to think of something to post about.
In conduct research for a short story I'm thinking about writing, I came across yet another tool - H.H. Bancroft's History of California, 1542 to 1800.
So much information to absorb.
But that does bring up the reason for the search - While sleeping the other night, I dreamed about a young boy living at one of the missions.
So, I decided to write a mid-length novel aimed at kids and young adults. No title but I've come up with the main character.
It will, of course, deal with the life of the times and the conflicts between Father Serra, Governor Fages, and Captain Rivera.
Just one of the things I discovered - it was customary throughout the Spanish empire that captains/commandants controlled the supplies for the troops. Their agents bought the goods at one price and then generally hiked that price for the troops and their families.
As Fages was also the commander of the Catalonian Volunteers serving in California, he showed favoritism toward them in charging a reasonable fee for food, clothing, and other items. At the same time, jealous of the loyalty shown by Leatherjack Soldiers - known as presidials - to Captain Rivera, Fages tripled the cost of supplies sold to them.
How to weave that into a story about the son of a presidial is going to be fun - and interesting.
I'll keep you posted as things develop.
Stories and tidbits about the history of Upper (Present Day) California and Lower (Baja) California. The men – and women – who carved civilization out of wilderness.
Father Serra - Missionary
Wednesday, October 21, 2015
Wednesday, October 7, 2015
The Trials and Tribulations of Writing Historical Fiction
I'm
not complaining mind you. I enjoy writing and telling stories. The
problem with something like, Leatherjacket
Soldier,
the story of Don
Fernando, is keeping as close to history as possible.
The
fictional situations and interactions are fun to create. But they
still must remain within the framework of reality.
So,
what do you do when the actual history is sketchy.
Let
me give you some
examples.
There
are brief references to Fernando being born in 1725 in Compostela,
Nayarit, Mexico. We learn a bit about his father, mother, brothers,
sisters and his betrothed. But little else.
What
was the color of his hair? His eyes? How tall was he? The only
picture or description of him is what you see above? I have
lots of descriptions of the Jesuits but nothing about him.
And,
until one has done a lot of nosing around, you would never know what
an important part his hometown plays in California history – both
Upper and Lower. Seems Compostela is where all the sailors lived
who plied
the waters of western Mexico to include carrying supplies to the
Jesuit missions. They also sailed
the ships that later carried
part of the expedition to the site of San Diego.
We
next learn
he is in California in 1742 on the rolls as a common soldier who is
sent to the squadron of the south. How
did he get there? He
is quickly promoted as by 1745 he is a sergeant. How
did that happen? And
then, out of nowhere comes the
references of Don Fernando being elevated from sergeant to captain,
commandant, and governor. We
learn
that the Father Inspector of California writes to the viceroy of his
promoting Rivera and why. Doesn't even discuss that Rivera was in the
south at the time of the decision. And
he isn't confirmed until July 1752.
He
then serves faithfully for 15 years and we learn he is replaced as
governor
by Gaspar Portolá.
So,
filling in the holes is fun. Fleshing out limited information and
making it an interesting story.
But,
here comes the rub. The story MUST be accurate and that means hours
and hours of research, trying to find everything possible to fill in
the holes.
At a little over 121,000 words (My guess is that's going to be about one-third of the novel ☺☺☺☺☺☺☺), I reached the point where he receives confirmation of his appointment from the King. There was a brief mention of an expedition he took with Father Consag to explore California north of the last mission in 1751 with another in 1753.
So,
guess what? A well-meaning friend directs me to “an interesting
read,” The
Life
and Works of the Reverend Ferdinand Konscak, S.J. 1703 — 1759 an
early missionary in California.
He also casually mentions it contains information on the various
expeditions conducted by Consag (the most common version of his name)
of California.
The
first one in 1746 doesn't concern me as Rivera was
a common soldier in the south. But the second one...it includes a
very detailed, day-by-day account of the expedition of 1751! In which
the commander is casually listed as Captain Rivera. Great. Just what
I need – AFTER writing to a later time!!! And, there are only 10
vague references to Rivera during the period from 22 May to July 5th.
That's it.
10 vague references to the man who basically lead the expedition and
was responsible for the
Jesuit's
safety.
The
Jesuits said very little about their military escorts, as though they
were beneath their station in life.
Uh,
back to my whining.
So
now I have to go back and entirely rewrite the chapters about 1751 to
include the details of that expedition.
Gee.
Thanks friend.
But,
care to know something? In spite of that, it's fun. Because now I can
add some real details to the story about Captain Rivera that isn't
generally available to the public. It will make it more realistic and
can give the readers something only available in the novel.
Another
great story to tell.
So,
back to writing.
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