In the second half of this series, blogger Peter Culos continues his interview with Will Hutchinson. Read part one here.
Artists always talk about their muse. What’s yours?
You know, I’m not totally sure. I think it depends on what aspect of the writing experience we’re talking about. I have about six books – stories if you will – in my head that I haven’t written yet. I’m blessed that I don’t even know what ‘writer’s block’ is. For my characters, my source of inspiration is the folks I’ve met along the way. Again, I’m blessed to have had a varied career in which I’ve met endless characters worthy of note. I merely place them in a historical context and describe them. Ah, but The Muse, the female personification of inspiration to persevere, to create, that would be my wife, Rosemary … the wind beneath my wings.
I’ve always thought that good historical fiction is a great way to get people interested in history and can even be a learning tool. Would you agree?
Absolutely. My interest in history and in the Civil War in particular, began with Stephen Crane’s Red Badge of Courage. It has been nurtured by such greats as C.S.Forester, Patrick O’Brian, Bernard Cornwell, and Jeff Shaara. Fiction is meant to entertain, where non-fiction’s primary purpose is to enlighten or inform. Historical fiction, well-written and well-researched, can provide the best of both worlds. I guess that would be my ultimate goal – that my stories are entertaining, provocative, and historically informative. I love the thought that I might inspire others to look more into the Crimean War, or Lincoln’s vulnerability.
Your main character, Ian Carlyle, cut his teeth during the Crimean War and then found adventure and intrigue in America during the Civil War. What’s next for him?
I’ve been pondering that for some time. My Muse gave me the answer. I intend to combine my military background with my law enforcement background. Ian will find himself in Saskatchewan, Canada, where he accepts a temporary commission as an Inspector in the North-West Mounted Police, and is faced with a serial killer. This was before anyone knew what that dubious title meant. Its kind of a “Criminal Minds” set in the rugged and wild northwest territories in the 1880’s. The working title is “The Ear Collector.” I’m researching now and enjoying it tremendously. I’ve written a basic outline and a few key chapters.
Finally, do you have any advice for anyone interested in entering the realm of historical fiction?
First, they must pay their dues and acquire the skills involved to write fiction in the first place. I found out that you can not avoid that process, even if you think you can write well. It’s essential. I’m talking about fictional writing skills like story, character development, drama, and dialogue. But there is more to writing historical fiction.
I believe most writers who tackle legitimate historical fiction are at their core researchers and historians. That is a blessing and a curse. The blessing part is obvious – an abiding passion for what you love – history. The curse is not so obvious.
Too much knowledge has an inherent danger – boredom! I call it ‘the hose effect.’ We learn so much neat stuff (for us) while researching that we want to tell it all to the reader. As an example, a sentence like: He took his Model 1853 Enfield, caliber 0.577, rifle musket, with the 39 inch barrel, and shot John at 500 yards, just short of the weapon’s effective range. Distracting, boring – I suspect so to the average reader, who is likely not a dead-on historian. As opposed to something like: In spite of the distance, he took his Enfield rifle, aimed, and shot John dead.
So what advice do I have? It’s simple – the story is everything. The detail makes it richer, deeper … but too much detail distracts, indeed detracts, from the story…and the story is everything. This is a fine balance to attain, and we all make mistakes, but it is a worthy effort.
So what works for me in writing historical fiction – get a good story first. Fill it with rich characters, good dialogue, not too much narrative, and lots of drama. Also fill it – the first time through – with as much historical detail as you must…get it out of your system. Then rewrite, rewrite, and rewrite. Each time and at every turn ask yourself, “Does it add to the story?” If not, it’s history. Make paragraphs and chapters short so it moves quickly. Write every chapter like a scene in a movie. Then have friends who are not into history at all read what you’ve written. Have them write the word “Boring” in the margin where the story bogs down…then rewrite again.
I know the folks will want to know more about you and read your work. Where might they go to do so?
My web site is http://www.willhutchison.com/. They can also purchase books direct at www.buybooksontheweb.com.
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