Episode 294 - Warfare for Writers with Timons Esaias
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Timons Esaias discusses WARFARE FOR WRITERS, including how military history can serve as an invaluable resource for authors crafting stories that involve conflict, whether they are set in fantasy, science fiction, or historical periods. While warfare might seem intimidating to many writers, Esaias provides insights and guidance on how to incorporate elements of military history and strategy into fiction in a way that's engaging and informative.
Timons Esaias is a satirist, writer and poet living in Pittsburgh. His works, ranging from literary to genre, have been published in twenty-two languages. He has been a finalist for the British Science Fiction Award, and he won the Winter Anthology Contest, the SFPA Poetry Contest, and the Asimov's Readers Award (twice). He is a recent Pushcart nominee and Intrepid Award winner for the story "To Do." He is widely deplored for using a pillow as a protagonist, and, in another story, Concord grape jelly packets as an antagonist. His poetry collection is Why Elephants No Longer Communicate in Greek.
Episode Links
https://bsky.app/profile/timonse.bsky.social
https://www.facebook.com/timons.esaias
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Summary
In this episode of The Indy Author Podcast, Matty Dalrymple talks with Timons Esaias about warfare for writers and how military history can serve as an invaluable resource for authors crafting stories that involve conflict, whether they are set in fantasy, science fiction, or historical periods. While warfare might seem intimidating to many writers, Timons provides insights and guidance on how to incorporate elements of military history and strategy into fiction in a way that's engaging and informative.
Timons begins by sharing his childhood fascination with military history, sparked by family visits to historic battlefields and reading books such as Teddy Roosevelt’s account of the War of 1812. This interest laid the groundwork for his later expertise in both real and fictional warfare, which he shares with writers needing guidance on military topics.
Matty and Timons explore the topic of historical accuracy in warfare writing. Timons emphasizes the universality of certain aspects of warfare across time periods, citing Genghis Khan dealing with issues similar to those faced in modern-day conflicts. The conversation covers the importance of logistics, survival in warfare, and the surprising lack of resources available for writers, which led Timons to work on a comprehensive guide himself.
The discussion highlights the narrative opportunities presented by focusing on military units as almost character-like entities within a story. Timons describes military units as "machines made out of people," where the roles within, such as officers and shared objectives, are critical to the plot. For writers, understanding this machinery helps to construct more robust and realistic military fiction.
Timons also provides practical advice for writers seeking to integrate warfare into non-military stories. By looking at battles as complex problems, akin to non-war tasks, writers can find inspiration in military history for stories outside the warfare genre. The logistics of war, for example, can be applied to any scenario where large-scale coordination and planning are required.
The episode deep-dives into the role of character development within military narratives, using popular media such as "Band of Brothers" and "Saving Private Ryan" as illustrators of balancing action with character focus. Timons discusses how the interplay between command structure and individual experiences can shape dynamic storylines without relying solely on battle sequences.
Finally, Timons stresses the significance of logistics in warfare, a crucial yet often overlooked element. Logistics shape every aspect of a military campaign, from supply lines to the feasibility of engaging in combat in certain locations. Understanding logistics can be incredibly beneficial for writers aiming to depict realistic and compelling military actions.
Timons closes the conversation by guiding writers on resources for current warfare understanding. He notes how journalism guides and military manuals can provide foundational knowledge for writers working within modern military contexts.
This episode is a treasure trove for authors interested in exploring warfare in their work, offering both tactical advice and philosophical insights into the nature of conflict across history. Whether writing about medieval skirmishes, futuristic space battles, or character-driven narratives set against the backdrop of war, authors will find Timons’ expertise and practical tips immensely helpful.