The Lure of History
Maybe it's because we know whatever bad things were going on worked out eventually.
Take 1947. World War II had recently ended. The Korean War was looming. The atomic bomb was a new reality and a threat to every living soul. There were floods. Plane crashes. And communists lurking in every corner.
At the time, they had to think their world was about to come to an end.
But it didn't. The earth kept spinning and that generation survived to become the Greatest Generation.
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What doesn't kill you, does make you stronger.
You just need to survive it first.
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Also on the writing front:
Want to add some extra writing skills to your writing tool box? Check out the podcasts offered by DIY MFA. I've listened to a few of them and they are as entertaining as they are helpful.
The IWSG is partnering with DIY MFA this spring to bring you a great program for writers.
The first one is Episode 234: A Master Class on Character — Interview with David Corbett.
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| Get the details here. |
Did you hear about the woman in labor who started yelling, "Couldn't. Shouldn't. Wouldn't. Can't!" ? Yep, she was having contractions.
Funny.
ReplyDeleteI think you might have some great ideas for stories in that old news. Like, what if it didn’t all work out.
That would make for some interesting stories!
DeleteThe frightening parts of history lose their sting once we survive them, but that doesn't mean they weren't horrifying at the time. But you're right about how enjoyable the research can be. Have fun with it! I'm sure you can make history come alive.
ReplyDeleteI like that joke about contractions. When I was in labor with our first child, the gal in the room with me was yelling, too... but what she had to say was kinda unfit to repeat... :)
Have a super weekend.
I suppose it's good that bad memories fade with time. If not, we'd probably be emotionally crippled with the pain of it all
DeleteYeah, always think it was simpler times, but not so much then. Write away what comes to play.
ReplyDeleteIt's very easy to romanticize.
DeleteWhen the men came home from the war, the U.S. had a terrible housing shortage. Women who had gone out to work in factories or elsewhere had to give up their jobs to the men and go back to staying at home with the kids, the number of which increased rapidly with the baby boom. In addition to reading about that time period, you might want to talk to people who lived through it. Older folks have fascinating perspectives on the past.
ReplyDeleteLove,
Janie
So, Janie...sounds like I'll be bugging you. :)
DeleteMy grandma worked at Goodyear making blimps and quit once the war was over. As a little girl, my mom was convinced Rosie the Riverter was patterned after my grandma Rose.
Hahaha! The woman in labor. I don't know if you've watched it yet, but the Finding Your Roots program on PBS is amazing for historical information and stories. I mean, really. Watched one recently about I think Andy Samburg who found his mother's biological parents. Crazy because they were even able to find one photo of her parents together, evidently on a one night stand. Amazing. You might like that show if you want to read about some crazy stories and get ideas...
ReplyDeleteI do love shows like that. I'll have to check it out.
DeleteI find writing in the past really tough, even just a couple decades. Getting the cliches, habits, and technology correct is nearly impossible. So many subtle changes in how we live and work from year to year.
ReplyDeleteI know. It took me five years to write my last historical and I still got things wrong.
DeleteOMG That joke is awesome. Made me giggle.
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed it too!
DeleteMWAAAAAH! (That's the sound of me blowing a kiss to you.) Thanks soooo much for the review. You truly made my day, sweet lady.
ReplyDeleteI can't believe I hadn't reviewed it! Did I review the pre-order and it disappear? Or am I just nuts? Probably the whole nuts thing; it's more my style. LOL
DeleteIt was a great book. I'm happy to praise it!