The Writing Post

In this post, we are discussing the conventions of a very specific genre–the pirate story in fiction. and there are many different pirate books and stories out there as well. We are going to look at a variety of mediums, from literature to television to film. Some of the conventions we are going to consider include characters, treasure, adventure, setting, and history. Additionally, we will check out a few examples of good pirate stories across time.

Characterization

I think one of the main components of a good pirate story are the characters–especially the pirates. When it comes to now, we have to have pirates that go beyond the peg-legged, parrot-wearing antagonists who are only out for treasure. However, we can look at a character like Long John Silver from Treasure Island by Robert Louis Stevenson and see how he is a multifaceted creation. He is both trustworthy and untrustworthy, crafty and ingenious, but greedy and shortsighted. Silver embodies a pirate in the best way, so all other characterizations should take something from him.

Reaching farther back in cinema, we have The Sea Hawk (1940) that features Errol Flynn as a privateer during the Elizabethan era. Flynn’s natural charisma and charm play into his characterization, and, frankly, it’s his likability that transforms a pirate character into something a bit more grounded and interesting.

Treasure

Treasure is a big thing to pirates, as it symbolically acts as a means of vice for pirates, and it also acts as a McGuffin for most adventures. In Pirates of the Caribbean (2003), Geoffrey Rush’s Barbosa seeks the treasure that cursed he and his crew and finds it in the end–but it’s also his undoing. This treasure gives him a clear drive in the story and it also creates conflict, which provides a narrative thrust for the adventure. When writing a pirate story in fiction, we have to consider what motivates these pirates in the long run. There is something to be said about short-term and long-term goals for characters in novels.

Adventure

In pirate stories, we need to focus on aspects of adventure. This may entail heading out on the seas in travel, or perhaps it’s spending time in a vibrant locale. Either way, something adventurous should happen, from sword fights to seeking buried treasure to reuniting with lost love on distant shores. In Peter Pan, for instance, our titular character encounters the dreaded Captain Hook, who wants to end the flying boy’s adventures in Neverland. The adventurous aspects of the story are really set around this protagonist, from the swordfights to the kidnappings to the rescues.

Setting

Of course, setting is an important component of pirates stories. Many stories are set on the open sea aboard a lofty boat. Moreover, strange and mysterious islands, shrouded in legends and harboring buried treasures, add an element of intrigue to the story as well. The creaking wooden decks of pirate ships, the salty breeze, and the vast horizon all contribute to the experience, transporting readers into a world of danger and excitement.

Furthermore, whether set against the historical backdrop of the Golden Age of Piracy (late 17th century to early 18th century) or infused with fantastical elements, a well-crafted pirate story enhances the overall plot with an interesting time and place. These settings provide a historical context that influences aspects of the narratives, as it incorporates social, political, and economic conditions.

Incorporating these elements into your writing

The main thing you can do to write a pirate story is explore a lot of pirate media. Read books, watch movies, and play games inspired by pirate lore. Understand the context of the time, too. If you are already a competent pirate expert, your next step is taking the most influential aspects and incorporating them into your own writing. A pirate story in fiction writing should have all of these elements and they should be done well!

For example–and as mentioned–you might try taking subtle characteristics of Long John Silver’s character and using them in your own pirate. A protagonist or antagonist who is cunning but lacks scruples is an interesting character on their own. Likewise, when considering setting, think about the settings that impacted you through your reading. Was a battle aboard a ship a particularly inspiring moment for you, or was a swordfight on an desolate beach something you gravitated toward? Either way, use settings–both time and place–to drive your story forward, or at least give you some interesting places for your characters to travel to while on their adventure.

Lastly, don’t forget your own writing voice and be original. If you understand the conventions of the pirate story then it’s that much easier to subvert expectations or do something different. A pirate with two eye patches instead of one? Who knows, that might be an interesting character trait.

Examples

Examples of pirate media to check out:

• Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag (Video Game – 2013)
• “Pirate Latitudes” by Michael Crichton (2009)
• Pirates of the Caribbean film series (2003)
• The Sea Hawk (Film – 1940)
• “Treasure Island” by Robert Louis Stevenson (1883)