I am itching to start my historical fiction novel but I haven't finished the research yet.?

Question

I want to start my historical fiction novel; I'm itching to write it because I've got so many ideas that my head might just burst.

However, I haven't quite finished the research part of it yet. My background is in history (received a bachelor's degree in history, too) so I do have a general idea of what the time period is like (late 19th century England). Should I continue with the research or do the research as I go along?

Any suggestions for this first time historical fiction writer?

Answer 1

Figure out what you want to say. Are you covering the period in general, or is it the affects of that period upon a certain person?

James Michener tended to write about places and covered people who lived there during the place and period in question. "Centennial", "Texas", "Hawaii"

Margaret Mitchell's "Gone with the Wind" was about the period of the Civil War but was mostly the effects upon Scarlett O'hara.

You should consider which way your story is to go. Once you know what you want to target, then you decide how to write it.

If it's directed about some one person (or a family), will it be fiction about a real person who did exist then (like the Davy Crockett TV shows in the 1950s), about a fictional person without any famous characters, or a fictional person who met some famous real people who lived then?

If it's a story about the period in general, do you show only fictional people or do you include fictionalized or real adventures of real people who did exist then?

What is the story you want to tell? Why do you want to tell it? Why should the reader care about the story?

Answer 2

John Jakes has numerous novels based on the civil war era. He wrote North and South, which grow to be made right into a movie and a variety of of alternative others. somebody else pronounced final of the Mohicans by using James Fennimore Cooper yet i think of that grow to be a stressful study and can lose you in areas. additionally that grow to be revealed in 1826 initially. in case you prefer to study an previous historic e book this is an relaxing study you incredibly won't be able to pass incorrect with Mark Twain. he's an surprising author and an consumer-friendly study. Huckleberry Finn and the Adventures of Tom Sawyer i think of you could stumble on a stressful time putting down. If there's a undeniable era in historic previous you like i might desire to in all risk assist you greater helpful. i individually want James Clavell however yet his historic fiction concentrates greater on the Orient with Shogun, Taipan and Gaijin.

Answer 3

Keeping in mind that the first draft never looks anything like the last draft, just start writing. Do the fact checking during the revisions. And if the facts get in the way of a good story, remember that it's fiction.

Answer 4

You can start writing the fictional story part, which really isn't affected all that much by the fact that it is a period piece. I suggest you write every idea down because you are going to forget them if you don't, and you could lose steam, and you don't want that. Strike while the iron is hot!

Answer 5

I would recommend that you really immerse yourself in the period first. Go ahead and make notes about your story, but I think you'll find that the more you can "live in" your period, the easier the writing will come.