How To Research A Historical Fiction Novel

Historical novels, in any genre, are popular. However, unlike regular fiction books where an author can dream up settings, events, or characters on their own, a historical novel must stay true to the facts. An author must marry creativity with journalism to ensure a true presentation. Here are some tips from author Caroline Fernandez (Asha and Baz series) on how to research a historical fiction novel…

Identify Key Events In The Time Period 

If your novel is set in 1910, then you need to research the historical events in order of global, national, and regional events. If your novel is set throughout a period of time, you also need to research the key events throughout that time period. Why? Because events shape the characters. They shape politics and views. They shape economies and opportunities. Additional idea: create a historical timeline of key events.

Research The “Things” Of The Characters

Let’s take 1910 again. What did people wear? What did people of different classes wear? What did children wear? What was breakfast, lunch, and dinner? Were your characters rural or urban? Did they have access to education or medical care? How did people speak in 1910? What were common names in 1910? What did “home” look like in 1910?

Research The Places Where Your Characters Will Appear

You can’t put a person in a Tesla in 1910. You need to research the types of transportation for your chosen time period. You need to look at historical maps. What are the street names? Are there street lights or lamp lights? What is the name of the bar, town square, church, hospital, bank, etc. that blend into the story setting.

Research The Real People

If you are incorporating real people into your historic novel, then you really have to get the people right. You can’t have Terry Fox being the bad guy (because there is no fact to that). You can’t have Alexander Graham Bell marrying three times (because he didn’t). You need to research the real people and stay true to their history. Also, (and very important) if there are living relatives of the real people, it’s advisable to research them as well. Perhaps even contact them and give them a head’s up that you are writing a book in which their ancestor appears. To get around doing a historic person wrong, you can be “inspired” by a historic person and create an invented character (with new name and different traits). 

Make Friends With The Public Library 

The public library has a wealth of information that can be used in writing historic novels. Think: annual reports, census, newspaper articles. 

Keep A Master Document With Sources And Bibliography

An editor just might want you to back up your historic novel foundation with proof. Keep a master document with web sources and print bibliography so that you can prove you did the research and that your facts are in line with history.