On Writing Historical Fiction
I wrote a book titled "Tutankhamen Returns!"
While writing it, I immersed myself in a complex time travel.
I enjoyed the journey and learned from it.
When we write historical fiction, we must bond our imagination with facts so our manuscript doesn't look too wild and the result is as enjoyable as the facts we claim are verifiable to the sensible reader.
And, as I encourage you to go ahead with your writing, I, as I always do, love to share what I have learned so far.
1.- Research your subject. This is not an easy work. Depending on your theme, be prepared for a long and exhausting journey. Don't give up, please.
2.- Position your characters' names and actions at the time of the event.
3.- Be accurate as much as you can. The description of places or cities must be precise with the names and architecture of cities and locations used at the time of the narrative. For example, if one of your chapters starts with the subtitle Berlin 1934, place the reader in that city and year. If it is crucial to the development of your novel, describe every action and character accordingly: buildings, customs, your character's garments and demeanour, landscapes, roads, cars, planes, ships, even the menu from a restaurant, etc.
4.- Don't forget language and vocabulary. We must be careful with the words our heroes communicate; for example, a Roman soldier from the time of Christ or an American war reporter broadcasting from a corner of Afghanistan should not speak the same way. Or, if your story concerns Native Americans, don't write dialogues of them speaking with a Cockney accent.
5.- So, be attentive to details. For example, if the action demands the description of food and drinks, recipes, and weapons. I have had the chance to read some manuscripts that contained gross errors, i.e., wrong dates, places, and even characters wearing garments that don't correspond to the epoch set by the author, and, on food, pioneers from the 1800s eating pizza in the prairies, etc. Think before you write.
6.- Racial and Religious issues according to place and time if they relate to the tale.
7.- Make sure that your story, whatever it is, sounds authentic. Writing historical fiction is restoring facts and incidents that show a live portrait of historical characters. As a writer, you bring back to life events and characters that once upon a time happened or lived and whose consequences merit the reconstruction you, as an author, embarked upon. To do this, you count upon your imagination and your skills in writing. You, the author, are on your quest of (again) refloating the Titanic in all its splendour and giving your character (s) the blow of life, whether they were once alive or created by you to satisfy your tale.
Historical fiction became one of my favourite genres, which I devotedly applied in various of my works, notable 'Clandestine Gospel,' a short story about the last minutes of Jesus on the cross, a sorrowful, philosophical relate framed with an extraordinary description of the city of Jerusalem in times of Christ.
My interest in historical fiction reached its peak with 'Tutankhamen Returns!'
Tutankhamen's spirit takes the reader on time travel to Ancient Egypt. From a privileged position, the reader gets acquainted with intimate details of the famous Pharaoh's life, reign, and death.
Of course, I will chronicle how I came face to face with Tutankhamen. But that story deserves another post.
Remember that you are not writing a history book; still, your tale must be credible.
Before starting to write your book, I strongly recommend you read books in this genre. There are excellent authors to follow out there. Write me if you want some recommendations.
I wish you good luck in your journey.
