tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9156334464585894857.post446259192435551201..comments2023-10-25T05:30:54.507-04:00Comments on Oh Get A Grip!: Obsessing about HistoryAshe Barkerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03390519279886657608noreply@blogger.comBlogger12125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9156334464585894857.post-90963912157026029612009-10-23T17:13:59.421-04:002009-10-23T17:13:59.421-04:00Hi Lisabet, thank you for inviting me.
I think ba...Hi Lisabet, thank you for inviting me.<br /><br />I think back then my bio still said male, because I innocently thought it didn't matter. That's why many many gay historical writers have gender neutral names.<br /><br />I agree with you, and sometimes I've simply had to extemporise. It's very easy - for example to learn anything about the english civil WAR but try and find out about the life of ordinary folk and even the living history buffs will admit it's damn difficult.Erasteshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02203293017233301227noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9156334464585894857.post-44294774517573357512009-10-23T17:11:47.196-04:002009-10-23T17:11:47.196-04:00Hi Helen, it's good to be here.
Thank you!
A...Hi Helen, it's good to be here.<br /><br />Thank you!<br /><br />And yes, it's a balance between info-dump and wallpaper historical. It's not easy. I've been accused of info dumping myself.Erasteshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02203293017233301227noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9156334464585894857.post-88503630275582757382009-10-23T17:10:22.007-04:002009-10-23T17:10:22.007-04:00Hi Jude and thank you for the comment!
Perhaps on...Hi Jude and thank you for the comment!<br /><br />Perhaps one day I'll write the gay Cave Bear. <br /><br />:)Erasteshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02203293017233301227noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9156334464585894857.post-54481813761920787202009-10-23T17:09:34.650-04:002009-10-23T17:09:34.650-04:00Hi Ashley (sorry for delay!)
It's good to hea...Hi Ashley (sorry for delay!)<br /><br />It's good to hear that you do research for contemps - I do too, I find I do just as much research. Hell, I used to do just as much for FANFIC. I think i'm just research mad.Erasteshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02203293017233301227noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9156334464585894857.post-29378645042648627392009-10-23T17:04:52.698-04:002009-10-23T17:04:52.698-04:00Hi Jenna, and thank you (apologies for taking so l...Hi Jenna, and thank you (apologies for taking so long to reply)<br /><br />Absolutely - I agree, I don't mind a reader gleefully pointing out the things I've got wrong, but they can tell if I've tried or simply not bothered. I'm glad you enjoyed the post!Erasteshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02203293017233301227noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9156334464585894857.post-61143083388843054462009-10-23T17:03:23.750-04:002009-10-23T17:03:23.750-04:00Hi Garceus!
Sorry to take so long to reply, but...Hi Garceus! <br /><br />Sorry to take so long to reply, but - well things got a little stressy in the real world...<br /><br />I admit that when I started to write I did have my bio as a man because I simply think it mattered - in the true blue tradition of George Sand, George Eliot, Currer Bell and others. But suddenly it DID matter and I had to come clean.<br />Thank you for your comment!Erasteshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02203293017233301227noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9156334464585894857.post-78022626939643120962009-10-17T22:57:28.218-04:002009-10-17T22:57:28.218-04:00Hello, Erastes,
Actually, I thought that you were...Hello, Erastes,<br /><br />Actually, I thought that you were male also when I reviewed STANDISH for ERWA.<br /><br />One problem with doing historicals, especially for earlier periods, is that it can be difficult to actually discover the details. Especially the aspects of everyday life that make an historical story live and breathe. I started work on a book set in Cambodia during the time of Angkor Wat but I eventually put the project aside because, despite wide reading and actually visiting the ancient sites, I couldn't visualize or get a sense of what life would have been like in that period.<br /><br />Thanks for joining us.<br /><br />Warmly,<br />LisabetLisabet Saraihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05162514190572269660noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9156334464585894857.post-84228821111110465802009-10-17T22:35:21.860-04:002009-10-17T22:35:21.860-04:00Erastes,
This was wonderful. I've been readi...Erastes,<br /><br />This was wonderful. I've been reading some books lately where the info dump has been painful to deal with, and it's very important as you said to use the right details at the right time. Also important, not to be scared off by the idea of trying to do that research. Making the effort counts! Thank you for the wonderful post and welcome to OGG ;)Helenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10832774182683343435noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9156334464585894857.post-63948999111864360152009-10-17T13:52:37.336-04:002009-10-17T13:52:37.336-04:00Hi Erastes,
Welcome to the Grip!
You're actu...Hi Erastes,<br /><br />Welcome to the Grip!<br /><br />You're actually on my list of resources for historical info on the gay variety of humans. It's lovely to read a little of how you came to be where you are. <br /><br />Hmm I kinda like the idea of writing about Ig and Ug to be honest. Very little dialogue, but a great action story. <br /><br />Thanks for sharing your insightful look into what makes Erastes tick!<br /><br />HugsJude Masonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14067166768734750026noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9156334464585894857.post-30191020689191064632009-10-17T11:23:45.654-04:002009-10-17T11:23:45.654-04:00Hi Erastes,
Fascinating insight into historicals ...Hi Erastes,<br /><br />Fascinating insight into historicals - especially in regards to the silenced voices of the gay/lesbian community. <br /><br />I've already said this week that I have too much trouble trying to research all the necessary details to make a contemporary story sound convincing - so I'd be stuffed when it came to doing a full-length historical story.<br /><br />Nevertheless, it's been an absolute pleasure to have this insight into how historicals are crafted by those who have the patience, ability and enthusiasm.<br /><br />Best,<br /><br />AshAshley Listerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11997769708965362938noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9156334464585894857.post-61817234081488691052009-10-17T11:04:24.728-04:002009-10-17T11:04:24.728-04:00Welcome to the Grip, Erastas! I enjoyed your post ...Welcome to the Grip, Erastas! I enjoyed your post and think you're spot on about the author needing to do quite a bit of research to sound authentic. A reader will overlook (or gleefully tease you!) about a few small things, but it is annoying to read something that you can tell the author didn't know squat about.<br /><br />I've taken a bit of chuff this week for my lack of interest in historicals. I think it boils down to the old adage 'write what you know' or in my case, 'write what you want to learn about'. I don't have a great interest in reading or writing about stories set in the past. I've been accused of not being well-schooled or well-read because of it. That's stung me more than a little.<br /><br />I'm content to write the kind of contemporary stories I love, and am glad there are talented authors like you who love to write the historical stuff. It provides a nice balance, IMO.<br /><br />Have a great weekend!<br /><br />~ JennaAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9156334464585894857.post-35988821843548744942009-10-17T09:53:36.000-04:002009-10-17T09:53:36.000-04:00Hi Erastes!
I confess I had no idea you were a wo...Hi Erastes!<br /><br />I confess I had no idea you were a woman. All this time on ERWA I think you were a guy. I find it interesting that many of the M/M gay romances are written by women instead of men, even the ones I thought were written by men. Women are still the champs of erotic romance. <br /><br />I also thought it was interesting and important the remark you have about historical details fitting naturally into the description, and not something the author is doing self consciously. I think that's one of the keys to good historical writing, the limited amount I've read.<br /><br />Good post!<br /><br />GarceGarceushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11160407485298015371noreply@blogger.com