Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ

Would welcome examples and ideas about author's notes for historical novels that address the challenge of being historically accurate of the time period but mindful of the sensitivities of the here and now.

David wrote: "Would welcome examples and ideas about author's notes for historical novels that address the challenge of being historically accurate of the time period but mindful of the sensitivities of the here..."

I'd be curious to know why modern day sensitivities would factor into a historically accurate novel? Seems like an impossibility to me. After all, history is not for us to judge, only to learn from.

I suppose it would depend on the time period of the novel. Authors of those taking place since ~1900 might want to include such a note since there have been so many profound changes. Authors whose books take place in ancient and medieval times might not feel such a need.

Eldon wrote: "David wrote: "Would welcome examples and ideas about author's notes for historical novels that address the challenge of being historically accurate of the time period but mindful of the sensitiviti..."

You make a good point. I was prompted to include something when a reader contacted me and was upset about how the power dynamics of a relationship were handled. Given how we presently view things they were right to object, but how we deal with things now and how we did then are different. Yes, most readers ought to know that, but rather than have a reader upset I thought a reminder at the beginning might help.

Eileen wrote: "I suppose it would depend on the time period of the novel. Authors of those taking place since ~1900 might want to include such a note since there have been so many profound changes. Authors whose ..."

Thank you Eileen. I am writing about the 80's and while the casting couch was never condoned it was considered part of the process back then and people did not get as upset so my characters reacted accordingly.

David wrote: "casting couch...."

You have me intrigued, David. What is the casting couch?

In Hollywood when producers were looking for actors for parts they would too often "audition" them on the casting couch. In other words, the actors would have to have sex in order to get the role. I imagine you could look up a long list of actors who had to endure that. Probably also others who wanted to work on films.
Actually in my books I don't have a casting couch. Just used that example as I thought it would be more easily understandable. But, what I know?

David wrote: "In Hollywood when producers were looking for actors for parts they would too often "audition" them on the casting couch. In other words, the actors would have to have sex in order to get the role. ..."

Wow. The things people got away with...

David wrote: "Would welcome examples and ideas about author's notes for historical novels that address the challenge of being historically accurate of the time period but mindful of the sensitivities of the here..."
If you're worried about being offensive, it's almost impossible to be honest. Thomas Paine said something like this.

Depending on how egregious the actions are, you may want something like a trigger warning:

This book is set in the 1980s*, and includes references to societal conventions that are no longer acceptable.

*Note: no apostrophe as it's not possessive

You can put in as much detail as you want (eg: casting couch), or just let it go at that. I have a trigger warning in my books that includes:

"This novel deals with (x and y). They are treated with respect and empathy for the victims and/or survivors, and no sympathy or excuses for the transgressors."

You're welcome to use or paraphrase that in any way you'd like.

Eldon wrote: "David wrote: "In Hollywood when producers were looking for actors for parts they would too often "audition" them on the casting couch. In other words, the actors would have to have sex in order to ..."

You and Thomas are right. Whatever I say, people will get their feathers ruffled if they are so inclined. I just want to let them know I have some degree of mindfulness even if some of my characters do not.

Gifford wrote: "Depending on how egregious the actions are, you may want something like a trigger warning:

This book is set in the 1980s*, and includes references to societal conventions that are no longer accep..."

Thank you. This is helpful and I may use it or something close to it. Right now I have a more long-winded way of saying what you so succinctly were able to do.

I always add the warning:
Opinions of the characters are not necessarily those of the author.

In addition to general and/or specific trigger warnings about language, violence, sexual situations for the particular novel that I am publishing at the time.

This covers a wide variety of situations as you never know what will trigger a reader. One caveat that I would mention: some readers buy a book based on trigger warnings. So if you mention blood, gore, dubcon... what have you, in your trigger warnings you better have that in your novel. Nothing irritates a reader more if they are expecting something racy and then your book ends up being rather tame.

Thanks. This is helpful. Don't want to tease something and then withhold the please. I may use something similar to what you wrote - Opinions and actions of the characters are not necessarily condoned by the author.
Or some such thing. Just working it now and appreciating the feedback I am getting.

I'm guessing this is fiction based on true stories. The overly sensitive will give you a bunch of nonsense and there is nothing you can say or do to stop that. You put that it is fiction based on XYZ and the story reflects the beliefs and morals of that era.

Of course, I'm not politically correct and never will be and I don't care what they think. When my soldier says "fithly Indians" that is what they would have been thinking and saying back in the middle 1800s, so get over it. Back in the 1980's you got cast from the couch. That is fact and real and is part of history. Quit worrying about what the overly sensitive think and write for the broader audience who will enjoy the book and understand that it based on facts and will enjoy a peek into what happened back then.

B.A. wrote: "I'm guessing this is fiction based on true stories. The overly sensitive will give you a bunch of nonsense and there is nothing you can say or do to stop that. You put that it is fiction based on X..."

I'm with you B.A.! Facts are facts.

Thanks for your comments. One would want to believe that the broader audience is substantially greater than the overly sensitive one, but I don't think anyone really knows how it all breaks down. I agree facts are facts, but these days we don't seem to be able to agree on what the facts are. Ultimately, as you suggest, you pay your money and make your choices and deal with the consequences. They come whatever path you take.

The overly sensitive are trying to ban "Gone With the Wind" because of the subject matter and "offensive" words, etc. Just like Mark Twain's books. These are historically correct books including the language. They took place in the time of slaves. That is history. Go for the general readership and ignore the rest.

B.A. wrote: "The overly sensitive are trying to ban "Gone With the Wind" because of the subject matter and "offensive" words, etc. Just like Mark Twain's books. These are historically correct books including th..."

Amen to that :)

B.A. wrote: "The overly sensitive are trying to ban "Gone With the Wind" because of the subject matter and "offensive" words, etc. Just like Mark Twain's books. These are historically correct books including th..."

Completely agree with B.A. I am Nigerian and I recall white South African writer, Wilbur Smith, having to endure unfounded charges of racism for simply writing about a continent in which he lived. I write what I like and never care what anybody says. Most of the time the people screaming about "prejudice" are not even the people portrayed in the book. It is like having a young white person in Portland (Oregon) reading a historical fiction novel set in an African colony, and crying that the author had included realistic scenes in which a British colonial officer said something racist against the natives