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40-04 Is Your Plot Buried in History?

Sarah Elizabeth Sawyer

Plotting Historical History

 

Outline

-      History First Plotting vs Character First Plotting

-      How to Write Historical Fiction, nit a History Book

-      Avoid Historical Detail Overload

-      Travel and Communication Lags Derailing the Plot

 

Definition: History First Plotting vs Character First Plotting

-      History Inspires the Story

-      Characters Inspire the Story in a Historical Setting

-      Combining the Two

 

History Fiction vs History Book

-      Build your Plot on the Research

-      Only a Small Percent of Your Research should be in the Fiction (10% +/-)

-      Keep Your Reader Up at Night

 

Plot Notes

-      Use Research as Your Foundation

-      Trim Your Research

-      Keep it Entertaining

 

Too Many Historical Details?

-      Combine Setting Details when You can. Guard Against Repetition

-      Listen to Your Beta Readers – for Story Guidance

-      Don’t Listen to Your Beta Readers – for Historical Accuracy Guidance

 

Plot Notes

-      Make Composites: a “Scene Picture” – even if Only in Your Mind

-      When in Doubt – Cut it Out

 

Travel and Communication Time

-      Guard against Trains, Boats, Horses, Walking Time Derailing Plot

-      How Urgent is Communication Timing for your Characters

-      Include Communication in Your Editing Checklist

 

Plot Notes

-      Research Travel and Communication Modes before Rough Draft Plotting

-      If Editing Reveals Potential Error, Rewrite or Fudge It – but be Cognizant of Ramifications of Choice

 

 

 

 

 

 

Rev Dr E. William (Liam) Petter    -   e-mail: liam@ewpetter.net    -    Address: 2831 El Dorado Pkwy, Ste 103-443, Frisco, Tx 75033

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