Did you know that many Vikings dyed their hair blonde, even if they weren’t natural blondes, to adhere to the beauty standards of their era? Or that these formidable warriors often bathed multiple times a day, maintaining a level of hygiene that might surprise those who picture them as perpetually grimy figures? Such revelations highlight the fascinating nuances of history, and as the accompanying video from Lindy Jang discusses, successfully **writing historical fiction** often hinges on navigating these unexpected details while crafting a compelling story.
The art of writing historical fiction is not merely about reciting facts; it is about breathing life into bygone eras, making them accessible and engaging for contemporary readers. This genre demands a delicate balance between rigorous research and imaginative storytelling. This article expands upon the seven insightful tips provided in the video, offering a deeper dive into how aspiring authors can master the craft and create truly memorable historical narratives.
Balancing Research with Narrative Drive in Historical Fiction
The foundation of any good historical fiction lies in thorough research. However, as noted in the video, there is a fine line between being well-informed and allowing research to overwhelm the narrative. Imagine dedicating years to studying medieval European fashion, only for your novel to become an exhaustive catalog of garments rather than a story about the people wearing them. While fascinating, excessive detail can bog down the plot, alienating readers who are primarily seeking an engaging story.
Writing historical fiction requires an author to act as a curator, selecting only the most pertinent and vivid details that enhance the setting, character, or plot. The goal is to immerse the reader without inundating them. Consider historical facts as the rich soil in which your story grows, not the entire landscape. A deep understanding allows you to confidently omit information that doesn’t serve the narrative, rather than feeling obligated to include every discovered detail. Furthermore, the video astutely suggests that if historical accuracy supersedes story and character, one might be better suited to writing historical non-fiction. The narrative, ultimately, must lead.
Avoiding Glaring Anachronisms in Your Historical Setting
An anachronism is a detail that is out of place in time, and these can instantly break a reader’s immersion. While achieving 100% historical accuracy is an unrealistic pursuit, especially for nuanced aspects like everyday speech, obvious errors must be avoided. For instance, a character in 18th-century France pulling out a smartphone would be an immediate and jarring anachronism. Subtler examples might include modern slang, contemporary attitudes, or technologies not yet invented.
Consequently, vigilance is crucial when creating a historical setting. Pay particular attention to dialogue and internal monologue; modern turns of phrase or thought processes can easily slip in. Engage beta readers who have a keen eye for historical detail, as they can catch the “modern verbage or slang” that authors, living in the 21st century, might subconsciously employ. To refine your historical voice, read primary sources from the period you are writing about. This immersion can help you internalize the vocabulary, sentence structures, and societal norms, lending genuine authenticity to your historical fiction writing.
Navigating Reader Expectations and Subverting Stereotypes
Readers often approach historical fiction with certain preconceived notions about a given era. Sometimes, it is prudent to meet these expectations to draw readers in. For instance, if one is writing about medieval court life, readers might anticipate elements of “court politics, intrigue, backstabbing, and maybe even like a knight or some royal stuff,” as the video aptly points out. Catering to these expectations can establish a comfortable framework for the reader.
However, the reverse strategy can be equally powerful: subverting expectations. History is replete with fascinating realities that defy popular stereotypes. As highlighted by the examples of hygienic, blonde-dyed Vikings, many historical figures and cultures often diverge significantly from their depictions in popular media. Imagine if a novel set in ancient Rome meticulously detailed the complex plumbing systems and public baths, challenging the notion of historical eras as universally “unwashed” or “uncivilized” before modern times. There are countless historical details waiting to be explored that can add unexpected depth and intrigue to your narrative.
Unveiling Nuances: Challenging Common Historical Misconceptions
Many people hold “preconceived notions that human beings were just like uncivilized, unwashed, diseased all the time, couldn’t get their crap together until like 1965 or whatever.” This blanket assumption overlooks the ingenuity and cultural practices of various civilizations throughout history. The Roman Empire, for example, developed sophisticated aqueducts and sewage systems. The Edo period in Japan saw advanced urban planning and highly developed cultural practices, including a strong emphasis on cleanliness. Exploring these often-overlooked aspects can provide fresh perspectives for your historical fiction, offering readers a richer, more authentic, and often surprising glimpse into the past.
Cultivating an Authentic Voice and Tone
The voice and tone of a historical novel often distinguish it from contemporary fiction. It frequently leans towards a more “austere” or formal style, characterized by a certain “distance” and a “particular style and tendency of the vocabulary.” This doesn’t necessarily mean employing archaic language for its own sake, but rather crafting a narrative voice that resonates with the sensibility of the chosen era. Imagine a story set during the Victorian era; the narrative voice might employ more complex sentence structures and a slightly more formal lexicon than a modern YA novel, without becoming inaccessible.
To master this, extensive reading within your chosen subgenre and period is invaluable. Pay close attention to how established authors construct their sentences, choose their words, and maintain a consistent tone. Analyze how syntax and vocabulary contribute to the overall feel. A deliberate approach to voice and tone ensures that your historical fiction writing not only conveys the facts but also the very atmosphere and spirit of the past.
The Global Context: Beyond the Bubble
Even if your historical narrative is set in a specific, seemingly isolated location, few societies have ever existed in a complete bubble. The video emphasizes the importance of considering “global context for your time period.” While pre-modern communication was certainly slower, trade routes, migrations, and empires ensured that cultures were interconnected, exerting influence on one another. For instance, a story set in isolationist Edo Japan would still exist within a global context shaped by earlier European contact, internal political dynamics influenced by foreign policies, and the cultural exchange facilitated by limited trade.
This broader perspective is particularly vital when addressing diversity. Arguments that “there were no black or Asian people in medieval Europe” are largely unfounded. Historical records and archaeological evidence demonstrate human migration and cultural exchange throughout history. Incorporating diverse characters and acknowledging global influences not only adds authenticity to your historical fiction but also reflects the complex tapestry of historical reality. It is an opportunity to challenge narrow perceptions and create a more inclusive and intriguing world within your story.
Justifying Your Chosen Historical Setting
Ultimately, the most profound question for any author engaged in **writing historical fiction** is: why *this* specific time period? Your motivation could be personal passion, extensive study, or simply a fascination with a particular era. However, the most effective historical fiction integrates the setting so deeply that the story could not exist in any other time or place. As the video suggests, “the story and the setting cannot be taken apart.”
Consider your core themes, character arcs, and plot points. How does the historical backdrop actively shape these elements? For example, a story about gender roles and societal constraints in 19th-century England would lose its central conflict if transported to a more egalitarian future. If your narrative feels generic enough to fit into “virtually any time period,” then you might need to embed more historically specific elements. Explore how the technology, social norms, political climate, or philosophical trends of your chosen era fundamentally impact your characters’ decisions and the story’s trajectory. Perhaps there’s an “under-explored historical period” that might even better serve your story’s unique demands, offering a fresh canvas for your historical fiction writing journey.
Unearthing Answers: Your Historical Fiction Q&A
What is historical fiction?
Historical fiction is a genre that brings past eras to life for contemporary readers, combining thorough research with imaginative storytelling.
How much research is needed for historical fiction?
Thorough research is essential to build your story’s world, but you should only include details that enhance the plot and characters, avoiding overwhelming the narrative.
What is an anachronism and why should I avoid it?
An anachronism is a detail that is out of place in a specific time period, like a modern smartphone in an old setting. Avoiding them is crucial because they can instantly break a reader’s immersion in your story.
Why is my choice of historical setting important for my story?
The historical setting should be deeply integrated into your story, actively shaping your characters’ decisions and the plot. The story should feel like it could not exist in any other time or place.
