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