Historical Writing Category
The Writer’s Guide to Concussions and Head Injuries
Posted on March 14, 2025 Leave a Comment
Concussions and head injuries are common in action-packed stories, from intense battles in fantasy worlds to space missions gone wrong in science fiction. But writing these injuries convincingly requires more than just a dramatic fall or blow to the head. Understanding causes, symptoms, recovery timelines, and potential long-term effects will add depth and realism to […]
The Writer’s Guide to Broken Bones
Posted on February 28, 2025 Leave a Comment
Breaking a bone is one of the most common and impactful injuries in fiction. Whether it happens during a dramatic fight scene, a tragic accident, or an adventurous misstep, fractures offer an opportunity to showcase your character’s resilience, vulnerability, and recovery journey. To write these scenes realistically, it’s essential to understand the types of fractures, […]
The Writer’s Guide to Basic Anatomy
Posted on February 14, 2025 Leave a Comment
Understanding basic anatomy doesn’t just make your injury scenes more believable—it makes them more engaging. While you don’t need the expertise of a doctor, by focusing on how injuries affect the body, you can craft realistic, impactful moments that resonate with readers and deepen their connection to your characters. Take the time to research and […]
The Writer’s Guide to Writing Injuries Realistically
Posted on January 31, 2025 Leave a Comment
In storytelling, injuries are more than just obstacles for heroes to overcome. They have the power to deepen character development, increase plot tension, and add a layer of authenticity that draws readers into the narrative. But to achieve these effects, injuries in fiction need to be portrayed with realism. A character who takes a severe […]
Writer’s Deep Dive: Sextant
Posted on December 8, 2023 Leave a Comment
The sextant is one of the most easily recognizable and yet least understood navigational instruments. Today I will explain how to take a reading with the sextant and the function of all its pieces. Now, let’s dive in! The Basics The basic principles of the sextant were found in the unpublished writings of Isaac Newton […]
The Writer’s Guide to Maritime Navigation
Posted on November 24, 2023 Leave a Comment
Over the last couple of weeks, I have covered different ships and a large span of maritime history. However, all these ships mean nothing if you do not know how to get where you are going. Today I will cover maritime navigation. I will mainly focus on navigation before satellite and radio. As always, magic […]
Writer’s Deep Dive: Frigates
Posted on November 10, 2023 Leave a Comment
Unlike most of the other ships I have covered, the frigate was a warship first and foremost. Now, let’s dive in! The frigate was a full-rigged ship, built for speed and maneuverability, making it ideal for scouting, escorting, and patrolling. They could carry six months’ worth of stores, giving them a very long range. During […]
The Writer’s Guide to Sailing Ships of the 18th & 19th Centuries
Posted on October 27, 2023 Leave a Comment
The advancements in sailing ships that occurred during the Age of Exploration from the 15th to the 17th centuries continued into the 18th and 19th centuries. We also known this period as the Age of Sail. Ships became faster, better armed, and more complex in their construction. It was during this time that iconic ships […]
The Writer’s Guide to Sailing Ships of the Age of Exploration
Posted on October 13, 2023 Leave a Comment
The Age of Exploration, also known as the Age of Discovery, was a time that saw a surge of explorers taking to the seas. From the 15th to 17th century, European explorers discovered and colonized multiple regions worldwide. This exploration would not have been possible without two technological advancements. The first was the magnetic compass, […]
The Writer’s Guide to Sailing Ships of the Ancient World
Posted on September 29, 2023 Leave a Comment
The history of the sailing ship is long and throughout it humans have developed many types of vessels. The builder’s needs and the advances in sailing technology achieved up to that point usually influenced the designs of sailing ships. This will not be an exhaustive list. There are too many types of sailing ships and […]
Rebecca Shedd - Author 