History Invented

 

I’m gallivanting a lot these days, what with my trip to the Netherlands not that long ago, and a Writers’ Retreat coming up in a couple of weeks. Last week was spent in Somerset where we have a caravan. My sister and cousin came over for a few days, to see the sights of Somerset.

Whilst researching the best places to go to, as my sister likes a very full programme in the holidays with as full an itinerary as can be managed in daylight hours, I came across Lorna Doone. I found out that we were near the Lorna Doone Valley, which may or may not be a much later invention, but it was a lovely outing.

As I’m getting all the research ready for a historical novel myself, I was intrigued by Lorna Doone. I started reading it, and some of the things he mentioned sparked my interest, as I haven’t really written a proper historical book before. It seems like the author has woven facts and fiction together in a way that feels right. To me at least. We visited what would have been the main character’s farm, past the church where Lorna was shot and across the stream.

My story is set in Stroud, in 1799. It’s around a mill owner’s family, involving the dyer, the mills, the local churches, and I was wondering how much to use real people and homes, and how much to make up as I go along. The thing is, I don’t want to have a real character murdered in the book, only to have to explain that actually, he died of old age in his own bed. But I don’t want to make it fantasy or time travel either, so I was thinking of doing a mix, and reading Lorna Doone has been encouraging.

It's hard to know where to draw the line. I love stories in real settings, it’s wonderful to connect with people and places through books. I want to be as authentic as possible as well as avoiding killing off some wonderful people. I can picture the characters, and to see portraits of people in grand homes actually helps, but I would prefer to mix three of four portraits into one new character. I want to see how their faith, or lack thereof, influenced their lives and the way they looked at the world.

When I tell people writing is so relaxing and healing, I kind of gloss over all these dilemmas and awkward questions, and focus on the storytelling that doesn’t involve weaving details and the setup of a Georgian home or Boxing Day traditions in Huguenot families in Britain at the end of the eighteenth century. But once I start, I’m sure I’ll have a wonderful time, and even the research has been a gift and a blessing so far, as it’s interesting to find out about people. I would like to see how God touches lives, even in fiction, wondering how they would have reflected His character in their daily lives. It’s why I love writing, and I’m looking forward to my Writers’ Retreat where I can put the story together!