May 25, 2020
What are the ethics of writing about historical figures?
This is a tough question for me, because I work to make my fiction non-specific in its time frame. Sure, I mention modern technology, but it could be five years ago or it could be five years in the future. And I don’t use real people in my stories, either living or dead.
But there’s one exception. In my Harmony Duprie Mysteries, there’s a certain recurring reference to a historical figure. Just one or two mentions per book, and unless the reader is looking for it, they probably don’t even realize what I’ve done.
I’ll tell you who it is later. Some of you may not even recognize the name when you see it.
But back to the question at hand. What are the ethics behind using historical figures? In my opinion, it depends.
If I’m writing a fictional story based on actual events and real people, I need to honor the event and the people. I can’t make Abraham Lincoln blond and heavyset if I’m setting a story based on his Gettysburg Address. On the other hand, If I’m imaging him as a vampire hunter, (anyone remember that movie?) I have a lot more freedom. But he still shouldn’t be short and blond-haired.
Of course, someone less well-known gives the author more latitude in working with the character. Writing about Betsy Ross is going to be more challenging that creating a story with Molly Pitcher. And the further back in history the person is from, the harder it becomes to be accurate. How much of Helen of Troy’s story is history and how much is legend?
Back to Harmony Duprie and the one historical figure I mention. And he’s only historical because he’s dead. It’s not a stretch of the imagination to believe that, under different circumstances, he’d still be performing.
I’m talking about John Denver. He’s not an actual character in the stories, but his music is mentioned in the books. Harmony’s mother was a big fan, and Harmony has inherited her mother’s collection of his albums and her love of the music. ( I may know someone who resembles that.)
We have several authors on this hop who do write historical novels, and I’m interested in seeing what they have to say on the subject. That’s where I’m heading now.
Until you stop by again, stay safe out there.
May 25, 2020
What are the ethics of writing about historical figures?
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I like the idea of adding little snippets of normal life like that. They provide an authentic feel to the narrative.
As with everything else in writing, they have to be handled carefully. I’ve read books where the characters name drop every other page. It gets boring fast.
An interesting response, Patricia. I also use references to music in my books, but I do view that differently from writing about historical characters.
I was in the music biz for nearly 40 years as an artist relations/product manager/clinician. Which is why I write the stories from that as third person fiction, no real out of school tales. However, song titles are fine. Start using lyrics and anyone in their right mind will tell you that you’re in copyright quicksand without permission. I mentioned on Richard’s marketing plug, and agree with you, that who is to say Mozart or any of the long dead didn’t drop by here or there, hang out with someone in a fictional situation. Mozart took a fancy to Jim Bob’s sister maybe, dropped by and played “Louie Louie” on the pump organ in the parlor…Who’s to say my muso Jackson, playing piano in an Aspen yuppie fern bar didn’t run into John Denver where they talked about airplanes and chord progressions and why piano players need capos…
I agree with lyrics being quicksand. Which is why I don’t use them. except in the very generalized “there’s an old song that says something about ….” and then a paraphrased reworking of lyrics instead of the real one.