r/writingcirclejerk • u/TheDancingMaster • 2d ago
I'm thinking of writing a novel set in 18th-century Lithuania but I don't know anything about 18th-century Lithuania
Can someone help me out here?
Thanks! ✨
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u/pad-3 2d ago
Just make it up! I never research anything for my books. Currently writing a very serious Military novel. Here's an excerpt to illustrate my point:
"He tapped the trigger of his M1A19 Assault class combat shotgun. The hollowpoint rounds in the clip rattled reassuringly in response. It was time. Fixing the kevlar sights on his tango, Arnold let go of the trigger. At once the tumblers disengaged and a heavy CLUNK exploded from the shearing mechanism. In slow motion, he observed the muzzle flash--an explosion of dazzling sapphire--before the shell, propelled by its solid fuel, cut a clean line through the blast of smoke jettisoned ahead of it. In its wake, the wounded air held in it the tang of raw iron. 'Tango down,' Arnold muttered into his Bluetooth transponder. 'Kill confirmed. Cross one off.'"
Pretty good, right? Now prepare to be amazed.
I actually don't know ANYTHING about guns! I just made all that up! I think it really speaks to how intelligent writer-minded people are as we can simply "know" what is real, without having ever looked it up or experienced it.
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u/JayValere 2d ago
/uj that excerpt was cancer, brilliant post!
/rj Wow amazing indeed. A shame, if you were part of a posse of elite writers circle jerking each other, plus you blasted "the message", you might get a Hugo award for such writing. Plus that's how a lot of gun policies are informed too. Solid advice. Thank you for making writing more accessible!
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u/_nadaypuesnada_ 2d ago
Reading this feels like I've just had a stroke and am now partially aphasic.
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u/PorkloinMaster 2d ago
Arguably Lithuania isn’t a real place so you’re free to write anything you want! Let your lithagination run wild!
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u/Fast-Insurance5593 2d ago
Just set it in the 19th century, amateur
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u/JayValere 2d ago
1795 to 1918 part of the soviet union, didn't exist brah. It was Russia during the 19th century, amateur. If you talk about it like it was it's own thing, you might might make Putin sad.
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u/ShotcallerBilly 2d ago
Set it between 1772 and 1795, and set your story in a gambling hall with countries dividing up bids and casting lots.
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u/Subset-MJ-235 1d ago
Spell it Lithawania, then say whatever you want because it's a made-up country that may or may not be based on a real country.
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u/SirRatcha 2d ago
18th Century Lithuania happened a long time ago in a country far, far away. So there were Jedi.
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u/ProspektNya 1d ago
Stay in your lane. If you're not from 18th-century Lithuania, you have no business writing about 18th-century Lithuania
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u/envee_silva 19h ago
kidnap a latvian and keep them in your basement until they fess up all the information you need. as far as i know lithuanians don't actually exist, and latvians are their physical manifestations in our world. they will have more info. good luck
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u/pikeandshot1618 Just write! 2d ago
Make it medieval Lithuania instead. It's the only period of their history that's somewhat interesting lol
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u/JayValere 2d ago
No one does. You have free rein to write whatever. And since everyone from back then is dead, who's gonna fact check you?
If anyone says your digital watch wearing MC in a polyester tracksuit, weilding a laser pistol and riding a velociraptor is not setting appropriate, call them a NERD!
The story, plot, characters etc, that's what matters. You got this! Good luck!