Wednesday, February 23, 2005

My take on

Change of Life

Megan, like me, isn't talking about THAT change of life. And I'm still a few years away from that. But this entry in her journal, is very disturbing - almost more disturbing that the thought of menopause!

You see, unlike Megan, I'm not certain I COULD write a contemporary novel. Those kind of ideas just don't come to me. I envy her a lot. For me, historical is just so much a part of me I can't imagine doing anything else. Not only do I write historical, I read historical fiction/romance/mysteries, watch historical movies (Lady Jane, A Knight's Tale etc) and watch documentaries about Alexander the Great, Troy, British history etc. Not that I'm completely weird - my dh and I also love watching American Chopper and Biker Build Off, as well as MI-5 and House.

Even most of my non-fiction writing is history related - family history, articles about people and events from the past or those who write about them. And, of course, my reviews of historical fiction.

Am I shooting myself in the foot with this obsession with history? Some might say yes. And if my ONLY goal in my fiction writing was to get published, they'd be right. But I don't write JUST to be published (though that would be great). I write for myself. Telling the stories that rattle around in my head - all of which take place in the past.

So, despite the fact that at least some historical romance authors are now being encouraged to move into the 21st century, I'm going to stick with what I do best. What comes naturally to me. In the end, I know if one of those stories strikes the right chord in an editor, it will find a home in the wider world. If not, well, so be it. I'll still be happy, writing stories of love and adventure set in times gone by.

Teresa

4 comments:

Kate Allan said...

I think I'm like you. "The past" is so pervasive in all of my thinking, even my attempts at "contemporary" writing cannot escape its influence.

lost said...

Years ago when I worked as a researcher for a radio programme that fielded and answered questions from radio listeners. Occasionally it'd have a guest historian for an interview or to provide historical andecotes about a certain answer provided, e.g. the Princess Alice tragedy.
There was a time - well, I can't remember who this guest historian was, but when asked why had he an interest in history all his life, he said, to an effect, "While many look to build the future, there should be some who look to perserve the past in order to make the future worthwhile". I have certainly misquoted him, but this is a long way round to say that there's nowt wrong in having that much of an interest in history. You're one of our torch carriers. :)

lost said...

P.S. Which time period interests you?

Tess said...

Kate - I've often wondered what hardwires some of us to be so tied to the past. Imagine genetics has something to do with it, but still, there HAS to be stomething else. All I know is that since I was a little girl I've been fascinated by anything and everything to do with history.

Màili - Thanks for that quote! Exact or not, it does explain a lot. As for periods of history that fascinate me especially? Middle Ages (11th through 15th centuries specifically) and late 18th Century England and France.

Teresa :-)