Historical fiction is one of the most traditional book genres; continue reading to find out exactly why.
Within the publishing sector, one of the largest genres is historical fiction, as individuals like co-CEO of the private equity firm which owns Simon & Schuster would verify. In fact, some of the best historical fiction books of all time have actually reached critical acclaim and have won various prizes. If you want to know how to write historical fiction, the number one piece of guidance is to do your research. As a historical fiction writer, you will certainly be submersing yourself right into the past, so it is very important to research the various time periods and find one which you are truly interested in. To give your book realism and credibility, it is very important to represent correct information about society throughout that period, including the various customs, cultures and expectations. Looking at primary and here secondary sources, such as letters and artefacts, can help writers paint a picture of what daily life was like for individuals during this time, which in turn helps them create an authentic story. Make note of any type of major events, dates and historical figures which were around during this age, as they can offer some relevant contextual information in the background of your imaginary story.
If you were to walk into any kind of book shop, you will likely stumble upon a large historical fiction area, as people like the co-CEO of the hedge fund which owns Waterstones would definitely verify. Historical fiction is definitely a financially rewarding book category, so it is an excellent idea for aspiring authors to discover how to write a historical fiction book to a high standard. One of the most essential aspects to get correct is the plot of the book. Virtually every fiction novel needs a strong, convincing and engaging story concept in order to appeal to the target audience. As a starting point, aspiring writers should read the several different types of historical fiction books and find a niche subgenre which aligns with their goals and passions. For example, one of the most popular historical fiction subgenres is historical romance, which are books that include a dramatic, emotional and commonly tragic romance against the backdrop of historic events, surroundings and cultures. On the opposite end of the spectrum is historical adventure, which is yet another popular historical fiction subgenre that features characters embarking on daring journeys or missions in historic settings. Once you have narrowed down your subgenre, you can begin focusing on the much more specific plot devices, characterisations and themes of your story.
According to the on-line trends, historical fiction is increasing in popularity among younger target markets, as individuals like the co-founder of the investment fund which partially owns WHSmith would likely understand. If you are thinking of writing historical fiction yourself, one of the main variables to get right is the characterisations. For example, one of the major historical fiction characteristics is having characters which are remarkable, dynamic and relatable. To immerse readers, it is important for them to feel connected to the main characters. Writers should focus on crafting dynamic and nuanced characters who feel like real people despite being products of a different time. In regards to the character's voice, including some of the diction and lingo that was common during that period provides another layer of authenticity to the book. However, it is extremely essential to develop a balance because if the dialogue is too complicated, it could possibly alienate readers and prevent them from continuing the book.