1) Innovative transport idea needed. 2) Military question. - Writers Forum

The Backward OX · 03-22-2008, 02:09 AM

1. I need to have three young men travel across some hundreds of miles of largely uninhabited and almost-desert country. The problem is, they’re sort of military deserters, so they must keep a low profile. They need some form of transport to traverse this wilderness. For a variety of reasons, trains, planes, automobiles, camels and walking are out. I have one idea, wonder what else might be zizzing around out there in all your creative minds.

2. Can fiction based on military fact include: a) real battle locations, b) individual, specifically identifiable military machines and c) real but now deceased military people? Close relatives of people involved are alive.

Thank you.

Necromortis · 03-22-2008, 02:29 AM

1. You seem to have eliminated just about every possibly method of traveling long distance...including walking (which I don't see how you could eliminate, except for perhaps a lack of supplies). I'd probably suggest them bribing/stowing away on some civilian's method of transportation.

2. I'm afraid I don't really understand the question. Are you asking whether you can take real battle locations (random example: Battle of the Somme) and factual people (a private or something like that who actually fought at the Battle of the Somme) and have them do actions that they didn't actually do? If so - I'd personally stray away from it - I'd invent characters and keep everything else historically accurate, to avoid potential lawsuits, etc. However, it is called historical fiction, so theoretically I'm sure you could do whatever you want.

Of course, I could have completely misunderstood the question.

~Christian

Non Serviam · 03-22-2008, 06:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Backward OX

1. I need to have three young men travel across some hundreds of miles of largely uninhabited and almost-desert country. The problem is, they’re sort of military deserters, so they must keep a low profile. For a variety of reasons, trains, planes, automobiles, camels and walking are out. I have one idea, wonder what else might be zizzing around out there.

Off the top of my head that leaves horses, donkeys, bicycles and hot air balloons.

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Backward OX

2. Can fiction based on military fact include: a) real battle locations, b) individual, specifically identifiable military machines and c) real but now deceased military people? Close relatives of people involved are alive.

Thank you.

I've ready World War 2 fiction that featured locations like El Alamein, vehicles like the Grant or Matilda tanks, and characters like Montgomery and Rommel.

I probably wouldn't write a novel with Monty as the actual protagonist, for example--I'd keep him as a walk-on.

slayerofangels · 03-22-2008, 07:20 PM

1. I can see them bobsleding too, or doing the worm, but seriously, they'll either cycle or drive, disguising, changing names and using backroads as neccessary. Any other than that is just making things painful for yourself.

2. Non serviam hit the nail on the head here, I'm not sure about owing anyone duties or anything, but if you kept the historic figures in the background, alluding to them every now and then, you'd probably be fine.

brevia · 03-22-2008, 07:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Backward OX

1. I need to have three young men travel across some hundreds of miles of largely uninhabited and almost-desert country. The problem is, they’re sort of military deserters, so they must keep a low profile. For a variety of reasons, trains, planes, automobiles, camels and walking are out. I have one idea, wonder what else might be zizzing around out there.

2. Can fiction based on military fact include: a) real battle locations, b) individual, specifically identifiable military machines and c) real but now deceased military people? Close relatives of people involved are alive.

Thank you.

1. Depending on the location, i.e., desert in American West, etc., you might have any of the following pop up in a scene: camels (many ran wild in the American West having been brought over for use by the military); natives (Indians, tribesmen, etc); or, they might come upon an abandoned vehicle all shot up with bleached bones, but a vehicle that is driveable.

2. (a) yes (b) yes (c) yes - most writers try and stay close to the real history and geography, but where there are gaps or questions, one is permitted to speculate. After all, it is a work of FICTION.