Although I do have an interest in history, particularly the first and second world war, I never truly understood the hardships the people I read about went through. It wasn't until I was much older and had gone through some tough times myself did I begin to realize how awful things must have been for many of the people who had lived in the past (like the soldiers in the trenches of WW1 or even the people lived through the Great Depression for example). While I never experienced the things the people I mentioned above did; I began to get a better understanding of the pain and anguish I read about, it no longer seemed distant to me.
One of the reasons why I write so much historical fiction (besides my passion for it) is that I can put myself and a reader into the shoes of people who lived in the past. To be able to find a connection with generations previous is an amazing thing to behold. Writing is also an escape. If I can focus on the problems of my characters for a few moments in time than I find I can cope much easier with whatever challenges I face.
One of the reasons why I write so much historical fiction (besides my passion for it) is that I can put myself and a reader into the shoes of people who lived in the past. To be able to find a connection with generations previous is an amazing thing to behold. Writing is also an escape. If I can focus on the problems of my characters for a few moments in time than I find I can cope much easier with whatever challenges I face.