Tale Share: Why Historians should Write Fiction

When a novel is set in the past, we often have to build a world to support the story that we tell. If we set it in our actual past, then we have to take elements of history and fit to the plot itself. This brings forth the field of historical fiction. But how do we define historical fiction anyway? The following is an essay by Ian Mortimer, a famous historian, who writes historical fiction under the pseudonym of James Forrester, and it tries to address the question from the point of view of the authors who write these stories. This article written at the IHR conference is an insightful look at how historians view the genre, and how we could possibly define it. The following are some snippets that I found really relevant to the conversation.

Creative Poetry: Life

Here's a simple exercise. Define life, or describe it, in one word. Not simple is it? Well, how about if I asked you to list all words you think associated itself with life. What all words can you think of that remind you of life when you hear them? Here is an attempt I made at this exercise.

Musings: Lies

So there was a time back in the day, when I decided not to lie. Of course, I had to soon revise that statement to, I will not tell lies, which is, in itself an ocean of duplicity. A walk down memory lane shows me what I was thinking at the time. Read on.

Musings: Hierarchy of Friends

Now what we learn in life, what we imbibe is often a mystery to us even a few years after we learn that. This is because we are always learning, always changing. Here is what I thought of friendships a few years back. Read on.