NaNoWriMo question for my friends

[akaihyo]

So, the novel I am working on is set in an alternate 1800 in England. History diverges in the late 1500s.

Now, my characters are off to listen to some political speakers. Do I make them up from whole cloth, do I use thinly veiled versions of historical figures or actual historical figures themselves 'adjusted' to the changed history? What are you opinions, dear readers.

Comments

[st-rev.livejournal.com]

Take historical figures and obscure them enough that they serve as easter eggs.

[stefmccollum.livejournal.com]

Done well, actual historical figures can work very well in an alternate-reality storyline. Neil Gaiman's latest comic series "1602" comes to mind, featuring an aging Queen Elizabeth. But st_rev's idea of making them harder to puzzle out is a good one, too.

[weetanya.livejournal.com]

i vote for actual figures adjusted to changed history !

[forvrin.livejournal.com]

that was going to my vote as well.

[simon-draskovic.livejournal.com]

In my novel, the historical Rasputin has a healing factor.

Not had. Has. :-)

[kshandr.livejournal.com]

I'd have said "keep away from the historical characters." The reason being that, as a reader, when someone introduces a character I'm aware of, I get antsy if the character is not done *right*. It's like a constant thorn in my side as I read. But then - I know you know the background material, so...

[weetanya.livejournal.com]

Depending upon how today's meeting goes, I might quit school to run an import shop. I'd pick a different town, of course, so as not to compete wichoo. But yes, if the professor continues to be an arse, I'm totally going to go for career 2.

=)