Historical fiction writers can delve into the past for research purposes through local research or thorough study in an archival collection. The PEN American Center’s Grants and Awards for American Writers can be helpful, as can the American Antiquarian Society’s fellowships and awards. The historical fiction genre allows writers to explore worlds they may have never seen.
Characters
One of the best ways to make your historical fiction stories realistic is to understand the period in which your novel is set in. This means learning about the historical events and figures of the time period. Ideally, you should develop a list of resources for research. You can start by looking at this list of the 50 best historical fiction resources on the internet.
Historical Fiction writers can take inspiration from historical events or the lives of real people. Many of the most popular historical fiction works feature characters alive during the period. In addition to real people, historical fiction can explore the values, prejudices, and customs of those who lived during that time.
Setting
The setting is an important part of historical fiction, so make it vivid for your readers. You can start with the social and political climate of the period. Then, focus on how a person lived during that time. The setting will help readers understand the character better. It can also give them a sense of who the character is.
Historical fiction is becoming increasingly popular. As a result, many authors are turning to the past for inspiration. Many, such as Amy Tan, are drawing on their family history. Others, like Charles Frazier, use a larger canvas for their work.
Dialogue
Dialogue is an important aspect of historical fiction, and the writer should be aware of common mistakes in the genre. Readers want to be able to connect with historical characters and avoid obvious inconsistencies. Also, if your characters were around during a certain period, you should not use modern language when writing about the past. Instead, use period-appropriate words and phrases to describe events and characters.
Research
If you’re planning to write historical fiction, research is an essential part of the process. There are many places to find historical materials, from libraries and archives to historical societies. Other resources include newspapers, magazines, and catalogs. You can also look up memoirs and diaries from the period you’re writing about. History books are a great resource as well, as they provide an overall view of a particular period.
You can also join a local historical group or specialist website dedicated to a particular historical period. These are great places to find out about a particular person or place, but they may not be as authoritative as websites dedicated to general history. Alternatively, you can join a website dedicated to a historical figure and ask members about their favorite aspects.