The Secret to Writer’s Block: Misfit Inspiration - Guest Blogger: E. Prybylski
Historical Reenactment and Sword Fighting
Hi! I’m E writing for Heather’s “Writer’s Block” this week. You can usually find me on my own blog, Thirteen Cents Short, but I’m making the rounds to introduce myself and my upcoming book. More on that later, though. Let’s get into why you came here!
When I’m not writing, my life consists of a wide arrange of eclectic hobbies. Being physically disabled, I don’t have a “day job” exactly, and having ADHD, I need to keep my mind occupied or else I drive myself and everyone around me just a little crazy. Enter the Society for Creative Anachronism (SCA).
I’ve been in the SCA since 2012. It is a half-LARP (live-action role-play) and half historical reenactment society. We represent all cultures prior to 1650, and at events you can see everyone from samurai and Roman soldiers rubbing elbows with high medieval lords and ladies all the way up to the Italian Renaissance. Everyone chooses a persona to create for themselves (which is basically the guiding star to what kind of clothing we choose, what name we pick, and what crafts we may choose to do) and then we scamper off into the ether.
For example, my persona is Nuala MacKensie. I am an Irish woman from the 600s, more or less.
This clashes violently with the fact that my primary hobby in the SCA is rapier fighting, but that’s okay. We have fun anyway. The scrolls I receive (awards for prowess, service, and so on) are usually done with Celtic hands and are illuminated with Celtic-style art. My clothing, when I’m not in my fencing get-up, is linen or wool (when I can afford them) tunics and dresses. While I don’t have to dress exclusively in clothes my persona would have worn, I do what I can. That said? Nobody’s obligated to.
One of the interesting things about the SCA is that you can get into almost anything. I know people who make stained glass, do pewter casting, archery, embroidery, calligraphy, illumination, weaving, spinning yarn, storytelling, recreating period music, pottery and ceramics, and so much more. There is no limit to the interesting things you can learn and people you can meet (which my ADHD loves).
When it comes to sword fighting, I spend a large portion of my time on the fencing field as a marshal. I am a safety officer who watches people fighting and makes sure there are no weapon or armor malfunctions and ensure the rules are being followed and people are being safe. More often than not, though, that means aggressively pushing sun-drenched fighters toward the Gatorade coolers. I am also a “ranked” fencer, which means I am a member of a fencing order. I am a proud companion to the Order of the Silver Rapier. This means I’m considered a threat on the fencing field and my prowess is acknowledged. I also do a lot of teaching.
So what the heck does this have to do with writing?
Well, despite my upcoming novel being urban fantasy, I have spent most of my career as a high fantasy writer. High fantasy is the genre I grew up on with my mother reading The Hobbit to me as a bedtime story when I was very young. I adore sword-and-sorcery fantasy. Be still my heart! I also have my BA in European history (as if that should surprise you). But there is nothing on this earth that will better help you get into the head of your characters who are on the road than sitting with friends around a fire, all wearing tunics and hosen, talking about the day’s field battles while the lantern flames cast dancing light across a sea of canvas tents. The evening air is punctuated with music and drums, laughter, and the scent of wood smoke and food being cooked over the flame. When I write about characters in my high fantasy world—or I am editing for a client who is writing high fantasy—I can speak with authority about exactly what that feels, sounds, and smells like. I can also give them very realistic and honest feedback about their sword fighting scenes, the weapons they use, and the tactics they employ.
While right now I am focused primarily on the rapier, I studied Japanese swordsmanship for over a decade and was a teacher in my own right before I had to stop due to health reasons. And I have handled and studied longsword techniques, worn full armor, and know exactly why your character will have regrets if they aren’t wearing a gambison beneath their chain mail. I have fired English longbows and crossbows. I have been part of trebuchet demonstrations to see just how far a mini-trebuchet can launch a pumpkin (it’s further than you think!) and other such experiences.
All of this knowledge comes together when I am writing something from that time period or editing for one of my clients. I have frequently saved clients headache and embarrassment by catching things that are wrong for the time period or helped them understand fabrics and other materials available to their characters. I also know what it’s like to try and pack a canvas tent in the rain. I don’t suggest it. Yuck!
I love reenactment, and since this organization is world-wide, it’s a fantastic experience for writers. Even if you don’t join the SCA, I strongly suggest you check out some events and at least watch some YouTube videos about us and connect with your local group to ask questions of artisans. We’re a huge group of nerds who love to talk about our special interests. Just make sure you block off some time because once we get going, we never really shut up.
Oh, and you’ll probably end up one of us. We also tend to adopt folks into the collective pretty quickly.
Now, I mentioned that I am releasing a book, and I’d like to take a little space to mention it. My inaugural novel, “Fallen” comes out January 13, 2022. It is an urban fantasy work set in Boston, MA. I am extremely excited about it because while I’ve been an editor for over a decade now, this is the first time I have published a novel of my own.
If you enjoyed this post, you can find more from me at my blog: ThirteenCentsShort.com. I write articles about the writing and publishing process, my own journey as a writer, and sometimes share short fiction pieces I’ve put together.
Follow me on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and Goodreads!
http://www.twitter.com/ehprybylski
http://www.facebook.com/ehprybylski
http://www.instagram.com/ehprybylski
I hope that these ideas help you to break through!
Found a great source of inspiration that worked for you and you want to write a blog post? Let me know!
Disclaimer: This post is exclusively the words and views of the guest blogger and do not necessarily represent the views of Heather L. Barksdale. The story featured has not been read or reviewed by Heather’s bookshelf.
Still getting writer’s block? Tell me how I can help!
