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How to Write Historical Fiction: A Step-by-Step Guide

As someone who has spent a lot of time researching myths and ancient history for my historical fantasy novels (yes, I know they’re not the same thing), I feel I have a unique kinship to historical fiction. 

But it can also be challenging. There’s a reason I write historical fantasy instead of straight-up historical fiction. 

But in this article, I’ve done my best to show you some of the techniques I use, as well as a lot more I’ve researched that can definitely help you write an amazing historical novel.

• What historical fiction is
• What makes a good historical fiction novel
• Tips for plotting, world-building, etc.
• How to create authentic historical characters

Table of contents

• Common Tropes in Historical Fiction
• What Makes Good Historical Fiction?
• Historical Fantasy
• Alternate History
• Historical Mystery
• Historical Thriller
• Historical Romance
• Nautical Fiction
• Historical Fiction Biographies
• Know Your Subgenre's Expectations
• Get the Broad Strokes Right
• Obscure Details Aren't As Important
• Explain Your Choices in an Author's Note
• Take More Liberties With Unknown Eras
• Step 1: Start With the Setting and the Era
• Step 2: Do Lots and Lots of Research
• Step 3: Mark Down Key Details
• Step 4: Plot the Novel
• Step 5: Remember to Show Both Sides of History
• Step 6: Create Awesome Characters That Fit the Era
• Step 7: Write and Edit Thoroughly
• Use AI for Missing Information
• Balance the Old and New-Sounding Language
• It's Okay to Bend the Timeline a Bit or Make Something Up
• Final Thoughts

So with that in mind, let’s dive in.

What is Historical Fiction?

Historical fiction stories take place in the past, though the timeframe considered “historical” differs. Generally, historical fiction is set at least 50 years in the past, before the author's own lifetime. This transports readers to an era outside of their firsthand experience.

The story is paramount in historical fiction. While accuracy matters, the priority is on crafting an engaging plot and relatable characters. Historical fiction selects interesting snippets from the past and uses them to highlight universal human experiences.

Some common time periods for historical fiction include classical antiquity, the Middle Ages, the Renaissance, the Napoleonic era, the Victorian period, the early 20th century, and World War II. But historical fiction can bring any time in history to life!

Certain types of characters and plot devices frequently show up in historical fiction. Here are some of the most common historical fiction tropes:

• The feisty heroine who rebels against societal expectations
• The brooding hero scarred by war or loss
• Love triangles and forbidden romances
• Diaries, letters, and found documents framing the story
• Real historical figures making cameo appearances
• Political intrigue at royal courts or in seats of power
• Gritty descriptions of battles and warfare
• Incorporation of real historical events into the plot
• References to classic literature, philosophy, and art from the time period

These recurring tropes allow readers to be instantly transported to the mood and themes of historical fiction. They serve as shortcuts for signaling the genre and time period. But in weaker stories, they can also become predictable or overused. The best historical fiction writers breathe new life into familiar tropes.

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When writing historical fiction, I keep the following elements in mind to fully immerse readers in the past:

• Immersive historical setting: I carefully research the historical period I'm writing about to create a vivid and accurate setting for my story. I want readers to feel like they're right there in the middle of the action.
• Relatable characters: My characters are complex and relatable, with their own hopes, dreams, and fears. I want readers to care about them and root for them as they face the challenges of their time.
• Drama and high stakes: My stories are full of drama and high stakes. My characters are faced with difficult choices that have real consequences. I want readers to be on the edge of their seats wondering what will happen next.
• Historically accurate context: I make sure my stories are historically accurate, both in terms of the setting and the events that take place. I want readers to learn about history as they enjoy my stories.
• Accessible yet elevated prose: My prose is accessible and easy to read, but it's also elevated and engaging. I want readers to be swept away by my stories, but I also want them to learn something about history along the way.

When I brainstorm and craft my own historical fiction, I keep these elements in mind at every stage of the writing and editing process. This helps me craft stories that will fully immerse readers in the past. 

Types of Historical Fiction

Historical fiction is extremely diverse. For one, it varies by historical error, which in itself is a huge list of subgenres.

But most historical fiction novels fall into a few major subgenres. Here are some of the most popular types of historical fiction:

This blend of fantasy and historical fiction incorporates mythological or supernatural elements into a real historical setting. It uses imagined or magical components to explore the past in new ways. Examples include Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell by Susanna Clarke and The Golem and the Jinni by Helene Wecker.

What if historical events had gone differently? Alternate history explores hypothetical timelines, changing key facts about the past and imagining the ramifications. Fatherland by Robert Harris is one of the most famous examples, as is The Man in the High Castle by Philip K. Dick.

Mysteries and detective stories have been set in just about every historical era imaginable. Historical details enrich the plotting and raise the stakes for sleuths trying to solve fictional cases within the confines of the past. The Alienist by Caleb Carr is a standout historical mystery.

These suspenseful tales use historical backdrops to amplify danger for the characters. The stakes are often exceedingly high, with characters caught up in major events and sweeping change. Ken Follett writes some of the best historical thrillers around.

Love stories set in the past allow readers to experience all the swoons and passion of romance while immersed in a bygone era. Settings range from Medieval Scotland to World War II England and beyond. Outlander by Diana Gabaldon is perhaps the most famous example.

Sea adventures have an enduring appeal, and nautical historical fiction takes readers aboard ships of the past. Pat O'Malley's Sharpe Books series brings the 18th century Royal Navy to rip-roaring life. There is also plenty of historical fiction about pirates!

Westerns conjure up images of cowboys, gun slingers, pioneers, and life on the 19th century American frontier. Classics like Lonesome Dove by Larry McMurtry transport readers to the Wild West.

Biographical historical fiction portrays the lives of actual historical figures, staying as accurate as possible while inventing conversations and imagining private moments. Memoirs of Hadrian by Marguerite Yourcenar does this beautifully for the Roman emperor.

As you can see, historical fiction provides unlimited possibilities for exploring the past through story. Keep these subgenres in mind as you conceptualize your own historical fiction ideas!

Does Historical Fiction Have to be Historically Accurate?

When writing historical fiction, how closely do you need to stick to the facts? Can you take creative license and deviate from what really happened?

This is a question that historical fiction writers grapple with all the time. The truth is, there are no hard and fast rules. Some authors aim to be as accurate as possible, while others are happy inventing freely in service of the story.

Here are a few things to keep in mind as you balance historical accuracy with creative license:

If you're writing biographical fiction about Abraham Lincoln, readers will likely expect a high degree of accuracy. But if you're writing a historical fantasy or time travel romance, you'll have more leeway to explore hypothetical scenarios.

While you don't need your fiction to read like a textbook, it should align with the overall historical consensus. The major events, timelines, and historical figures should match up with the facts. Don't contradict well-established history without good reason.

Many readers won't know or care if you're a little anachronistic with small details like clothing styles or dinner menus. But get too many obvious things wrong, and it will undermine the historical immersion.

However, on the flip side, getting a few smaller details right can actually set the mood, and allow readers to suspend their disbelief even more when you DO deviate.

Let readers know upfront when and where your story deviates from the facts. Explain why you made the choices you did to serve the narrative. 

Most readers will appreciate your transparency. Plus, it’s a good way to let the critics know that you didn’t miss those important details, you just deliberately decided against using them.

Fiction set in times we know less about, like ancient Celtic history or the stone age, has more room for creative speculation since the historical record is patchier.

At the end of the day, historical authenticity comes down to plausibility. Your fiction should feel true to the spirit and general atmosphere of the time period you're writing about. Most of your readers will happily suspend disbelief if your historical world feels immersive.

How to Write Historical Fiction

Now that we've covered the basics of the genre, let's dig into the process of actually writing historical fiction . Here's my 7-step guide:

The setting and time period of your book is the most important part of historical fiction. So it’s best to start there.

The setting will shape the rest of the book more than any other element. For example, a woman in WWII-era France will act and behave differently than a woman in 14th-century France. 

So start by figuring out where and when you want to set your novel. Then, before the research phase even begins, start to consume a bunch of media surrounding that era, both fiction and nonfiction.

I like to start by watching a lot of fictional movies and TV shows set in that era, along with a few documentaries. It’s a good way to get primed for the next step…

Once you've chosen a general era, the real research begins. Start wide by reading general history books about the time and place. Get a list of the major events, figures, cultural trends, and technological innovations you'll want to reference.

Then get more specific. Look for resources related to your characters' genders, classes, occupations, religions, ethnicities, and any other identities that will shape their perspectives. Seek out first-person sources like journals, letters, and artifacts that reveal what life was like back then.

Immerse yourself in the language of the time by reading literature, plays, newspapers, and speeches written during the period. Note unfamiliar words and style conventions you might mimic in your own prose and dialogue.

If possible, visit museums and historical sites to experience artifacts and places connected to your story. Handling objects from the past and walking in your characters' footsteps brings priceless insight.

You likely won't use more than 10% of your research in the actual writing. But letting your imagination soak in the sights, sounds, and details of the era will infuse your fiction with authentic spirit that readers will feel.

As you explore both primary and secondary sources, note down the specific details that grab you:

• Fascinating traditions, social conventions, or fashion trends
• Innovations and technologies specific to the era
• Notable events, battles, or political movements
• Interesting figures who make cameo appearances
• Delicious descriptions of meals or architecture

These vivid details will spice up your writing. Sprinkle them in strategically to delight readers with the essence of the era. Just don't info dump or force them in clumsily.

Now it's time to synthesize your research into a compelling plot. Brainstorm story ideas that allow you to showcase the fascinating slice of history you want to bring to life.

Develop a cast of fictional characters , making sure they fit plausibly within the constraints and opportunities of the historical setting you've chosen. Give them goals, conflicts, and motivations influenced by the time period they inhabit.

Map out a plot trajectory that intersects with major events of the era or uses them as turning points. Decide how closely you want to adhere to the historical timeline versus taking creative license.

I like to outline so I can visualize the cause-and-effect of events and make sure the pacing feels right. But do what works for your writing process.

One pitfall of historical fiction is depicting the past through an overly romanticized lens. The presentism of modern values often makes us view previous eras as simpler or more idyllic.

Resist glamorizing the past. Show the full spectrum of experiences, including the ugly parts of history many people choose to forget. 

Remember that history is written by the victors. So try to show the other side that we don’t necessarily consider these days.

Tell well-rounded stories that don't shy away from challenging themes. Seek out voices and perspectives that were marginalized or excluded from the official historical record. Find the untold stories of those who have been overlooked.

The key to immersive historical fiction is populating your stories with characters readers connect with. Develop nuanced players who feel like real people despite being products of another time.

Give each character a distinct voice stylized to the cadence and diction of their era. Build cultural attitudes and constraints organically into their worldviews. Ensure their choices and conflicts align with the social mores they inhabit.

Beware of projecting modern sensibilities onto characters from less progressive eras. But also don't feel boxed in by history. Look for ways to develop complex, multi-faceted characters who subvert stereotypes.

Just like any fiction, your historical writing needs crisp prose on the sentence level. But it also requires you to meticulously construct an authentic backdrop that feels seamlessly woven into the story.

Pull description double-duty, using setting details to establish time and place. Use era-appropriate metaphors, idioms, and slang in narration and dialogue. Root your characters in specific locations, occupations, classes, fashions, religions, politics, and technologies.

On later drafts, check for any blips of modern language or customs that break the historical spell. Keep referring back to your research materials even in the final polishing phase.

Thorough editing will catch any inaccuracies and ensure historical components are integrated smoothly rather than feeling shoehorned in.

Beyond the major steps above, here are some other tips for crafting incredible historical fiction:

No matter how extensive your research, you'll likely still have questions that arise during the writing process. Little details like what the inside of a 1940s taxi looked like or how Victorian children entertained themselves on rainy days.

This is where AI comes in handy! You can ask an AI assistant to fill in missing details based on the era and location of your story. Just be sure to verify any important facts it provides, if possible.

The most transportive historical fiction incorporates vocabulary and syntax appropriate for the time period. But you need a balance that still feels readable today.

Use completely era-accurate dialogue only for very short snippets, like quotes from diaries or news headlines. In all other dialogue and narration, blend historical words and sentence structures sparingly into mostly modern language.

Aim to give readers a flavor of the speech patterns without slowing the story's pace or making it a chore to read.

Don't let rigid accuracy derail your storytelling. The point of historical fiction is bringing the essence of an era to life through narrative, not creating a flawless replica of events.

If fudging dates or adding imagined details makes your plot flow better, go for it. Just try to preserve the overall context and spirit of the time. Use an author's note to explain your approach if needed.

In the end, vivid characters and compelling drama should take precedence over historical precision. Find creative ways to truthfully capture the past while still surprising readers. After all, you're writing fiction!

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Writing historical fiction is a delicate dance between accuracy and imagination. But the research required pays off in stories that truly transport readers to bygone eras.

By following the steps and tips in this article, you'll gain the knowledge and tools needed to start your own journey into historical fiction. Just remember to let the creative process take the lead once your research foundation is laid.

Immerse yourself in lively settings and characters. Capture the attitudes, worldviews, challenges, and triumphs of the past through the lens of engaging fiction. Historical details should complement your plot and themes, not override them.

Stay flexible, have fun wandering down research rabbit holes, and don't worry about getting every tiny detail right. If you maintain historical plausibility while crafting page-turning drama, your readers will eagerly lose themselves in the vivid historical world you create!

Jason Hamilton

When I’m not sipping tea with princesses or lightsaber dueling with little Jedi, I’m a book marketing nut. Having consulted multiple publishing companies and NYT best-selling authors, I created Kindlepreneur to help authors sell more books. I’ve even been called “The Kindlepreneur” by Amazon publicly, and I’m here to help you with your author journey.

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How to Write Historical Fiction: 10 Steps to Writing a Great Story

Krystal N. Craiker

You don’t need a history degree to write historical fiction —you just need to love history.

But many writers find writing historical fiction intimidating. Although it requires more research than most other genres, it doesn’t have to be any harder than writing anything else.

If you’ve ever wondered how to write historical fiction, you’re in the right place. Here are ten steps you can take to become a historical fiction writer.

What Makes a Good Historical Fiction Novel?

How important is historical accuracy in a historical novel, 10 steps to writing historical fiction, final thoughts on how to write historical fiction.

Historical fiction readers love this genre because it’s a perfect balance of realism and escapism. Historical fiction is grounded in real events and time periods, but it’s more engaging than reading a history book on the subject.

A great historical fiction book brings history to life. But it does more than focus on the events. Rather, historical fiction transports readers through time, connecting them on a human level with people of the past.

When you’re studying history in school, it’s easy to forget that the past was full of real people who did very human things and had very human struggles.

Good historical fiction writers humanize the past, immersing their readers in a world that feels new and familiar at the same time. Historical fiction reminds us we’re not so different from other people after all.

Historical accuracy is a controversial subject among historical fiction writers. But the truth is, you will have readers who don’t care much about accuracy and readers who will hyper-fixate on an obscure detail you got wrong. So, keep in mind that you can’t please everyone.

Historical fiction ranges in accuracy. There are books like Wolf Hall with real people and events that are as accurate as possible. And some writers prefer to only fill in the gaps of what research can’t tell us, like The Other Boleyn Girl by Philippa Gregory.

On the other side of the spectrum, there are historical fiction books that are only loosely inspired by history. These books may occur at a specific time, but accuracy about details isn’t the author’s primary goal. Regency romance like Julia Quinn’s books are great examples of this.

And of course, there are eras in history that we know little about. Jean M. Auel’s The Clan of the Cave Bear focuses on interactions between Neanderthals and early modern humans. We know very little about their culture and customs.

The level of historical accuracy in your novel is up to you. In general, it’s a good idea to keep a broad sense of the era accurate. But you can choose to overlook smaller details.

For example, in my upcoming pirate novel, my timeline for major events, as well as travel time between locations, is very accurate.

But ships with steering wheels instead of tillers didn’t become mainstream until a couple of decades later. That didn’t fit with the pirate aesthetic I wanted, and most historical romance readers aren’t maritime historians, so my ships have the traditional wheel.

If you worry about getting emails citing all your errors, consider adding an author’s note that explains your choices in the back of your book.

Writing historical fiction can feel overwhelming at first. But these ten steps on how to write historical fiction will help break the process down.

1) Pick a Story Premise and an Era

Chances are you’re reading this article because you already have an idea for a historical fiction novel. Perhaps you have a favorite historical era or event you want to explore.

But if not, spend some time thinking about what you love about history. What excites you? What do you wish you knew more about?

Once you’ve decided on a premise and an era, it’s useful to pick an actual year. This will help you narrow your research and build your setting with external conflicts and events.

For example, if you’re writing a WWII novel, decide if you’re setting the story before or after D-Day. This will affect your story’s narrative.

2) Research the Basic Historical Context

Now you have to become a semi-expert in your era. This will require some in-depth research, but it’s hard to know where to start.

I once heard a historical fiction writer say she starts by getting an overview of the time period from the children’s section of the library. Then she can formulate research questions to go into great depth. Crash course videos are another great starting point.

I like to use a strategy that AP history teachers use with grade school students. Break down a time period and location by using the acronym PERSIA to take notes.

The acronym PERSIA stands for political, economic, religious, social, intellectual, arts . Social refers to social structure and social norms. Intellectual deals with major achievements.

A simpler form is PEGS , which is political, economic, geographic, social . Use these categories as an outline for your research.

Using one of these formats can help guide your research and organize the information you learn.

To go into greater depth, look into books, podcasts, documentaries, journals, and primary sources. Consider reaching out to a research librarian to help you find information. They’re professional researchers and can save you time and frustration.

3) Keep a List of Interesting Historical Details

As you research, your creativity will kick into overdrive. You may stumble upon one line in a book that fascinates you and will fit your story well.

These may be obscure details that aren’t important in the grand scheme of history. But these historical tidbits bring your story to life.

Keep a list of these little facts, along with a citation of where you found them. You may weave them into your story later.

4) Take Great Notes

There is nothing more frustrating than jotting down a historical fact to use later, only to never find the information again. I speak from personal experience.

When you take notes, add enough details to give you context. Then, add a citation to find it later. You don’t have to be picky about using a style guide. Just make a note of the book and page number, website, or episode where you learned the fact.

Find a note-taking system that works for you. Many people use a database app or spreadsheet to keep track of notes. Some people use folders and notes within their novel-writing software.

I like to use a project management board like Trello. I can keep track of all my information, take quick notes on my phone, and easily categorize my research.

5) Plot Your Novel

Not every writer is a “planner.” But with historical fiction, there are so many pieces to keep track of that some degree of plotting is necessary.

You must keep a real historical timeline of events, pick the historical details you want to include, plus you have to create a plot with conflict and character arcs.

There are many plotting formats you can use, such as the Snowflake Method, the Story Circle, or Save the Cat! beat sheets. Or you can create your own system.

If you’re more of a “pantser,” create a basic outline. Remember, nothing is set in stone when you plot. Your outline is a living document, and your characters may decide your story needs to go another direction.

But having a rough outline will help you keep all research and plot points together in a way that makes writing easier.

6) Keep Diversity in Mind

You know the phrase, “History is written by the victors?”

We often get a one-sided view of history, particularly that of the group that held the most power. But there’s more to history than you learned in school.

Women have always had agency in their lives, even if they are largely erased from the historical record. Queer people have always existed, but they didn’t have the vocabulary we have now for their diversity.

People of color are also not a monolithic group. Be careful not to erase the stories of marginalized people, but do so sensitively. Avoid harmful stereotypes and caricatures.

Research these groups of people during your era. Often, this information lies in scholarly journals. A librarian can help you get access to many of these.

We recommend hiring sensitive readers with experience in historical fiction to help you portray characters different from you with respect. ProWritingAid will also flag some potentially harmful language with our inclusive language report. You’ll see these improvements alongside your style suggestions in the tool.

7) Craft Engaging Characters

This step is true for any type of fiction. But it can be extra fun when writing historical fiction.

Characters make a story. Readers keep turning the page because they’re invested in your characters.

Consider what makes your characters stand out. Find interesting vocations from the era. Make your characters’ motivations match their time period.

This is also a great time to play with social norms. Do your historical characters break any societal standards? What are their pastimes?

Small quirks and historical details will also make your characters memorable. Does your heroine always forget her bonnet? Do your characters bond over a writer or philosopher of the time?

8) Create a System for Missing Information

Just when you think you’ve researched everything you need to know, you’ll run into questions while writing. These are usually minor details, like fabric types or when something was invented.

It’s easy to fall down a research rabbit hole when you run into these problems. You’ll think it’s simple to find the answer, only to spend several hours looking up when shoelaces were invented.

I spent at least fifteen hours over several weeks trying to find a visual of historic bilge pumps on ships so I could describe it. It culminated in me reading an entire book about bilge pump technology at 2 a.m., which still didn’t have a good diagram!

You will never finish writing your novel if you do this too often. So, you can create a note system to fill in the gaps on your first round of revisions. I like to add “LOOK THIS UP” in all caps. Other writers prefer to use brackets or comments on their document.

You’ll often find that you learn the answer later, or you may not need the information at all.

When you do need to fill in the missing information, you can now separate your research time from your writing time. Give yourself dedicated time to look up information that doesn’t take away from the time you spend writing.

9) Find a Balance of Old and New Language

Language changes over time, and your historical characters likely spoke quite differently from how we speak today.

You want to show the time period through dialogue, but you also run the risk of alienating readers if it’s too hard to read.

The balance of old and new language patterns is up to you. It will depend on your sub-genre, your comparison titles, and your own knowledge of historic speaking patterns.

It’s a good idea to use modern language in narration. Then choose some words or phrases to work into dialogue to enhance the historic setting.

10) Edit, Edit, and Edit Some More

Once you have your completed draft, put it away and celebrate. Give yourself a couple of weeks before you come back to edit. This ensures you’re looking at your manuscript with fresh eyes.

Historical fiction will take several rounds of edits. In your first pass, you’ll fill in those missing details and perhaps elaborate on certain scenes.

You’ll do developmental edits for plot holes, pacing issues, character development, and more. Then you’ll work at a chapter and scene level.

Finally, you’ll do line edits, cleaning up your prose and making sure every word is perfect.

ProWritingAid can help. We can offer pacing feedback and line edits on your manuscript. You can set your document type to Historical Fiction to get personalized feedback about how well your writing matches genre expectations. It’s a great feature that can save you time during your editing process.

While it may require more research than other genres, historical fiction is a fun genre to write. It doesn’t have to be any harder than writing anything else.

If you maintain a solid system for your research, plotting, and writing, you can write an amazing historical novel that readers will love.

Be confident about grammar

Check every email, essay, or story for grammar mistakes. Fix them before you press send.

Krystal N. Craiker is the Writing Pirate, an indie romance author and blog manager at ProWritingAid. She sails the seven internet seas, breaking tropes and bending genres. She has a background in anthropology and education, which brings fresh perspectives to her romance novels. When she’s not daydreaming about her next book or article, you can find her cooking gourmet gluten-free cuisine, laughing at memes, and playing board games. Krystal lives in Dallas, Texas with her husband, child, and basset hound.

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