What to Research Before Writing A Historical Fiction Novel

Writing a fiction novel is already a daunting task to tackle. That task load is amplified when you want to add accurate historical context and elements. You must mentally and physically prepare yourself for a longer writing process than usual. There are already so many elements that are necessary to write a fiction novel: believable storylines, lovable characters, conflicts/resolutions, etc. This already requires an abundance of planning and patience but adding the “historical” part to your historical fiction novel requires another significant component: research. The research portion can be extremely intimidating, especially when you’re unsure of where and how to begin. Luckily, we have a couple of topic suggestions to get your research started:

- Location

- People & Events

- Society & Government

- Technological Advancements

It should be noted that all these topics will be looked at from a historical perspective. All of these research topics are dependent on the specific time period you’re researching. So, as you go about researching these topics and many more, be sure to include the time period or specific years you want information on so you’re sure to get accurate information. With that being said, let’s get to it!

I. Location

The location of your story is always essential, especially when you’re adding historical elements to it. It would be silly to have well-known landmarks like the Statue of Liberty appear in a story that’s based on a time before the Statue of Liberty existed. This is only a small example, but it drives the point home.

Location is also important because of the different architectural styles that define different time periods. Cities and towns today are completely different than how they were during the Civil War era. This can change the character’s living situations, living conditions, modes of transportation, weather patterns, and so much more. It’s not something we think about on a daily basis, but when you take the time to think, different locations can change so many different elements. Even today, public transportation in places like Georgia and other southern states is completely different than public transportation in places like New York. It’s important to know the location and the time period well before you begin implementing elements into your story. What were the buildings like? Was it more apartment complexes, or suburban houses? Are there any main railway stations near or in your location? These are only some examples of things to think about as you create your world.

When you’re researching the location, gather first-hand accounts of the inhabitants of this location in your desired time period. You could find these first-hand accounts and experiences through old newspaper archives in that area! You can find popular stories and dramas directly related to that specific location. If that isn’t available to you, don't fret. The next best thing is accredited historical studies that talk about the location or similar locations in detail. A bonus resource that will allow you to write about your location in immense detail is pictures! You’re able to visualize your characters in these towns and living quarters which will then help you add needed details to your writing.

II. People & Events

After you’ve figured out what your story is going to be about and who your characters are, you have to apply the historical context to the world that surrounds these characters. Are there different events that may have occurred that could affect your plot, whether in a positive or negative way? Is there potential for your characters to cross paths with known historical figures? How would they interact with one another?

Since you’re writing a historical fiction novel, we know that these aspects are essential in your writing. We also know that even though it’s a fiction novel, you want to try your best to convince the reader that what happens in this story could’ve been possible! In order to do that, you’ll need to obtain historically accurate accounts of events and people. Maybe there was a major earthquake that happened that could through a wrench in your character’s plans. Or maybe your characters are able to get assistance from some infamous people from the past. Some of the best information comes from eyewitness accounts and first-hand experiences. Through this, you can determine how to implement a historical event into your story that’s accurate enough for the reader to identify but also ties into your story effortlessly (even though we know it is - in fact - not effortless).

This is an essential topic to research! It is a lot of work, but this is an element that can help you build the world! Having events and people that readers can see and say, “Hey, I've heard of this before!” can help them connect to your novel! Even without prior historical experience, a large number of people can recognize known events and people, even if they only know the name. Not only does this give you a larger audience to appeal to, but it can also be a way to help your own creativity. Some things that you may have never considered implementing into your story could come to light during your research. Some resources that could help you with your research on historical people or families are websites like Find-a-Grave and Ancestry.com. Ancestry has a free trial and paid memberships that allow you to explore, in-depth, different families, where they come from, where they have been, and even where they are now! It's an intricate website that can give you a lot more insight than a typical Google search.

III. Society & Government

The way that society was structured or the different laws that the government had in place can change a story completely. It’s essential to understand the laws that were in place at a certain time and within a certain area. As an example of this, in America from the Civil War era to the late 1960s, there were many different laws put in place in the South to prevent African Americans from doing things like voting, working, buying property, etc. These different laws would be necessary to research if you were planning to base your novel on any of these different time periods in America. This can create different motivating factors for your characters as well as possible conflict.

What would you do if you wanted your novel to take place in a different country? You would want to be respectful of the different cultures, traditions, and laws that they had in place at the time. If there was a caste system in place, you would want to implement that into your story in order to be more accurate to the times and to the country. How about how society views women, poverty, and other factors similar to that? How would that affect your characters? I know I’ve said it before, but I really want to drive this point home: be respectful of different cultures, traditions, and laws that other countries may have in place. The last thing you want to do is come off as disrespectful or paint another culture in a negative light.

Regardless of where and when your novel takes place, knowing how your characters will be affected by the society and laws around them shows your readers that you know your information. The different conflicts, dynamics, and drama that can come from these different factors can add depth to your story. This all ties into the idea that you have to make your story believable and consistent. Knowing the laws and societal structure that your characters are in is imperative to your novel. Not only can it add depth to your story, but your novel must be historically accurate so you’re not disrespecting other people’s cultures and histories. Having serious inaccuracies in your novel is noticeable and can cause the readers to stop reading, which is why your research is so important.

A common resource that isn't utilized as often these days is your public library! Libraries carry tons of information and archives that your novel can benefit from having. All the information you can possibly think of is in one building with people there to help you find exactly what you're looking for. Sure, the internet is always an option. But, think about how long it can take to find the exact information you're looking for with Google. You're better off going to the library and asking for the exact thing you need. Plus, the resources you find at the library are sure to be credible.

IV. Technological Advancements

Imagine you pick up a new book about the Oregon Trail that you’re so excited to read. It’s all about the harrowing adventures of travelers and the many obstacles and tribulations they went through. As you get through the first few pages, you notice something odd about how the author describes their mode of transportation. When they wrote “horsepower” you assumed they were talking about the strength of the horse. However, when they mentioned pedals, engines, and gas, you got confused. The “mustang” described wasn’t a horse but, instead, a motor vehicle. How would that make you feel?

Obviously, this example is an exaggeration, but there’s still a point to be made! Seeing technology that doesn’t belong in a certain time period can completely throw a reader off and make them question the whole story as well as the author’s capabilities. This can be even small things like having electricity in a time before it was widely used or having a character use the telegraph before it was even invented. It may seem nit-picky to have small details like this in mind, but it can ensure that you keep your writing accurate and that you, as a writer, are holding yourself accountable throughout the writing process. More than that, it can also prevent any plot holes and consistency issues in your writing, especially if you end up developing your novel into a series.

Thankfully, errors like these are easy to avoid. All you have to do is make a couple of Google searches to check that your dates are accurate or double-check that you aren’t using any technology that wasn’t created yet. A scan of a couple of historical sites and documents is enough to ensure your novel is on the right path. For more help, check out some National Archives!

Utilize Your Resources and Take Your Time

There are many different things to look at such as documents, journal articles, research papers, diary entries, photographs, and more and it can quickly become overwhelming. A few additional resources include: public libraries, The National Archives, and old Newspaper Archives. Don’t be afraid to take as much time as you need during the research process. There’s no rush to create your perfect historical fiction novel. We don’t blame you if you need to take breaks for a few hours, days, or even weeks. In fact, we actually encourage you to give your brain proper breaks in order to allow your best work to shine in the end. It can be an exhausting task to find reliable and accredited historical resources, so try not to rush through it! If you really take your time, research correctly, and properly utilize your resources, you’ll create a historical novel that’ll be remembered throughout the ages.