tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post269904936483117087..comments2024-03-28T10:41:26.999-06:00Comments on Blood-Red Pencil: Genres - Alternate HistoryDanihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14471919576687777886noreply@blogger.comBlogger8125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post-76419642447139435512010-07-12T21:46:47.363-06:002010-07-12T21:46:47.363-06:00I used to feel frustrated by alternate histories, ...I used to feel frustrated by alternate histories, but maybe I grew into them. I wonder if there are genres that you have to be older to appreciate.Sheila Deethhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13465615546936319164noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post-69160770204567385722010-07-11T17:43:38.552-06:002010-07-11T17:43:38.552-06:00Jo,
Thanks for the great research links.
Charlotte...Jo,<br />Thanks for the great research links.<br />CharlotteCharlotte Phillipshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16161668954588333319noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post-38491453779678836042010-07-10T19:05:59.253-06:002010-07-10T19:05:59.253-06:00I think one of the finest examples of alternate hi...I think one of the finest examples of alternate history is the Robin Paige Victorian/Edwardian series written by Susan Wittig and Bill Albert. They took some major happening of the day for each book, did fantastic research, and then spun their protagonists around the real-life event. I've always thought these would make great adjunct novels for a history class. <br /><br />Interesting post, Jo. Thanks!<br /><br />DaniDanihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14471919576687777886noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post-49578312163843140902010-07-10T19:04:35.348-06:002010-07-10T19:04:35.348-06:00This comment has been removed by the author.Danihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14471919576687777886noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post-70769540284249048222010-07-10T13:33:19.640-06:002010-07-10T13:33:19.640-06:00Wonderful post, Jo. I enjoyed reading about altern...Wonderful post, Jo. I enjoyed reading about alternate history books.Helen Gingerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09794759602654727110noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post-59972215391065494412010-07-10T13:17:04.799-06:002010-07-10T13:17:04.799-06:00Jo, even though I read a lot, I don't think I&...Jo, even though I read a lot, I don't think I've ever read a book that could be classified as alternate history. "The Man in the High Castle" is going on my TBR list so I can see what it's all about. Thanks for the interesting introduction to the genre.Patricia Stolteyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17192369425956406122noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post-9479111045720684422010-07-10T10:46:54.176-06:002010-07-10T10:46:54.176-06:00I like the idea of alternate history. It's a s...I like the idea of alternate history. It's a shame it can only be fiction!<br /><br />Morgan Mandel<br />http://morganmandel.blogspot.com<br />http://facebook.com/morgan.mandelMorgan Mandelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10118929301591850918noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post-3913080389882686532010-07-10T06:13:21.412-06:002010-07-10T06:13:21.412-06:00Genre tends to limit a writer on one hand because ...Genre tends to limit a writer on one hand because of its "requirements"; on the other hand, it creates a logical way to categorize a book as a mystery, romance, fantasy, how-to, history, etc., a necessity for bookstores and libraries. Subgenres offer a bit more latitude to the free-spirited writer with a unique imagination, but even these are not without guidelines.<br /><br />Take alternate history, for example. Your comments drive home the point that research is vital, even in fiction--and this applies to all genres. A writer's failure to make the reader suspend disbelief can limit his success and call any future works into question. How so? If a story doesn't ring true, it doesn't work for the reader--and a lot of readers (and critics) know history (and a wide variety of other topics). This makes your mention of research sources particularly valuable to the author who wants to write a powerful and insightful story about what might have been.<br /><br />Nice post, Jo!Linda Lanehttp://www.DenverEditor.comnoreply@blogger.com