For many authors, helping readers establish connections between the past and present is their favorite part of the writing process. In some cases, a story about a bygone era can evoke certain images, ideas and memories in a reader’s mind that bring the past to life. It can also spark a desire to know more about real people and places of events to which an author has made reference in a historical fiction novel.
If you’re considering trying your hand at this particular genre, the last thing you’ll want to do is write a story without doing any research ahead of time. Fiction is, of course, a category of writing that is either 100% imagined by the author, or it can be based on true events. Historical fiction, in particular, is a genre of made-up stories that capture the essence of actual past times or a series of events. There are several reliable resources you can use to conduct pre-writing research for a historical novel.
Make use of digital or in-person archives
Library archives are a valuable resource for writers who want to delve into historical fiction. You can access the archives of a specific library, located in the real place, upon which the setting in your fictionalized story will be based. If you intend to create characters that are based on real people, you can use library archives to learn more about them. Such archives are especially useful if a major historical event (such as a war or famine or flood) will be mentioned in your book.
Scour through photographs
Studying old photographs can be quite helpful when you’re writing a historical fiction novel. Photos provide vivid details regarding hairstyles, fashion, architecture and more. In addition to photography, you might also want to study paintings or other types of artworks from the era about which you plan to write.
Diaries and letters help unlock the past
If possible, you’ll want to get your hands on numerous diaries or hand-written letters from the past to help you create a story that makes your readers feel as though they’re stepping into another time. Best-selling historical fiction authors, such as Jane Kirkpatrick, often express gratitude to people who have provided written correspondence and journals that are part of their family legacies, which have helped create stories accurately depict speech, mannerisms, customs, scenery and relationships from a particular era.
Pay a visit to the museums that are relevant to your story
Museums are an excellent resource for researching the past. Various exhibits might include descriptions, scenes or information that may provide inspiration as you create characters, settings and details for a plot in a fiction novel that is based on actual people, places or events in history.
Interviewing people provides an opportunity to hear stories of the past
If your historical fiction novel is set in a time 100 years or more ago, there may not be anyone still living who was around back then. However, it may be possible to interview family members who have been told stories of their family’s past. If you’re writing about a more recent time period, you might be able to speak with people who remember certain places or events that you will mention in your story.
Compile as much information as you can
The more you learn about the people, places and events of the era in which your historical fiction novel will be set, the more accurate and realistic your story will be. Historical fiction brings the past to the present and makes people from the present feel as though they have stepped into the past. Thorough research is the key to writing a historical fiction novel, and last but not least, it’s also helpful to seek a professional review of your story before submitting it to a publisher.
