Strand: Discovery
February 2026
Recent Posts
View allThe Instrument Panel We Threw Away
Why do we hate history? A young pilot's tragic VFR flight into clouds shows what happens when we lose our instruments—and our historical frame of reference.
Read morePeriod of Divergence
Alternate history needs more than one change. Learn why a 'period of divergence' creates more believable timelines than the traditional single-point approach.
Read moreWhy the Revolution Was Coming (With or Without Pontiac)
What if Pontiac's War never happened? Exploring how one leader's choice to unite tribes changed history's timeline but not its outcome. Why the American Revolution was inevitable and what that means for writing historical fiction with compelling character decisions.
Read morePontiac's War and Why
Pontiac's Rebellion (1763-1766) changed British colonial policy and set the stage for the Revolutionary War, yet most Americans have never heard of it. Complex characters, moral ambiguity and political consequences make this forgotten conflict perfect for historical fiction.
Read moreGetting History Wrong (On Purpose)
How I research colonial America for alternative history fiction: starting with Wikipedia, reading five books per topic, using the Venn overlap method, and why narrative momentum beats historical accuracy. Research serves the story, not the other way around.
Read moreThe Shot that Changed Everything.
Exploring the fragile moment at Lexington Green 250 years ago. What if that shot had never been fired? A writer's perspective on crafting believable alternative history by understanding the tension between inevitable historical forces and contingent human decisions. Individual choices at turning points create authentic counterfactual narratives.
Read more