If you follow the link above to the Historical Novel Society website they define the genre.
After last week’s contrasting book reviews I’ve been reflecting on what, to me, is great Historical Fiction.
What do others say?
10 Steps for Writing Historical Fiction by Krystal N. Craiker
How to write good Historical Fiction by Dave Chesson
What’s my take …
Initial Inspiration
There is usually a spark to any novel writing which lights the way. In historical fiction it is usually an era, person or an event in history.
Thorough Research
It is impossible to write Historical Fiction without a great deal of research and the way you keep notes is a vital process to making your novel writing run smoothly. The setting, way of life and man’s accomplishments; these peripheral areas of study which brings your eventual novel to life and gives it authenticity.
Expand your notes on detailed descriptions of your characters and the place in which they live.
Plan your novel
A linear time line of events is useful here. As you plot your novel then there will be gaps to fill. Make a strategy as to how you are going to span the years and be consistent in your approach. Will you bring in back story in snippets, as a prologue or afterward or just hint to it within your text?
Write the first draft
As you write you maybe aware of gaps in the plot or anomalies you hadn’t noticed before. Rather than stop the flow and go back to research you could keep a careful note of these issues. Also, I’m sure on rereading you, your beta readers or definitely your editor, will pick you up on an inconsistencies you have missed sometime in the future. The most important thing at this stage is adhering to your notes but also the flow of the story, to keep your readers interest on board.
Edit in stages
Unless they are a miracle worker, an author of historical fiction needs to reread the novel several times, maybe focussing of different areas:
…consistency of facts,
flow of story,
descriptive and creative vocabulary,
Then send it to your beta- readers
and finally punctuation grammar and spelling.
Then send it to your editor.
Innovative Ideas
Like in art, for prizes in literature they seem to be looking for something new. I would like to think that judges might think twice and put the value of a ‘pleasurable’ read high up in their priorities.
What do you think?
Diana Jackson 