Quotes
History is a set of lies agreed upon.
~Napoleon Bonaparte
History is written by the winner.
~Unknown
Discussion of Murder in the Rockies
Historical Fiction is an invented story which took place in the past. The elements of the story must coincide with the time of the setting. In other words it would not be acceptable to have Paul Revere call on his cell phone to warn that the British as coming.
In Murder in the Rockies there are many historical facts, known characters from real life and events that are common, verifiable knowledge. When the readers comes across enough information they know is true, they will be more willing to accept the fictionalized parts of the tale.
Example
After only a few minutes of waiting, a middle-aged Negro, elegantly dressed in the latest fashions, visited Coyle’s table. “Pardon me. I believe you are the young man who asked for a newspaper. Miss Platz is waiting on other customers, and ordering your dinner. I took the liberty of bringing your paper. May I inquire if everything is satisfactory so far?”
“Mr. Barney Ford, I presume. Yes, quite satisfactory. In fact, I’m going to pack my things at my present hotel and move them over here right after dinner.”
“Splendid. I’m afraid you have me at a disadvantage, sir”
“Andrew Coyle, of Philadelphia.”
“And what brings you to Denver, business or pleasure…business, I presume.”
“Yes, I’m an attorney at law. I plan to see which way the wind is blowing and then probably go into practice here. I understand many opportunities await in this new country.”
Barney Ford’s manner suddenly changed from formal and congenial to cold and distant. Even his language slipped from proper business English to what may be called colloquial speech. “I haven’t had much use for lawyers since one hornswoggled me,” he said. “When I first came to the gold fields, me and my partner staked a claim, but the Mining Claims Office said that Negroes weren’t allowed to file claims. So, my friendly lawyer said to file it in his name and my partner and I could keep the profits. The claim would be his in name only. A couple of weeks later, he jumped our claim and made a tidy sum. I must admit, I was mad at the time, but it was all for the better. I went to work barbering, then operating a restaurant. Thirteen years later I saved enough cash and a business-wise banker loaned me the rest of what I needed to build this very hotel in which you intend to stay.
Analysis
Barney Ford was an actual pioneer in Denver history. He was an escaped slave who came west and climbed the economic ladder after being cheated by an unscrupious
lawyer until thirteen years later, he built and owned the Inter-Ocean Hotel. All true, including the laws that prevented Negroes from filing mining claims. The fictional part of this excerpt is that there is no record that Barney ever met the fictional Andrew Coyle or that this conversation ever took place.
Event
Meet the Faces, group book signing at the Englewood, Colorado Public Library, 4/27
starting at 1:00 PM. For readers who can't attend the book signing, Murder in the Rockies is available at book stores or they can order copies from Ingram Distributors. Another source is through most electronic vendors such as Amazon.
Newsletter
Subscribe to the G. Eldon's free Newsletter with a name and e-mail address in the comment section below
History is a set of lies agreed upon.
~Napoleon Bonaparte
History is written by the winner.
~Unknown
Discussion of Murder in the Rockies
Historical Fiction is an invented story which took place in the past. The elements of the story must coincide with the time of the setting. In other words it would not be acceptable to have Paul Revere call on his cell phone to warn that the British as coming.
In Murder in the Rockies there are many historical facts, known characters from real life and events that are common, verifiable knowledge. When the readers comes across enough information they know is true, they will be more willing to accept the fictionalized parts of the tale.
Example
After only a few minutes of waiting, a middle-aged Negro, elegantly dressed in the latest fashions, visited Coyle’s table. “Pardon me. I believe you are the young man who asked for a newspaper. Miss Platz is waiting on other customers, and ordering your dinner. I took the liberty of bringing your paper. May I inquire if everything is satisfactory so far?”
“Mr. Barney Ford, I presume. Yes, quite satisfactory. In fact, I’m going to pack my things at my present hotel and move them over here right after dinner.”
“Splendid. I’m afraid you have me at a disadvantage, sir”
“Andrew Coyle, of Philadelphia.”
“And what brings you to Denver, business or pleasure…business, I presume.”
“Yes, I’m an attorney at law. I plan to see which way the wind is blowing and then probably go into practice here. I understand many opportunities await in this new country.”
Barney Ford’s manner suddenly changed from formal and congenial to cold and distant. Even his language slipped from proper business English to what may be called colloquial speech. “I haven’t had much use for lawyers since one hornswoggled me,” he said. “When I first came to the gold fields, me and my partner staked a claim, but the Mining Claims Office said that Negroes weren’t allowed to file claims. So, my friendly lawyer said to file it in his name and my partner and I could keep the profits. The claim would be his in name only. A couple of weeks later, he jumped our claim and made a tidy sum. I must admit, I was mad at the time, but it was all for the better. I went to work barbering, then operating a restaurant. Thirteen years later I saved enough cash and a business-wise banker loaned me the rest of what I needed to build this very hotel in which you intend to stay.
Analysis
Barney Ford was an actual pioneer in Denver history. He was an escaped slave who came west and climbed the economic ladder after being cheated by an unscrupious
lawyer until thirteen years later, he built and owned the Inter-Ocean Hotel. All true, including the laws that prevented Negroes from filing mining claims. The fictional part of this excerpt is that there is no record that Barney ever met the fictional Andrew Coyle or that this conversation ever took place.
Event
Meet the Faces, group book signing at the Englewood, Colorado Public Library, 4/27
starting at 1:00 PM. For readers who can't attend the book signing, Murder in the Rockies is available at book stores or they can order copies from Ingram Distributors. Another source is through most electronic vendors such as Amazon.
Newsletter
Subscribe to the G. Eldon's free Newsletter with a name and e-mail address in the comment section below