Pepper Basham | Real and Readable
May 8, 2015
I’m a lover of history! Words that can create scenes to sweep me back to another
time and place keep me reading great fiction…and researching interesting time
periods, but there are moments when I’ve had to put a book down because the
‘reality’ of the historical detail hit me too hard. The experience of the
heroine or the depth of the tragedy or the abject hopelessness wrung my emotions
to the knotting point and I couldn’t continue. Have you ever read a book where
the historical detail went too far for you? This happens for me, particularly, when reading World War 11 era books related
to the Holocaust. There’s a sensitivity in my spirit to which I cannot cope,
especially if the author writes well enough to hold me in the story. Some people may never get to this point, but I do…and I know there are other
readers who do. The story is great, the characters are fascinating…but the
intensity has me teetering on the brink …usually BECAUSE the storyline, writing,
and characters are so great. Clearly, the authors did their research! I had some concerns about that very thing when I started the research for my
debut novel, THE THORN BEARER. Because my characters are on the ill-fated
passenger liner, The Lusitania, I knew the research might become a little
intense. From the actual first-hand accounts of the sinking, the physical
destruction as well as the massive loss of life, to the aftermath on the shores
of Queenstown, the morbid descriptions and painful loss pushed the limits on
‘dark’ content. Some of the pictures and information was graphic and
uncomfortable, to say the least. Then there is one of my main topics woven into the novel – sexual abuse. This
topic is never a ‘light’ term and has been misused in fiction (or not used at
all), so delving into such heavy material felt daunting. How did I know the fine balance of ‘too little’ or ‘too much’? Well, personally,
I used my own gauge. The novel ultimately points to hope, so when the events of
the Lusitania, the devastating effects of sexual abuse, and the tragic results
of World War 1 are filtered through the veil of ‘hope’, it gave a fairly solid
boundary from which to create this story. Reality and readability can dance on a fine line sometimes. It’s the author’s
job to paint a story with a broad enough stroke to encompass a larger reading
audience and use historical information to enhance the story without sacrificing
the ‘heart’ of the story or the interest of the reader. A few tips I keep in mind: How would this look in a movie? As I write, the story evolves
like a movie in my head. If a picture becomes too graphic in that ‘moving
picture’, then I will modify what I’m writing to make things more readable. Does the information move the story forward? This is a good
question to ask any time. How does this bit of story progress and/or enhance the
larger story? If I’m adding dark, intense, tragic scenes…just for the purpose of
adding dark, intense, tragic scenes – then I need to reevaluate those scenes. How does this information intensify and clarify the storyworld?
If, by adding this information, I give the reader a clearer view into the world
of the time and help them ‘experience’ the story at a deeper level, then the
information is probably worthwhile to include. Of course, it will all be subject to editors and publishers, but these are a few
ways I try to ‘keep it real’ but also keep it ‘readable’. GiveawayWhat do you enjoy about historical detail in books? Have you ever read a novel
that you couldn’t finish because the information ‘hit too close to home’ or was
‘too intense’ to continue? Leave a comment below to be entered to win a copy of
THE THORN
BEARER! About THE THORN BEARERFrom the decks of the ill-fated Lusitania to the smoke-filled trenches of
France, Ashleigh must choose between the forgiveness of her past, life in the
present, and a Savior who can rescue her from them all. When her fiancé leaves her eight months before their wedding, the unexpected
blow ignites a battalion of insecurities stemming from her father’s intimate
betrayal. Her worst fears are confirmed – who could ever love a soiled woman? In an attempt to escape the shame and disappointment of her past, Ashleigh
boards the ill-fated Lusitania to cross the war-torn waters of Europe. Much to
her dismay, she isn’t traveling alone. Sam Miller is always making up for his best friend’s mistakes. Determined to
help Ashleigh, he offers his compassion and protection as she ventures across a
perilous sea. With the faint hope of renewing his lost love for Ashleigh’s
sister, Sam never expects to find the woman of his dreams in his best friend’s
former fiancé and his own childhood companion. As they travel across the Atlantic, neither is prepared for the life-altering
and heart-breaking journey of their friendship. When the truth of Ashleigh’s past explodes in the middle of war and Sam rejects
her, Ashleigh must decide if God is enough – or if the double weight of her
betrayal and past will crush her life forever. About Pepper BashamPepper Basham is an award-winning author who writes romance peppered with grace
and humor. She’s a native of the Blue Ridge Mountains, a mom of five, a
speech-language pathologist, and a lover of chocolate. She enjoys sprinkling her
native Appalachian culture into her fiction whenever she can. She currently
resides in the lovely mountains of Asheville, NC where she works with kids with
special needs, searches for unique hats, and plots new ways to annoy her
wonderful friends at her writing blog, The Writer’s Alley. She is represented by
Julie Gwinn and her debut novel, THE THORN
BEARER, released in April 2015. You can connect with Pepper on her website, Facebook or Twitter.
Comments
19 comments posted.
Re: Pepper Basham | Real and Readable
I guess the main thing I enjoy about historical details in books is that the story could have possibly been true :) I dislike abandoning books, but there was this one novel I once read that was too biased and inaccurate.... (H J 12:38pm May 8, 2015)
The characters and I usually read the end no matter. (Marissa Yip-Young 5:55am May 8, 2015)
Let me just start off by saying that I don't know how you found the time to write such an interesting book, being the Mother to 5 children!! My hat goes off to you, and I hope you have a very Happy Mother's Day!! We also seem to be of "like minds," because as of late, I seem to have been drawn to books from WWII, as well as the Holocaust. I love to read books from WWI on through the roaring 20's, on through WWII. Those were such important times in the History of our country, and I'm so glad that you kept another part of our History alive, by writing about the sinking of the Lusitania. To date, even if the books I've read have been especially painful, I've never stopped reading them. I'm looking forward to reading yours more than you know, and have put it on my TBR list. The cover is stunning!! Congratulations on what I'm sure is going to be a big seller!! I apologize for my long answer as well. (Peggy Roberson 9:17am May 8, 2015)
I enjoy Victorian romance. I love some of the details describing houses. I don't think I've ever had a problem with finishing a historical romance because it hit to close to home. (Angela Parrish 10:58am May 8, 2015)
Hylla, I love books that could be true - especially when the characters are strong and memorable! (Pepper Basham 1:34pm May 8, 2015)
Peggy, Thanks! Life is pretty busy! Being a mom is one of the best blessings in my life (even if it's also one of the craziest :-)
I hope you enjoy the journey with my characters. I loved writing the story, even if some of the research nearly made me weep! (Pepper Basham 1:36pm May 8, 2015)
Good to hear, Angela! And I love the Victorian era too. Such a cool time in history! (Pepper Basham 1:37pm May 8, 2015)
Historical novels are a treat any time you read one. They are so colorful that you can imagine yourself back in that time! Marilyn Collins (Marilyn Collins 5:38pm May 8, 2015)
I love historical books. I hope this ones good. (Vanessa Hinman 8:10pm May 8, 2015)
Probably why I enjoy working on genealogy. It gives depth to the people of that time. Sometimes it almost brings tears. Like when it seems to be an outbreak of desease that takes so many members of a family of loved ones lost on emagrent ships. It all shapes the mindsets of those at that time. (Nancy Luebke 3:11pm May 9, 2015)
I love historical romance, and it takes me to a place I would loved to have lived. Thank you for this giveaway. (Sharon Sommer 5:54pm May 9, 2015)
My father was born in 1900 and my mother in 1903. I remember reading about both the Lusitania and the Titanic and asking my parents what they remembered about all that. My father was a doctor and my mother was a nurse. My mother went to 'normal' school and taught in a one room schoolhouse in North Dakota to earn enough money to pay for nursing school. She was not the typical subservient woman of those times. I love historical detail in books. I think it makes the story more 'believable' and makes us understand why the characters behave as they do. (Irene Menge 8:35pm May 9, 2015)
I have read some historical books that were just too intense due to what my parents have went through during WWII. They saw things that history books haven't recorded yet and just beginning to. The history and historical fiction books may take me awhile to finish. (Kai Wong 8:41pm May 9, 2015)
I read historical novels for their profound meaning, their depth, and the intensity. This is meaningful and memorable. I have read hundreds of Holocaust novels, memoirs and non- fiction since it resounds with me, being Jewish and I feel the emotions. (Sharon Berger 11:58pm May 9, 2015)
Happy Mother's Day to you and to all you wonderful Mother's out there. I absolutely love reading Historical books/novels. I enjoy every detail. I'm a bit ashamed to say this but I have never read any Historical Novels about the War. Best of luck to all who entered (Holly Loch 3:59am May 10, 2015)
I love reading the historical books , it is so interesting when all the details are in the right places . (Joan Thrasher 3:58pm May 10, 2015)
I love history because there is so much to learn from the people who came before us. (Denise Austin 12:50pm May 11, 2015)
I enjoy reading historical books. As of this date, I haven't read many that took place during World War I. The Thorn Bearer has a fascinating plot and I feel like I will learn much about the period of time, probably Google to find out more. (Anna Speed 1:25pm May 11, 2015)
I enjoy reading all books. If they do not have good details, I can not finish the book. I have never had a book I couldn't finish cuz of the being too close to home, I always finish them and cry right along with the story! (Renae Kelly 4:48pm May 11, 2015)
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