History as a Partner in Story - Part II: Hints

London

Once immersed in the flow of a story's history, a deep dive into details can inform understanding in even more significant ways. I’ll catch a glimmer of something that perfectly reflects an aspect who my main character is, a situation that involves her, or maybe even something to do with the crux of the story. In that little gem or hint I find a clear expression of the spine of the story.

For Twila Tharp, the highly acclaimed dancer and choreographer, the “spine” of the dance or story is the nerve center holding everything together. In her book, The Creative Habit: Learn It and Use It for Life, she explains that when she is creating a choreographed dance, she keeps in mind the “spine” of the story that she wants to communicate. She is not concerned about whether the spine will be recognized by others or not. She doesn’t necessarily articulate the spine, but it’s there. The movements are an overlay on top of the spine and the story grows out of it.

Hints always relate to the spine. Interesting historical events, though they may peak interest and even entertain, cannot enrich the storyline if they do not strengthen the spine. When a hint builds into the reality of a character or adds richness and texture to the setting, it creates authentic story and therefore strengthens the spine of the story we’re telling.

One of the hints I’ve discovered about my character and about the setting of her story has to do with the Southwark Fair, an event that was held in the south of London in the 1500’s. Her “home base” is in that area of London. The area itself has great potential for significant insights into her life. But the Southwark Fair is enlightening in a unique way. As I was reading about it I realized that what we do with our leisure time, what we look forward to and anticipate largely speaks to who we are.

The fair is mentioned in an old English charter in 1462, and has history going back even before that date. Fairs like the one in Southwark focused originally on trade – food, goods and crafts. Over time, entertainment edged its way into the offerings, theater and carnival-like oddities for the crowds. It evolved into a place for middle and lower class people to socialize, those who would not be receiving invitations to the elegant parties and dances of the nobility. This was a place my character was able to connect with people, mostly as an observer. Even though she longed to be social, her bookworm and introverted personality meant that she felt more comfortable in places like the Southwark Fair where she could enjoy the bustle of the crowd and simply blend in.

How do you get to know a character from a story?

Writing Prompt for the Week: A Hint that Pops