Writing historical fiction is a rewarding challenge that allows you to transport readers to a different time and place. It requires a delicate balance between imaginative storytelling and factual accuracy. To succeed in this genre, an author must become part historian and part novelist, ensuring that the setting feels authentic while the plot remains engaging.
Whether you are interested in ancient civilizations or the recent past, the process of building a historical world requires specific steps. This guide provides a clear framework for researching your era, developing realistic characters, and weaving historical facts into a compelling narrative.
Choosing Your Time Period and Setting
The first step in writing a historical novel is selecting an era that genuinely interests you. You will spend hundreds of hours researching this period, so it should be a subject you find fascinating. Consider periods of great change, conflict, or discovery, as these naturally provide high stakes for your story.
Once you have a time period, narrow down the specific geographic location. A story set in London in 1850 will have a completely different atmosphere than one set in rural New York during the same year. Understanding the local culture, politics, and social norms of your chosen setting is vital for creating a believable world.
Conducting Thorough Historical Research
Research is the foundation of any historical novel. It provides the details that make your world feel lived-in and real. To get the best results, you should use a variety of sources to gather information.
Utilizing Primary Sources
Primary sources are documents or artifacts created during the time period you are studying. These offer the most direct connection to the past. Look for digitized versions of the following:
- Letters and Diaries: These provide insight into the personal thoughts, emotions, and daily language of people from the era.
- Newspapers and Magazines: These show what events were considered important at the time and how they were reported to the public.
- Legal Documents: Wills, census records, and court transcripts can reveal social structures and economic conditions.
- Maps and Photographs: Visual evidence helps you describe the layout of streets and the appearance of buildings accurately.
Consulting Secondary Sources
Secondary sources are works written by historians and scholars after the events have occurred. These are excellent for understanding the broader context of your era. History books, biographies, and academic journals can help you understand the causes of major events and the prevailing mindsets of the time.
Developing Authentic Historical Characters
Characters in historical fiction should be products of their time. While human emotions like love, fear, and ambition are universal, the way people express them and the choices available to them are dictated by their historical context.
Avoid giving your characters modern sensibilities that would be impossible for someone in their position to have. For example, a character in the 14th century would have a very different understanding of science and religion than someone living today. Research the social hierarchies, gender roles, and educational opportunities of the time to ensure your characters act and think realistically.
Mastering Period-Appropriate Dialogue
Dialogue is one of the hardest elements to get right in historical fiction. You want the speech to feel authentic without making it difficult for modern readers to understand. Avoid using contemporary slang or idioms that did not exist in your chosen era.
Instead of trying to replicate archaic speech patterns perfectly, focus on the rhythm and formality of the language. Using slightly more formal sentence structures or specific period-appropriate terms for everyday items can create a historical feel without alienating your audience.
Building an Immersive Setting with Sensory Details
To make your setting come alive, focus on sensory details beyond just what the characters see. Think about the smells of a 19th-century city, the texture of the fabrics they wore, and the sounds of a world without modern technology. These small details help the reader feel like they are standing right next to your protagonist.
- Smells: Coal smoke, horse manure, wood fires, or specific spices in a marketplace.
- Sounds: The clatter of wooden wheels on cobblestones, the ringing of church bells, or the silence of a wilderness.
- Textures: The itch of coarse wool, the coldness of stone floors, or the weight of heavy iron tools.
Balancing Fact and Fiction
The goal of historical fiction is to tell a story, not to write a textbook. While accuracy is important, the narrative should always come first. You may occasionally need to alter minor historical details to serve the plot, such as changing the date of a small event or moving a building to a different street.
If you do take creative liberties with major historical events, it is standard practice to include an Author’s Note at the end of the book. Use this section to explain where you stuck to the facts and where you used your imagination. This builds trust with your readers and shows that you have done your homework.
Avoiding Common Writing Pitfalls
One common mistake in historical fiction is the “info-dump,” where the author pauses the story to give a long lecture on historical facts. To avoid this, integrate your research naturally into the action. Instead of describing a carriage for three paragraphs, show the character climbing into it and feeling the sway of the springs as it moves.
Another pitfall is the anachronism—including technology, language, or ideas that did not exist yet. Always double-check the dates for inventions and the origins of common phrases. A quick search can prevent a character in the 1920s from using a phrase that wasn’t coined until the 1970s.
Finalizing Your Historical Narrative
Once your research is complete and your first draft is written, review your work specifically for historical consistency. Ensure that the passage of time in your story aligns with real-world historical timelines. This attention to detail will satisfy history buffs and casual readers alike.
Writing historical fiction is a journey of discovery. By grounding your imagination in solid research, you create a bridge between the past and the present that can educate and entertain. For more tips on improving your writing craft or researching complex topics, explore our other guides on storytelling and historical analysis.