Roaming around the web to spark your interest – yes, you dear reader – I discovered a number of articles on the challenges of writing historical fiction.
In SouthWest Writers, Chris Eboch, who writes fiction and non-fiction, explores topics like research, character authenticity, and marketing. “The path to great historical fiction is clear: A spark of inspiration, months of research, carefully chosen details to bring the setting to life, and a dynamic character who appeals to today’s readers, while expressing the differences of her time.” Click here for more.
In Five Top Tips on Writing Historical Fiction, novelist and historian Dr. Stephen Carver writes: “Remember you’re world-building as much as storytelling, so when researching keep your eye out always for quirky cultural details and interesting facts about the way people talked, dressed, worked and acted, what they ate, what they believed, and why.” This article also offers exercises that would be useful to new writers. Click here for more.
Author and entrepreneur Vered Neta outlines several pitfalls in writing historical fiction. I think the article fits in with the topic of challenges. “With historical fiction, your setting was once real. Yet, your readers did not live during the Napoleonic Wars or in Ancient Egypt, so it is just as unreal to them as a science fiction book set on Mars.” Click here for more.
While there is nothing simple about writing historical fiction, for those who are new to the genre, author Jason Hamilton has a step-by-step guide on a site called Kindlepreneur, including the challenges. Jason writes: “Writing historical fiction is a delicate dance between accuracy and imagination. But the research required pays off in stories that truly transport readers to bygone eras.” Click here for more.
Author Elaine Stock’s article in Writing and Wellness offers a personal touch to writing historical fiction. “Do not fear research (like I initially did; a fear that actually kept me from trying to write historical fiction for years). It’s fun! It’s fascinating! You will learn so much and your characters and plot will benefit from it.” Elaine also describes the ‘three biggest challenges’ she faced. Click here for more.
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M.K. Tod writes historical fiction. Her latest novel is THE ADMIRAL’S WIFE, a dual timeline set in Hong Kong. Mary’s other novels, PARIS IN RUINS, TIME AND REGRET, LIES TOLD IN SILENCE and UNRAVELLED are available from Amazon, Nook, Kobo, Google Play and iTunes. She can be contacted on Facebook, Twitter and Goodreads or on her website www.mktod.com.
