All the reasons for writing that I have listed up to now apply equally to non-fiction and fiction. The primary reason that I prefer fiction as a medium, however, is that it opens the potential audience to a greater segment of the population.
I'm perfectly aware that I do not write books for the "general public" (whatever that is!). My books are not relevant to everyone and do not interest everyone. I do not expect "everyone" -- not even my closest friends and family -- to take an interest in, for example, Ancient Sparta or 13th century Cyprus. Why should they share these arcane interests simply because they happen to have been born in the same family or have worked with me somewhere in the world? My friends and family like me for the things we share, not necessarily the things I write about.
But there are thousands, even tens of thousands of people around the world who do share my interest in Sparta or the crusader states. They have studied these topics academically or as a hobby. They read every book they can get their hands on about these topics of interest -- fiction and non-fiction, film or documentary. Through my writing, I connect with them, and they are my loyal readers and fans. They follow my blog and facebook entries on the historical background of my novels. They recommend other sources and novels. We belong to the same little club.
And then there are readers who aren't particularly interested in the subjects of my novels and would never pick up a non-fiction book about them to learn more, but are interested in "a good read." These are people who wouldn't read a book "because it's set in 12th century Cyprus," but might read a book "full of lessons we'd be foolish to forget." (Chanticleer Review, The Last Crusader Kingdom) They may not be interested in the Third Crusade, but want to read "the Best Biography of 2017." (Envoy of Jerusalem) Readers who couldn't care less about Emperor Frederick II may yet be intrigued by a hero described by Kirkus Reviews as "like Shakespeare's portrayal of the young prince Hal." (Kirkus, Rebels against Tyranny)
In short, because fiction is about characters (people) as much (if not more) than about historical events, it appeals to a wider audience. I will never forget that when working on my dissertation about the German Resistance to Hitler, I had a conversation with Graefin Yorck, the widow of Peter Graf Yorck von Wartenburg. She confessed to me that "all she ever knew" about the American Civil War she had learned from Gone with the Wind. The same is true for millions of people who accept Shakespeare's Richard III as history or have learned about Thomas Cromwell from Hilary Mantel.
It is my hope that readers will come to share my interest in ancient Sparta and the crusader states through my books, but, if not, they will nevertheless enjoy the stories for themselves and want to read more from my pen.
Novels make great Christmas presents,and it's not too late to order!
We may be a small club, but we're an "intellectual" club. LOL
ReplyDeleteIndeed! And I wouldn't want it any other way!
DeleteI love, and agree with, everything you said, Helena! My most recent historical novel, TEMPTATION RAG, includes both fictional and real-life characters. It is far from being a biography of any of them, but many readers have told me that, though they previously knew nothing about ragtime, they enjoyed learning about vaudeville and early African American musical theater and the fascinating people who inhabited those worlds. Yet, as you say, it is the action and emotions of the story that "hook" readers of fiction. And, as a writer, it's the deeper meanings of time, place, and character that inspire me.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing your thoughts!
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