How To Write Historical Fiction With Pictures

Good historical fiction writers will have a love for research and history. You should be curious about learning about past historical times, and be interested in imagining life in past times. Historical fiction can take a lot of time to do well, as you will need to conduct research and read historical texts to ensure you are getting the time period right. [1] X Research source Though you may think you need a university degree in history to be a good historical fiction writer, this is often not the case. Many historical fiction writers have backgrounds in journalism and newspaper reporting. 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, can also translate into being an effective historical fiction writer. [2] X Research source

I, Claudius by Robert Graves. All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr. Wolf Hall by Hilary Mantel. The Book of Negroes by Lawrence Hill. The Thousand Autumns of Jacob de Zoet by David Mitchell.

You may ask yourself several questions about the texts, including: How does the author introduce the historical time period to the reader? Do you believe the historical time period is accurately described, and if so, why? How does the author use physical and emotional characteristics to describe the main characters? What is the central conflict of the story and how is it explored in the novel? Does the author create an ending that is satisfying or unsettling? Does the story feel historically accurate and creatively written? If so, in what ways does the author achieve this?

For example, rather than choose, “20th century, France," you may choose “1935, Paris. " Or, rather than choose “18th century America," you may choose to focus on “1776, Philadelphia. "

Look for encyclopedias that focus on specific time periods and locations. You can also look up biographies of historical figures who were alive during the time period. You can read scholarly texts that focus on specific elements of the time period and location, such as what people ate in 1776, Philadelphia or how people dined out in 1935, Paris. You may be able to lean on historical texts that delve deep into the everyday customs and practices of the time.

Magazines and catalogues can be a useful way to get a sense of how people were writing, talking, and gossiping during your chosen time period. You can also notice any popular slang or terms from the time period and the more popular products consumed by people during the time period.

You should look for experts that are very proficient in a certain aspect of the time period, such as an expert in embroidery in 17th century America or an expert in the origins of horse racing in 19th century Paris. This will then allow you to ask them very specific questions about the time period and get specific answers in return. You can also ask experts to refer you to other experts they may know, creating a network of experts for you to lean on as you write your story. Using experts for different elements of your story will ensure you are getting an informed opinion and make your story feel more authentic.

You should fact check all the information you get online with scholarly texts and discussions with history experts. Try to verify the information from the internet with other outside sources so you are sure you are using historical fact that you can then transform into fiction.

You should try to be specific about the landscape and terrain of your setting. For example, if you are writing about a street in Paris, France in 1935, you may ask yourself: Were there cobblestone streets and row houses or apartment buildings? What monuments might be visible from the street? What were the major landmarks on the street? Where there trees and other greenery on the street or off the street?

You should also consider if there were different means of transportation for different classes and groups. For example, in Philadelphia in 1776, women may not have been allowed to use horse drawn carriages on their own. Or, in Paris in 1935, there may have only been one to two automobile models available to only wealthier individuals and families.

For example, you may try describing a day in the life of someone living in Paris in 1935 on a residential street. You may describe the smell of bread from the bakery in the morning, the sound of horse carriages in the distance, the touch of starched sheets, the taste of tea at the breakfast table, and the sight of the sunlight coming into the kitchen.

You may also include a map or other visual representations in your story as supporting material. Your readers may appreciate a map of a time period and location, especially if it is unfamiliar to them.

You should also consider the historical characters that surround your main characters. Maybe your main character frequented the same circles as famous writers and thinkers of the time. Or, maybe your main character was close friends with a major historical leader. You may also find historical characters who may have been mere footnotes in history and largely ignored by historians. You could then bring these forgotten characters to life in your fiction and shine a spotlight on their fascinating lives.

For example, maybe your story is about a struggling artist in Paris in 1935. The artist may be based on a forgotten artist of the time who struggled with drug addiction and poverty. The artist may also have a conflict with the outside world in that her work was often misinterpreted or ignored by the critics of the day. She may also have a conflict with other artists in her circle, who are becoming more famous and well known than her. You may also use the historical time period 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 norms of their time. A story about a female main character who sewed the stars onto the first American flag, for example, may be interesting because during this time, women were not permitted to vote or to participate in the politics of the day. This may then create a conflict for your main character, as she is not able to actively participate in the political process, even though she desperately wants to get involved and be part of this process.

Physical qualities: Tall, thin, dark skin, thin nose, wide eyes, with long plaited hair. Has a cleft lip from birth and a scar on her left ear. Emotional/psychological qualities: 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.

For example, your main character may have artistic talent and the ability to leave an important mark on painting. But she may also struggle with drug addiction and poverty, leading her to make some difficult and imperfect decisions to survive.

You may use a plot diagram to outline your story. A plot diagram is one of the more common ways to structure your story and consists of six sections: the set up, the inciting incident, the rising action, the climax, the falling action, and the resolution. Alternatively, you may use the snowflake method. The snowflake method is often used by writers who do not want to follow the more traditional plot diagram, but are still looking for a way to organize their story. The snowflake diagram consists of a one sentence summary of the story, a one paragraph summary of the story, character synopses, and a summary of scenes.

Though you should strive for accuracy and fact in your story, you should also be willing to sacrifice historical fact for a good tale. You are writing fiction based on some element of history, after all, and are not obligated to ensure every detail is historically correct. The need for historical fact should never trump your ability to create an engaging tale.

It can be tricky to avoid cliche when you are writing historical fiction, especially if it is set in a time period with familiar images and phrases, such as the British monarchy or turn of the century Paris. You may need to work extra hard to ensure your writing does not fall into cliche when describing the setting of your story or the perspective of your characters. For example, rather than describe a party in turn of the century Paris as “packed to the gills, with a bevy of artists and creative types,” you might describe it with more detail, “so crowded you could only spot the champagne glasses on brass trays, floating over the perfumed heads of every known artist in Paris. ”

Read the draft out loud to yourself. You should highlight any cliches or familiar language as well as any awkward sentences or phrases. Make sure you are historically accurate whenever possible and that you have a good reason for the instances when you deviate from history. You should also ensure your draft adheres to your plot outline. If you deviate from your plot outline, it should be for the good of the story overall. You should also read the draft out loud to someone else. Get feedback and constructive feedback from them to improve your writing and your next draft. Often, getting an outside perspective on your work can only make it better and more engaging for your readers.