RESEARCH TIPS FOR WRITING HISTORICAL FICTION
Number one tip: do your
research in the correct era. There’s a giant difference between the staid Victorians and the people experiencing the Jazz era of the1920s. Another example: the Flower children of the early 1960s vs. the 1970s
Disco period. Research until you begin to loath it and your
brain is about to explode.
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Number two tip: your story comes
first even though you have a file cabinet full of research. Think of your novel as a pot
of delicious ratatouille. The ingredients are your storyline, and the research is your spices.
Like all well-prepared meals, spices should be used judiciously. A short bit of
factual detail here and there is perfect. Your reader shouldn’t fall asleep
reading paragraph after paragraph of historical facts just because you did a pot
load of research.
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Items to research:
· Slang
· Price of food and drink
· Transportation
· Newsworthy events in location, region, world
· Wages
· Popular music, art and books
· Common names used in your chosen location, i.e., US Southern names can be much more colorful than Yankee names
· Popular food recipes, keeping in mind the financial situation of your characters
· Architecture
· Inventions
· Medical practices, diseases, drugs
· Games, toys
· Lighting (candles, gas, electricity?)
· Plumbing (Metal bathing tubs by a fire? Outhouses? Running water with indoor toilets and baths?)
Where to research:
· City and County Archives
·
Historical
Societies
· Historical Newspapers
https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/
· Local Libraries with a genealogy section, old newspapers, old maps, books/pamphlets by local authors who wrote about the good ole days
· Museums (paintings of the period provide fascinating detail)
· Historic Fashion Videos on YouTube - From undies to outerwear https://www.youtube.com/user/priorattire/videos Who knew people wore split-drawers? How convenient!
· Historical Newspapers
https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/
· Local Libraries with a genealogy section, old newspapers, old maps, books/pamphlets by local authors who wrote about the good ole days
· Museums (paintings of the period provide fascinating detail)
· Historic Fashion Videos on YouTube - From undies to outerwear https://www.youtube.com/user/priorattire/videos Who knew people wore split-drawers? How convenient!
Be Forewarned!!! Expect some know-it-all to
find an error in your extensively researched novel and let you know about it. Say thanks, smile and make a note to correct the error during the next
printing...or not. There are times one should just move on. Life's too short, and you have a WIP to research.
At the end of the day...Have Fun! You're writing because you love it and can't wait to see what pops out of your brain next! It's what gets you out of bed in the morning.
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A writer is like a bag lady going through life with a sack and a pointed stick collecting stuff. ---Tony Hillerman (1925-2008)
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I hope you enjoyed my May 1st blog and found a worthwhile tip or two. Do you have a favorite place to do research? Leave a comment and share your special spot.
See you next month where we'll talk about inspiration and where to find it.
See you next month where we'll talk about inspiration and where to find it.
Other places to find me:
Email: https://paustinheaton@gmail.com
