Wedged between the well-recorded 6th century, (think Emperor Justinian and his famous wife Theodora—all fit for TV drama), and the 8th century, (Bede, Beowulf, Charles Martel), the 7th century churned so tumultuously that few people stopped to write it down.
Lausanne, this was fascinating! Thank you for giving us a window into your research process. I'm in the early stages of researching a novel on the year of the Black Death in London (1349), and want my costume/weaponry details, as well as the cultural attitudes and faith of the time, to be faithful to the time. I loved hearing how you're going about it and can't wait to read your book!
Hey Lausanne - Catching up on my reading and wanted to say I really liked this piece. My two cents worth on your question is that historical accuracy is important, but the storyline is more important within a time period. Minute details, for me at least, are not as important as the big historical picture. Readers want the historical narrative to be as accurate as possible, but I don't think most readers dwell too much on whether the clothing worn by the characters is 100% accurate.
Hey Cork! Thanks for dropping in! (I'm super behind on my reading wish-list too!)
Thanks for the input on the historical details. I think I'm learning why first novels take so crazy long to write. Part of the learning is figuring out what IS important and what is not.
Yup, after a lot of research, I also went with tunic/caftan and trousers. As a reader, I don't obsess over historical accuracy unless it's something glaring.
The clavi is quite beautiful. Re historical accuracy, not as important as the story itself that gives overview of the life and times of an event or personage. The research though tedious must also be fascinating.
Historical accuracy isn't all that important to me. For example, I learned that galley rowers were professionals in the antiquity. Slaves were only started to be used during the Renaissance with the Ottoman Empire, and the Christian kingdoms (like France) followed suit in a kind of arms race. Does that "ruin" Ben-Hur for me? No, not really. Not even close.
As long as it doesn't get ridiculously anachronistic, I don't really mind.
Hah, now that IS fascinating. And my brain went right to Ben-Hur before I even finished reading your comment. Of course, a more modern favorite is Mel Gibson in Brave Heart with his blue woad face paint, only ten centuries off? LOL! But, how can we argue with pure drama?
Lausanne, this was fascinating! Thank you for giving us a window into your research process. I'm in the early stages of researching a novel on the year of the Black Death in London (1349), and want my costume/weaponry details, as well as the cultural attitudes and faith of the time, to be faithful to the time. I loved hearing how you're going about it and can't wait to read your book!
Well, Kate, you just made my day!
Your novel sounds intriguing! (I have a wee bit of plague in my story too.)
You made my day twice. I just read your About page and it gave me a good laugh!
Thanks for subscribing! I am looking forward to reading more of your writing!
Hey Lausanne - Catching up on my reading and wanted to say I really liked this piece. My two cents worth on your question is that historical accuracy is important, but the storyline is more important within a time period. Minute details, for me at least, are not as important as the big historical picture. Readers want the historical narrative to be as accurate as possible, but I don't think most readers dwell too much on whether the clothing worn by the characters is 100% accurate.
Hey Cork! Thanks for dropping in! (I'm super behind on my reading wish-list too!)
Thanks for the input on the historical details. I think I'm learning why first novels take so crazy long to write. Part of the learning is figuring out what IS important and what is not.
Yup, after a lot of research, I also went with tunic/caftan and trousers. As a reader, I don't obsess over historical accuracy unless it's something glaring.
I feel much better now. LOL! At least for our 2nd books, we now know better.
The clavi is quite beautiful. Re historical accuracy, not as important as the story itself that gives overview of the life and times of an event or personage. The research though tedious must also be fascinating.
On the research, I confess... I never tire of it. I just know I gotta let it go sometimes. Sigh.
It's like going down a very interesting rabbit hole, no?
To answer your question:
Historical accuracy isn't all that important to me. For example, I learned that galley rowers were professionals in the antiquity. Slaves were only started to be used during the Renaissance with the Ottoman Empire, and the Christian kingdoms (like France) followed suit in a kind of arms race. Does that "ruin" Ben-Hur for me? No, not really. Not even close.
As long as it doesn't get ridiculously anachronistic, I don't really mind.
Hah, now that IS fascinating. And my brain went right to Ben-Hur before I even finished reading your comment. Of course, a more modern favorite is Mel Gibson in Brave Heart with his blue woad face paint, only ten centuries off? LOL! But, how can we argue with pure drama?