Writing historical fiction in the age of mass disinformation, gives one pause as to what is real. This is further complicated by authors filling in story gaps by adding details that are not based on facts.
The Merriam Webster dictionary defines historical novels as “those having as its setting a period of history and usually introducing some historical personages and events”. There are numerous variations of this definition but there is strong agreement that the genre tells a story that is set in the past. The emphasis is on rendering the time period as accurately as possible in terms of customs and attitudes.
People who have read my books repeatedly ask me questions about what is real and what I made up. Generally, people are surprised by what is real. As such, I think it might be interesting to explore some of the surprising realities from the past in blog type format. The first two entries follow.
Are the sexual and marriage norms depicted in Back in Time real or did I make some of them up? Click the above bottom to see the answer.
Was the Blood Libel story told inBack in Time truly used to harass the Jewish population in England? Click the above button to see the answer,