For a writer, inspiration is everywhere. If you’re looking for ideas for your next historical fiction novel, myths, legends, and regional folklore are a great place to start. But there’s such a wide expanse of motifs and archetypes that it can be a little intimidating at first.
We’ll break it down and show you what these precise terms mean, as well as some ways to start getting inspired.
Myths, legends, and folklore – what’s the difference?
Myths, legends, and folklore are terms that often get conflated because they all have to do with stories, characters, or scenes (often cautionary tales) that exist in our wider cultural consciousness. But they each refer to specific things, and understanding the difference will help you create more powerful stories as a writer.
A myth, despite its misattribution in modern usage (“it’s just a myth”), refers to core spiritual truths of its people. These are most easily identified by their inclusion of gods and goddesses, although mortal heroes can also play an important role. Myths will often explain how something came to be: the seasons, the moon, or even the entire world.
Whether its people believe these myths literally happened, or they see them as more of a metaphor, these stories are a sacred cornerstone of that culture. For this reason, they need to be approached sensitively and respectfully. We’ll look at that in more detail below.
A legend was born from a true story, but has become enhanced over time. Usually there are disagreements about exactly how true or sensationalised the legend is. King Arthur and Robin Hood are two very popular legendary figures. Both probably existed in some form at some point, but they’ve since been fleshed out and given fictional elements that turn them into legends.
You may have heard the term “urban legend” to refer to a superstitious story that takes place in an urban environment. Jack the Ripper is a good example of an urban legendary figure. He (or she) certainly did exist as a real person in fairly recent history, but has been explored through the lens of fiction and film so much that he’s starting to slip into legend.
Folklore is a broader term that encompasses legends as well as superstitions and regional beliefs. While legends usually have some sort of narrative arc with a beginning, middle, and end, folklore can be simple anecdotes such as a monster that lives in a nearby lake, or a crossroads haunted by the ghosts of an old hanging site.
Some folklore was used to convey important messages, especially to children. If a young child believed there was a monster in their backyard lake, they’d be careful not to fall in and hurt themselves. But some folklore is just for entertainment, or a remnant of an earlier mythic belief.
What about drawing from the stories of other cultures?
With such a fascinating expanse of regional stories to choose from, you may be wondering if it’s problematic to borrow from a culture outside your own, or from the culture of a marginalised people. While opinions vary, many agree that it’s okay to explore other cultures as long as it’s done with authenticity and respect.
Foremost, this means seeking a deeper understanding of that culture so that you’re not inadvertently falling into stereotypes or internalised biases. Harmful imagery and ideas can be internalised through the absorption of other media, and they’re often completely subconscious. This means you could potentially portray a culture in a negative way without even realising it.
Enlisting the help of a sensitivity reader is one option to help you portray a culture accurately. You can also reach out to any friends or family that are part of this community and ask their advice.
Do you write historical fiction?
Join our email list for regular writing tips, resources, and promotions.
How to use myths and legends to get inspired
Now that we’ve covered our basics, let’s look at how to start generating stories from these intercultural, intergenerational tapestries.
Read widely
First, get to know your myths and legends! Fortunately folklore is booming in publishing today, and so you can find volumes on these stories for just about anywhere in the world. Challenge yourself to really dig into the mythology of your own cultural background – what you learn may surprise you! Then, start reading about the beliefs of other cultures. Particularly look for places where these stories across different cultures overlap in motifs, plot structures, and themes.
Ask questions
As you uncover these stories (which are often composed of the who, what, and where), ask why, how, and what if? Why does the villain of one tale act the way he did? How did this magical fish become magical in the first place? What if the princess escaped before the hero could rescue her? In each of these there is an untold story to be explored.
Transpose key elements
Don’t feel like you have to retell a pre-existing legend exactly. In fact, it can be a lot more interesting to take certain characters, places, symbols, or even a general narrative arc and transpose them onto something new (myths, legends, and folklore all tend to be public domain, which means you don’t have to worry about copyright infringement).
The best retellings take recognisable elements and use them in a fresh new way. This is a good thing to keep in mind if you want to adapt an ancient saga to your chosen historical time period.
Explore secondary characters
Many myths and legends focus on the heroic adventures of a singular character, with a few other faces scattered about as set dressing. Consider bringing one of these characters to the forefront (remember: why, how, and what if?). Because their backstories won’t be as well known, you have more room to play with your own vision and interpretations.
Consider the story’s theme
“Theme” is just a fancy way of saying the point of a story. What is the underlying meaning, and why is it being told in this time and place? Then, consider if you agree or disagree with its theme, how it might resonate differently being told today, and if there are any other ways to interpret the characters’ journeys.
Take, for instance, Little Red Riding Hood, an ancient blueprint for stranger danger. Or is it? Maybe it’s about the unique vulnerability of young women of a certain age, or about the elder generation being displaced by the rising of the young, or about what happens when mankind tries to suppress their wild inner nature. By tilting a story’s theme just slightly off centre, you open up limitless new storytelling possibilities.
Fija Callaghan is an author, poet, and unapologetic daydreamer. Her work has been shortlisted and longlisted for a number of short story prizes, and you can find her writing in publications like Gingerbread House, Crow & Cross Keys, Corvid Queen, and Mythic Magazine. When not writing or helping other writers get the best out of their work, she can be found haunting her local bookshops or watching the tide come in.
Do you write historical fiction?
Join our email list for regular writing tips, resources, and promotions.
