Let’s offer a nice greeting to today’s guest post by Cheryl Carpinello, author of the historical novel SONS OF THE SPHINX, as she dishes about how fun it can be to write and read historical fiction. Welcome, Cheryl!
Fun with Historical Fiction
by Cheryl Carpinello
Mention you are an author and write historical fiction, then sit back and wait for the groans!
Writing historical fiction is a lot of work, but authors can and do have fun with history. This genre does not tie a writer to historical facts. It does the opposite. That’s why it’s fiction.
My newest book Sons of the Sphinx is full of historical references as it should be. So many readers are fascinated—including this author—with ancient Egypt and expect what they read to contain actual and accurate facts.
Readers also expect to be entertained, and here is where the fiction comes in. Here are some examples from Sons of the Sphinx without giving away too much of what awaits its readers.
Fact: A stele sits between the paws of the Sphinx.
Fiction: I’ve hidden hieroglyphs important to my story at the bottom of the stele.
Fact: Everyone knows the Sphinx has no nose but no one knows what happened.
Fiction: Readers actually see what happens to his nose.
Fact: Tutankhamen’s life is documented with research.
Fiction: Key times not known in Tut’s life are created, embellished, and expanded, like his early life, his married life with Ankhesenamun, and his death.
Fact: Tut’s tomb stayed hidden for over 3000 years because it was covered by debris from a later tomb.
Fiction: I created my own explanation for his tomb remaining hidden, one that plays out well in the story.
Most writers skillfully weave their historical fiction around and through historical facts. It’s one of the reasons that make these stories so popular. Next time you pick up a historical fiction novel, see if you can spot the fiction and the facts.
Happy reading!
SONS OF THE SPHINX blurb:
Armed with what she considers her grandmother’s curse, 15-year-old Rosa agrees to help the ghost of King Tut find his lost queen Hesena. Though Hesena’s ba inhabits part of Rosa, finding the whole spirit of Hesena so that she and Tut can be together for the first time in over 3300 years proves to be a harder task than Rosa first thinks. Thrust back into Ancient Egypt with Tut, Rosa discovers that finding Hesena is not all she must do. She must keep out of the reach of the living Horemheb—who crosses mortal boundaries using Seth’s evil magic—if she is to stay alive to make it back home.
Buy Links
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00MVGC96Y/
Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/469860
Nook: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/sons-of-the-sphinx-cheryl-carpinello/1120481788?ean=2940046213232
iBookstore: https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/sons-of-the-sphinx/id925912370?mt=11&uo=4
About the Author:
I love the Ancient and Medieval Worlds! As a retired English teacher, I hope to inspire young readers to read more through my Quest Books. Please follow me on this adventure. On Carpinello’s Writing Pages, I interview other children/MG/Tween/YA authors. At The Quest Books, I’ve teamed up with Fiona Ingram from South Africa and Wendy Leighton-Porter of England/France/Abu Dhabi to enable readers to find all of our Ancient and Medieval quest books in one place.
For more about Cheryl visit on her Blog; author sites: Beyond Today Educator and The Quest Books; Facebook; GoodReads; or Twitter.
Other Books by Cheryl Carpinello:
Guinevere: On the Eve of Legend – Amazon http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0025KUJ36
Young Knights of the Round Table: The King’s Ransom – MuseItUp Publishing book page: http://museituppublishing.com/bookstore/index.php/museityoung/action-adventure/the-king-s-ransom-detail
Tutankhamen Speaks – Amazon http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00E18KH46
Thanks so much for having me today, Katie!
You’re welcome! Fun post! 😉
**LOVE** historical fiction. Even when I try to write a contemporary, it winds up having some historical thread wiggle its way in. Thank you for the interview with Cheryl Carpinello, Katie. Ancient Egypt has always held a great fascination in the west.
Thanks for stopping by, Mirka. I love ancient Egypt!
Thanks for stopping in, Mirka. Historical fiction was my favorite to read when I younger. It was only as an older teen and an adult that I really got into fantasy for some reason.
I adore historical fiction 🙂 And I especially love learning a tidbit or two along the way. Thanks for the great post, Cheryl!
Hi, Meradeth! I, too, enjoy learning a little when I read historical fiction.
Hi Meradeth. Thank you for stopping by. I believe a lot of readers enjoy historical fiction. It’s always fun to learn a bit while enjoying a good read.
Heh,that’d be neat ‘discovering’ the reason for the missing nose! 🙂 That’s my type of historical fiction.
Thanks for stopping by, Leandra. I enjoyed writing that part! Hope you get the chance to read “Sons of the Sphinx.”
It is such a neat idea!