Updated Sunday 15 May, 2011 12:18 PM

Changing The Times: An Introduction

Before I begin, let me start by asking you a question: Have you ever wondered what might have happened if something had gone differently, some event had ended differently, or what would have happened if……

The event could be quite simple; you could go through your life wondering what might have happened if you had dared to ask that pretty girl next door out on a date, instead of letting another guy ask her out. Or, what might have happened if you had been born a girl, or had a different sexual orientation, or your family had followed a different religion.

Those suggestion, however, only affect your own personal life. The Alternate Historian, however, considers a wider stage; what might have happened if a world event had gone differently. These can include what might have happened if the Germans (and their nazi overlords) had won World War Two, or what if the south had won the American Civil War, or what if the Americans had never had a revolution. Such is the genesis of an Alternate History.

There have been many books published as Alternate History. Chances are, you probably got interested through one of those books, such as ‘How Few Remain’, ‘Fatherland’, ‘The Domination series (Marching Through Georgia, Under the Yoke, The Stone Dogs, Drakon)’ and ‘Stars and Stripes Forever’. Why, however, are there relatively few alternate history authors? Well, one reason is that it’s quite difficult to sell a book that does have good characters and a plot that is good AH (Ruled Britannia is one example of a book that has both qualities, while Stars and Stripes had neither) and many people have serious difficulty in writing characters. Most of those who don’t have problems with the Point of Divergence, or in making a world realistic, or many other problems.

Therefore what, you might feel obliged to ask, is the purpose of Changing The Times? Simply put, Changing The Times is meant to allow Alternate History writers to showcase their work on a site that is open to all writers, regardless of their location, political beliefs and quality. The members of the group can comment (which is highly recommended) on the newly submitted pieces and offer advice on how to improve or modify them. I myself have a policy of submitting at least a paragraph on each submitted AH for the writers to read.

Having read all this, you might want to join the group. If you look at the Joining Page, you’ll see the three steps to joining CTT. Basically, one mailing list for updates to the site, one yahoo group for the writers, and a method of introducing yourself to me. Please submit an AH as soon as possible.

What, you might ask, is allowed and not allowed in the group? Basically, any form of history and alternate history is permitted, feel free to email round articles (remember to note the source) that interest and suggest possible PODs to you. Other than that, advertising websites, books or services (unless they’re either yours or AH based) and any form of Spam is forbidden. When discussing matters, please try to keep the discussion cordial and polite, even if you think that someone’s an idiot, be polite and friendly. Groups have been ruined before by people engaging in long, insulting, political discussions.

Regarding the Alternate Histories on site, almost anything is permitted, although there are some rules. PLEASE include a ‘what really happened’ section (even through you’re an expert in the kings of the Yaman Cruz, few others are, so please make allowances). Please also try to submit in word, TXT, HTML or RTF format, most others can be problems for me. PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE spellcheck first! I’m very generous with easy mistakes and I may edit one or two errors, but if there are hundreds of simple mistakes, I’ll send it back to you for editing.

However, there are some things that I regard as unpleasant. AHs based on the theory that the Jewish Holocaust did not happen and is in fact a Zionist plot will be probably rejected. An AH that asks ‘what might have happened if there was no holocaust’ is allowed, though, although I’ve never seen a convincing one. AHs that are racist or outrightly stupid will be rejected. Fan Fiction MUST include a disclaimer and will be considered on a case-by-case basis. AHs that claim that Nazi rule was good for Germany had better have some very good arguments.

Ok, now, what is there to write about? Well, I do have a list of PODs I’ve noticed, but never got round to writing. Feel free to take at your leisure.

And have fun

Chris

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