Jane Austen once said, “write what you know. Places you have been, people you have observed.” That is all of the quote that I can remember, but it stuck with me. I love history, but I was not around to observe older times. If I try to write a story that is older than my grandparents, it sounds false. I have been a bit more successful with my grandparents and parents generations because I have observed them, heard their stories, seen the places they are talking about. I actually love my characters that are based on them. I prefer to write stories that are placed in their generations. My question then is what is your poison? What generation do you like to drink from for inspiration? Tell me about your characters in that generation. Just a fun share with everyone.
Thanks, Brenna
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4 Comments so far
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Most of my novels take place today, but with an urban flare. I do love historical romance though, and I have one in mind. It would take place in Scotland or Ireland in the 1400 or 1500′s. I love anything in that time frame and in those lands.
.-= Sarah Jensen´s last blog ..Excerpt from an all new Legend of the Protectors =-.
[Reply]
By Sarah Jensen on 06.23.10 2:28 pm | Permalink
I like anything prior to the twentieth century. But I am most fascinated by feudal China and Japan and prehistoric Europe, the Roman Empire through the Carolingian Empire.
No hope in ever living in those times! Or even knowing all the issues/complexities relevant to people living in those eras…
[Reply]
By Drea Moore on 06.23.10 6:28 pm | Permalink
I prefer the variation, “Know what you write.” That means research and/or worldbuilding – whatever it takes to make yourself familiar and comfortable enough with your setting and characters to write the story you want.
Part of this is because, if people only wrote what they knew, my favorite genre – fantasy – would not exist. It fascinates me, though, how the, “write what you know” idea can manifest in different ways. For example, while I write alternate-world fantasy, I often find myself including protective older sisters . . . just like me.
[Reply]
By Anica Lewis on 06.27.10 3:02 pm | Permalink
Drea I love it!~ I love fantasy, but even my characters in fantasy are people I know and some of the worlds are areas I have been to. Do you find that you do the same?
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By Brenna on 06.29.10 12:18 am | Permalink
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