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Mastering the Art of Historical Fiction: A Step-by-Step Guide

Writing a historical novel can be an intimidating prospect, but it doesn’t have to be. With a little research and the right approach, you can create a captivating story set in the past. In this blog post, I’ll provide a step-by-step guide on how to write a historical fiction novel that will captivate your audience. I’ll cover everything from researching your setting to creating realistic characters and crafting an engaging plot. With these tools, you’ll be able to write a great historical fiction novel with ease.

Do your research

If you're writing a historical fiction novel, the importance of research cannot be overstated. To create a believable and immersive story that transports readers back in time, you need to have a solid understanding of the historical period in which your novel is set. This means doing thorough research into the customs, beliefs, events, and people of the era, and using that information to inform your writing.

Research can take many forms. You can read books, watch documentaries, visit museums and historical sites, and interview experts or even read biographies on people who have lived through the time period you're writing about. Use your research to develop a comprehensive understanding of the historical context, and use that understanding to inform your characters, plot, and setting.

But remember: historical fiction is not the same as a history book. Your novel is a work of fiction, which means you have some flexibility when it comes to the facts. However, you still need to ensure that your novel is grounded in historical reality. This means being accurate with details such as language, clothing, and technology. Be aware of anachronisms (an event, person, or object occurring or existing at a different time from the time in history) and avoid them at all costs. Ultimately, research is the foundation of any good historical fiction novel. It helps you build a compelling story that rings true to the period, and allows readers to fully immerse themselves in the world you've created. So, before you start writing, do your research. Trust me – it's worth the time and effort.

Create believable characters

When it comes to writing historical fiction, it's essential to create characters that are believable and relatable. Readers should feel like they're stepping back in time with your characters and experiencing their lives firsthand. To accomplish this, here are some tips on how to create believable characters for your novel:

Research: Start by researching the time period your story is set in. Understand the social, political, and economic factors that would have influenced your characters' lives. This will help you create characters that feel authentic and true to their time.

Character Traits: Give your characters specific personality traits and quirks that make them unique. Consider their background, upbringing, and experiences. All of these factors would have shaped who they are as people.

Dialogue: Ensure that your characters' dialogue is consistent with their time period and social status. You don't want to create anachronisms that take readers out of the story.

Relationships: Consider how your characters interact with each other. Relationships would have been influenced by the social norms and expectations of the time.

Backstory: Give your characters a backstory that informs their actions and decisions throughout the novel. This will help readers understand their motivations and empathize with their struggles. Creating believable characters is essential for any novel, but especially so for historical fiction. By taking the time to research, develop personalities, create authentic dialogue, establish relationships, and give a backstory, you'll be able to create characters that will resonate with readers and bring your story to life.

Build a convincing setting

When it comes to historical fiction novels, setting is a key component in transporting readers to a different time and place. A convincing and accurate setting can make all the difference in immersing readers in the story and allowing them to truly experience the time period in which your novel takes place. To build a convincing setting in your historical fiction novel, consider the following tips:

Research the time period: Before you begin writing, research the time period in which your novel is set. Understand the customs, dress, architecture, and other details that will help you build a vivid and authentic setting.

Use sensory language: Incorporate sensory details that evoke the sights, sounds, smells, and textures of the time period. This will help readers feel as though they are truly in the setting.

Utilize primary sources: Whenever possible, draw on primary sources such as diaries, letters, and other historical documents to build your setting. This will add a layer of authenticity to your novel.

Avoid anachronisms: Be careful to avoid anachronisms – or things that are historically inaccurate or out of place in your setting. This can be a challenge, but it’s important to avoid language, technology, or cultural references that wouldn’t have existed during the time period.

Consider the social and political climate: Your setting should also reflect the social and political climate of the time period. Consider the major events and issues that impacted people’s lives, and incorporate them into your novel’s setting.

By taking the time to build a convincing and authentic setting, you can transport your readers to another time and place, and create a truly immersive experience for them. So, research, incorporate sensory language, use primary sources, avoid anachronisms, and consider the social and political climate of your time period – and watch as your novel’s setting comes to life on the page.

Write credible dialogue

Dialogue is an essential component of any good novel, and it's no different for historical fiction. But how can you write dialogue that is both authentic to the time period and relatable to modern readers? Here are some tips:

Research: Before you start writing dialogue, make sure you have a good understanding of the language and expressions used during the time period your story is set in. Read letters, diaries, and other written works from that era to get a sense of how people spoke.

Avoid anachronisms: Be careful not to use words or expressions that weren't in use at the time. For example, if your story is set in the 1800s, don't have characters say things like "awesome" or "dude".

Balance accuracy with readability: While it's important to be accurate, you also don't want your dialogue to be so dense with historical language that it's hard for modern readers to follow. Strike a balance between authenticity and readability.

Consider dialect and social status: Different characters may have different dialects or accents based on their background and social status. Keep this in mind when writing dialogue, but be careful not to rely too heavily on stereotypes.

Use subtext: Dialogue can be a great way to reveal character motivations and conflicts. Use subtext to show what characters are really thinking and feeling, rather than spelling it out explicitly. By following these tips, you can write dialogue that feels true to the time period while still engaging modern readers. Remember, historical fiction is all about transporting readers to another time and place, and well-crafted dialogue can be a powerful tool in accomplishing that goal.

Nail the details

As a historical fiction writer, it is crucial to get the details right. Your readers are counting on you to transport them to another time and place, and to do that, you need to paint a picture that is as accurate as it is engaging. Here are some tips on how to nail the details in your historical fiction novel.

Double-check your facts. It's not enough to simply Google a few things and call it a day. You need to be thorough in your research and make sure that every detail you include in your novel is historically accurate. This might mean spending hours poring over historical documents or consulting with experts in the field. Whatever it takes, make sure you get your facts straight.

Use sensory details to bring your setting to life. One of the joys of reading historical fiction is being transported to another time and place. Use your creative writing skills to describe the sights, sounds, smells, tastes, and textures of your setting in vivid detail. This will help your readers feel like they are truly living in the past.

Incorporate historical figures and events. While you don't want to turn your novel into a dry history lesson, incorporating real historical figures and events can help make your story feel more authentic. Just be sure to stay true to the facts and avoid taking too many liberties with the details.

Watch your language. Language can be a tricky thing when it comes to historical fiction. On the one hand, you want your dialogue to sound authentic to the time period you're writing about. On the other hand, you don't want to make your characters sound like caricatures or make your prose too difficult to understand. Finding the right balance is key. By paying attention to the details in your historical fiction novel, you can create a rich, immersive world that your readers will love to get lost in. So take your time, do your research, and let your creative writing skills shine!

Bring your story to life

Now that you've done your research, developed believable characters, built a convincing setting, written credible dialogue, and nailed the details, it's time to bring your story to life. To do this, you need to engage your reader's senses. You want them to feel like they're right there in the story with your characters. Here are some tips on how to achieve this:

Show, don't tell: Rather than telling your readers what's happening, show them. Use vivid imagery to paint a picture in their minds. For example, instead of saying, "The room was dusty," you could write, "The light filtering through the window revealed swirling clouds of dust, like tiny galaxies suspended in the air."

Use sensory details: Make your story come alive by appealing to your reader's senses. Describe what your characters see, hear, smell, taste, and touch. This will help your readers immerse themselves in your world. For example, "The air was thick with the smell of wood smoke and roasting meat. The sizzle of the meat on the spit mingled with the crackling of the flames."

Create emotional connections: Readers want to care about your characters and their struggles. To do this, you need to make your characters relatable. Show their flaws, their fears, their hopes, and their dreams. Make them human. This will help your readers empathize with them and become invested in their story.

Build tension: A good story needs conflict and tension. Whether it's a physical fight or a battle of wits, make sure there's something at stake for your characters. This will keep your readers engaged and eager to know what happens next. By following these tips, you can bring your story to life and create a memorable reading experience for your audience. Happy writing!

Edit, edit, edit (And Edit Some More)

One of the most important aspects of writing a historical fiction novel is editing. It's crucial to revise your manuscript over and over again until it's polished and ready for publication. Here are some tips on how to edit your novel:

Take a break: After finishing your first draft, take a few weeks off from writing to gain a fresh perspective. When you come back to your manuscript, you'll be able to see it with new eyes and identify areas that need improvement.

Use beta readers: Share your manuscript with a trusted group of beta readers. They'll provide valuable feedback on plot, characterization, pacing, and more.

Read out loud: Reading your manuscript out loud can help you catch errors, awkward phrasing, and inconsistencies. This technique also helps you get a better feel for the flow of the story.

Revise, then repeat: Edit your manuscript one chapter at a time. Once you've gone through the entire manuscript, go back to the beginning and start the process again. This allows you to catch any new errors and polish your writing even further.

Seek professional help: Consider hiring a professional editor or working with a writing coach. They can provide valuable guidance on how to improve your writing and make your novel shine.

Never stop researching

One of the key elements of writing a successful historical fiction novel is conducting thorough research. From historical events and cultural practices to fashion and slang, researching is an ongoing process that should never stop throughout the writing process. To write a convincing and engaging historical fiction novel, you need to understand the time period in which your story is set. This means staying up-to-date with new information that becomes available, and continually refining your understanding of the historical context you are working with. When it comes to historical research, the internet is your best friend. But don't limit yourself to just online resources; visit libraries, museums, and historical sites to gather firsthand experience and information. Reach out to experts and scholars in your field of study, attend lectures and conferences, and never hesitate to ask questions. Remember that accuracy and authenticity are essential in historical fiction. However, this doesn't mean sacrificing creative freedom. Use your research to build a solid foundation for your story, but don't be afraid to put your own spin on historical events or characters.

(I apologise for mentioning research so much, but it's very important especially if you're writing in different culture like Ancient Korea for example. Always research, you don't have to just write what you know. you have the ability to learn and a brain, use it.) -Ren T.

TheWriteAdviceForWriter 2023

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