 Action/Adventure: June 22, 2016 Issue [#7703] |
  Action/Adventure
This week: Setting a Date Edited by: Cinn  
More Newsletters By This Editor 
1. About this Newsletter
2. A Word from our Sponsor
3. Letter from the Editor
4. Editor's Picks
5. A Word from Writing.Com
6. Ask & Answer
7. Removal instructions
Have you ever read a novel with time discrepancies? Say, a noir-style detective story that feels like authentic 40's throughout, but suddenly, the main character pulls a cell phone out on page 100? It seems like it should be easy to avoid, and that is what today's newsletter is all about.
|
| ASIN: B07YJZZGW4 |
|
Amazon's Price: Price N/A
Not currently available. |
|
I was reading a novel a month or two ago that I thought was set in the past. The slang was all very late 1960's. There were a few political references that sounded much like the U.S. protest era. Everything was cruising along, and all of a sudden, a side character pulled out a flash drive. As a reader, it threw me for a loop, but as a writer, it seemed like something worth considering.
How can we plant a story firmly in an era? First, by choosing an era... deliberately. I rarely ever choose a time period for my stories and tend to go with a more timeless approach, but without choosing a specific time period, I might end up using references that my audience is unprepared for. One slip is all it takes to make a "timeless" story awkward. I am going to make an effort to specifically choose an era and keep it in mind while writing. Perhaps it would be a good idea to work the time period into the initial setting as well, which isn't something I have purposefully done before.
To really get the right vibe, I imagine that I'll need to research as well. My husband and I got into a discussion about VHS the other day. I tend to think of it as an 80's thing, but it is actually a 70's device that was popular clear through the 90's and into the early 2000's. It reminded me to not take my own personal nostalgia as fact.
Research will also be helpful if the era is in the near-future (I do love science fiction). Tech news might lead to some interesting details that might give the story an authentic feel.
If the story takes place in the present, that might be tricky as well. Especially if publishing is an interest. By the time a book is published, you don't want the technology and pop culture references to be old. These things move quickly. It might be a good idea to evergreen those details whenever possible.
I have been toying with these ideas for a while, and I thought maybe it would be interesting for some of you too. If you have any tips or experiences with dating your stories, feel free to leave a comment. Perhaps we can revisit the topic together soon. 
|
| |  | Invalid Item
This item number is not valid.
#2087600 by Not Available. |
| | | Invalid Item
This item number is not valid.
#2074691 by Not Available. |
| | | Invalid Item
This item number is not valid.
#2085951 by Not Available. |
| | | Invalid Item
This item number is not valid.
#1867748 by Not Available. |
| | | Invalid Item
This item number is not valid.
#2054775 by Not Available. |
|
Have an opinion on what you've read here today? Then send the Editor feedback! Find an item that you think would be perfect for showcasing here? Submit it for consideration in the newsletter!
https://www.Writing.Com/go/nl_form
Don't forget to support our sponsor!
| ASIN: B07P4NVL51 |
Product Type: Toys & Games
|
Amazon's Price: Price N/A
|
|
Do you consciously think about an era for your stories?  Are you more likely to set stories in the past, present, or future? Any tips for writing a "timeless" story?
|
| ASIN: B083RZJVJ8 |
|
Amazon's Price: Price N/A
Not currently available. |
|
To stop receiving this newsletter, click here for your newsletter subscription list. Simply uncheck the box next to any newsletter(s) you wish to cancel and then click to "Submit Changes". You can edit your subscriptions at any time.
|
This printed copy is for your personal use only. Reproduction
of this work in any other form is not allowed and does violate its copyright. |
View Portfolio
Visit Notebook
Send Gift Points
Awards
Badges
Send Email
