History was my least favorite subject in school as a kid. Yet historical fiction has been my favorite genre since my days of reading Little House on the Prairie in elementary school. How can both of those truths live within the same person?
For me, it’s all about the emphasis. In school, history focused on wars and politics and world powers. None of that interested me. What spoke to my heart were the stories of the everyday people. How they overcame hardship, found love, and made lives for themselves in centuries past. That is why when I write, I don’t focus on major political events in history but on individual people making their way through life the best they can.
This doesn’t mean that I don’t do a ton of historical research, however. I research settings, occupations, clothing, railroads, medical treatments, etc. Anything that would touch the ordinary person’s life in the course of my story, I do my best to base those descriptions on researched facts. This is the kind of history I love to learn!
My latest book, At Love’s Command, starts with the hero and his men in the midst of the horrible battle of Wounded Knee. Researching the account of this massacre broke my heart, so it was only natural that it broke my hero’s heart as well. However, I did my best to keep the scene as true to history as possible.
There were other, smaller historical tidbits that were fun to incorporate as well. Like the setting for Dr. Jo’s clinic. I love using old maps to help me find towns that might not still be in existence today. I wanted an out-of-the-way town that would be likely to accept a female doctor simply because they couldn’t attract a male one due to a small population and an unattractive location. As I scanned the map, a name jumped out at me. It was so descriptive, I just knew I had to use it—Purgatory Springs. It was perfect!
Purgatory Springs opened a school in 1877 for seventeen students. A post office operated from 1890 to 1895 then changed its name to Hugo in 1896, three years after the conclusion of my story. Poor Hugo declined after the turn of the century, and the post office closed in 1909. Within a few decades, the community was abandoned. All that remains today is a cemetery.
In addition, the women’s medical college where Dr. Jo earned her degree was also a real place. The Women’s Medical College of Pennsylvania was the second medical institution in the world established to train women in medicine and granted the M.D. degree. It was founded in 1850 with the associated Women’s Hospital of Philadelphia opening in 1861. They did not open their doors to men until a century later in 1970.
Do you like learning about history when you read for pleasure,
or is it strictly the escape to another time and place that you love?
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I love both the history taught at school and history fiction. But if I had to choose, I’d definitely choose history fiction. Bonus points for those books which have no history flaws and completely followed real history at the time period it is about.
You seem to have done a lot of research for your book! Looking forwards to reading it.
Thanks, Anna. You sounds like you have a true historian’s heart. Love that! I hope you enjoy Matt and the Horsemen. 🙂
I’m like you, Karen. I never enjoyed history but love historical fiction. It portrays how ordinary people endured and offers hope.
This actually surprises me, Lynn. Your books are always so rich with history that I pictured you as an historical scholar. 🙂 It’s nice to know we’re not so different after all.
I do like learning historical tidbits when I read historical novels. 🙂
I’ve learned a lot of fascinating things from reading historical novels. A well-researched novel is a treasure!
I love learning history through stories. Your writing style blends learning and enjoying so well!
Thanks, Rebecca! That makes my day. 🙂
I appreciated history when I was in school, but didn’t love it until I began reading historical fiction. Except for Mrs. Smith in the 7th grade, every history teacher, including professors in college, made history SO tedious and boring. And you’re so right, they always focused on wars. I much prefer to follow a character throughout a historical period. I learn so much more that way, and I’m engaged.
Why is that football coaches always end up teaching history? I know there are some stellar coach-teachers out there, but so often it seems that history was the subject that people who were passionate for things other than teaching ended up instructing. That’s probably why my enjoyment of classroom history increased dramatically when I took US History in college. I had a teacher who was actually passionate about history! What a difference!
It is so nice to hear that I am not the only one that didn’t like history in school! Now is is my preferred genre to read partly because I learn so much. Thanks for all your research 🙂
We are sisters of the heart, Betti. 🙂
I did not enjoy history in school but I’m fascinated by it now and enjoy learning as I read historical fiction. I haven’t read any of your books yet but I look forward to it!
Sounds like we have a lot in common, Deena. 🙂 I hope you get a chance to try one of my books and get swept up in 19th century Texas.
I enjoyed history so much in the lower grades, mainly because of what you said – it told the story of people’s lives – such as learning about the lifestyle in ancient Greece (the difference in Athens and Sparta). Later on, history became tedious and just something to get through, except for one college professor.
I’m a retired 5th grade teacher. I taught Language Arts for all of my 23 years and social studies for a good portion, finding that the two melded together well. I loved creating writing projects to go along with the history we studied, one especially about about the Spanish Missions. A project the students loved was taking their own journey along the Oregon Trail. I found out just where I needed to reinforce the historical perspective when a number of my students started their journey after stopping first at the KFC to get chicken for the trip.
Historical fiction is my favorite genre. I just finished At Love’s Command and will be writing my review today. What a thrilling book! I love learning about history through my reading, and your research is impeccable! I also loved the way you interwove scripture. It was so natural. This was my June read for the Posse challenge. Thank you, Karen.
Teachers like you who make history come alive for students are such a gift, Betty. I grew up in California and one of the Spanish missions, La Purisima, was right in our backyard. I’ve always loved visiting historical places and listening to the local experts share their knowledge. History really comes alive there. I’m a little jealous of your kids journeying along the Oregon trail. When I was a pre-teen, the Apple 2 computer had just come out and the only game I wanted to play on it was The Oregon Trail. This was on a one-color monitor with no graphics, just text, but my imagination took me where I wanted to go!
Our daughter moved to California a number of years ago, and I visit every summer. After I saw my first mission, San Juan Capistrano, I knew I wanted to visit all 21, and I did. A novel in our curriculum was Island of the Blue Dolphins, which I loved and read to my class for a number of years. I visited Santa Barbara Mission and took back pictures and information about the real Chumash Indian girl the story was based on. My students were delighted. I also had my granddaughter, who is now 12, read that book when she was in 5th grade.
I like learning the history around a story. This one is absolutely fascinating!! Thanks for sharing it! BTW, I just received At Love’s Command and it’s on my nightstand, next in line to read!
Yay! Matt and Josie are ready to keep you up at night, Kathy. 🙂
My 9th year history mistress was sooo good, and taught history well, and I loved her lessons. Other than that, learning it from books myself, no matter fiction or not, is much more enjoyable.
A good teacher makes all the difference, doesn’t it, Susan? I do enjoy the freedom of studying whatever historical facts piques my interest, though, instead of what the school thinks I need to know.
Wow! The majority of you love historical fiction but dislike school history lessons because they are tedious? Is it a social norm or is it because great minds think alike? Haha!
Personally, I like historical fiction. As for school history lessons, I thinks it depends on the teacher. Some teachers have a knack of making history very interesting while some have a knack of making interesting stories boring.
You are so right, Louisa. A good teacher can be so engaging. I adore listening to museum docents or local reenactors share their passion. They never fail to capture my interest and excitement.
I wasn’t a fan of history in school. I felt like all I was doing was memorizing dates. But I do enjoy learning about historical events through story. Sometimes I’ll even stop to Google things to find out if it’s true or if that’s part of what the author created.
I totally do that, Joy! Especially after watching an historical movie. I can help Googling to see how much of it was really true. 🙂
I love to read Historical Fiction and loved to study it in school. It fascinated me. I think today much is lost if the schools don’t teach the students our history.
I agree that History is very important, Shirley. How else can we learn not to make the same mistakes?
I loved learning history in school, but I also dreaded it. Sounds funny, I know, but I am terrible with numbers so trying to memorize all the dates for tests was a struggle.Historical fiction is my favorite genre and if I can learn some interesting history while enjoying a great story, it’s a double treat.
That’s why I love reading historical fiction, too, Christy. It’s the perfect escape, it feels more fairy tale-ish, and I inevitably learn something. A win-win-win!
I do look forward to reading historical fiction. I was not a fan of memorizing dates, names (and since I was a missionary kid) and places I’d never been while in school, plus college. Now I learn so much history from reading. I also grasp so much from going to reenactments. While living in Texas, I went to quite a few. Talking to the reenactors (is that a word?) was so interesting; their families actually live/learn fascinating details of history. 👏
I love touring historic buildings and interacting with reenactors who are so passionate about their period of history. It really comes to life!
I do love accurate historical information in novels. You are right that school history lessons are focused on the “big picture.” I too enjoy the every day life and environment of the people in the stories.
I’ll be starting At Love’s Command in a couple of days, looking forward to it! Thanks!
P.S. YOu had asked awhile back about book covers with just the “hero” on it. I’ve loved all of your book covers, they are very true to the story, I find. I also love the covers with children and/or animals on them. And, this cover seems just fine. I sure am happy he has a shirt on!
Yay, Hilda. I hope you love Matt and Josie’s story. And I hear your about the shirt. Ha! One of my FB friends posted some funny library/bookstore photos and there was one in a store where an endcap was filled with book covers featuring different shirtless men and a bright colored sign at the top read, “Dude, where’s my shirt?” It cracked me up!
I did enjoy history in school, but it was BECAUSE of the stories of real people who lived it. NOT because I liked memorizing dates and names. I’m NOT a fan of the research part of writing myself (one reason I write contemporary!) but when it comes to historical novels, I sure am grateful for novelists like you who do their research so I can enjoy a great story!
The stories of real people are what tug on the heartstrings. You’re so right, Deb!
I’ve enjoyed reading history and historical fiction since I was in school. I always appreciate author’s notes at the end of the story in a novel. The late British novelist Eleanor Hibbert is one of my favorites. Under her Jean Plaidy pseudonym, Ms. Hibbert wrote many novels about British royalty from William the Conqueror to Queen Victoria as well as French, Spanish, and Italian royalty.
Although not as active now, the Historical Fiction Online forum is a great place for authors and fans alike.
I’m a sucker for a good author’s note, too, Elisa. 🙂 I haven’t included too many in my own books. I think More Than Words Can Say might be the only one.
I love Jean Plaidy too! I’ve read her Queen Victoria series and it’s very good!
I love both aspects of it! Was surprised about you not liking history in school, but your explanation made perfect sense. I think that is why I was drawn to children’s biographies growing up…I was fascinated by the people and how they lived, not the major events.
This is a gem of a story, Karen. I enjoyed every minute reading it!
Thanks, Leanne. 🙂 Biographies are another great way to get absorbed in history. Great addition!
I love historical fiction and non-fiction. I had to take American history in high school but the teacher was so boring that we never got past the Civil War. My husband and i drove through the Pine Ridge Indian reservation years ago on our way to the Badlands in South Dakota. I wanted to see the monument to the battle at Wounded Knee but couldn’t fine it. I had read Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee years ago. It’s a sad and moving book.
I haven’t had the chance to visit South Dakota, Vivian. I would love to visit the site of Wounded Knee in person. Such a tragic yet important piece of history.
LOL! I love that! And don’t get me started on these guys with their jeans pushed down so low, you know there’s a long line of b*tt crack back there! Euwww!
I think reading about real history while reading about the plausible lives of fictional characters is one of the draws of reading for pleasure. I am entranced by well-researched settings and woven-in true events. Thanks for the time-consuming research you do for your stories. That element allows readers to capture the time period as they are captured by the hearts and lives of your very real characters.
Love history or respect history ? Reading historical fiction, or fioctionalised memoirs, like the Little House books I used to love, niggling questions set in – How much of this is true… Then – even more complicated, the what is truth question…
Often claim that I don’t enjoy historical fiction… but my favourite book is still Anya Seton’s wonderful Katherine… Quite sure I couldn’t ever write historical fiction, – a special and remarkable art.