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Writing the Multicultural Historical Romance by Cheryl Ferguson |
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Nothing is more exciting than finally discovering that unique time period in which your multicultural historical novel can be placed. Congratulations. But, that's only the beginning of your journey to writing the Multicultural historical romance. One of the first issues you must address is research. Researching the period well is essential. The work is exhaustive, especially if you know nothing of the period you've selected, but, if you love history, half the battle is won. There is a shortcut you can employ. Discover who the authoritative historians are on the period and look for the books they've written. Please note that shortcut is not synonymous with cutting corners. You will still have to verify information, cross reference facts and follow a bibliographic trail that will be extensive. The payoff will be you've focused your research with the help of the best minds in the field, which will go a long way in establishing your own credibility with editors and readers. Another critical phase of research is coming to an applicable understanding of the customs and mores of the period. It's not enough to know a custom existed, you must also know why it existed and when it came into existence. In understand the customs of the day, the writer begins to understand the minds of the people who lived in the era. The most important function of research is to learn how people lived. What did they do on a day-to-day basis. For example, in my novel, I studied the everyday lives of courtiers, the king, the servants, the knights-anyone, any profession that was important in Medieval Spain. The facts I undovered led to great plot twists and story developments I would never have thought of without the benefit of my research notes. Listed below are a few research resources:
Listed below are a few categories you'll want to research:
One of the most important phases of research for any historical writer is creating a bibliography of their sources. For the multicultural historical romance writer, this is evern more advisable. Not only are you on uncharted literary ground, but because of accepted, traditional history, you may find yourself in possession of facts that contradict mainstream history, but are, nevertheless, true. In many cases, traditional historians have tried to write multicultural historical figures of history. Well-kept documents of the period have surfaced and are continuing to surfaced, proving the existence of multitudes of multicultural men and women who have left great contributions to civilization. Another important point to writing the multicultural historical is character development. Multicultural characters have a different mindset than their Caucasian counterparts. Your multicultural heroine and hero must be defined, through their own eyes, by their own cultural filters. For example, their customs, beliefs, way of life must be contrasted against the traditional white society in which they live. Make your characters "real". Spend the time you need to develop them into three dimensional people. They need goals, conflicts, motivation and flaws to make them human. The same rules (for lack of a better word) apply in characterizing your villain. To create the villain or villainess we love to hate, we must first see them as humans who have the same options as the hero and heroine to do good, but choose the dark side instead. And they must have logical, realistic motivation for doing so. Motivation is the key to good characterization. One note I must add concerning characterization and the ethnic character is: Stay away from stereotypes. Realize that not all African Americans eat collard greens and chitterlings; not all Chinese eat chop suey (which by the way, is an American originated dish -- not Chinese!); not all Haitians eat fried plantains; and not all Latinos eat refried beans and corn tortillas. Dig deeper than the accepted preconceptions of race. Unearth the truth, the variety that exists in all cultures. In any discussion of novel writing, we invariably come to the subject of plotting. Plotting is important in every novel, but even more so in the multicultural novel. As it is, you may be introducing the reader to a historical period in which they wouldn't normally associate successful multicultural characters. Therefore, your plot will become an extension of the "proof" you will provide to validate your characters and your story. Great characters, a compelling story idea, excellent writing style and a ton of research can't help a bad plot. Bad plots have been the downfall of many potentially great writers. Do the extra work and develop a plot worthy of a master writer. Make it believable. Make it logical. Make it work. Another aspect worthy of mentioning in writing the multicultural historical romance, but often overlooked, is theme. What statement are you making with your book. What is the underlying message of your story. Theme pulls the book together -- it is the foundations of your story. It can be simple, it can be complicated, but it must be. Although, my last topic may seem obvious, I must mention it anyway. The Romance. Be sure to develop the love story. The romance in your historical story should be developed just as well as your external plot. Without the love story, you don't have a romance novel, historical or otherwise. Chart the first touch, the first kiss, the first time they make love. Show your hero and heroine evolving emotionally, growing to love each other. Even love at first sight has to be developed. And, for the sake of your story, don't let them confess their love to each other too soon. In doing so, you'll lose a great deal of the conflict that will sustain your novel. Simply put: no conflict, no novel. Writing the multicultural historical romance can be fun and exciting. It's not easy, but it is vastly rewarding. Seeing your African American, Latino, Asian or other ethnic characters come to life in your favorite historical period will fill you with a great sense of accomplishment. But more importantly, you will reach out to a multitude of readers who are hungrily waiting for their own multicultural historical romance experience. I, for one, look forward to seeing your multicultural novel on the bookshelf very soon! Bibliography 1. TECHNIQUES OF THE SELLING WRITER, Dwight D. Swain, Oklahoma University Press. 2. HOW TO WRITE ROMANCES, Phyllis Taylor Pianka, Writer's Digest Books. 3. THE WEEKEND NOVELIST, Robert J. Ray, Dell Trade Paperbacks. 4. STARTING FROM SCRATCH, Rita Mae Brown, Bantam Trade Paperbacks 5. THE WRITERS' JOURNEY, Christopher Vogler, Michael Wiese Productions. 6. WRITING ROMANCE, Vanessa Grant, Self-Counsel Press. 7. GUIDE TO FICTION WRITING, Phyllis Whitney, The Writer, Inc. 8. CHARACTERS MAKE YOUR STORY, Maren Elwood, The Writer, Inc. 9. HOW TO WRITE A ROMANCE AND GET IT PUBLISHED, Kathryn Falk, Signet. 10. THE CHICAGO MANUAL OF STYLE, 14th Edition, University of Chicago Press.
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