Writing historical fiction presents a unique blend of challenge and reward. It demands meticulous research, a keen eye for detail, and the ability to breathe life into bygone eras, all while crafting a compelling narrative that resonates with modern readers. While the video above offers a fantastic starting point for understanding key considerations, delving deeper into each aspect can further refine your approach to writing historical fiction.
For aspiring and intermediate authors venturing into the rich tapestry of the past, here are seven expanded tips to guide your journey, helping you to not only avoid common pitfalls but to truly excel in telling stories rooted in history.
1. Research as a Guide, Not a Crutch: Balancing Accuracy with Storytelling
Every journey into historical fiction begins with research. As Lindy highlights, it’s inevitable you’ll need to immerse yourself in sources, perhaps “five or six books” or even more, to grasp the nuances of your chosen era. This deep dive is crucial for understanding daily life, political climates, social structures, and the very mindset of people from the past. However, the true artistry in writing historical fiction lies in knowing when to put the research down and let the story take over. Consider research as the fertile soil from which your story grows, providing nourishment and a stable foundation, but not dictating the shape of the plant itself.
Excessive detail, no matter how accurate, can bog down a narrative, transforming a vibrant historical tale into a dry lecture. Imagine a chef who explains every single ingredient and cooking technique in excruciating detail during a meal. While impressive, it detracts from the enjoyment of the dish. Your reader wants to experience the flavors, not dissect the recipe. Focus on weaving in details that enhance character, propel the plot, or deepen the atmosphere. If a piece of historical information doesn’t serve one of these purposes, consider whether it truly belongs in your narrative or if it’s best kept in your personal research notes.
2. Battling the Blip: Eradicating Anachronisms
Anachronisms, as the video cautions, are like tiny glitches in the historical matrix of your story. They are elements that didn’t exist or weren’t appropriate for the time period you’re portraying, and they can instantly yank a reader out of the immersive world you’ve worked so hard to build. These aren’t just obvious technological slips like a Roman centurion checking his smartphone; they often manifest as subtle linguistic choices, modern psychological frameworks, or social norms projected onto a past era.
For instance, a character in 18th-century France using slang popular in 21st-century youth culture, or a medieval peasant espousing modern feminist ideals, would be glaring anachronisms of voice and thought. The challenge for contemporary writers, living in the “here and now in the 21st century,” is to become acutely aware of their own modern voice. Reading primary sources from your chosen period—diaries, letters, novels, legal documents—can attune your ear to the rhythms and vocabulary of the time. Beta readers, as suggested, are invaluable here, serving as a second pair of eyes to catch these subconscious slips that can feel as jarring as a sudden discordant note in a symphony.
3. The Reader’s Compass: Navigating Genre Expectations
When readers pick up a book advertised as historical fiction, they often arrive with a set of implicit expectations. These aren’t rigid rules, but rather a collective understanding of what makes the genre appealing. For example, if someone opens a book set in medieval court life, they anticipate “court politics, intrigue, backstabbing, and maybe even like a knight or some royal stuff.” Meeting these fundamental expectations is often more crucial for reader satisfaction than achieving 100% strict historical accuracy in every single minutiae of daily life.
Consider it like attending a costume party. You might choose to wear an historically accurate 18th-century gown, complete with period undergarments and an authentic wig. But if everyone else is wearing wildly inaccurate, fantastical “medieval knight” costumes, your accuracy might feel out of place. While your intention is commendable, you might miss the general spirit of the event. Historical fiction often operates on a similar principle; it’s a performance for an audience. While meticulous research informs your world, understanding what elements thrill and engage your target readership allows you to craft a story that feels both authentic and exciting, even if it means emphasizing certain well-known historical tropes or dramatic elements over mundane realities.
4. Beyond the Cliche: The Art of Subverting Historical Stereotypes
While meeting expectations is important, the true magic often happens when you deftly subvert them. History, after all, is far richer and stranger than popular culture often portrays. The video’s fantastic example of Vikings, often depicted as “big, muscly, grizzled guys who are constantly covered in blood and filth,” actually being “super hygienic” and even dyeing their hair blonde, is a perfect illustration. These nuggets of unexpected truth can inject a refreshing sense of realism and surprise into your narrative, making your historical fiction stand out.
Many eras are plagued by broad, often inaccurate, stereotypes. The notion that “human beings were just like uncivilized, unwash, diseased all the time. Couldn’t get their crap together until like 1965 or whatever” is a prime example. Challenging such widespread misconceptions with well-researched, often fascinating, realities can be incredibly rewarding. Look for those counter-intuitive details in your research: Were there sophisticated bathing rituals in ancient civilizations? Did a particular culture value education or artistic expression in ways not commonly known? By weaving these unexpected truths into your story, you not only surprise the reader but also offer a more nuanced and accurate portrayal of the past, effectively pulling back the curtain on history’s forgotten subtleties.
5. The Unseen Threads: Weaving in Global Context
It’s easy for historical narratives to feel like they exist in a “bubble,” focusing solely on the immediate world of the characters. While it’s true that communication and travel were more restricted in past eras, implying complete isolation is often a disservice to historical reality. “The outside world had no influence,” is rarely the case. Consider the broader global context: trade routes like the Silk Road connected distant cultures, empires rose and fell creating ripples across continents, and migrations subtly (or overtly) shaped demographics. Even seemingly isolationist societies like Edo Japan were indirectly influenced by global trade and geopolitical shifts.
Your story’s “little bubble” is always part of a much larger global system, much like a small pond is still connected to the water cycle of an entire planet. Ignoring these connections means missing opportunities for richer world-building and character motivations. Perhaps a character’s prized silk robe traveled from China, a rare spice on their table came from India, or a distant war in another country subtly impacts local politics. Acknowledging these larger influences adds depth and authenticity to your historical setting, making it feel more real and less like a stage set.
6. Diverse Worlds, Authentic Tales: Representation in Historical Settings
Flowing directly from the idea of global context, the issue of diversity in historical fiction is paramount. The misconception that “there were no black or Asian people in medieval Europe” or similar arguments about other seemingly “ethnically homogenous” settings is simply untrue. Human migration and dispersion, though not at modern rates, have been constant throughout history. People traveled, settled, traded, and integrated into new societies across vast distances. Neglecting this aspect can lead to an artificially narrow and inaccurate portrayal of history.
When crafting your historical setting, actively consider the presence of diverse populations. Were there North African traders in medieval England? Were there Chinese artisans in a European royal court? What about Jewish communities, Romani travelers, or various ethnic groups within a larger empire? Incorporating diverse characters and perspectives, when historically plausible and sensitively handled, not only enriches your narrative but also paints a more accurate and vibrant picture of the past. It combats the historical amnesia that often erases the contributions and experiences of non-dominant groups, offering readers a fuller, more truthful reflection of human history.
7. The “Why”: Justifying Your Chosen Era
Finally, and perhaps most critically, ask yourself: “Why *this* specific time period?” Is your story inextricably linked to its setting, or could it just as easily take place in another era, or even a contemporary one? Your passion for a particular historical period, whether it’s because “you think it’s cool” or you’ve spent years “studying this time period,” is a valid starting point. However, to craft truly impactful historical fiction, the setting must be essential to the narrative itself.
The time period should influence your characters’ choices, their limitations, their worldviews, and the very conflicts they face. It’s like a key designed for a specific lock; if your story’s “key” can open any historical “lock,” it might not have found its perfect match. Consider how the unique social norms, technological advancements (or lack thereof), political climate, or philosophical trends of your chosen era specifically shape your themes, plot, and character arcs. If your story could survive a change of setting without losing its core essence, perhaps exploring a different, even “underexplored historical period,” might unlock new potential and truly justify the immense effort required for authentic historical fiction writing.
Chronicles & Craft: Your Historical Fiction Writing Q&A
What is historical fiction?
Historical fiction blends thorough research with creative storytelling to bring past eras to life. It aims to create a compelling narrative that is rooted in historical accuracy.
How much research should I do for historical fiction?
You should immerse yourself in sources to understand your chosen era, but use research as a guide, not a crutch. Focus on weaving in details that enhance character, plot, or atmosphere, rather than including excessive historical information.
What is an anachronism and why should I avoid it?
An anachronism is an element (like technology, language, or social norms) that didn’t exist or wasn’t appropriate for the time period you’re portraying. Avoiding them is crucial because they can instantly pull a reader out of the immersive historical world you’ve built.
Should I include diverse characters in my historical fiction?
Yes, it’s important to consider diverse populations when crafting your historical setting. Human migration and integration have been constant throughout history, and incorporating diverse characters can paint a more accurate and vibrant picture of the past.
Why is it important to choose a specific time period for my story?
The chosen time period should be essential to your story, influencing characters’ choices, limitations, worldviews, and the conflicts they face. It ensures the setting is integral to the narrative’s core essence.
