There are many eras to choose from, such as the ancient, the medieval, the renaissance, the modern, the postmodern, and more. Each era has its own characteristics and challenges, but also its own opportunities and variations. You can follow the era conventions or challenge them, or even create your own era to suit your novel.
Here are some novel examples from different eras and what you can learn from them:
Ancient: The Odyssey by Homer
The Odyssey is one of the oldest and most influential novels in Western literature. It is an epic poem that tells the story of Odysseus, a Greek hero who tries to return home after the Trojan War. Along the way, he faces various obstacles and dangers, such as monsters, gods, and temptations, as well as the suitors who try to woo his wife, Penelope, who waits faithfully for him.
What makes The Odyssey a novel example is its ancient and mythical style. Homer uses a poetic and oral language to narrate his story. He also uses epic conventions, such as the invocation of the muse, the in medias res technique, the epithets, the similes, and the catalogues. He also uses mythological and supernatural elements, such as the gods, the monsters, the prophecies, and the magic, to create a fantastical and heroic story.
Some tips and exercises to learn from The Odyssey are:
- Write a novel in verse or in prose that mimics the poetic and oral language of Homer.
- Write a novel using epic conventions, such as the invocation of the muse, the in medias res technique, the epithets, the similes, and the catalogues.
- Write a novel using mythological and supernatural elements, such as the gods, the monsters, the prophecies, and the magic, to create a fantastical and heroic story.
Medieval: The Canterbury Tales by Geoffrey Chaucer
The Canterbury Tales is a collection of stories that are told by a group of pilgrims who travel from London to Canterbury to visit the shrine of Saint Thomas Becket. The stories range from humorous to tragic, from romantic to moral, from realistic to fantastic. They reflect the diverse and complex society and culture of the medieval England.
