Corsets, Cutlasses, & Candlesticks: Cat Winters Guest Blog

Today debut author, Cat Winters, is here to give MPB readers...

FIVE REASONS WHY HISTORICAL FICTION ROCKS!

People sometimes view the historical fiction genre as a literary party pooper. There's an implication that a person might have to LEARN something from a historical novel, or that characters might do boring things like sit and drink tea while talking about military strategies in pompous voices. 

If you're a historical fiction fan, you already know that novels set in bygone eras can be just as gripping, magical, and hip as contemporary and futuristic fiction. If you experience historical fiction phobia, however, here are five reasons why literary trips to the past don't have to equate to dullness.

Reason #1: Escape!!!

We read to slip away from our lives, right? Even if you're reading a realistic, modern tale, you're leaving your own surroundings to see how other people react to familiar conflicts. I've always considered historical fiction to be a close relative of science fiction and fantasy. A skilled historical author will submerge the reader in unfamiliar surroundings and build an enthralling world that entertains all five of the senses. 

Reason #2: The Costumes

Characters dressed in modern jeans and drab dystopian garb can still stand out for their vivid personalities, but let's face it, historical characters get the best clothing. Plus, the addition of complicated undergarments, or suits of armor, adds one more obstacle for a character to overcome. Imagine Katniss playing the Hunger Games in a corset and petticoats! 

Reason #3: The Past Is Safe Because It’s the Past

History is always repeating itself, and the past is brimming with scenarios that mirror our modern world. It’s not a stretch for authors to use historical tales to show teens how to cope with difficult contemporary topics, such as terrorism, the financial crisis, and school violence. And it’s easier to digest a horrifying subject matter when it’s being filtered through the past, because we know the past is long gone and unable to hurt us. 

Reason #4: History Is a Treasure Chest of Hidden Tales

Not once in my high school history class did I learn that séances were a wildly popular Victorian and early-twentieth-century fad that was respected by scholars, scientists, and the upper class. As an adult, however, I stumbled upon this bizarre and fascinating footnote in history and, because of what I learned, I eventually wrote my upcoming YA release, IN THE SHADOW OF BLACKBIRDS. There are so many untapped tales from the past—tales that are often strange, unbelievable, and inspiring—so history serves as a bottomless well of story ideas. 

Reason #5: Relatability

The kids in historical YAs go though the same physical and emotional changes endured by modern youth, and they’re just as confused and rebellious and romantic. When today’s teens read historical novels, they can see that all the challenges involved with growing up—even the challenges that make them feel the most abnormal and frustrated—have been experienced over and over throughout time. It’s reassuring to know that no matter where or when you live, coming of age isn’t easy.

_________________________________________

Cat Winters is the author of IN THE SHADOW OF BLACKBIRDS, a World War I-era ghost tale coming April 2nd, 2013, from Amulet Books/ABRAMS. She recently launched http://corsetsandcutlasses.wordpress.com with eight other authors of YA and middle-grade historical fiction. Visit her other online haunts at http://www.catwinters.com, http://twitter.com/catwinters, and http://facebook.com/catwintersbooks.


Win In the Shadow of Blackbirds and SWAG!

a Rafflecopter giveaway