If you are wondering how to write a historical novel for beginners, then you have come to the right place. Historical fiction is a good blend of fantasy and reality. It is set in the past, based on either a general period or a specific event. It allows readers to step into another era of human history. They get to explore how the world used to be.
Admittedly, it can be intimidating to write historical fiction. It requires dedication and much work from the author. You may ask yourself: Where should I start? How much research is enough? I will answer that and many other unasked questions in this guide, how to write a historical novel for beginners.
Step One: Choose Your Time Period and Setting
Every historical novel begins with when and where. Pick an era that excites you. For some people, it might be ancient Egypt; for others, it is Victorian London. It is important to consider the place too. For example, the Victorian age in London was different from the Wild West in the USA. It also narrows down the field of researchers.
How to decide:
- What period inspired you to write a historical novel in the first place?
- If you have a plot idea in mind, what period does it fit best?
- What setting do you want to explore?
Step Two: Understand the Historical Novel Spectrum
Some historical novels are based on real events and follow a strict timeline. In the same way, some novels are highly accurate, while others are more about the aesthetics of the period. To reach the right audience, consider this:
- Strictly accurate: Perfect for history lovers and expect facts.
- Looser accuracy: For readers who want to read a fiction set in the past, but are open to a loose timeline.
If you choose a historically accurate take, then you will need to spend more time researching. Especially if it is based on an event. If you are more interested in a historically inspired novel, then you can bend history to your will. That means if you want, for example, women to have a higher status in the Victorian age, it is perfectly acceptable. Altogether, the most important thing is for you to write a story that excites you.
Step Three: Start Your Research the Smart Way
Research is the backbone of any historical novel. Whether you are writing a strictly accurate one or a historically inspired one. You still need to write notes down. For many writers, research is the most enjoyable part of writing a historical novel, while others simply want to start writing.
Regardless of which one you are, you can still get overwhelmed. Many people get research-paralyzed. Which is a fancy term for never starting to write because you are “not ready.” I can assure you, if you are missing something, you can always go back and edit.
On that note, be careful of info dumping. Which I can understand, you are excited and want to tell your readers everything there is to know. Despite that, it slows down the pacing, and it can be boring to read. What you can do instead is research in layers. It can simplify a huge and chaotic process.
Think:
- Big picture: Major events, political climate, and norms.
- Regular life: Clothes, diet, entertainment, and method of transportation.
- Details: How the streets smelled, the sound of the marketplace, and the texture of fabric.
Good place to start:
- History books.
- Academic journals.
- Old newspapers and magazines.
- Dated photographs, paintings, and maps.
- Letters and diaries from that era.
Step Four: Create Characters Who Feel Real
The thing about historical characters is that they are a product of their environment. A ten-year-old boy of this age and day is tremendously different from a ten-year-old boy from three thousand years ago. You have to consider that in addition to the regular character development.
Give them flaws and desires. You can use historically based challenges such as gender roles, class differences, or wartime struggles. Let the characters drive the plot; let them lead the way. That makes historical fiction stand out from other genres. You are observing how people used to live, no matter how ridiculous it looks to modern-day people.
To create compelling characters, read this guide on character creation 101.
Step Five: Make Your Story Feel Historical
A large part of learning how to write a historical novel for beginners is learning how to make it feel historical. You can use the setting as a living thing that characters interact with. As I mentioned earlier, it is important to include what your characters hear when they are walking in the marketplace. It would surely be different from what a character would hear in a modern mall. That is one example out of many ways you can give your story a historical feeling.
Ideas on how you can make your story feel historical:
Setting: Describe historically accurate buildings and landscape. Show how weather and seasons affected people’s daily lives. Include background sensory details that are unique to the time.
Culture: Reflect on how they spoke and behaved. Are there any valued traditions? Show the clothes they wore and what was considered fashionable. In addition, include what they did to entertain themselves.
Step Six: Plot Your Historical Novel
A historical setting is not a plot. If you are basing it on a real event or a person, you might have an idea of what you want to write about. How much you can plot depends on how accurate you want it to be. If you want to follow the exact timeline, then you should mostly prepare by doing research.
For those who base it solely on a specific era, it is not much different from plotting any story. You just have to be mindful of what is possible for that time. A good plot idea can be grounded in common challenges that people used to face, such as famine, illness without medical care, gender inequality, discrimination, class differences, or war.
A great way to come up with a plot is to start with a central idea you can later expand. If you can read this guide on how to plot a story.
Step Seven: Write and Edit
The fundamental requirement for being considered a writer is writing. Regardless of having everything figured out or not, still write. The first draft tends to turn out a little rough, but more importantly, it has to exist first. You can edit it later.
If you are writing a historical novel, you will need to check the accuracy if you are aiming for that. Go back to your notes, ask beta readers for feedback, and ask for help. Writing a book is never easy, but it is fun.
Final Thoughts on How to Write a Historical Novel for Beginners
If you were wondering how to write a historical novel for beginners, then you have just taken a step toward creating one.
When writing historical fiction, you have to make choices about your era, setting, and level of accuracy. All of those things are just as important as your characters. Your story might take place in the past, but people have always been people. It has always been about them and their lives. Furthermore, it is about making readers a part of that world. Do not wait until you know everything about your era; start writing today.
