Table of Contents
What is meant by an alternate history?
Definition of alternative history 1 : fiction that is based on history and that explores what might have happened if certain historical events, figures, etc., had been different Kennedy surviving the assassination attempt is a popular event of alternative history, inspiring novels, stage plays and short stories.—
What is the main purpose of alternate history?
Alternative history is a genre of fiction wherein the author speculates upon how the course of history might have been altered if a particular historical event had an outcome different from the real life outcome.
What is the difference between historical fiction and fantasy?
Historical fiction: a story told in a historical setting. Historical fantasy: a sub-genre of historical fiction that incorporates fantastic elements into the narrative.
What is alternate history literature?
Alternate history is a subgenre of speculative fiction (or science fiction) and historical fiction that is set in a world in which history has diverged from the actual history of the world. Alternate history literature asks the question, “What if history had developed differently?”
How do you write an alternate history?
3 Essential Tips for Writing Alternate History Fiction
- Focus on one specific change to historical events.
- Do a ton of research that goes beyond the single event you are altering.
- Remember the same rules of standard fiction writing apply.
We do that through our characters’ actions and reactions. In today’s culture, it can feel uncomfortable at times to paint historically accurate, but politically incorrect scenes. But to change history, to change our writing to reflect today’s mores distorts the mirror we see the past through.
Is historical fantasy a genre?
Historical fantasy is a category of fantasy and genre of historical fiction that incorporates fantastic elements (such as magic) into a more “realistic” narrative.
What is historical fiction and science fiction?
In a work of historical fiction, the story takes place in the past, but characters, actions and other details are fictionalized. Creative nonfiction, on the other hand, is a broad term that encompasses many different types of writing (and, it seems worth noting, not all of it is historical).
How do you do alternate history?
What does alternate history fiction look like?
This is perhaps because on the surface it can look like fantasy or science-fiction – involved as it is with stories of worlds not our own – however beneath the surface it’s an entirely different thing. This is because alternate history fiction is concerned with stories stemming from real life.
What are the best alternate history books?
Best Alternate History Novels and Stories 1 The Man in the High Castle by Philip K. 2 Watchmen by Alan Moore (Goodreads Author 3 Fatherland by Robert Harris (Goodreads A 4 The Eyre Affair (Thursday Next, #1) by J 5 His Majesty’s Dragon (Temeraire, #1) by
What are the different types of fantasy subgenres?
High, epic, heroic, and sword and sorcery are just a few of the many fantasy subgenres lining the fantasy shelves of your local bookstore. Other alternative subgenres include (non-exclusively) dark fantasy, steampunk, erotic, paranormal, romance, mythic, alternate history, sword and sandals, sword and planet, grimdark, and urban fantasy.
What makes a high fantasy novel high fantasy?
High fantasy is set apart mostly by its tendency to focus on characters rather than an epic scale of the events. The world tends to have very specific, well-defined magic rules. While epic fantasy also often involves a kind of quest, the quest of one – or a few – protagonist takes centre stage in a high fantasy piece.