Beth Camp Historical Fiction

Wednesday, November 04, 2020

IWSG Nov 4: Albert Camus and A Writer's Commitment


Back in the day when I studied great literature, I fell in love with Albert Camus. I admired his writing style and his enigmatic, compelling works, taking to heart his challenge that even if all around us is absurd, we have a responsibility to take the 'right' action -- and to define for ourselves exactly what that 'right' action is.

This morning, the day after the election, and given our current reality of living with the pandemic and its assorted disasters, that challenge of so many years ago is hard to consider, even under the umbrella of being a writer.

This month's question from the Insecure Writer's Study Group: Albert Camus once said, “The purpose of a writer is to keep civilization from destroying itself.” Flannery O’Conner said, “I write to discover what I know.” Authors across time and distance have had many reasons to write. Why do you write what you write?

So, even if I'd rather write about magical unicorns and flying hearts, I write gritty historical fiction.

A class back in college called "The Economic History of Great Britain," introduced me to the devastating impact of the Industrial Revolution on the average person. How was I, the oldest daughter of a former Hollywood starlet, with a series of stepfathers, even going to college? I struggled and scrapped my way through with part- and full-time jobs. No scholarships. Perseverance.

My fiction deals with issues of abandonment, class warfare, and the struggle of individuals to face down the challenges surrounding them to build a new and 'better' life. For example, imagine a love story set against the backdrop of prison life in 1840's Australia (that's Years of Stone). I know that 'real' life doesn't always result in that HEA (happy ever after) ending.

Even today, when I begin a story about a mystery (most recently, an art crime mystery), and intend to write a romantic suspense, somehow, my working class background reshapes the story to bring in that historical underpinning and a desire to right what is wrong or to try to make that life better.

I can't change what I write, almost as if the words appear on the blank page, echoing my experience and love of writing -- to offer hope for others, perhaps a moral lesson that happiness of a sort can be achieved, or perhaps an understanding of what others have actually experienced. But I don't trust fate or the good will of others, especially those in power, and I don't aspire to save civilization.

Just maybe, some of my stories show readers that despite sometimes horrific realities and this complex world, we can create our own, yes, fragile, happy ever after. 


Image from Lars Nissen on Pixabay

A note about the Insecure Writer's Support Group: The first Wednesday of every month is officially Insecure Writer’s Support Group day. Post your thoughts on your own blog. Talk about your doubts and the fears you have conquered. Discuss your struggles and triumphs. Offer a word of encouragement for others who are struggling. Visit others in the group and connect with your fellow writer - aim for a dozen new people each time - and return comments. This group is all about connecting! 

Why not stop by to say thank you for this month's co-hosts! Jemi Fraser, Kim Lajevardi, L.G Keltner, Tyrean Martinson, and Rachna Chhabria!

Our Twitter handle is @TheIWSG and hashtag is #IWSG.

15 comments:

  1. My main character in my mysteries came out of my background, but she soon grew into her own person

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Interesting how our backgrounds shape our characters and our stories. Hope November is a good writing month for you.

      Delete
  2. Your writing sounds really good. I think when we write what we love and when our "truth" or knowledge comes through it, it does have an affect on other people. Maybe it doesn't save the world the way Camus meant, but inspiring readers is a way that we can make a small difference. Entertaining readers might just save their sanity, you never know. :)
    Happy writing in November!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you for commenting, Tyrean. I read a little of your book, Flicker, and look forward to reading your newest release. Aren't we all reading a little more during pandemic?

      Delete
  3. History provides a great perspective to write people and events in ways that bring our histories to life.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes, I agree. Sometimes when I'm researching a particular culture and/or era, I feel immersed in that daily life, even long ago. Hope November brings you many new words!

      Delete
  4. I think it would be harder to write historical fiction because of all the research needed but it's great that you're writing what you love.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, Natalie, for stopping by. Yes, I do enjoy finding unusual little facts that bring a particular age alive. Today's factoid: Did you know that barmaids in poorer neighborhoods frequently had no shoes?

      Delete
    2. Ooops. And that was in the 1850's. In Scotland.

      Delete
  5. Giving anyone an escape and offering them hope is always a good thing. :-)

    Anna from elements of emaginette

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you for stopping by. What would we do without hope? I have Joe Biden's postcard pinned on my board: "Our best days still lie ahead. Together we will choose hope over fear, unity over division, and truth over lies."

      Delete
  6. You write that way because it's who you are.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I never thought of it quite that way. Thank you, Alex.

      Delete
  7. A strong and positive message, Beth! Like you, I feel that my writing comes easy and not much thought goes into it. I have a thought or an idea and a story, blog post, article (or book?) emerges. Unlike you, my work is non-fiction. But I do wish to inspire with my writing as well. Happy weekend. Hopefully, we get to celebrate a particular event! :-)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Nice way to begin the morning, Liesbet. Non-fiction is every bit as creative as fiction. Your adventuresome spirit and writing do inspire! And, yes, the stress level is going down a little bit every day. :-) right back!

      Delete