And, like a chameleon, he changed his looks, personality, and professions to evade capture. He used various aliases, including Fredrick Fredricks. He was a spy for the Germans in both world wars (which means Fiona can chase him across the globe for years to come). Since the Fiona Figg Mysteries are set in 1917 during WWI, I’ve learned about war strategy, early twentieth-century British slang, what soldiers ate in the trenches, WWI female spies, and so many fun details.įiona’s nemesis throughout the series, Fredrick Fredricks, is based on a German spy named Fritz Duquesne, who was a fascinating character in real life. History can play so many roles in the novel, from those spicy tidbits sprinkled throughout the text, to the rich tapestry of everyday life that forms the background or setting for your story. And not just being accurate but also finding the right balance between historical details and story.
The challenge, of course, is getting it right. I love the fact that the details of history can help shape not only my plot but also the everyday lives of my protagonists. Historical Details Shape Plot and Setting But there are some particular lessons I’ve learned from writing historical mysteries. I’ve learned a lot about writing since I started writing fiction. And I think readers are more interested in characters who are grounded in real-life events and true crime. And it is helpful to have real events to anchor the plot. It is so fun to discover weird details about the past. I’ve written nonfiction books, contemporary suspense, and children’s mysteries, but my historical series, the Fiona Figg Mysteries, is my favorite to write. I also love writing historical mysteries. I love reading historical mysteries-Elizabeth Peters’ Amelia Peabody, Jacqueline Winspear’s Maisie Dobbs, Rhys Bowen’s Georgiana Rannoch (and her standalones), Sujata Massey’s Perveen Mistry, and Mariah Frederick’s Jane Prescott, L.A. As a reader of historical and contemporary fiction, I’m looking forward to what you have to share with us today.
Oliver, for joining us today and welcome. Oliver will discuss her thoughts on some important considerations about crafting historical fiction. Please help me welcome Kelly Oliver, author of Chaos at Carnegie. Yes, any author can use creative license when crafting their stories, but we readers generally don’t expect to see a reference to a telephone or television if the story is set in the 18th or 19th century.
Stop and think about it folks, these authors have to do quite a bit of research to ensure they’re describing the clothing, customs, and language accurately.
I’m especially in awe of authors of historical fiction. Although I read mostly fiction, I’m not tethered to just one genre. Most of you are probably aware that I have an eclectic reading style.
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