From The Battlefield To The Bookstore

For many reenactors, military and civilian, one of theaccept both her father's decision to fight for the
pleasures of a weekend spent in the field is thatUnion Army and her best friend's support of the
elusive moment when everything works. I've heardConfederacy.
the sensation called "the bubble," or simply "the5. Some writers outline their novels in advance; some
magic." There's no way to predict exactly when it willdon't. Choose whatever approach works for you. I
happen. The feeling may last only seconds. But oncedon't outline, but I do build a graphic organizer as I
you've experienced a moment that suddenly looks,go. I create a table with four headings across the
smells, sounds, and feels so real that you completelytop: Chapter, Date, Scenes, Historical Events. That
forget your modern existence, you'll be hungry forhelps me keep track of what my characters are
more.doing, and how their actions fit into the actual timeline
I know I am. After a decade of reenacting, I'm notof events that form the backdrop for my story.
able to participate much any more. Instead I read,6. Research, of course, is essential and ongoing. The
disappearing into the magic of good historical novels.historical details we love can also bog down a novel's
And I write historical fiction as well, apace. If you fall in love with some fact or process,
hobby-turned-career that lets me spend time indon't just describe it in your fiction. Use that
imaginary scenes of my own creation. My mostinformation to help reveal something new about your
recent novel, Hearts of Stone, grew out of a Civilcharacter, or to advance your plot.
War refugee camp scenario at an event in7. Also, decide in advance where you are going to
Tennessee. And one of those "bubble" momentsdraw the line on historical accuracy. Are you willing to
provided the kernel of raw inspiration.fictionalize weather details, or to make up business
Is there a novel in your future? If, like a number ofnames for the merchants in a particular town?
reenactors I know, you're interested in trying yourReenactors are often fanatical about getting the
hand at fiction, why wait until someday?details right. At some point, you'll have to say:
Reenactors are well poised to write historicalEnough. I'm done.
fiction-much more so than many of the beginning8. Keep a journal when you are at events. With a
writers I meet when I teach general workshops onwell-chosen pencil and notebook, you can even make
the genre. As a serious reenactor, you're alreadyit part of your impression. Make a point of recording
steeped in the history and social fabric of yourspecific, sensory details. Those details will bring your
chosen period. You know a lot about material culturefiction to life, and will signal to readers that you are a
and historical process. You're experienced attrustworthy narrator.
traditional research, and you conduct experiential9. Read as many different primary accounts as
research every time you participate in a new eventpossible. Becoming steeped in period literature of all
or try your hand at a new activity. And you probablykinds will help you impart the flavor of
have an innate sense of story. The things that youperiod-appropriate speech in your fiction. (Note I said
find most interesting about your hobby would likely"flavor." You don't want to overwhelm readers with
make a strong foundation for a novel.period-perfect but hard-to-understand speech.)
If you are ready to get to work, here are a few10. Join a professional writers' organization.
suggestions.Membership can be an excellent way to learn more
1. Develop a fresh story idea. If you want to write aabout both writing and publishing. The groups'
children's book about the Civil War, see how manyinformative newsletters are often worth the price of
stories about drummer boys exist before writing onemembership. Most groups also hold regular
of your own.conferences, which let pre-published authors meet
2. Once you've settled on your idea, focus first onother writers, agents and editors. The Historical Novel
writing your story, not publishing your novel. EnjoySociety is an umbrella group for all historical fiction
the process. Take a class. Learn your craft. Let thewriters. Genre-specific groups like the Society of
marketing stuff come later.Children's Book Writers and Illustrators, Mystery
3. Create a compelling, memorable main character.Writers of America, and Romance Writers of
The best fiction is character-driven, so spend a lot ofAmerica may help you find professional success.
time thinking about the people you'll be writing about.Once your story is as good as you can make it, you
Develop a complete history for them. All thehave options for publishing. If your top priority is
information won't make it into the story, but it willcreating a book that your family and friends can
help you present a complex, believable, consistentenjoy, sooner than later, you may want to
character.self-publish. If your only dream is a book contract
4. Once you have a strong sense of your character,from a major publisher, hunker down for the long
shape your plot. Think in terms of having yourhaul. Learn everything you can about the industry.
character struggle to achieve something. ShortRead what's being published and make note of what
stories and books for young children may have onedifferent presses are looking for.
clear plotline. More complex novels have multipleHaving a book published is an amazing experience.
plotlines. I like to think in terms of "outer" and "inner"Still, if someone told me that I'd never be published
struggles. In Hearts of Stone, my main characteragain, I wouldn't stop writing. The process of
Hannah's outer plot involves struggling to keep herresearching, imagining, and writing my stories brings
family together after she and her younger siblingsits own rewards. I hope you can find that magic as
become orphaned and homeless during the Civil War.well.
Her inner plot focuses on her emotional struggle to