series based in Pictish Britain, I had to invent a religion for the Picts, whom we know to have been non-Christian (it’s recorded that St Columba travelled up the Great Glen in an attempt to convert them.) I based their religion on my knowledge of earth-based faiths of that general time and area, as well as on the motifs that appear frequently on Pictish artefacts. I also used informed guesswork to flesh out the role of women in Pictish society, something historians still argue about.
But I also used pure imagination, the last building block. Where the history tells us nothing at all, it’s sometimes necessary to make a bit of a leap. In historical fantasy that leap may include elements of the uncanny. The main thing is to keep it real. Your reader must find the story and setting consistent and convincing. He/she must be able to slip easily into the world of the book. So do your research well and fill in the details intelligently, avoiding anachronism. And remember, you’re not writing a history textbook, you’re writing a novel. Never lost sight of the story.
The last part of my trip away was a week in Tuscany on the trail of another culture that left few written records: the Etruscans. Their elaborate burial sites and intriguing artefacts hint at a fascinating and once-influential civilisation, yet when the Romans spread into that area, the Etruscans more or less disappeared, as did the Picts when the Gaels moved into northern Britain. A mysterious untold story rich with possibilities – fertile ground for the novelist!
Writing something historical? What is your period and what drew you to it?
Reading historical fiction/fantasy? What is your favourite period and why?
Photo credit: Juliet Marillier
Juliet Marillier has written twenty-four novels for adults and young adults and two collections of short fiction. Her works of historical fantasy have been published around the world and have won numerous awards. Juliet’s most recent series was Warrior Bards, of which the third and final book, A Song of Flight, was published in 2021. Her collection of reimagined fairy tales, Mother Thorn and Other Tales of Courage and Kindness, had its trade release in 2022. Mother Thorn is illustrated by Kathleen Jennings and published by Serenity Press.
Juliet is currently working on a two-book fantasy series. The first book in this duology, The Amber Owl, will be published by New Dawn in February 2025.
When not writing, Juliet looks after a small crew of rescue dogs.
Juliet, great post. You ask, Writing something historical? What is your period and what drew you to it? In my novel The Dazzling Darkness, I was researching mid to late 1800s, Emerson in Concord, MA. He lost his son at 5 years old and went to the grave and opened his coffin. Emerson did the same thing when his first wife Ellen died. He was so devastated with the loss that he felt driven to open their coffins and view them. This was the initial thought that began my story about a lost boy in a cemetery in Concord. Walking cemeteries, reading the headstones, letting the imagination run with the historical values can be very inspiring. As you say, the ‘gray areas’. My novel does goes back into historical Concord. I think the best thing when writing about history is the anchor it provides as you explore. Thanks for your fascinating thoughts today.
Paula, my first reply to you disappeared … That sounds a rich and fascinating area of research. I love the way a particular detail from history (in your case, Emerson feeling driven to open the coffins) can spark off a writer’s imagination and lead to the creation of an artistic work.
Since I’m always looking for a good historical, I would guess that the most popular period is WWII, followed by WWI. My own novel is set in 1936 and 1937. I wasn’t living then, but my parents and grandparents were, so many things they did and said often come back to me. But a lot of research, nonetheless.
Carmel, you were wise to listen to those stories your parents and grandparents told! The research is essential but the personal stories often provide the details that bring a story to life.
Juliet,
Thanks for such a good post. I have written my first historical fantasy, Born in the Wayeb, which will come out in December. My story takes place in ancient Mayan times and I did years of research before writing. I lived in Mexico as a child and have always been fascinated with the ancient cultures of Mexico. I feel Latin America has been overlooked as a source of inspiration, especially by American authors. I’m hoping to add more diversity to historical fantasy with my book.
Thanks again for your comments.
Best,
Lee Cart
Brilliant, Lee! I look forward to it. I’m sure you’re right about Latin America being under represented in historical fiction. It has so many layers of fascinating, rich history.
Juliet,
If you’re interested, I can send you an uncorrected proof of the book. I will definitely be checking out your work, too.
Best,
Lee
Thank you! We could perhaps communicate via email about this – my contact info is on my website:
https://www.julietmarillier.com/contact.html
I enjoyed your article as I am a history major, especially the Greco-Roman era the western v eastern worlds merged and then divided back into their cultural divides. It is an interesting time when the great religions emerged as well from the Middle East. I am a Christian History major by training, but I am open minded to the historical, archaeological evidence that is being discovered to shape the truth of the BC-AD crossroads era.
I am currently deep into the editing of my current contemporary mystery, but already am researching my next work that is centered around the formation of the early Christian church. What is unsaid speaks powerfully about the power struggle that existed in the early church. Peter would be my central figure as he faces the struggle between Paul’s rising populace movement versus the traditional Jewish root movement founded in Jerusalem with James and the other Apostles of Jesus. Is this the church that Jesus, Peter or Paul built? What does the evidence point to and how might the intrigue have played out?
While I am finishing my current novel, I am also researching and reading to prepare the historical setting and compelling evidence that will drive the story, How Did We Rob Peter to Pay Paul?
Coach
The novel about the formation of the early Christian church sounds challenging to write! And likely to provoke heated discussion among readers, I’m sure. I hope there will be some interesting female characters in it, despite the ‘power players’ all being male. That’s part of the challenge of keeping things historically as true/accurate as possible while crafting a story that will resonate for today’s readership.
Coach, I really love this era … I assume you’ve read Randy Ingermanson’s time travel books, no? Crazy guy goes back in time to kill St. Paul so that Christianity cannot spread. Great premise …
I disliked history very much growing up, but then discovered wonderful writers, both journalists and novelists.
I hope my own historical fiction, 1975 India, can stand up to the standards already established.
Terrific post, Juliet. I, too, am fascinated by the post World War II period. There was so much change and dislocation in the air. I have a first draft of a historical novel that begins in the 1950s (recent history) and extends to the 1990s. The challenge is to avoid mentioning things that were not around in the chosen time period. An example: did cars have radios in the 50s? I think so but it has to be researched. Fascinating topic.
CG, I guess the closer you get to the present day, the more likely you are to be challenged on historical details (though writers who tackle one of those often-chosen periods such as Tudor England will also find experts picking up on perceived errors.) With the 1950s there are plenty of real people with good memories, happy to share. But it makes me feel old to think of that period as historical! :)
My current wip is set in 1968, so it’s on that fine line between historical and contemporary. Since it’s middle-grade, though, I figure it’s historical for them. I chose the year because I wanted to use the loss of the USS Scorpion as my background. This was the last sub, and one of two nuclear subs, lost by the Navy. My prtagonist is an 11 year old Navy brat who lost his father with the Scorpion. I’m having a ball doing the research, and would like to write more Navy Brat novels set in other eras. For a history geek (not buff, that would require I remember anything I learn), it’s a blast doing the research, and it makes for good blog fodder.
Sounds great, Ron! I can see a series of Navy Brat novels for that age group being really popular.
I wrote a literary historical fiction centered around the assassination of Reinhard Heydrich in World War II. “Resistance” also delves deeply into Czech history in the early 20th century and the founding of the Czech state during World War I as well. (I always feel it’s important to understand the history that loomed large in my characters’ minds.) It also covers the war’s aftermath–the period of retribution in post-World War II Czechoslovakia. This ended up being the most interesting, because it’s the least understood, in part because it’s an ugly and uncomfortable history, and people tend to latch on to the history that makes them feel good. But as you said, there’s a lot of fun in exploring the gray areas!
I also wrote a couple novellas–“Zero Phase” and “Public Loneliness”–that are alternate history works set in the golden age of space exploration. To me, part of the fun is that I get a little time travel vacation every time I sit down to write! And yet human nature’s constant. And that’s another part of the fun–I think we can sometimes see our nature more clearly and more interestingly by viewing it against a different backdrop.
“I always feel it’s important to understand the history that loomed large in my characters’ minds.”
That is an extremely good point, Gerald. It’s so important to be able to see things from the characters’ perspective – that makes the period of the book come alive for the reader. Means doing research not only into the huge sweeping events of history, but into the daily lives and decisions of ordinary people. Reading personal letters from the period, if they’re available, would provide some good insights, I imagine.
Juliet,
WW1 – German Zeppelin airships bomb England. I used a piece of history about a bombing raid near where I live. I took the “facts” and then asked “What if?…” However, while I made it clear my WW1 story was fictional, I let the facts intrigue the reader to think that it”‘might have happened!”
“The Zeppelin of Kinver Edge” by Tom Bryson is available from amazon
https://www.amazon.co.uk/dpB008OA17OQ
Tom, I’ve always thought writing alternative history must require a writer to be even more knowledgeable about the chosen period than a writer of historical fiction. A complex network of ‘what ifs’ leading from the known to the possible…
I appreciate receiving your article today. After writing and revising for 5 years my book is now with an Editor and is a historical fiction. The 5 book series focuses on the two periods you’ve mentioned here, and then jumps to current day. The sequels will time travel back to those time periods made available via what’s in the prequels. Your article adds merit to the time periods I focused the most one. I’m thrilled reading this! The # of years writing was due in part to the massive amount of research I’ve done to assure I had the facts straight mixed in with the fantasy. I wouldn’t have it any other way.
That sounds complex and challenging, Amber! Good luck on the path to publication.
I appreciate the emphasis on historical accuracy – even in fantasy. I’ve just finished the first book in a series on the untold version of the patriarch Abraham’s ancestral begins, starting with his great grandfather Serac. Matter of fact, it was while researching for a book on covenants, that I came across the Jewish version of the story, which gives a very different back story of things, (versus the one given in Christian Bible or literature) Thus the whole idea for the novel – What if . . .?
But it also meant I had to do a lot of research into the historical periods between 3500 BCE and 1800 BCE, which in turn resulted in my writing the story from more of a fantasy perspective, rather than historical, as it required incorporating a lot of spiritual beliefs that were so much a part of the culture, it would be impossible to tell the story without them. Thus a lot of attention to details: weapons, clothing, food, cultural, political, economics, weather, lifestyle, cultural/religious/beliefs vs. myths vs. reality.
I’m certain the meticulous and thorough approach to your research means the final story will be more convincing as history, Shawn, even in those early areas where you had to include elements of the spiritual/Otherworldly.
Worth remembering that in a subsistence society, spiritual beliefs and practices are highly likely to be based on seasonal cycles and the weather. You know this already, I’m sure!
Juliet, thank you for the stimulating post. You’ve got me thinking I should get back into reading historical fiction again! It has been a while. I also haven’t read very many historical fantasy fiction, and that sounds quite interesting! I’ve seen more of these in the steampunk genre, but sometimes I get tired of all the cogs and steam – I think a historical fantasy that is not steampunk would be more my style to read.
As for me, I’m not sure what historical era is my favorite. I’ve written some short stories set in ancient Crete, inspired by the tale of Theseus, particularly Mary Renault’s interpretation of it in her book “The King Must Die” and its sequels. I really was grabbed by the first one most, though. She tells the entire tale of Theseus and portrays what may have been the thoughts of a man of power then – and the culture is what makes it all more fun to read!
I have a draft of a novel stored away which I may turn into a historical fantasy. It’s a bit of a Victorian historical fantasy, except I got intimidated by the historical part and switched it to a post-apocalyptic sort of world…which is, a little historical in a sense…
You may just have inspired me to make it a historical fantasy after all! But for now, I must keep plugging ahead with my epic fantasy. I’m on the second draft. It’s going well!
Thanks for an enlightening, fun post.
Thank you, C.S.! It sounds as if you have several great projects on the go and I wish you all the best with them. I must revisit the Mary Renault novels some time – it is many years since I read them but I do remember how compelling they are.
Fascinating post!
I write about the Navajo culture from 1864-1895. I’ve been researching for three years and have taken 2 trips with Native American friends into parts of the Navajo Nation and spoken to people for whom, well, let’s just say one needs an invitation.
What drew me to it? I’d say the story of The Long Walk of the Navajo and the Bosque Redondo prison camp drew me all by itself.
Jennifer, there must be some powerful stories there. It sounds as if you are going about your research in a very thoughtful and appropriate way, for which I respect you!
Juliet,
I am writing a novel set in an entirely made up world, however the historic period I want the reader to be reminded of is the pre-industrial European world. Your post is a great reminder that no matter what kind of fantasy you’re writing, the reader draws on familiarity from the time period – or sense of one – you are invoking and even if you are writing an entirely made up world, anachronisms will come across as clumsy. I like to follow the rule that if I introduce something that wouldn’t have for back in that time then there must be a clear explanation how it came about. That said, I love doing research and find information about our history is the best springboard for creativity. Thanks for a great post!
John, that approach sounds really good to me – the main requirement for a secondary world is that it should be internally consistent, after all. As long as there’s a logical reason for anything that might not fit in the ‘real world’ equivalent of your time period, readers can hardly take issue with it. Good luck with your project!
I love historical fiction, particularly medieval and dark ages era works that can dress up history with lots of possibilities. Bernard Cornwell’s Arthurian stories in “The Warlord Trilogy” are at the top of my list of favourites, as are his Viking tales in the “Warrior Chronicles” series. Awesome retellings of history, made alive as fiction.
Personally I write modern thrillers, but all of the books I’ve written thus far, as well as the next few, have been training for the books I really want to write. That is a story of a young Irishman, a descendant of ancient royalty of which he knows nothing, who is swept up in his times. Sent on a crusade by a priest in order to redeem his name from the family curse, only to face the Mongol Horde as they invade Eastern Europe. Captured by the invader he is thrust into service to the Khan in the strange new worlds of China and Korea. But it will have to sit patiently in outline form for now. My life’s work can only be written when I know how to write well enough to tackle it, because I cannot let it be less than the epic my mind envisions.
Basil, that certainly does sound epic (and potentially a thrilling read.) And with a mountain of research required. I do hope that one day you feel ready to do it justice! Of course, it will be quietly percolating in your mind while you get on with other things …
Fab article as always Juliet. Kate and Juliet in the same room would be a dream for me !
I so admire the way you weave historical detail and fantasy elements together in your writing so that the whole appears organic, Juliet. My own setting is sixth century A.D. Britain and Ireland, and one problem I find is that all the research I’ve done sometimes gets in the way: I’m continually pre-editing myself. ‘They didn’t HAVE saddles. She can’t go upstairs; there were no two storey houses; nope, the round tower has to go–those weren’t built until later.’ Do you find that’s a problem for you, or have you assimilated the research so well that you automatically conceive scenes that fit the time period?
I just wrote a detailed reply to this, Sheila, and Facebook swallowed it. Too late at night to start again – I will respond to your interesting question tomorrow. :)
Gotta love technology! (Of course, in another age the carrier pigeon would have been attacked by a hawk and the message eaten, anyway. :) )
Thanks for taking time over this.
I have certainly made some errors along the way with my history – it took me a while to realise that even in a novel with a lot of magic and mythology, readers expected historical accuracy. I have a section on my website where I set out these errors and how/why I made them. With some settings, eg early medieval Ireland or Pictish Britain, I’m possibly knowledgeable enough now to write appropriate scenes without doing a lot more research. But I do stretch things quite often in the interests of better storytelling – for me, story and characters always come before world building.
I agree it’s really important to get the details right as well as the broad sweep of historical events. Of course we end up only including a small % of our research in the text of the novel – but we need a thorough understanding of our period and culture to craft the character development, interaction, relationships and choices in a way that is absolutely right for the setting. What would a person in this time and culture believe? How would they respond? What would be most important to them? I thought of those things when our lecturer on the Etruscans suggested they might have had a religious faith that was fatalistic, meaning they simply accepted that the coming of the Romans would be the end of their culture – sort of lay down and let themselves be wiped out. I couldn’t believe that. It seemed to me a man (or woman) would fight with everything they had to protect their family. But we don’t know the historical truth and probably never will, which is what makes periods like that so fascinating for writers!
Absolutely! Lots of room for informed creative invention. (That’s what I’m calling it this morning, anyway. :) ) And thank you for reminding me that the needs of the story always take precedence over a slavish devotion to ‘getting it right.’
Great post! I write MG historical fiction set in small town western America. My current WIP is set in 1881 Wyoming in the middle of the ‘Bone Wars’ of early dinosaur hunters – back when they used picks, shovels, and dynamite to extract the bones from the rocks. I love getting deep into the people of the history. Especially the kids who were there. They give such a unique perspective on all that happened. Thanks for your great thoughts.