It's curious—I don't think of myself as a historical fiction writer, just a writer drawn to a period of history for my current novel-in-progress.
I'm writing a novel about environmental conservation and American questions of meaning set between 1971-77, in part because the 1970s were the decade where the modern environmental movement accelerated at the same time that the moral certainties of the previous decade fell away. That was the potent combination for a fertile starting place, but then I began researching and found that the interviews, documents, and histories only deepened the inspiration. (Just ask me about bear sanctuaries, honestly.)
To come back to your original question of historical fiction, I'm writing a novel set in the 1970s because the 1970s are evocative, both on the decade's own terms and mine.
It pains me to say, having lived through it, that the 70s now qualify as historical. Yikes! It sounds like your eventual body of work will be led by ideas rather than times and places. It will be interesting to see where it takes you. Your WIP sounds facinating. Please keep us informed of your progress!
And I'll certainly share updates. I'm feeding a few looks at the WIP through my newsletter, though it's a slow and pleasant process I'm expecting to take at least a few years.
These days, I find myself writing a lot about history. Like you, I fancied myself a painter in the 1990s (that was my major in college!), and like you, my interest in history sparked a deeper interest in writing later on. It was not overnight, but I've definitely been writing regularly since then.
That's really interesting. I've noticed that age tends to come with a greater interest in history, which makes sense, but had not thought of if/how it might overtake the interest in visual art. Maybe the visual is more accessible - from birth, really - but history, requiring more life experience, takes on deeper meaning due to the complexities of story, and scope etc.
Do you still paint?
As I noted, I closed my studio due to impracticalities in 2012 but completed two mural commissions in 2013 and 2015. Otherwise, I haven't touched a brush since 2015. The all-consuming day job and taking care of elderly parents made it impossible. I long to paint again but it is strange to think it would have to be in addition to writing, not instead of. I could not do it again at the exclusion of writing.
I painted A LOT in the 90s, especially once I got into college and that became my major. I loved overnight painting and that sort of ethic pervaded. It was fun!
But the Internet allowed me to create much, much faster over time. Whether it was writing, something visual, or some combination of both, my interest in the Internet took off and started to push everything else out of the way. That, and jiu jitsu for 25 years or so! Jiu jitsu is also a very creative art, a way to show the world a piece of yourself, especially if you're an instructor.
For me, that creative impulse has always been there. It's important. It drives me.
Today, I write and publish articles every single day, but I also typically get to embed 3 or 4 images I generate in Dall E or somewhere like that. That's a pretty fun part of today's process!
Creativity is creativity, whether I was writing punk songs, doing jiu jitsu, building or scaling a business, or writing.
Absolutely, creativity is simply a problem-solving skill combined with curiosity and observation. Some of us crave it. Other's really would rather not!
It's curious—I don't think of myself as a historical fiction writer, just a writer drawn to a period of history for my current novel-in-progress.
I'm writing a novel about environmental conservation and American questions of meaning set between 1971-77, in part because the 1970s were the decade where the modern environmental movement accelerated at the same time that the moral certainties of the previous decade fell away. That was the potent combination for a fertile starting place, but then I began researching and found that the interviews, documents, and histories only deepened the inspiration. (Just ask me about bear sanctuaries, honestly.)
To come back to your original question of historical fiction, I'm writing a novel set in the 1970s because the 1970s are evocative, both on the decade's own terms and mine.
It pains me to say, having lived through it, that the 70s now qualify as historical. Yikes! It sounds like your eventual body of work will be led by ideas rather than times and places. It will be interesting to see where it takes you. Your WIP sounds facinating. Please keep us informed of your progress!
Sorry to be the bearer of bad news, in that case.
And I'll certainly share updates. I'm feeding a few looks at the WIP through my newsletter, though it's a slow and pleasant process I'm expecting to take at least a few years.
Ah, no bad news here. Reality is a constant reminder. Hah! I'll look forward to seeing your WIP progress.
These days, I find myself writing a lot about history. Like you, I fancied myself a painter in the 1990s (that was my major in college!), and like you, my interest in history sparked a deeper interest in writing later on. It was not overnight, but I've definitely been writing regularly since then.
That's really interesting. I've noticed that age tends to come with a greater interest in history, which makes sense, but had not thought of if/how it might overtake the interest in visual art. Maybe the visual is more accessible - from birth, really - but history, requiring more life experience, takes on deeper meaning due to the complexities of story, and scope etc.
Do you still paint?
As I noted, I closed my studio due to impracticalities in 2012 but completed two mural commissions in 2013 and 2015. Otherwise, I haven't touched a brush since 2015. The all-consuming day job and taking care of elderly parents made it impossible. I long to paint again but it is strange to think it would have to be in addition to writing, not instead of. I could not do it again at the exclusion of writing.
I know the feeling.
I painted A LOT in the 90s, especially once I got into college and that became my major. I loved overnight painting and that sort of ethic pervaded. It was fun!
But the Internet allowed me to create much, much faster over time. Whether it was writing, something visual, or some combination of both, my interest in the Internet took off and started to push everything else out of the way. That, and jiu jitsu for 25 years or so! Jiu jitsu is also a very creative art, a way to show the world a piece of yourself, especially if you're an instructor.
For me, that creative impulse has always been there. It's important. It drives me.
Today, I write and publish articles every single day, but I also typically get to embed 3 or 4 images I generate in Dall E or somewhere like that. That's a pretty fun part of today's process!
Creativity is creativity, whether I was writing punk songs, doing jiu jitsu, building or scaling a business, or writing.
Absolutely, creativity is simply a problem-solving skill combined with curiosity and observation. Some of us crave it. Other's really would rather not!