Fact in fiction…
In writing Tobias, I’ve had to read such a lot of information about so many aspects of life for my characters…
I have had to research achondroplasia, twins, Tyrian purple, medieval trade, medieval food, clothes and dwellings.
Medieval vessels, tides and wind patterns of the Mediterranean, Aegean and Adriatic.
Byzantine food, clothing, customs. Arab culture including food, clothing and medicine.
Troubadour history. Medieval lyrics.
The Roman Church, the Orthodox Church, the Jewish Faith and the Muslim Faith.
And most importantly Constantinople – which means streets, buildings, walls, harbours, churches, and the great Valens Aqueduct…
But why this? It’s hardly an academic text.
Because of this – a great map of the area in the 1200’s.
Which isn’t as good as this:
Byzantium 1200! I LOVE this site.
Then there are more:
There are also PDF’S, maps, and photos plus emails from specialists in particular areas.
And I have quite a number of e-titles on my Kindle too, but this is enough to be going on with for the moment, I think.
I’ll see you later – at the end of the next fact-finding mission!
Don’t you just love the research? I do!
The research creates the setting and the realities for sure, Ann. But I confess to being far happier once the story begins to transplant from my imagination. I read the texts because one has to be faithful to one’s era but I write with joy unsurpassed! I’m lost in the emotions and actions of my characters. The emotive reactions of my characters make me feel alive! I love that far more than the research tomes.
I love both. I don’t regard them as ‘research tomes’ if they are well written. They provide the ambiance, I provide the characters, emotions and story. The two work together.
Without the research, historical fiction is non-existent, therefore the research is a given. But for me, the greater joy is bringing history alive with fictional (and the occasional actual) characters on the page and creating entertainment for any reader who may come my way. That said, for all seven of the Batten list to be ranking unbroken in Amazon UK’s Top 100’s (some for 2 years), that research is laying great foundations – in the historical fantasy as much as the historical fiction. Have a super Easter.