What period in history are you writing about?
What attracts you to that particular period?
This year I'll be writing about the time of the Merovingian kings. It's a story based on a legend about the first Forester of Flanders, anchestor of the Counts of Flanders.
I chose that period because it is shrouded in myth and legend and because of a exhibit I visited recently about Dorestadt (an important town in the early Middle Ages in Holland). There was fantastic jewelry to be seen that tickled my imagination. It is also the time of legendary historical figures like King Arthur and Siegfried. So my story will have a lot of fantasy elements in it as well.
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2008: Lapis Lazuli (historical fiction) - WON! (57K)
2009: Vicit Vim Virtus (historical fiction)
67,433 / 50,000
Okt 2, 2009 - 12 18
I'll be writing about the time period in which Jesus lived. My novel is a (blasphemous) re-interpretation of the New Testament. I guess my novel isn't technically historical fiction (I was more attracted to the idea I had than writing about the time period), but historical detail is going to be very important, and I have been doing a lot of research. So even though I'm not working exclusively in this genre, it's an important component.
----------www.allysonwhipple.com
My Lulu.com storefront
2005-2007: Epic fail!
2008: Winter White Lights (Winner!)
2009: Loveless Gospels
41,408 / 50,000
Okt 2, 2009 - 12 28
I'm writing about late Victorian America, ca. 1902. I'm writing this era, honestly, because I've never written it before-- I usually write early 1800s England or 1920s America. I'm curious about Victorian America, though, since my knowledge of the era is based in England. It's a good thing I like research!
----------41,800 / 50,000
Okt 2, 2009 - 13 02
I write about early British Celts, before, during and just after Saxon invasion.
I love discovering about this period and so little is known that it leaves plenty for my imagination.
----------www.knittedlacedesigns.net
http://Valerie41.etsy.com
26,513 / 50,000
Okt 2, 2009 - 13 11
I am writing about Hollywood (though some scenes are set elsewhere — e.g., France, New York, Arizona) from the 1930s to the 1970s. It is a biographical novel about the marriage of Charles Boyer and Pat Paterson, who married in 1934 and who both died in 1978. I wanted to write about a marriage that intrigued me and a time period that seemed to have a lot of glamour: the Boyer-Paterson marriage (happy turned tragic) and the Hollywood setting qualify on both counts.
Since the setting is within living memory and all the characters were real people, I will have to be very careful about historical accuracy, at least with later drafts.
----------35,708 / 50,000
Okt 2, 2009 - 14 08
Demi--Hats off to writing about the Merovingian period. I *love* that era, but know nothing about the Low Countries during that time. Sounds like an interesting subject!
I'm doing WWI Germany, with a good bit of Reformation-era stuff woven into it. So many amazing people, especially scientists, were working around the time of the First World War, and Germany before the war was an absolutely fascinating place. I have a feeling the War itself is going to take a backseat in my Nano, but I'm having a great time researching the homefront. I'll also be doing a bit of fantasy, but darn it, it'll be historically informed fantasy.
58,114 / 50,000
Okt 2, 2009 - 14 35
I'm between the First and Second World Wars. To be more specific, 1924/1925.
23,171 / 50,000
Okt 2, 2009 - 14 58
Mine is set in th 14th century, specifically 1345-1401 with a few select scenes after and before those years. It will be set mostly in Scotland, but also a bit in other European countries and North America.
If anyone is expertish in that time period, send me a PM! I will need some serious help with research!
76,754 / 50,000
Okt 2, 2009 - 15 13
It's probably a bit overdone, but I'm doing 1930s/40s Germany. It's my first historical novel, so it's going to be a bit of a challenge, but I've got loads of notes and actually have a more than vague idea for a plot, so I think it'll work out okay. Excited to hear what everyone else is writing about!
----------"And alll I ask is a tall ship and a star to steer her by." - John Masefield
28,239 / 50,000
Okt 2, 2009 - 15 49
I'm writing about early 20t century America, something like 1910-20. All I know about the novel so far is that it centers around a brother and sister who leave Ireland to start anew in America. It's going to be set on Ellis Island and in Manhattan.
The MMC has left Ireland some years ago and his mother writes to him to say she'll send his sister. FMC arrives in Ellis Island, but her brother is in hiding - probably has to do with politics, as it is a time of deep unrest, with WWI, the partition of Ireland and the Russian Revolution... Because her brother isn't coming to collect her, FMC, who is an unmarrried woman, is going to either be sent back to Ireland or have to marry a random guy on the Island.
That's for starters and then when FMC manages to finally get into the States, she has to find a way to help her brother who is rather deep trouble...
If anyone knows anything about the time period in America and Ireland, please give opinion and/or advice, pretty please?
----------2009 - A One-Way Ticket To Brooklyn - WIP
2008 - Stars Shine Brighter - Winner
48,022 / 50,000
Okt 2, 2009 - 15 51
My novel is set in 1870s or 1880s America. Reconstruction, Manifest Destiny, moving west on the railroads. :)
----------Chantal
"Someday never comes." - CCR
chamahash.blogspot.com
1,510 / 50,000
Okt 2, 2009 - 17 04
I'm not 100% sure, but I'm think of writing about the Holocaust.
50,053 / 50,000
Okt 2, 2009 - 17 58
I've never written historical fiction, but this year, I'm going to try to write a novel based in 1872 Boston. That's the year of the great Boston fire, which I plan on incorporating into the story some how.
I grew up in the Boston area, but after walking around Cambridge a couple weekends ago, and seeing tomb stones from that time period, I realized that this year, I have to write something that deals with Boston and Cambridge history. I tend to like reading historical novels with gay characters, and since those are few and far between, I figured I'd give it a shot.
I have a lot of research to do before November first though!
30,012 / 50,000
Okt 2, 2009 - 19 17
My story is in 1902 as well- in my case centered on the post Pan American Expo Buffalo and the by then declining use of the Erie Canal. (with supernatural aspects thrown in). Two of my MCs are widows, one old and one young so varying ideas of the rules of widowhood are involved. tmk American late Victorian/early Edwardian was much like England's, but maybe a couple years behind.
----------14,675 / 50,000
Okt 2, 2009 - 19 35
I'm writing about the British Regency Time period, AKA England (Particularly Southern England) like from 1811 - 1820. I'm doing the year 1813...
Reason I am attracted to this era, because i love the 1800's England in general, and I am in LOVE with Jane Austne and other authors of that particular era.
I'm into the romance aspect and also showing the misfortunes of class systems and the women of the time period. thats why i love it too...
32,536 / 50,000
Okt 2, 2009 - 19 49
I have to do a little more research, but I am writing about the Greeks. It's a play on mythology. I am absolutely attracted to Greek mythology with all the gods, goddesses and heroes. I took Latin I and II and had to translate parts of the Odyssey and the Illiad and I fell in love with the time period. It's in Athens, Greece and a little before the Trojan War, so that should help clear some of it up.
I do like what others are writing about too. It sounds exciting.
~Zeus
----------YWP NaNo '07 - 30K - WON!
YWP NaNo '08 - 35K - WON!
JanNo '09 - 35K - WON!
NaNo '09 - 50K - TBA
886 / 50,000
Okt 2, 2009 - 21 40
I'm writing a murder mystery but it is set in the American "Old West" period; or more specifically, sometime between 1880 and 1890. I've been researching the period and not only have I learned a considerable amount about the time period but I've also gotten a great idea for a sequel to this novel. Perhaps that will be my nano project for next year.
I'm not really a huge western fan but that's the story that came to me so it's the one I'm going to write.
----------I'm a cubic zirconia in the rough.
56,163 / 50,000
Okt 2, 2009 - 22 34
I'm writing about the late 19th century American West, specifically, prairie life. Lots of research ahead of me! I need to know about clothes, and food, and harvesting seasons, and weather, and animals, and transportation. Phew.
I got the inspiration on vacation this summer, when my family visited the Ingalls Homestead in De Smet, South Dakota. Everything fell into place in a single moment. Prairie-homsteader farm hand meets new East-coast schoolteacher. Romance! Angst! Romance!
----------2008: The Fortress of Salunum [WIN, 52k]
2009: When the Sunflowers Are Tall and In Full Bloom [work in progress]
41,007 / 50,000
Okt 3, 2009 - 00 44
My actual idea is still rather vague, but I'll probably stick to Victorian England like I did in 2007 and 2008, because I won't have the time to research a complete new era and I'm quite familiar with the second half of the 19th century through my research for uni.
Although this time part of the story might be set in Venice, because I just travelled there and fell in love with the city.
Well, now I just need a decent plot....
----------2006 "Vae Victis"
2007 "Das Lächeln der Persephone"
2008 "Redclyffe"
2009 "Dionysus"
41,405 / 50,000
Okt 3, 2009 - 04 19
52 BC here, late Roman Republic.
I've always loved the Latin language and the interest for the historical background and the people more or less came by itself. I also study Latin at university and considering all the turbulent history, the last century of the Republic has always been my favourite time. Firstly, 'decay' features a lot throughout all my stories, historical or not, and secondly, all my favourite authors (Catullus, Cicero, Virgil, Sallust, ...) lived during that time. Love reading historical fiction about that period, but I've never written anything historical myself. I'm quite excited :)
7,326 / 50,000
Okt 3, 2009 - 06 35
Halifax, Nova Scotia, 1812-1813.
The setting intrigues me even though I know very little about the War of 1812. But seeing that POB and Julian Stockwin have both sent their (officer) characters to parties there, the right levels of society must be present...so why not kill two birds with one stone and write what may end up one of the strangest Austenesques ever? I've been meaning to try one for a long time. And apart from the setting, it isn't all that strange--what little plot I have has elements that remind me of Emma, Persuasion, and Sense and Sensibility.
50,522 / 50,000
Okt 3, 2009 - 06 53
I'm writing one set in the 1890s, America and Italy. I'm bringing back a cast of characters from my NaNo two years ago, a flamboyant jewel thief and his cohorts. I loved the characters the first time and was hoping to bring them back for a second adventure. And I already have a lot of the research for the period down pat, which makes prep work easier. It'll be a humorous heist novel and, hopefully as I have it planned now, will be long enough to hit 50k! I love doing humor for NaNo; makes it so easy.
29,183 / 50,000
Okt 3, 2009 - 07 00
WWI. possibly. i am having doubts about that plot idea...
----------http://myquietlittlelife.blogspot.com
13,733 / 50,000
Okt 3, 2009 - 08 07
I'm not quite sure what the exact time period is, but around the age of exploration. The plot is still iffy, so I'm not sure if it will be set in the new or old world. Pirates will be involved.
13,208 / 50,000
Okt 3, 2009 - 09 52
I might be writing about the Golden Age of piracy. It depends what I feel like writing.
----------I have been getting interested in the period in time when mobs and the mafia held a lot of control, but I don't know enough about it to write yet.
26,096 / 50,000
Okt 3, 2009 - 10 06
My story starts in 1947, in the United States, right after the various concentration/extermination camps - specifically Auschwitz- were liberated.
My MC buys a used cello from a shop in New York City. Upon returning home and further inspecting the cello, he finds a stash of letters in a false back. As he reads through the first few, he realizes that these are letters from former prisoners of recently liberated Auschwitz. He doesn't know who they're from or how they came to be in a false backing to the cello, but he DOES have something to go off of - the recipients of the letters. So, he begins a quest to deliver the letters to their intended destination, and in turn, begins to piece together stories of war… and of love.
----------46,192 / 50,000
Okt 3, 2009 - 11 03
While not an historical novel, i'm planning for my main charactor to be in a fantasy world through which she travels to different time periods to meet different charctors from church history (mainly western, but we'll see what happens.) Haven't decided if she'll meet the relervant famous person, or just someone from the period who will know about them. I therefore plan to research various figures over the next couple of weeks, but will hopefully not need to many details (also have just finished a degree in theology, so will be digginout out my church history notes!)
----------I have no clue on spelling and grammer (i have dyslexia) please be nice to me, when/ if you point out mistakes!
886 / 50,000
Okt 3, 2009 - 12 15
My MC buys a used cello from a shop in New York City. Upon returning home and further inspecting the cello, he finds a stash of letters in a false back. As he reads through the first few, he realizes that these are letters from former prisoners of recently liberated Auschwitz. He doesn't know who they're from or how they came to be in a false backing to the cello, but he DOES have something to go off of - the recipients of the letters. So, he begins a quest to deliver the letters to their intended destination, and in turn, begins to piece together stories of war… and of love.
Wow! What a great concept! It sounds like it will be a beautiful story. Best of luck!
I'm a cubic zirconia in the rough.
----------I'm a cubic zirconia in the rough.
43,325 / 50,000
Okt 3, 2009 - 12 32
My book takes place in Edo era Japan, around the mid 1700s or so. It's more of a historical fantasy, since it's a story based loosely off the legendary Yuki-onna or "snow woman". But I'm setting it in a small fictional farming village in the mountains.
Every novel I've done for NaNo is set in Japan. I think I'm just fascinated by the culture.
----------26,096 / 50,000
Okt 3, 2009 - 12 33
My MC buys a used cello from a shop in New York City. Upon returning home and further inspecting the cello, he finds a stash of letters in a false back. As he reads through the first few, he realizes that these are letters from former prisoners of recently liberated Auschwitz. He doesn't know who they're from or how they came to be in a false backing to the cello, but he DOES have something to go off of - the recipients of the letters. So, he begins a quest to deliver the letters to their intended destination, and in turn, begins to piece together stories of war… and of love.
Wow! What a great concept! It sounds like it will be a beautiful story. Best of luck!
I'm a cubic zirconia in the rough.
Thank you so much! I hope it turns out as good as it sounds in my head ;-)
----------36,929 / 50,000
Okt 3, 2009 - 13 32
My novel will be taking place in the 1st Century AD. I'm torn between setting it in Rome or Pompeii though. :S I need to be deciding!
----------♥Amore