GiraffeCrafts

And that was historical fiction. Thanks so much for joining us for this trip through the past. Don't forget to put your day's word count for the wordcount in the comments below. (Also, Go Teen Writers' 100-4-100 starts tomorrow! Is anyone else taking part? What are you working on? I'm going to work on Rose Petals and Snowflakes,  the first of my Austen-Fairy Tale mashup collection.) Recap time! Game: First Lines Author Panel Show and Tell Era: Medieval with Katy Huth Jones Era: Georgian/Regency/Victorian with Kellyn Roth Westerns with Faith Blum Children's Time Travel with Sarah Allerding Christian Themes with Jesseca Wheaton Research with Ivy Rose Accurate Dialogue with Kelsey Bryant Newspapers with Guy Worthy When There Isn't Much to Know with Tammy Lash Is Research Worth it with Jenelle Shmidt Female Pilots with Guy Worthy Writing Authentically with Jesseca Wheaton Victorian Era with Kellyn Roth Don't forget, the person who leav...

And now for our last article of the day - Westerns. A historical era so distinct that it's one of the few that we think of it as a genre itself, before being historical fiction. This is, no doubt, due to the sheer number of Western films there are out there - John Wayne, the Lone Ranger, and so many more. I have Faith Blum here to talk about the lovely era. While she has experimented with other genres, Westerns is her home-sweet-home niche, and her theme of Hymn titles across all of her books is absolutely lovely. Faith Blum Christian/Historical Fiction/Contemporary/Sci-Fi Author of Be Thou My Vision Website ~ Blog ~ Amazon ~ Goodreads ~ Facebook ~ Twitter ~ Instagram ~ Pinterest ~ Newsletter Writing Westerns Gun fights, stagecoach robberies, cowboys, saloons, wild cities. Those are all indicative of the Western genre. So what kinds of things make Westerns different from genres? It’s a popular genre, one that many people associate with Louis L’Amour and Z...

The medieval era. Now that was an interesting time. (I say this like I was there. I wasn't.) Since I wasn't there, nor do I know anyone who was, it is, understandably, an intimidating era to tackle - but I have Katy Huth Jones here to cover the topic. Hopefully, we can emerge at the end better equipped to pen stories into this interesting time. Katy is primarily a fantasy author, but her traditionally-published Treachery and Truth is a biography of King Wenceles, a fascinating figure of the time. Let's hear what advice she has for us! Katy Huth Jones Christian/Fantasy/Historical Fiction Author of Mercy's Prince Blog ~ Amazon ~ Goodreads ~ Facebook ~ Twitter ~ Instagram ~ Pinterest ~ YouTube How can a historical fiction writer find credible evidence about people who lived hundreds of years ago? After all, it’s not possible to interview William the Conqueror, since he died in 1087. The key is to turn over every possible rock in your search for inf...

So, this is a post that I thought I was going to share on Saturday, but once Sarah Allerding sent it to me, I decided that it would be much more beneficial here, especically given how many authors I have posting on fantasy. Children's time travel is a genre that I read and watched  sooo  much of as a kid - Magic Tree House, The Magic Attic Club, Castle in the Attic (probably a bit more fantasy than historical, but it had the feel), Indian in the Cupboard, Superbook, and countless more that I'm not calling off of the top of my head. (Ah, childhood and the way it blurs together.) So, reading Sarah Allerding's Swords of Time was a trip into the past for me in more ways than one. Also, Swords of Time  has the distinct honor of being the first official GiraffeCrafts blog tour, and will be releasing on the 25th of next month. Sarah and I would very much appreciate it if you popped over and signed up to help us spread the word! My latest book is a historical fantasy ab...

I'm here with my stack of indie historical fiction! In the comments below, tell me the best indie historical you've  ever read. And the lovely historical fiction written by our Indie e-Con authors. Please note that I have not personally read every  book listed below (though I have  read something by every author), so listing below is not necessarily a GiraffeCrafts' endorsement. Mild caution for violence and romance.         (Emmeline's author was an Indie e-Con author last year, but unfortunately did not have the time to commit to the event this year -  BUT I STILL WANTED TO SHOUT HER OUT!)   Caution for wartime violence Caution for mild violence and time-travel magic (Blog Tour sign up for Swords of Time is now open!)             Biographies: Mild caution for violence. Also, while the author is indie published, this particular volume was traditiona...

I have Kelsey Bryant here with us today to tackle a controversial subject indeed - historically accurate dialogue. We don't live back then, so how can we possibly even come close to sounding like we do? But, then, our readers don't live back then, either, and we might confuse them... Kelsey is the author of the lovely Suit and Suitablity , a Depression-era retelling of Sense and Sensabilty which is my newest favorite book. Seriously, I can't recommend this story highly enough. Kelsey Bryant Christian/Contemporary/Historical Fiction/Retellings Author of Suit and Suitability Website ~ Blog ~ Amazon ~ Goodreads ~ Facebook Copyediting Historically accurate dialogue is one of those controversial topics that only historical fiction lovers debate. We know that dialogue is crucial—it brings the world of a book to life, and if it isn’t done right, readers can never fully immerse themselves in that world. So how is historical fiction dialogue done right? Well, her...

There's a lot of time to be covered in historical fiction, and I have Kellyn Roth here to break down three eras that I, personally, can never seem to keep straight - Georgian, Regency, and Victorian. (I mean, they all take place in England, right?). Kellyn is the author of several lovely victorian novels - and her latest, At Her Fingertips  just released. Do check them out! Kellyn Roth Christian/Romance/Historical Fiction Author of At Her Fingertips Website ~ Blog ~ Amazon ~ Goodreads ~ Facebook ~ Twitter ~ Instagram ~ Pinterest ~ Newsletter Hello reader! Today I’m going to be talking a little bit about how to write historical fiction set in the following eras: Georgian, Regency, and Victorian. Now, I’ll admit I don’t have a lot of experience writing Georgian and Regency—I’ve only wrote short stories in those eras—but I cannot tell you how many novels I’ve read which were set in those eras. And, of course, Victorian fiction is my speciality! Georgian The Georgi...

Ever thought to yourself, "I should do some research before I start writing this book, but I don't where to start." Well, I have Guy Worthy here with a tip for you! Guy Worthy is the author of Ace Carroway and the Great War, a book that reminded me of Hogan's Heroes, reading it. Just, set in World War I, and with a resourceful young lady in Hogan's position. As I don't often see WWI fiction, I quite enjoyed it. Guy Worthy Historical Fiction Author of Ace Carroway and the Great War Website ~ Amazon ~ Goodreads ~ Facebook ~ Twitter ~ Newsletter The tip is: read some old newspapers! Newspapers such as the May 10, 1918 Keokuk, Iowa "The Daily Gate City and Constitution-Democrat," pictured here. That image comes from Chronicling America , a database assembled (and still being added to) by the Library and Congress, along with the National Endowment for the Humanities. Reading news written near the historical window you wish to write in adds ...

Most of us, including myself, are Christian authors, and we try to shine our faith through our writing. Today, I have Jesseca Wheaton here with us to talk about how to handle Christian themes in Historical Fiction. Jesseca is the author of multiple novels, largely set in the second world war. I've heard nothing but good about her Questions of War  series, and her Beyond the Horizon's Edge  is a sweet and unexpected retelling of Cinderella. Jesseca Wheaton Christain/Historical Fiction/Romance/Retellings Author of A Question of Honor Website ~ Blog ~ Amazon ~ Goodreads ~ Pinterest Christian themes in historical fiction. I’m not sure I’ve ever read a blog post on this subject, so we’ll see how this goes. Hopefully it’s helpful, and can give you a tip or two about how to write Christian historical fiction authentically. Make sure the theme fits with the time period. No, I don’t really wanna hear about women who used scripture to fight for equal rights with men in ...

Don't forget, we have a word war going down - so be keeping track of your writing! The person who leaves the most comments across ALL of the Indie e-Con posts will win a special prize package. If you leave a review on the book of any Indie e-Con author THIS WEEK on your blog or on Goodreads,  you can enter it towards another giveaway. Sharing the posts via social media (Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest, ect.) gives you a chance to enter for MORE prizes! Don't forget to  vote in the Book Awards ! I actually have authors today! YAY! Historical fiction is a diverse, complicated genre - as diverse and complicated as the history that it is fictionalization. I love reading it, especially ancient history, and now I'm going to turn things over to our lovely historical fiction authors. First Question - Why do you write historical fiction? Tammy Lash: Honestly, I didn't set out to write Historical Fiction...or Romance for that matter. White Wolf and the Ash Princess i...

Greetings! Below, I have listed the first lines from eighteen books by Indie e-Con authors. You guys know the drill. Figure out which lines go to which book, email me your guesses to kendraeardnek(at)gmail(dot)com, and then, in the comments below, let me know which of the lines make you want to keep reading. Now edited with answers. How many did you get correct? 1. It was dawn when my brothers and I awoke for the first time. Minstrel's Call  by Jenelle Leanne Schmidt 2. Kevin gazed back at the city, hand on the hilt of his sword. The Silent Blade  by Jesseca Wheaton 3. Incoming bullets chipped wood and frayed frabic from the wings and body of the SPAD biplane in a muted pitter-patter of death. Ace Carroway and the Great War by Guy Worthy 4. I rolled my shoulders and stretched my cramped fingers, sore from a long day of scrubbing floors. Common by Laurie Lucking 5. It was a lovely morning for war-mongering. The Sorceress and the Squid   by Emily Mundel...