For today’s post, another wonderful #RRBC author, Ron Yates, is taking center stage. Enjoy!
What do you like most about the Historical Fiction genre?
Historical fiction is one of the most popular forms of fiction being written today—along with young adult, zombie apocalypse, romance novels, and sci-fi.
I am specifically interested in learning why people like historical fiction books. I have a few theories, but I would like to know what others think.
As an author, I enjoyed writing the Finding Billy Battles trilogy—a historical fiction trilogy that begins in 19th Century Kansas and then moves (in Book 2) to the colonial Far East, then (in Book 3) to Mexico, and finally back to the United States in the mid-20th Century.
I am interested in knowing what it is that draws a reader (or writer) to this kind of fiction.
As for me, I enjoy doing the research necessary to create an accurate portrayal of the people, places, and events of other eras, such as the 19th Century. I especially like “slowing” down the pace of life from the frenetic and hectic world of the 21st Century.
What I find appealing about eras “BSM” (Before Social Media), smartphones, I-pads, etc. is that you actually had time to THINK rather than simply react.
When I was a foreign correspondent for the Chicago Tribune, I can recall telling my office (via telex) when I was covering Vietnam, Cambodia, El Salvador etc. in the 70s & 80s that I would be out of touch for several days.
Then I would go to some remote area and spend time talking with people, analyzing what I was hearing and what I was seeing and then return to write a story that wasn’t filled with “instant wisdom” as we so often see today with journalists who “parachute” in to a country to cover a story.
Writing about the 19th Century, as I did in my trilogy, allowed me to slow down the pace, provide historical context, and give my characters time to think.
Today, we are all in such a hurry to do things, to pack in as much as we can in a single day. When I think about my characters in the Finding Billy Battles trilogy, I envy the fact that they were not sped up by “galloping technology” as we are so often today.
My characters actually had time to stop and smell the flowers, enjoy a brilliant sunset, “listen” to a forest, and take the time to read a good book.
So, I am asking you to tell ME what YOU think about all of this.
Write as much or as little as you like. You can send your thoughts to me at: jhawker69@gmail.com.
I would love to share your thoughts and comments with my followers.
Ronald E. Yates is an award winning author of historical fiction and action/adventure novels, including the popular and highly-acclaimed Finding Billy Battles trilogy. His extraordinarily accurate books have captivated fans around the world who applaud his ability to blend fact and fiction.
Ron is a former foreign correspondent for the Chicago Tribune and Professor Emeritus of Journalism at the University of Illinois where he was also the Dean of the College of Media. His award-winning book, “The Improbable Journeys of Billy Battles,” is the second in his Finding Billy Battles trilogy of novels and was published in June 2016. The first book in the trilogy, “Finding Billy Battles,” was published in 2014. Book #3 of the trilogy (The Lost Years of Billy Battles) was published in June 2018.
As a professional journalist, Ron lived and worked in Japan, Southeast Asia, and both Central and South America where he covered several history-making events including the fall of South Vietnam and Cambodia; the Tiananmen Square massacre in Beijing; and wars and revolutions in Afghanistan, the Philippines, Nicaragua, El Salvador and Guatemala, among other places. His work resulted in multiple journalism awards, including three Pulitzer nominations and awards from the Society of Professional Journalists and the Inter-American Press Association, to name a few.
BOOK PURCHASE LINKS:
AMAZON: https://www.amazon.com/-/e/B001KHDVZI/-/e/B00KQAYMA8/
TRILOGY LINK: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07DNDWHH6/ref=series_rw_dp_sw
BARNES & NOBLE: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/s/finding%20billy%20battles/_/N-8q8
MY WEBSITE & BLOG: https://ronaldyatesbooks.com/
SOCIAL MEDIA LINKS:
FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/ronaldyatesbooks/
TWITTER: https://twitter.com/jhawker69
PINTEREST: https://www.pinterest.com/bookmarketingglobalnetwork/author-ronald-e-yates-books/
LINKEDIN: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ronyates/
To follow along with the rest of the tour, please visit the author’s tour page on the 4WillsPublishing site. If you’d like to book your own blog tour and have your book promoted in similar grand fashion, please click HERE.
Lastly, Ron is a member of the best book club ever – RAVE REVIEWS BOOK CLUB {#RRBC}! If you’re looking for amazing support as an author, or if you simply love books,
JOIN US! We’d love to have you!
Thanks for supporting this author and his work!
Interesting insights as to why to write Historical Fiction. I’m a fan for many reasons. I love history and being in exotic places along with that. You are right about being able to slow down and enjoy life before social media and all of our instant gratification. It’s an amazing place to visit. Thanks for hosting Karl.
Thanks for visiting, D.L. When I was writing the trilogy I found myself slowing down too–it was easy to keep pace with Billy and his friends because they weren’t loaded down with 21st Century technology like smart phones, i-pads, and lap-tops.
Thanks for hosting me Karl.
I know what you mean, Ron, when made that statement, “that I would be out of touch for several days.” In those days, research took you to places where you never know whether you will make it out safe or not. I did some of that in my time too! The disappearing act! 😀Thank you, Karl, for hosting.
Without all of the digital devices that exist today, we actually had time to think about and analyze what we were seeing and experiencing. No instant analysis, which is itself an oxymoron.
Ron, I enjoy reading historical fiction when it’s well researched. I enjoy learning about a different time and getting totally immersed in a different world. Great post today. Thanks for hosting, Karl.
You and me both, Linda. I enjoy immersing myself in a different era, trying to imagine what it would be like to live in a different time. What could I live without? What would I miss most? Often, I conclude that I wouldn’t miss that much of the 21st century. Thanks for stopping by.
Another amazing post, Ron. I would love to take a class from you. Truly! Thanks for hosting, Karl.