Writing Magazine

Questions of narrative

I’ve accidentally written a history book. It started out as a memoir with some historical research because I didn’t feel qualified to write history. I didn’t study the subject and I know that it is quite rigorous in terms of citing sources and creating an expansive bibliography. In short, I was afraid. My writing experience is limited to novels and some literary criticism so I set out to write something that was broadly novelistic.

Long story short: a memoir was never going to be commercially viable. Nobody is interested in my life. I’m a nobody. But the place I wanted to write about is fascinating to potentially thousands of people – which brought me back to history. I know from my previous novels that the problem with genuine history is the lack of narrative and plot, which are usually imposed in retrospect. In lieu of these, it simply has chronology, which can make for

You’re reading a preview, subscribe to read more.

More from Writing Magazine

Writing Magazine7 min read
SETTING Part One
After spending some time working through the Building Block of Structure, we found ourselves at the end of the last article faced with two further Building Blocks of Creative Writing – one marked CHARACTER and the other marked SETTING. The Building B
Writing Magazine3 min read
Understanding Structure
The concept of story structure might feel restrictive but it can enhance your creative freedom as a novelist. It can help you protect your story’s integrity, streamline your writing process, and boost your confidence, all through an understanding of
Writing Magazine2 min read
Hooray For The SWWJ!
In May this year the Society of Women Writers and Journalists (SWWJ) is celebrating its 130th anniversary. Surely no mean feat. I wonder how many words have been written and/or published by its members during that time. As a member maybe I am prejudi

Related Books & Audiobooks