I was talking to someone at work recently about historical fiction and she wanted to know if that meant the story was about an event that happened in history. I tried to explain it was a yes and no answer.
Historical fiction is a novel set among actual historical events or one that is written to display a certain period of time. The story itself doesn’t have to be specifically about that one particular event, let’s say, what made the Titanic sink, but more about the people affected by its sinking.
The setting is the most important part of historical fiction since the story takes place surrounding an actual event in history. The information about the time period and place must be accurate, authentic, or both. Tons of research is involved so the author has a working knowledge of how people lived, what ate and wore, what sort of homes they lived in, etc.
Characters may be real or fictional or a combination of both. No matter what, they must remain true to the time frame.
The plot must document historical events. Even though your story is fictional, it needs to make sense and it must have a solution to a problem in the end. If the plot is fictional, then it must remain true to the historical time and place. In other words, you could write about a fictional couple who fall in love in 1830’s London. While the couple is fictional, the surroundings need to be authentic down to the hair pins the women wore.
The dialogue must be authentic to the time period. Reading books and articles from the time you’re writing about will assist in making sure your character’s speech is perfected.
Descriptions in historical fiction tend to be very vivid. The author must convey a sense of time so readers who are unfamiliar with the historical events can experience as if they were in the midst of it.
Some of my favorite YA historical novels include:
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I loved Ruta’s Between Shades of Gray. I’m a fan of alt history stuff too.
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So what is “Instinct” by JA Belfield? Historical Paranormal? Although this book is about werewolves, I found it very historical. The setting was the most fun part of it.
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Hmm, yes, I guess you could say it is.
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I think, in general, most things are really a blend of several genres.
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Great article, Jenny. I’m reading The Book Thief at the moment and loving it 😀
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Isn’t it great? Did you know it’s being made into a movie? I believe Emily Watson (not Emma Watson) will star and the producer is the same man who does Downtown Abbey. http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0816442/
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Great post on what Historical Fiction constitutes. One of my WIPs is a historical fiction and the research is long and involved….
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that’s why I don’t think I could ever write historical fiction. Just too dang much research. I have to tip my hats to those that write it, though Such discipline.
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Good article, Jenny! I am reading Lowry’s The Giver right now and enjoying it immensely. I’ll have to check out Number the Stars next!
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Loved The Giver! Excellent book. I think you’ll really like Number the Stars.
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This is my favorite type of story, especially if one throws in a time travel twist! (wink, wink!) The research is the killer. I almost wish I hadn’t switched up the time periods with my next book. It’s too much like homework, when I already knew the other time so well. 🙂
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Oooo, you have my interest all ready!
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It’s amazing how many people believe Historical Fiction is TRUE history 🙂
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I knew several people at the time James Cameron’s “Titanic” came out that actually wondered where they could find out more about Rose and Jack. I’m like ‘guys, they aren’t real. They’re fictional characters.” I guess that’s what good writing will get you, though…to make your audience believe it’s all real. But seriously…if you’re reading a novel, you’re reading fiction, which = not real. That fact should be stowed in the back of one’s mind when reading historical fiction. 🙂
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Agreed, but, as you say, a good story will lull your mind into forgetting where you are and what is real and what is not 🙂
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The Book Thief is on my kindle currently waiting to be read!
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It is WONDERFUL!!!!
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I have an American Civil War story i would like to do one day. I suppose it will fit this genre if my characters are young enough.
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I think that would be an amazing story. Would love to read it someday.
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