There is no way to describe to anyone who doesn't write historical fiction, how meaningful it is to visit certain sites. When you can personally experience the culture and sights of places in which your story is set, it lends an authenticity to your writing that's sometimes elusive. I found this on my first trip to Spain almost ten years ago, where I visited the Alhambra, which is the setting for Sultana. Although this last trip was primarily a vacation, it was great to wander the streets of Lisbon, in part existing as they would have during the 17th century. Now I know exactly what my pirate hero in an upcoming novel, Renegade, would have seen as he sailed up the River Tagus.
If you are also a historical fiction writer, take advantage of any chance to walk the paths your characters may have walked. Your writing will be all the better for it.
4 comments:
my fantasy world is based on Wales. i would love to go there. it's unfortunate that my stomach and head don't like air travel and my internal clock gets really messed up when i go international.
Michelle, I'm sorry to hear that - is it a feeling like motion sickness? It's a shame because you would really love Wales, perfect terrain for all sorts of fantastical imaginings.
Great suggestion! My novel is set on a cross country train journey in the 1940s. Even though I couldn't recreate that exactly it was really helpful to take a similar train to familiarize myself with the sights, sounds and smells my characters would have experienced.
yep, air sickness and i are very old acquaintances or maybe i should say nemeses.
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