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Young Writers Society


Middle Ages Talk?



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Sat Sep 03, 2016 11:00 pm
SheWhoWrites says...



Hey all! Colly here.

I've been working on a new project for a while now and it's going really well. It's about the reincarnation of a girl who was accused of witchcraft in England in the year 1568. (It's a fictional girl, a fictional manor house, and fictional circumstances.) My problem is that my main character, the modern day girl, finds diaries written by her past self and a letter written by a man her past self was in love with. Now, I can write diaries and letters from people in modern day but writing for people in the 1500s? That's a little hard for me.

Does anyone have any tips on how to write this stuff? I'm stuck until I figure this out and I would really appreciate any tips. Thanks!
“Gibberish?" Jem suggested
"Pornographic?" said Will at the same time.
"Could be both," said Will. "Haven't you ever heard of pornographic gibberish before?”
― Cassandra Clare, Clockwork Princess
  





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Sun Sep 04, 2016 2:37 am
Rosendorn says...



So here's the thing about language. The 1500s can be considered a whole different stage of language— Early Modern English. Depending on where exactly in the 1500s it is, you're either dealing with Early Modern or Modern.

Language was, also, if I'm remembering my history of English correctly, not codified in terms of grammar and spelling yet. So you have wild variety within English, explaining why some old texts are hard to read. I would not suggest you copy this to the extent it actually existed, but it's something to keep in mind.

Basically, my biggest tip is to read, read, read, and really hammer down the mindset and level of education these characters have. That will determine a lot about how they behave and think.

Also, worry about it later. First drafts exist to be edited, after all.
A writer is a world trapped in a person— Victor Hugo

Ink is blood. Paper is bandages. The wounded press books to their heart to know they're not alone.
  








Find wonder in the everyday, find everyday language to articulate it.
— Maurice Manning