Readers and writers enjoy historical fiction.Modern readers can relate to the colorful characters that are found in good historical fiction.You should conduct research for your historical fiction stories after learning about the genre.You can create a setting, develop the main characters, and write a draft of your story if you have the right resources.
Step 1: Determine the characteristics of historical fiction.
You use historical fact to create a fictional world.The world of the story should be well-researched and set in a real historical time period, with characters who are based on historical figures.If you see fit, you can deviate from historical fact in your fiction.Good historical fiction writers love researching and writing about history.You should be interested in learning about past historical times and imagining life in the past.You will need to conduct research and read historical texts in order to get the time period right for historical fiction.If you think you need a university degree in history to be a good historical fiction writer, you're wrong.There are many historical fiction writers with experience in journalism and newspaper reporting.Being an effective historical fiction writer can be achieved by the skills required to be a successful journalist, such as good researching skills, good attention to detail, and the ability to write with precision and clarity.
Step 2: You can read examples of historical fiction.
You should read examples of historical fiction to get a better idea of this genre.I, Claudius by Robert Graves is one of the well known and respected historical novels.Anthony Doerr wrote All the Light We Cannot See.Hilary Mantel wrote Wolf Hall.Lawrence Hill wrote The Book of Negroes.David Mitchell wrote The Thousand Autumns of Jacob de Zoet.
Step 3: The examples should be Analyzed.
You should compare and analyze the historical fiction that you have read.If you consider how other authors have approached their historical subject matter, you can get a better idea of how you will approach historical fiction.If you respond more to certain writing styles as a reader, you may decide to emulate them in your own writing.How does the author introduce the historical time period to the reader?Do you think the historical time period is accurate?The author uses physical and emotional characteristics to describe their main characters.The central conflict of the story is explored in the novel.Is the author's ending satisfying or frightening?Is the story accurate and creative?What ways does the author achieve this?
Step 4: Determine the location and time period of your historical novel.
An exact time period and location is what most historical fiction begins with.You should consider a time period that you are interested in or curious about as well as a location that might be interesting to readers.The more specific you are, the more precise your research will be.This will allow you to uncover fascinating historical details about the time period and location that you can use in your fiction.Instead of choosing "20th century, France," you can choose "1935, Paris."Instead of choosing "18th century America," you could choose to focus on Philadelphia.
Step 5: You can find research texts at the library.
Your local library is the first place you can go for research.Discuss your location and time period with the reference librarian.If you want to get a better sense of everyday life in the era, ask him or her for possible texts.There are encyclopedias that focus on specific time periods.There are biographies of historical figures who were alive during the time period.What people ate in Philadelphia in 1776, and how people dined out in Paris in 1935, are examples of specific elements of the time period and location that you can read about in a scholarly text.The everyday customs and practices of the time may be covered in historical texts.
Step 6: Look at catalogues, newspapers, and magazines
If your local library has catalogues, magazines, and newspapers from the time period, you can see them.The news stories, trends, and talk of the day can be found on microfilm in many libraries.It is possible to get a sense of how people were writing, talking, and gossiping by reading magazines and catalogues.The more popular products consumed by people during the time period can also be seen.
Step 7: Speak to people who know history.
It is possible that you need to discuss your research practices with professionals who are experts in a certain time period and location.You can find these experts by searching for the authors of historical texts online or talking to other professionals in the field.To create a believable historical world for your story, you should contact them and ask for a meeting about specific details.You should look for experts that are very proficient in certain aspects of the time period, such as an expert in the origins of horse racing in 19th century Paris, or a specialist in 17th-century America.This will allow you to ask specific questions about the time period and get specific answers.To create a network of experts for you to lean on as you write your story, you can ask experts to refer you.Using experts for different parts of your story will make it feel more authentic.
Step 8: It is advisable to use caution when researching on the internet.
It may be easier to find historical information online in our current digital age.Information on the internet is not always accurate and should be done with caution.It is not correct to assume that information in an online encyclopedia is correct because only one expert has verified it.The internet is a good place to find background information on your chosen time period.It should not be the sole method of research.You should check the information you get online with historians.If you want to transform historical fact into fiction, you need to verify the information from the internet with other sources.
Step 9: Take into account the landscape and terrain of the setting.
You should sketch the geography of the setting, from the landscape to the weather.Is the historical setting mostly forest and greenery, with rolling hills and castles?Is the historical setting more of a developing metropolis with monuments and buildings?You can use your research to answer these questions and create an accurate historical backdrop for your story.It is important to be specific about the landscape and terrain of your setting.If you are writing about a street in Paris, France in 1935, you might want to ask yourself if there were any row houses or apartment buildings.What monuments can be seen from the street?What were the landmarks on the street?Where are the trees and other greenery located?
Step 10: Determine what people do in the setting.
You should think about how transportation worked in your setting.You should try to be historically accurate about how your characters did this in your setting.Maybe there is a specific make of car that was popular in your time period.If there were different means of transportation for different groups, you should consider it.In Philadelphia in 1776, women may not have been allowed to use horse drawn carriages on their own.In Paris in 1935, there were only two automobile models available to wealthier individuals and families.
Step 11: Give a description of the setting.
To experience a day in the setting, you should use the five senses: sight, smell, touch, sound and taste.You can use more vivid and detailed description in your writing if you do this.It is possible to describe a day in the life of someone living in Paris in 1935 on a residential street.You can describe the smell of bread from the bakery, the sound of horse carriages in the distance, and the taste of tea at the breakfast table.
Step 12: Maps and other visual representations are useful.
You can use maps to get a better sense of where you are.Maybe you come across a map from the 17th century that you can use as a visual reference or maybe you find a diagram of a horse drawn carriage that allows you to better depict transportation in your chosen time period.It is possible to picture what life was like for the time and translate it into your writing.You can include a map or other visual representations in your story.If your readers are unfamiliar with a map of a time period and location, they may appreciate it.
Step 13: There are unique historical characters.
Individuals in history who were interesting and unique for their time are the ones you should look for during your research.This could be the mistress of a British monarch who proposed sweeping changes to the system, or the village woman who helped make the first American flag.Look for characters who were rebels or change makers.The basis for fascinating fictional characters can be found in these historical characters.The historical characters that surround your main characters should also be considered.It's possible that your main character frequented the same circles as famous writers.Maybe your main character was friends with a historical leader.Some historical characters may have been footnotes in history and ignored by historians.If you could bring these forgotten characters to life in your fiction, you would shine a spotlight on their fascinating lives.
Step 14: Find historical characters that dealt with conflict.
Historical figures who were in conflict with themselves, with the outside world, or with other individuals in their life should be focused on.Historical characters who were forced to deal with conflict will be more engaging to readers.They can be used as the main conflict in your story.Your story might be about a struggling artist in Paris in 1935.The forgotten artist who struggled with drug addiction and poverty may be the basis for the artist.The artist may have a conflict with the outside world because her work was often misinterpreted or ignored by the critics of the day.She may have a conflict with other artists in her circle, who are becoming more famous and well known than her.The historical time period can be used as a source of conflict.Often, unique characters in history stand out for their attempts to go against the status quo of the day or the social norm of their time.A story about a female main character who sewed the stars onto the first American flag may be interesting because during this time, women were not allowed to vote or participate in politics.This may cause a conflict for your main character as she is not able to participate in the political process, even though she desperately wants to be involved.
Step 15: Tell us about your main character's physical and emotional characteristics.
Creating character studies of your characters will give you a good sense of their perspective.Character studies can include physical qualities such as appearance and clothing.You should include emotional and psychological qualities in your character.A character study of your main character may include physical qualities such as tall, thin, dark skin, wide eyes, and long hair.She has a cleft lip and a scar on her ear.Street-smart, no formal educational training devoted to painting and drawing, obsessed with fame, short-tempered, attractive to men and women, tendency to spend money as soon as she has it on drugs, alcohol, and food.
Step 16: flawed characters
If you want to avoid creating one-dimensional characters, give your characters flaws and imperfections.Throughout history, nobody is perfect.Make sure your characters have their own issues and problems, as this will make them more believable and relate to your readers.Your main character may have artistic talent and the ability to leave an important mark on painting.She may struggle with drug addiction and poverty, leading to difficult and imperfect decisions to survive.
Step 17: A plot outline is what you should create.
The first thing you should do is create a plot outline so you know where your story is going.As you get into the writing, you may change your plot outline.It's easier to get words on the page if you have a guide.A plot diagram can be used to outline your story.A plot diagram is a way to structure your story and consists of six sections: the set up, inciting incident, rising action, climax, and the resolution.You can use the snowflake method.The snowflake method is often used by writers who don't want to follow a traditional plot diagram, but are still looking for a way to organize their story.A summary of the story, character synopses, and a synopsis of scenes are included in the snowflake diagram.
Step 18: Don't limit yourself to historical fact.
Many writers fall into the trap of letting historical fact take over their fictional story, creating a story that reads more like a history lesson than a gripping fictional tale.Don't let historical fact limit your ability to tell a fictional story.Instead, use historical fact as a basis for your fictional story and feel free to adjust or modify smaller details for the sake of your story.You should be willing to sacrifice historical fact for a good tale, even though you should strive for accuracy and fact in your story.You don't have to make sure every detail is historically correct because you are writing fiction based on some element of history.The ability to create an engaging tale outweighs the need for historical fact.
Step 19: Don't say cliche descriptions and details.
Cliches are phrases that have become so familiar that they no longer hold meaning.As your reader might tune out if your sentences are littered with phrases they have heard before, you should strive to create descriptions and details that are unique and unfamiliar.It can be difficult to avoid cliche when writing historical fiction that is set in a time period with familiar images and phrases, such as the British monarchy or the turn of the century Paris.It's important that your writing doesn't fall into cliche when describing the setting or perspective of your characters.Rather than describe a party in Paris in the century as packed to the gills with a bunch of artists and creative types, you could describe it with more detail.
Step 20: You should read and revise your rough draft.
When you have a first draft of your story, you should revise it.You can write many drafts of historical fiction.Once you have a finished manuscript, you should revise your drafts several times.You should read the draft loudly.Any cliches or familiar language should be highlighted.Make sure you are historically accurate whenever possible and that you have a good reason for deviating from history.You should make sure your draft is in line with your plot outline.It should be for the good of the story if you deviate from your plot outline.It's a good idea to read the draft aloud to someone else.They can give you feedback and constructive feedback to improve your writing.Getting an outside perspective on your work can make it more engaging for your readers.