Historical
How Inspiration and Research Shape a Novel
Historical fiction relies on research to help a story’s authenticity—but it can also lead to developments in the story itself. Here, author Lora Davies discusses how inspiration and research helped shape her new novel, The Widow’s Last Secret.
6 Things Every Writer Should Know About Sylvia Beach and Shakespeare and Company
Sylvia Beach was friend to many writers who wrote what we consider classics today. Here, author Kerri Maher shares six things everyone should know about her and Shakespeare and Company.
Tammye Huf: On Real Love That Sparked Inspiration
Debut novelist Tammye Huf discusses how her own familial love story inspired her historical fiction novel, A More Perfect Union.
5 Tips for Writing About Big Historical Events in Fiction
Novelist Anna Stuart shares her top five tips for writing about big historical events in fiction so that the story stays front and center...and engaging.
The Ethics of Literary Revivification
When writing about real people in historical fiction, what might the consequences be of taking certain artistic liberties? Author Robert Lloyd discusses the ethics of literary revivification.
Writing About Real People in Historical Fiction: What Is Factual and What Is Imagined
When writing about real people in a real time, how do you distinguish between what is true and what is imaginary? Patti Callahan discuss how to write about real people in historical fiction.
Clare Chambers: On Starting Fresh and Switching Gears
Award-winning author Clare Chambers discusses the fear and excitement of switching genre gears in her new historical fiction novel, Small Pleasures.
Margaret Verble: On Combining Facts and Imagination in Historical Fiction.
Pulitzer Prize-finalist Margaret Verble discusses the process of writing her new historical fiction novel, When Two Feathers Fell from the Sky.
Reframing Complicated Historical Characters in Fiction: How I Rewrote Wallis Simpson
Historical fiction is the blend of in-depth research and imagination. But what happens when your research doesn't match what you imagined of the real-life person? Author Wendy Holden discusses reframing complicated historical characters in fiction.
How to Use Economic Class to Develop Characters
Author Galia Gichon’s research for her historical fiction novel, The Accidental Suffragist, helped her understand the moment better, and infused what she learned into her characters.
Lest We Forget These Brave Women: On Choosing Characters for Historical Fiction
Bestselling author Natasha Lester (The Paris Orphan and The Riviera House) shares stories about a few of the women she's written about in her historical fiction to help writers appreciate these women and choose interesting characters for their own historical fiction.
6 Things Writers Should Know About the Middle Ages
Knowing what is myth is important in writing historical fiction, but so is knowing what isn't. Author Cait Stevenson shares 6 things writers should know about the Middle Ages to help enrich their historical fiction stories.
When Is Historical Accuracy Inaccurate?
Writers of historical fiction must always ride the line between factual and fictitious. Here, author Terry Roberts discusses how to navigate that line.
Caroline Beecham: On Organizing the Historical Fiction Novel
Historical fiction author Caroline Beecham discusses the trials of organizing her latest novel, When We Meet Again, and what she found that works.
Catherine Hokin: On Following Your Story
Author Catherine Hokin explains how she took her competition-winning short story and turned it into her latest historical novel, The Fortunate Ones.
Jennifer Ashley: On Writing the Whodunnit
New York Times bestselling author Jennifer Ashley discusses how she writes a whodunnit historical mystery and the process of writing her latest release, Death at the Crystal Palace.
Christina Baker Kline: On Bringing History to Life
New York Times bestselling author Christina Baker Kline shares insights into the writing and publishing process of her latest historical fiction novel, The Exiles.
My Crawfie: How I Fictionalized a Real-Life Character
Learn from historical fiction author Tessa Arlen how to take a real-life person and fictionalize them for your novel.
Marie Benedict & Victoria Christopher Murray: On Bringing a Project to Life
Marie Benedict and Victoria Christopher Murray share what it was like to co-author the historical fiction novel The Personal Librarian and what they did to bring their subject to life.
5 Tips for Breathing Life Into Fictionalized "Real-Life" Characters
Has a historical figure, a political candidate, or someone else captured your writerly fascination? Novelist EJ Levy shares her tips for how to bring that person to life on the page.
Alka Joshi: On Allowing Characters to Inform Your Sequel
In this article, historical fiction author Alka Joshi explains how the characters from her first book inspired the sequel, The Secret Keeper of Jaipur, and how their story managed to surprise her.
Camille Aubray: Understanding the Nuances of Human Nature
Author Camille Aubray discusses her recent novel The Godmothers, including what prompted the book, why writers should write everything down, the importance of understanding the nuances of human nature, and more.
E.J. Levy: When Your First Draft is Your Best Draft
Author E.J. Levy discusses her journey with drafting and redrafting her historical fiction novel, The Cape Doctor, and why her first draft was her best draft.
5 Tips for Creating a Fully Realized Historical Setting
Research is more than just reading books and articles. Here, author Nekesa Afia gives her top 5 tips for writing a historical setting that will engage and wow your readers.