As a writer, you're increasingly told to show don't tell . It's one of those phrases which has infiltrated all lessons from the highest ranked authors to the little primary school child taking their first steps into writing. Ironically, there are now so many clichés in this particular idea that it is now becoming something of a cliché itself! But one particularly significant area of inspiration and writing when this works at its best is when we are dealing with the supernatural. By its very meaning, the supernatural transcends the laws of nature. It's our job as writers of historical fiction not only to convey that but - and this is a real biggie! - to acknowledge and accept that these beliefs were true. Belief in these ideas (which, at best, now get you labelled as quirky) was commonplace in history, and you need not look too far back to find them. According to surveys run ten years ago, 34% of people in the UK said they believed in ghosts, and 42% of people in the USA
I've just got back from a book sale at the local church. They do one every now and then and I like to go and buy some children's books for my classroom. Today was great - there were loads of Horrid Henry and Horrible History books, both of which they love.
There were also quite a few adult classic books. Books like "The Woman in White" by Wilkie Collins and "Pride and Prejudice" by Jane Austin. I said to my sister that it was a shame because I don't review books that everyone in the literary world has heard of! I like to review newish books, and particularly books by self-published authors or independent publishers.
In reply, my sister suggested a Crowvus Classics series. So here we go:
Classic books that I have read and enjoyed.
There were also quite a few adult classic books. Books like "The Woman in White" by Wilkie Collins and "Pride and Prejudice" by Jane Austin. I said to my sister that it was a shame because I don't review books that everyone in the literary world has heard of! I like to review newish books, and particularly books by self-published authors or independent publishers.
In reply, my sister suggested a Crowvus Classics series. So here we go:
Classic books that I have read and enjoyed.
Comments
Post a Comment