Can an author write a historical novel using actual people who lived in the given era but create fictional activities associetd with their actions?
2006-12-22 05:50:30 · 8 answers · asked by STEVEN F 2 in Arts & Humanities ➔ Books & Authors
Yes, it's called historical or biographical fiction.
* Oliver Stone's films are often criticized as more fiction than fact.
* "Pocahontas" by Walt Disney was the most blatant fictionalization of a real life historical figure, which drew protests from outraged Native Americans.
* I have written a short play, about an imagined conversation between Thomas Jefferson and Maria Cosway, based on his famous "head and heart" letter. And I assume the movie "Jefferson in Paris" was fictionalized as well.
2006-12-22 05:55:34 · answer #1 · answered by emilynghiem 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The best way to write these types of novel is to do tons of research. So when you make up characters and write their actions, you would be historically as close to the truth as possible while still writing fiction. What counts the most is credibility. You have to make it seem as if they are real people. In a way, The DaVinci Code was an historical novel.
2006-12-22 06:00:57 · answer #2 · answered by mac 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Jane Austen's books: Persuasion, delight and Prejudice, Emma, experience and Sensibility. Charles Dickens's books: David Copperfield, Oliver Twist or you need to study some historic romance novels like Hearts Aflame from Johanna Lindsey or the marriage from Julie Garwood.
2016-12-01 02:20:17 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes. Why not? It's fiction. Historical novels or historical fiction can mix historical and invented people and events in any way you choose. The challenge, of course, is to make the resulting story plausible. But that's the challenge with any form of fiction.
2006-12-22 05:55:39 · answer #4 · answered by haroldu_2000 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sure. Jeff Shaara does a lot of them...Gods & Generals, Gone for Soldiers, The Last Full Measure, etc. The stories are based on history with a lot of the author's ideas on the way things might have happened filling in the gaps.
2006-12-22 06:13:54 · answer #5 · answered by DGS 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sure, why not?
As long as your fictional activities don't contradict what is known historically too much (ie if you have John Wilkes Booth sailing to Zanzibar on April 14, 1865, you might have a problem), you can do whatever you want to with your characters.
2006-12-22 05:56:15 · answer #6 · answered by 2Bs 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yeah, you might check out Ann Rinaldi's books.
2006-12-22 08:16:31 · answer #7 · answered by CC 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
u can write any thing u like. its aseoarate question wheteher u get a publisher for it oer not. no taxes on writing.
keep in mind dont offend anyone
2006-12-22 17:51:06 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋