Historian and author Dr. Jonathan M. Bryant will focus on examples of nonfiction and fiction that have used history to build worlds and stories at the Ponte Vedra Writers meeting, 11 a.m. Saturday, March 28. The group will meet in the media room at the Ocean Grove Condominiums, 1 Arbor Club Drive, Ponte Vedra Beach.
From Tolkien’s “Lord of the Rings” trilogy to Gwynne’s “Empire of the Summer Moon: Quanah Parker and the Rise and Fall of the Comanches,” writers have used history to inspire their creativity. Drawing on examples from his own writing, Bryant’s presentation will also explain the process of inspiration and writing, including the best ways to use photographs, documents, newspapers and other resources to help writers envision and complete a full manuscript.
Bryant has written historical essays, chapters in anthologies and two prizewinning books of history. His most recent nonfiction work, “Dark Places of the Earth: The Voyage of the Slave Ship Antelope,” was a finalist for the Los Angeles Times Book Prize in History. He also writes award-winning historical fiction with correct period settings and plausible plots. “Neutrality Act” is the first in “The Consulting Agent” series, a historical noir set in World War II-era Atlanta. “The Slaver’s Apprentice,” which won a Royal Palm Literary Award, will be published next year. Learn more at JonathanMBryant.com.
The Ponte Vedra Writers group is part of the Florida Writers Association, a statewide membership organization dedicated to the support of both aspiring and published writers in any genre. The March 28 meeting is free and open to members and non-members alike. For information on FWA, go to www.floridawriters.org.
