Modern preconceived notions about historical events

Snowstorm · Feb 18, 2010

[FONT=&quot]I have a concern about readers’ preconceived notions for my historical novel, which is about a Mormon settlement in the 1840s. Most of my characters drink coffee, tea, and liquor. (The story’s written that such activities are a matter of daily life, not an in-your-face jab.) While a devout Mormon would not drink those beverages now, my research shows that back then few followed Smith’s Word of Wisdom (it was considered a recommendation—not a command). About chapter 3, I explain this.[/FONT]

[FONT=&quot]Today, a beta reader gave her critique of my prologue and chapter 1. She said, “Mormons don’t drink that stuff.” After she finished her feedback, I explained the changes since the 1840s. [/FONT]

[FONT=&quot]My concern is these preconceived notions may cause a reader to reject my work based on what they know of the religion as it is NOW, not as it was 160 years ago. Or do I need to address this issue at all? [/FONT]

[FONT=&quot]Hubby recommended I write an “Author’s Notes” page or foreword about the changes. My preference is to not explain anything beforehand, but let the reader go along with the story. [/FONT][FONT=&quot]I don’t want an info/history dump right off the get-go, but the beta's feedback concerned me that confusion may distract readers and cause a loss of credibility [/FONT][FONT=&quot]because they believe I failed to research.
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[FONT=&quot]Do other historical writers have this concern? How do you handle it? Any thoughts? Thank you.
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pdr · Feb 19, 2010

Difficult...

when people think they know something but you have research proving otherwise. I would recommend doing as your husband suggests, an author's note with research cited.

angeliz2k · Feb 19, 2010

Actually, I have a similar problem--though slightly different. It's not that people have a preconceived notion of the events or time period necessarily (or at least none that I'm contradicting). The problem is that the events might come across as unbelievable. Yet they come right out of the mouths of the people involved (as unreliable as they may be).

I wrote a note at the beginning, saying in effect that, "Fact is stranger than fiction; if you start doubting that this happened, then trust me, these were real events."

Snowstorm · Feb 19, 2010

Thank you, pdr and angeliz2k! Perhaps that Author's Note is the way to go.

I like your short-n-sweet version, angeliz2k. I wouldn't use the research cited though, pdr. The list is a hefty 60+ books and about 5 reliable Web sites.

Okay, I guess I'm just cringing--and rather irritated--that I feel I have to explain or excuse ahead of time what I wrote. Yeah, bottom line: that's what's ticking me off.

pdr · Feb 19, 2010

I think...

you'll find that many historical readers really enjoy the history and look for a bibliography or further sources to read. Some key sources in your note would be welcomed by many readers.

Snowstorm · Feb 19, 2010

Hmm. Good point, pdr. I hadn't thought of that. I'll consider doing that! ETA: I think the novel's circumstances are a little-known point in American history that a lot of people would find shocking and/or interesting. Providing a bib would let them delve deeper. Thank you!

WriteKnight · Feb 19, 2010

A forward note that simply states "The Mormon Faith has evolved since it's earliest beginnings. This story is set in a time that was different from the current tenets of the faith. An afterword and bibliography is attached for those interested in tracking the developments over the years."

Then the afterward can explain and go into detail if you like. The note at the front will 'seed' the readers mind with the thought "Hmmm, not how it's done now... must have been different back then - I'll have to check on that..."

Honestly - I've read enough historical fiction to make that mental note myself now. "Hmmm, I thought that wasn't invented till later -- I'll have to check on that." - Usually the author's notes are kind enough to explain or offer further research opportunities - regardless of the subject.

Snowstorm · Feb 19, 2010

WriteKnight, you know, I've done that too while reading an historical novel: "Hmm, I'll have to verify that." You make fantastic points, simple yet comprehensive. Funny, I was so focused on the story and providing enough of the history that the reader would know what was happening and why, I never considered that the reader might actually be intrigued enough to take that intrigue further.

I have an Author's Notes back for the back that I will expand. Thank you all! You've made a big difference.

cooeedownunder · Feb 19, 2010

I had a similar reaction from beta readers regarding some scenes set in Australia in 1820 where the servants (convicts and ex-convicts) were treated and acted different than English servants at the time. The comments ranged from 'a servant wouldn't dare speak to their master that way' and 'why is the master tolerating such behaviour?' - and my favourite and the most challenging one to resolve - 'who would travel on their own accord to recieve their own punishment if not taken by force?'

The reasons for such are wide and varied - and although I'm working on resolving the questions within the text presented, I think the only way I am going to be able to present a believable topic few writers have attempted in a fiction sense, is to provide an authors note and biography.

MTP · Feb 19, 2010

Another option is to sneak it into dialogue, in case a reader doesn't see the Author's Note beforehand. Are any of your characters recent converts who might have read Smith's guidance on caffeine and liquor and understood it as a command, not a recommendation? They could express disdain at fellow Mormons consuming those substances, followed by one of the longer-standing Mormons setting them straight.

Snowstorm · Feb 19, 2010

I guess my issue sounds like a common concern.

MTP, yeah, it's all spelled out in the book. In some cases it's in the dialogue (and avoided the dreaded, "as you know, Bob" type explanation). Some is a short paragraph to bring the reader up to speed on what happened. Not an info/history dump, but enough to explain things. To make the story flow, I worked in the WoW later (chapter 3, I believe).

Stlight · Feb 21, 2010

Sometimes you can’t explain. One of my beta readers for an 18th century adventure set in London, said “Story’s okay, but all your people are alcoholics.” She wasn’t interested in the different views and the different definitions of temperance and moderation, or the fact that tea and coffee were beyond the ordinary person‘s means. The characters drank every day, they were alcoholics period.

That was the sympathy. Now the answer, go for the author’s notes in the beginning. Some will read them, some won’t need them, some won’t read them, and some won’t believe them.

Snowstorm · Feb 21, 2010

You're right, Stlight. Great point. Hubby was saying some folks just won't get it or won't believe it. I guess it all boils down to do the best you can, as an author, to make sure reader is in tune as much as possible. If not, oh, well.

cooeedownunder · Feb 21, 2010

Yes, you can't please them all but hopefully you'll be able to strike a cord with the majority.

dirtsider · Feb 23, 2010

Stlight said:
Sometimes you can’t explain. One of my beta readers for an 18th century adventure set in London, said “Story’s okay, but all your people are alcoholics.” She wasn’t interested in the different views and the different definitions of temperance and moderation, or the fact that tea and coffee were beyond the ordinary person‘s means. The characters drank every day, they were alcoholics period.

That was the sympathy. Now the answer, go for the author’s notes in the beginning. Some will read them, some won’t need them, some won’t read them, and some won’t believe them.

Stlight - I have to laugh at the beta's comment. Actually, you're right - coffee and tea were expensive (to the point where they were kept under lock and key). It wasn't so much they were alcoholics at that time. It was more that water was extremely polluted so alcohol was the only safe thing to drink. That's pretty common knowledge for the time period.

Deleted member 42 · Feb 23, 2010

The mere use of the phrase "dark ages" in a medieval context or as an allusion to said context makes my head hurt.

Stlight · Feb 23, 2010

dirtsider, I did ask my beta a riddle which annoyed her.

What do you call an 18th century man who drinks water?

Dead.

khalleron · Feb 26, 2010

Since my novel takes place in the 1880s California, and so many people think they 'know' what that time was like because of the popularity of the 'Western' genre, yes, I'm afraid I will run into that.

I had a discussion/argument on AW with someone over whether the word 'vacation' was in common use at the time (it was). Thanks to the Internet, I was able to prove it.

Wait until Chapter 2 where I have a young woman who is planning to go to college to study natural history.

I'm sure what really irked you about your beta was the remark 'You should do some research.' That would have made me bang my head on the table, then compose an ever-so-politely worded note showing him/her that I had. No one writes historicals unless they have, usually months and months of it. It doesn't feel nice to have all of that blown off.

As an aside, I know quite a few Mormons who drink coffee. They feel guilty about it, but they do it. It's never correct to say that 'Mormons don't. . .' or 'Christians don't. . .' or 'gays don't. . .' or whatever. There are always some who do, whatever it is.

alex_falstone · Feb 27, 2010

And of course a key reason why our ancesters nearly all drank, all day, was that you were less likely to encounter lethal micro-bugs in alcoholic or drinks requiring that you boil the water first.

I have occasionally mused whether the reason some earlier ages were incredibly violent is simply because 90% of the population was permanently shit-faced. :evil

Snowstorm · Feb 27, 2010

khalleron: Oh, you're right. I got the full manuscript back and she loved the book. She stayed up most of the night finish it! As your comment that Mormon don't ...." you're right, some do drink coffee and some do belly up to our bar that I own. Along those lines, personally I try real hard not to pigeon-hole groups of people. If they do, fine; if they don't, that's fine too.

For all those who offered insight: thank you! I wrote a Foreword encapsulating that the religion has evolved since its beginning. And I wrote an Afterword about information about the real people and highlighted some of the fictional people.

WriteKnight and pdr: In the Afterword, I included a list of selected readings in case the reader wishes to know more about the real people during that time period and the faith. I'm real pleased with how it came out. Thank you both for the suggestion!

DeleyanLee · Feb 27, 2010

When my Historical Romance (set in pre-Norman Ireland) was published, my editor sent it out for reviews: several to Romance readers, one to a friend of hers who was a history professor at Trinity College, Dublin.

One of the Romance reviewers came back with "The author doesn't have a historical grip on how women were treated or behaved in a Medieval setting", whereas the history prof said, "It is refreshing to see the Irish view of the importance of women reflected in fiction." I found the contrast very amusing.

The other thing the OP should also remember is that many people don't know those details about the Mormon religion. Including the author's note is a good idea for those readers (like myself) to clue them into some of the differences in the culture, as well as history.

Snowstorm · Feb 27, 2010

You're right DeleyanLee. I think there's a lot of folks who think they know about the religion. A lot of preconceived notions. The Foreword should should work well. If not, oh well.

How great your research was validated by the history prof! That must have made you feel great.

History_Chick · Mar 1, 2010

I think you may need to put something in there. You need to explain the changes because there maybe people who know nothing about the Mormons say a few facts here and there but know they don't drink now and people maybe upset that your book isn't 'accurate" enough.

I know many HF readers who will toss a book for that reasons.

So I think you should cover yourself.

lkp · Mar 2, 2010

I think you need to pick your battles. How important is this section that people will not expect be to the story you are telling?

On the other hand, if you want to use a forward, a possible model is the forward of Rashi's Daughters. That author used it to explain some things about the role of women in medieval Judaism that ran contrary to readers' expectations. Still, she used it to explain something integral to the plot and the story. If it were just used to explain confusing detail, I think I'd find it dull and would put the book down.

Albannach · Mar 2, 2010

Preconceived notions are something to be concerned about. I don't know how many times, because I write set in medieval Scotland, I've had people say: Oh, kilts!

Well, medieval Scots did NOT wear kilts (nor paint their faces blue!!!!)

I also had someone tell me that a medieval Scot wouldn't be in France because medieval peoples didn't travel. *bangs head on the keyboard*

How one successfully deals with this, I'm not sure. I simply ignore it and tell the story trying to make clear in simple narrative the type of society medieval Scotland actually was (nothing like the movie Braveheart, that's for sure!) At the same time, I don't think you can go out of your way to say that the notions are wrong and thus slow down and spoil your story telling.

It is open to question whether this is the best way to deal with it though.

It is a real concern to a lot of historical writers who don't want to pander to misconceptions and myth.

Edit: A Foreward or Afterward or notes dealing with these misconceptions is certainly a possibility but sometimes the misconceptions are so massive... I'm not quite sure if this serves. It is something that has to concern us as writers of Historical Fiction though.

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