--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: If you're writing something that's…" description: "\"If you're writing something that's clearly labelled as an alternative history, of course it's perfectly legitimate to play with known historical charac..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2ac/diana-gabaldon-185_historical-fiction_if-you-re-writing-something-that-s-clear_3153190.jpg" --- # If you're writing something that's clearly labelled as an… ![“If you're writing something that's clearly labelled as an alternative history, of course it's perfectly legitimate to play with known historical characters and events, but less so when you're writing an essentially straight historical fiction.” quote by Diana Gabaldon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2ac/diana-gabaldon-185_historical-fiction_if-you-re-writing-something-that-s-clear_3153190.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2ac/diana-gabaldon-185_historical-fiction_if-you-re-writing-something-that-s-clear_3153190.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2ac/diana-gabaldon-185_historical-fiction_if-you-re-writing-something-that-s-clear_3153190.jpg) > “If you're writing something that's clearly labelled as an alternative history, of course it's perfectly legitimate to play with known historical characters and events, but less so when you're writing an essentially straight historical fiction.” [Diana Gabaldon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diana-gabaldon/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Alternative history permits creative freedom with real figures, whereas straight historical fiction should stay true to known facts **In simple terms:** Historical fiction must respect facts, alt‑history can bend them Key Takeaway Stay factual in realism, experiment in speculation Themes fiction historical accuracy creativity Mood thoughtful analytical Type educational inspirational When to use this quote - novel writing - screenwriting - academic research - historical reenactment Key Concepts genre boundaries authorial intent Questions to Reflect On - Do you label works clearly to guide expectations? - How do you balance fact and imagination? A Different Perspective Readers may be confused if genre expectations aren’t clear ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Historical fiction](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/historical-fiction/) [History](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/history/) [Play](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/play/) [Writing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/writing/) ## Related quotes > [When you're doing a legitimate play, if you have a company of 12, it's considered a big cast.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carol-kane/when-you-re-doing-a-legitimate-play-if-you-have-a-company-of-12-it-s/) [Carol Kane](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carol-kane/) > [“Alternative history is a parlor game.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-a-clarke/alternative-history-is-a-parlor-game/) [Richard A. Clarke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-a-clarke/) > ['Confederate,' in all of our minds, will be an alternative-history show. It's a science-fiction show. One of the strengths of science fiction is that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/d-b-weiss/confederate-in-all-of-our-minds-will-be-an-alternative-history-show/) [D. B. Weiss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/d-b-weiss/) > [A poet has to adapt himself, more or less consciously,to the demands of his vocation, and hence the peculiarities of poets and the condition…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-spender/a-poet-has-to-adapt-himself-more-or-less-consciously-to-the-demands/) [Stephen Spender](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-spender/) > [Good writing is essentially rewriting.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roald-dahl/good-writing-is-essentially-rewriting/) [Roald Dahl](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roald-dahl/) > [One of the nice things about writing is you can take essentially painful things in your life and turn them into something that might…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patrick-dewitt/one-of-the-nice-things-about-writing-is-you-can-take-essentially/) [Patrick deWitt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patrick-dewitt/) > [I've always been drawn to writing historical characters. The best stories are the ones you find in history.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tony-kushner/i-ve-always-been-drawn-to-writing-historical-characters-the-best/) [Tony Kushner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tony-kushner/) > [I can relate to historical characters or imaginary ones. It doesn't matter if a story takes place in the future or in the present,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-stoltz/i-can-relate-to-historical-characters-or-imaginary-ones-it-doesn-t/) [Eric Stoltz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-stoltz/) > [In general, I think my freedom of invention is not limited when I use historical characters.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mario-vargas-llosa/in-general-i-think-my-freedom-of-invention-is-not-limited-when-i-use/) [Mario Vargas Llosa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mario-vargas-llosa/) > [When writing about historical characters I try to be as accurate as possible, and in particular not to misrepresent the view they held. With…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pat-barker/when-writing-about-historical-characters-i-try-to-be-as-accurate-as/) [Pat Barker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pat-barker/) > [As a biracial girl growing up in England, I'd never really seen any historical characters who looked like me depicted on film before that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gugu-mbatha-raw/as-a-biracial-girl-growing-up-in-england-i-d-never-really-seen-any/) [Gugu Mbatha-Raw](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gugu-mbatha-raw/) > [I've played historical characters before, and I think the trap of all of them is if you try to do an impression. If that's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tim-matheson/i-ve-played-historical-characters-before-and-i-think-the-trap-of-all/) [Tim Matheson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tim-matheson/) > [I've played so many historical characters because most horrible dictators are short, fat, middle-aged men.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-hoskins/i-ve-played-so-many-historical-characters-because-most-horrible/) [Bob Hoskins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-hoskins/) > [“The trouble is, we are incurable sentimentalists. We insist on makin over historical characters to suit our preconceived notions of what they should be,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nancy-byrd-turner/the-trouble-is-we-are-incurable-sentimentalists-we-insist-on-makin/) [Nancy Byrd Turner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nancy-byrd-turner/) > [The key for me with historical characters is they're interesting because they're human beings. A little bit of Hemingway goes a long way here,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-hirst/the-key-for-me-with-historical-characters-is-they-re-interesting/) [Michael Hirst](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-hirst/) ## More by Diana Gabaldon > [Alright, all right," I said. "What if I tell you a story, instead?" Highlanders loved stories, and Jamie was no exception. "Oh, aye, "…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diana-gabaldon/alright-all-right-i-said-what-if-i-tell-you-a-story-instead/) [Diana Gabaldon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diana-gabaldon/) > [There were moments, of course. Those small spaces in time, too soon gone, when everything seems to stand still, and existence is balanced on…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diana-gabaldon/there-were-moments-of-course-those-small-spaces-in-time-too-soon-gone/) [Diana Gabaldon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diana-gabaldon/) > [If it was a sin for you to choose me . . . then I would go to the Devil himself and bless him…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diana-gabaldon/if-it-was-a-sin-for-you-to-choose-me-then-i-would-go-to-the-devil/) [Diana Gabaldon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diana-gabaldon/) > [When I turned 35, I thought, 'Mozart was dead at 36, so I set the bar: I'm going to start writing a book on…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diana-gabaldon/when-i-turned-35-i-thought-mozart-was-dead-at-36-so-i-set-the-bar-i-m/) [Diana Gabaldon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diana-gabaldon/) > [I stagger out of bed, take the dogs outside, and then I'll get a Diet Coke and a couple of dog biscuits and go…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diana-gabaldon/i-stagger-out-of-bed-take-the-dogs-outside-and-then-i-ll-get-a-diet/) [Diana Gabaldon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diana-gabaldon/) > [“It was…hard. I didna call out, or let them see I was scairt, but I couldna keep my feet. Halfway through it, I fell…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diana-gabaldon/it-was-hard-i-didna-call-out-or-let-them-see-i-was-scairt-but-i/) [Diana Gabaldon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diana-gabaldon/) > [I have all the time and space in the world when I write a book.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diana-gabaldon/i-have-all-the-time-and-space-in-the-world-when-i-write-a-book/) [Diana Gabaldon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diana-gabaldon/) > [I discovered that, given the indescribable nature of what I write, the only way to sell it is to give people free samples.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diana-gabaldon/i-discovered-that-given-the-indescribable-nature-of-what-i-write-the/) [Diana Gabaldon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diana-gabaldon/) > [“We are bound,you and I, and nothing on this earth shall part me from you."One large hand rose to stroke my hair. "D'ye mind…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diana-gabaldon/we-are-bound-you-and-i-and-nothing-on-this-earth-shall-part-me-from/) [Diana Gabaldon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diana-gabaldon/) > [I think characters are going to be, if not a reflection of the author, at least some refraction of some part of their personality.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diana-gabaldon/i-think-characters-are-going-to-be-if-not-a-reflection-of-the-author/) [Diana Gabaldon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diana-gabaldon/) > [My husband asked me once why I read so many mysteries, and part of it is just intellectual, part of it is the joy…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diana-gabaldon/my-husband-asked-me-once-why-i-read-so-many-mysteries-and-part-of-it/) [Diana Gabaldon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diana-gabaldon/) > [“My Da says you’re never drunk, so long as ye can hold on to the floor.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diana-gabaldon/my-da-says-you-re-never-drunk-so-long-as-ye-can-hold-on-to-the-floor/) [Diana Gabaldon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diana-gabaldon/) > [When you're an artist, you can't write with the intent of affecting anyone.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diana-gabaldon/when-you-re-an-artist-you-can-t-write-with-the-intent-of-affecting/) [Diana Gabaldon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diana-gabaldon/) > [“But a man is not forgotten, as long as there are two people left under the sky. One, to tell the story; the other,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diana-gabaldon/but-a-man-is-not-forgotten-as-long-as-there-are-two-people-left-under/) [Diana Gabaldon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diana-gabaldon/) > [“I didn’t answer, occupied in dissolving the penicillin tablets in the vial of sterile water. I selected a glass barrel, fitted a needle, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diana-gabaldon/i-didn-t-answer-occupied-in-dissolving-the-penicillin-tablets-in-the/) [Diana Gabaldon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diana-gabaldon/) [Explore all 952 Diana Gabaldon quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diana-gabaldon/) ## More Historical fiction quotes > [“The truth is heavier than a sword.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/naiyem-chowdhury-rony/the-truth-is-heavier-than-a-sword/) [Naiyem Chowdhury Rony](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/naiyem-chowdhury-rony/) > [“I know a feeling like that only comes once in a lifetime, and I think you should follow your heart’s desires. I believe in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ahmad-ardalan/i-know-a-feeling-like-that-only-comes-once-in-a-lifetime-and-i-think/) [Ahmad Ardalan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ahmad-ardalan/) > [“A Quote from Monty's journal in GOD MUST BE WEEPING. "I felt as anonymous as a grain of sand.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-d-winston/a-quote-from-monty-s-journal-in-god-must-be-weeping-i-felt-as/) J.D. Winston > [“Whatever befalls us, we will endure it together. I clutch my longbow and dagger close to my side. My last thoughts linger on my…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-noce/whatever-befalls-us-we-will-endure-it-together-i-clutch-my-longbow/) [Mark Noce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-noce/) > [When I turned 35, I thought, 'Mozart was dead at 36, so I set the bar: I'm going to start writing a book on…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diana-gabaldon/when-i-turned-35-i-thought-mozart-was-dead-at-36-so-i-set-the-bar-i-m/) [Diana Gabaldon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diana-gabaldon/) > [“Altogether, the first glimpse of his bride-which should have come as no surprise to Alex, standing there looking so lean and handsome himself-nearly brought…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/melissa-de-la-cruz/altogether-the-first-glimpse-of-his-bride-which-should-have-come-as/) [Melissa de la Cruz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/melissa-de-la-cruz/) > [“People think blood red, but blood don't got no colour. Not when blood wash the floor she lying on as she scream for that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marlon-james/people-think-blood-red-but-blood-don-t-got-no-colour-not-when-blood/) [Marlon James](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marlon-james/) > [“She ran the harder and zagged more erratically, and in the wreckage left from the hurricane the girl misjudged her path and ran straight…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-snoek-brown/she-ran-the-harder-and-zagged-more-erratically-and-in-the-wreckage/) [Samuel Snoek-Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-snoek-brown/) > [“This book would be a great addition to a classroom library, especially considering its emphases on timeless and critical topics like discrimination and prejudice.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sharon-lovejoy/this-book-would-be-a-great-addition-to-a-classroom-library-especially/) [Sharon Lovejoy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sharon-lovejoy/) > [“Right now, is not the time to strike at the Romans, but it will come, and we will all rise and wipe out the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-g-kramer/right-now-is-not-the-time-to-strike-at-the-romans-but-it-will-come/) [Michael G. Kramer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-g-kramer/) > [“When you fear nothing, you have nothing to fear”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/s-f-chandler/when-you-fear-nothing-you-have-nothing-to-fear/) S.F. Chandler > [“Love, I think, is by necessity constructed of a ladder of lies you climb together.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kimberly-elkins/love-i-think-is-by-necessity-constructed-of-a-ladder-of-lies-you/) Kimberly Elkins > [Obviously, I love to do both contemporary and historical fiction. When a hint of a story grabs me, I try to go with it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/katherine-paterson/obviously-i-love-to-do-both-contemporary-and-historical-fiction-when/) [Katherine Paterson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/katherine-paterson/) > [ “Most of \[her ashes\] fell into the river in a long gray curtain. 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When all those are paid, they are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/simon-scarrow/they-are-subjected-to-all-manner-of-taxes-the-tithe-the-hearth-tax/) [Simon Scarrow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/simon-scarrow/) [Browse all 582 Historical fiction quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/historical-fiction/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "If you're writing something that's clearly labelled as an alternative history, of course it's perfectly legitimate to play with known historical characters and events, but less so when you're writing an essentially straight historical fiction.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Diana Gabaldon" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diana-gabaldon/if-you-re-writing-something-that-s-clearly-labelled-as-an-alternative/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Historical fiction" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diana-gabaldon/if-you-re-writing-something-that-s-clearly-labelled-as-an-alternative/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2ac/diana-gabaldon-185_historical-fiction_if-you-re-writing-something-that-s-clear_3153190.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2ac/diana-gabaldon-185_historical-fiction_if-you-re-writing-something-that-s-clear_3153190.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2ac/diana-gabaldon-185_historical-fiction_if-you-re-writing-something-that-s-clear_3153190.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“If you're writing something that's clearly labelled as an alternative history, of course it's perfectly…” — Diana Gabaldon", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Diana Gabaldon", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diana-gabaldon/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "If you're writing something that's clearly...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diana-gabaldon/if-you-re-writing-something-that-s-clearly-labelled-as-an-alternative/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diana-gabaldon/if-you-re-writing-something-that-s-clearly-labelled-as-an-alternative/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```