History doesn’t write itself, but it can be an excellent base for your story. I visited the Pea Ridge National Military Park in northwest Arkansas yesterday and learned some interesting facts about the Civil War. It is a great park and if you are ever in the area, check it out. It doesn’t get the attention of Gettysburg, Bull Run, and Sherman’s March, however, it tells a great story. I don’t want to spoil it all by telling you who won the battle, but I want to talk about how little-known historical events can make your story.
Romeo and Juliet has been adapted many times in many ways. They’re all roses by different names. You don’t have to have a completely new idea for your story, although it helps tremendously. Research the Battle of Pea Ridge. You get all the characters, their movements and the outcome. You can easily adapt it to your two armies fighting story. All you have to do is change the names, change the location, add something that could have happened, but didn’t, even change the outcome if you like, and you have a new story. A story based on historical facts. You can use history to write your story. Just remember, history doesn’t write itself.
The world is full of historical events. If you are struggling with your story idea, see if it fits into a historical event, or two or three. Pull from here, pull from there and pretty soon, you’ll have an original story. Be creative, you’re a writer, after all, not a marketing strategist.
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What I’m Reading – Many readers I know like to inquire what their favorite author is reading. At the end of each blog post, I’ll let you know what I’m reading. I may not be a published author yet, but I hope my choice of reading material inspires you to read. I’m continuing to read Karol Wojtyla’s Love and Responsibility. The book lays the groundwork for his Theology of the Body. I encourage you to read a variety of topics.