Sometimes when you’re writing novels you just don’t know where to go.
I was having that problem with Ale Quest until I started to do some research today.
I was having that problem with Ale Quest until I started to do some research today.
Finding a Setting
England in 1066 For this novel I didn’t have a good setting. I knew it was in medieval times somewhere, but that’s about it.
Well, I figured these soldiers were English so the Hundred Years War might be a good idea. But then I’d have to get France in there, and that’s a real pain. Much better to keep things close together.
So why not England around 1066? Surely there were some castles being besieged at that point.
Well, I figured these soldiers were English so the Hundred Years War might be a good idea. But then I’d have to get France in there, and that’s a real pain. Much better to keep things close together.
So why not England around 1066? Surely there were some castles being besieged at that point.
Using Wikipedia for Fiction
Norwich Castle, Norfolk Well, I looked around on Wikipedia and found this thing called the Earl’s Rebellion that occurred in 1075.
Some Earl that wanted to get married didn’t get the blessing of King William I, who was actually back in Normandy (France) at that time.
The earl rebelled, and his castle, Norwich Castle, was besieged. Now I just need to figure out where these places are on the map.
Some Earl that wanted to get married didn’t get the blessing of King William I, who was actually back in Normandy (France) at that time.
The earl rebelled, and his castle, Norwich Castle, was besieged. Now I just need to figure out where these places are on the map.
Google Maps for Fiction
Now I have my castle and my setting. After that it’s just pulling up Google Maps to get a look at the lay of the land and figure out where my towns are.
Here’s a simple map, and it’s got some circles on there that help me with my story. Here’s what they are:
- Norwich Castle: That red circle is where my story starts and ends. It’s probably the main setting point.
- Taverham: The red circle is a small village called Taverham. It was around back in 1075 and that’s the first town my characters stop into. I needed a town name and didn’t know what that would be until I used Google maps for fiction.
- River Wensum: At the top you’ll see the blue circle, which points out the name of that river that’s running along that road. Now, I don’t know if that road was there a thousand years ago, probably, but the river sure was, and my characters will follow it.
Around North Elmham Here’s that same map zoomed-out. You can see the final destination is North Elmham, which was a medieval town that also had an Episcopal throne that housed the Episcopal bishops until that was moved to the town of Thetford in 1075.
I’m putting a garrison there, which my characters are trying to reach. Thetford might be another town I reference, but it’s 50 miles from North Elmham, just too far. Might be a good spot for troops to be, close enough not to be in the story, but close enough to be a threat.
I’m putting a garrison there, which my characters are trying to reach. Thetford might be another town I reference, but it’s 50 miles from North Elmham, just too far. Might be a good spot for troops to be, close enough not to be in the story, but close enough to be a threat.
Old Taverham Church Anyways, as you can see I’m still working this out, but Google Maps and Wikipedia are both great for writing fiction.
It only takes a little bit of research to make your story a whole lot better, and for you to get those word counts higher each day.
It only takes a little bit of research to make your story a whole lot better, and for you to get those word counts higher each day.
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