This is a re-post from M.K. Tod who writes historical fiction and blogs about all aspects of the genre at A Writer of History. Her recent post included a list of tips on writing Historical Fiction as acquired from around the web. Instead of re-blogging I decided to re-post some of those tips here, they are just too good to let pass us by so I organized them in the list below so we can see them all. Please visit A Writer of History for author source and to comment on her blog. I would also suggest you follow her (especially if your a historical fiction writer), she is always on point with her guest authors, links, and advice:
- Let the characters engage with the historical details – a variation on show don’t tell
- Allow your characters to question and explore their place in society – doing so reveals the context of the times
- Love the process, because readers will still find errors
- Sweat the Small Stuff – small details allow readers to engage all senses in the past world you are building
- Dump the Ballast – too much detail is a killer
- Read historical fiction – sounds obvious doesn’t it but you have to appreciate excellent historical fiction in order to be successful
- Know when to stop researching – cautions about falling down the proverbial rabbit hole
- Research comes before writing – get the facts right to ensure a good foundation for your novel
- Inhabit the mind and skin of your characters – you have to understand the sensibilities of the time so your readers can feel immersed in it
- Pick a universal theme if you can – the concerns of your novel need to resonate with modern readers
- Choose a time and place that really intrigues you – passion will make your story more compelling
The PBS Blog 