Many writers look to history for inspiration. They tell the tales of forgotten worlds, well-established figures, and paint the past in new and various colours. But why? What is it about the past that is so appealing? Nostalgia is often thrown-around - yet this only works in relation to the twentieth century, right? In this post I will briefly explore why I write and read historical fiction - what it means to me.
As I have written on numerous occasions, one of my favourite writers is Ken Follett. He writes sweeping historical epics, and has inspired my own approach to writing - The Falling Sun is an immersive and broad historical fiction that straddles several periods. I also enjoy reading these historical fictions by other authors; I am beginning to include classics into historical fiction as they are no longer set in the context of today. I read a lot of Victorian works. Plays that I have previously written are almost always related to the past in some way.
WHY?
I can't answer for all writers and readers, but I will outline my own reasons:
Reflection - we are distanced from the past; that allows us to easily dissect an attitude, or belief, or perspective because we possess an illusion of objectivity. Patterns can be found between then and now; we can see how far we have come; how far we still need to go. History often repeats itself - we can begin to predict, prevent, learn from the mistakes of our ancestors. This leads to...
Appreciation - there have been many sacrifices to get us to where we are today. There is no burden to carry, however. No debt to be repaid. Nothing to get depressed over in respecting and remembering the past. The only thing to do is live life to the fullest. Being appreciative of how your ancestors - even through the tiniest of actions - affected the shaping of the world will motivate you to do great things; will make you realise that every action you make is incredibly important.
Education - I read and write about history because I have a genuine hunger to learn about it. Writing gives me the space to express my interest in the subject. Others, however, may only read historical fiction for...
Escapism - whether it be Romans, Meiji Japan, or the early days of settling in America, these worlds are unique and very different to today. Reading or writing about them allows for the writer or reader to lose themselves from the monotony of life.
Pre-constructed stories - finally, looking to history makes the writer's already complicated job a tad more bearable, for there are stories to be found everywhere. Of course, there also is in the present - but that instantly becomes the past.
So, I'll leave you with that existential thought: everything is the past...
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