This is real now,
folks. I have a choice to make, and it's
not an easy one. I'm writing a story set
in something that vaguely resembles European medieval times (albeit in a fantasy
world), and I have to decide: do I try to make it more authentic to the actual
European Middle Ages or do I totally create my own world?
If I create my own
world, it has to be from the ground up.
Everything about the religion of this empire? All mine to have to explain. Everything about the politics and history of
it and the neighboring countries? From
the aether through my brain to the page or not at all. Trying to find and balance all of that with
the modern mindsets and worldviews of my characters? ALL ON ME.
Even if I wanted or could afford research assistance, I couldn't USE
it. But I wouldn't HAVE to research in
the first place. I would just have to
create things to fill the gaps out of nothing! And if people hated it, it would feel like they personally hated my soul, which is uncomfortable.
Trying to make it
more like the real Middle Ages certainly removes some imaginary burdens. I can try to apply the more collectivist
religious and social aspects of the time and place (after doing a lot of
research). Then I will still tick off
the historians, and the new fantasists will hate it unequivocally because it would have to try
to depict things our culture does not endorse, and they see that as a cop out,
not a skill. Many of them believe that
there is no value in a story that does not rewrite the past to make it more to
our liking. It IS fantasy after all. But I have read some absolutely fantastic
historical based stuff (Guy Gavriel Kay, Lois McMaster Bujold's 5 gods series,
Doomsday Book by Connie Willis, etc.), and the things you can get done with it
are fantastic!
It's not as if I get
out of work either way. I just shift
some responsibility, and I’m not sure one way is easier than another. Or less fraught. It's just something I'm thinking about
because I was writing this poem about weird things I had used to mark my place
in my Bible at some time or another, and there was this shiny notebook with
some bits of a good story I liked and have contributed tantalizing pieces to
over the years since I first dreamed it one day in college . . .
Anyway, I will not
be distracted (again) by shiny things.
What was I going to say next?
Rats. Can't remember. Anyway,
advise wisely, friends. Because if you
advise certain options, you will likely be pestered with questions and plotline
possibilities and the history and social customs of different countries in
imaginary worlds until you're sick of it.
No, seriously, what
else was I going to say? It was
important, drat it all! If you remember,
let me know.
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