| Cindy
Vallar
Author,
Editor, & Pirate Chronicler |
|
History and historical fiction are necessarily not the same thing. The purpose of history is to narrate events as accurately as one can. The purpose of historical fiction is to enable a reader through the perspective of characters in the story to feel that she or he is present at the events. Such a goal obviously requires some modification of the events. - Andrew M. Greeley
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The History Quill Writers Convention
2025 7-9 February 2025 Virtual Historical Novel Society North American Conference 26-28 June 2025 Caesar's Palace Las Vegas, Nevada |
Military Writers Society of
America 2024 Medal Winners Historical Fiction Gold Medal Down a Dark Road by H. W. "Buzz" Bernard Silver Medals Bikini Beach by Butch Maki Somewhere in the South Pacific by John J. Gobbell Trust No One by Glenn Dyer Young Adult Gold Medal Luke Under Fire by D. C. Reep and E. A. Allen Romance Bronze Medal Always Remembering by Kathy Kasunich |
The place where the novel differs from the straight history is in the extent to which the "web of imaginative construction" is indeed imagined, or made up, if you will. The historian will tell you that Caesar traveled to Gaul. The novelist will tell you what he (most likely) ate, drank, thought, and felt along the way.... On the pages of A General History [of the Pyrates] the reader will see the bare bones of the story, the "certain fixed points" which I have used as a skeleton for this book. With this outline I have done what the novelist can do and the historian cannot, fictionalized the historical events and, I hope, come somewhat close to the truth of these three remarkable people. - James L. Nelson
I read a manuscript recently in which a seduction scene was brought to a frustrating halt as the author carefully enumerated the articles of clothing the hero was removing from his mistress, the fabrics they were made of and how they were worn. The promise of illicit sex on a beach sadly translated into a V & A catalogue entry. Historical novelists must remember they are novelists first and foremost, for whom history serves merely as a prop, a source of plots and characters and intriguing curiosities. If the past is another country, historical novelists are not so much the tour guides as the PR people who create the alluring adverts which beckon us in. We need to do the research in order to thoroughly immerse ourselves in the lives and times of our characters, in order to avoid merely writing modern novels in period dress, or -- and there should be a special circle of hell for this -- novels which patronise people from societies we perceive as more primitive than our own. But we must never become slaves to it, we must be prepared to jettison, disorder, conflate, to play as fast and loose with the facts as we need to to create good fiction. - Sarah Bower, Co-ordinating Editor (UK), Historical Novels Review
History strives for reality, for what is provable, documentable. Historical fiction should strive for the story that underlies reality and thus become an imagined reality. - David Nevin in A Note on Methods and Sources in 1812
Father Greeley's clarification between historical fiction and history appears in the Author's Note of Irish Love, one of his Nuala Anne McGrail stories. James L. Nelson defines the difference in the Historical Note for The Only Life That Mattered. Sarah Bower, in her farewell Letter from the Editor column, shows how history can interfere with the story. History and fiction often conflict with each other, even while they complement each other. I believe historical fiction is a stepping stone to history, for the historical events recounted in a novel can, and do, lead readers to discover the truth behind the fiction. I also believe reading historical fiction provides us with a deeper understanding of our past.
I attended many history lectures in high school and college, but rarely did the instructor present the course material in a way that fascinated me and begged me to learn more about the time period. On the other hand, historical novels did just that! As a child, my mom recommended I read one of her favorite children's stories, Snow Treasure by Marie McSwigan. It tells the story of how Norwegian children smuggled gold bullion past the Nazis to a freighter bound for Baltimore. Snow Treasure introduced me to World War II and, in high school, I read several of Leon Uris's novels. Mila 18 and QB VII led me to learn more about the Uprising of the Warsaw Ghetto and the Holocaust at a time when these subjects were glossed over in history and social studies classes.
Over the years many historical novels spurred me to study the history behind the novels. Those listed below evoked a strong desire in me to learn more about the historical events around which the author crafted his/her story.
The Snow Mountain by Catherine Gavin
Romanov Dynasty & Russian Revolution
A Woman Called Moses by Marcy Heidish
Harriet Tubman & Underground Railroad
Angel in the Rigging by Erika Nau
U.S.S. Constitution & War of 1812
Woman with a Sword by Hollister Noble
Anna Ella Carroll & American Civil War
Captain Blood by Rafael Sabtini
Jacobite Uprisings & Piracy
Ride the Wind by Lucia St. Clair Robson
Cynthia Ann Parker & Comanches
Trinity by Leon Uris
Ireland's Great Potato Famine & the Easter Rebellion of 1916
Over the years, I have also read many historical romances, but my favorite novels are always those that emphasize the history over the romance. It is why I describe The Scottish Thistle and my works-in-progress as historical novels intertwined with love stories. Both are key elements of my stories, but the reader encounters far more history than is commonly found in historical romances. While nurturing the love between the hero and heroine is an important theme in my books, they sometimes spend long passages of time apart or do things contrary to the normal roles of men and women in formula romance. For example, the Rising of 1745 separates Rory and Duncan for much of the time in the The Scottish Thistle. Alexine, the heroine in The Rebel and the Spy, exhibits many traits expected of a young woman living in New Orleans around 1812. Her brother, who raised her, is a sailor, privateer, and smuggler. Lucas, the hero, soon discovers that Alexine has many other traits that society would frown on if they knew the truth.
When I write my stories, I strive to make history, time, and place come alive for readers so they feel as if they stand in the midst of the battle or feel the roll of a ship's deck beneath their feet. To achieve this sometimes requires modifications to history. Whenever I do alter historical details, I make note of them in the Author's Note at the end of the story.
Alan Gold, an Australian author of historical novels, echoes my feelings in the Author's Note of The Pirate Queen, which recounts the exploits of Irish pirate and chieftain Grace O'Malley and her momentous meeting with another extraordinary woman of her day, Elizabeth I of England.
When creating a fictional work based on real characters, a novelist is often torn between real-life events and the needs of the narrative. In the case of Grace O'Malley, so little is known of her that liberties could be taken without too much risk of offence. Nonetheless, this is a work of fiction and so I have altered and omitted certain minor details of Grace's life for the sake of the plot, and ask any scholar with knowledge of Grace and her circumstances to please forgive me.Some authors and readers take exception to such changes, but I make the changes so that history doesn't take precedence over the story. If I wished to do the opposite, I would write nonfiction rather than fiction.
If you are thinking of writing historical fiction, here are a few suggestions that will assist you in breathing life into a time and place that no longer exists in our world today.
1. Language is one of the most important tools writers use. Its importance in historical fiction is paramount. Avoid using modern terms, especially when a character speaks or thinks. Choose words your characters would be familiar with in his or her time period, rather than relying on a comparison or descriptor you would use. If your character has a specialized trade, such as a seaman or lawyer, learn that profession's specific vocabulary so your character comes across as actually being what he or she professes to be.
2. History doesn't just mean the events that occurred in a given age. It also involves culture, clothing, food, and every other aspect of life during that time period.
3. Don't rely on the "facts" you uncover while reading a historical novel. Use what you learn about the historical period or event as a stepping stone to discover the truth behind the fiction. The facts within a story may not be accurate. Use primary accounts or trustworthy secondary resources to gather information.
4. Today, we often tend toward using words that don't offend others. When writing historical fiction, it's okay to use politically incorrect words common to the times in which your story unfolds. (The same holds true for topics unpopular today, but commonplace in the past.) Don't overload characters' dialogues and thoughts with them. Rather pepper the story where they are most appropriate to provide the flavor a reader needs to be in that time period.
5. Remember, that story takes precedence over fact. If you need to fudge a bit on the timeline to write a more compelling fictional account about a historical event, that's okay. You're goal is to write a riveting tale that transports readers back in time to a place where the story's setting is far different from the readers' world.
Christmas at Carnton
by Tamara Alexander
The Only Life That Mattered
by James L. Nelson
Eye of the Red Tsar
by Sam Eastland
Philip Nolan
by Chuck Pfarrer
The Pirate Queen
by Alan Gold
Lady of the Glen
by Jennifer Roberson
The Hammer of God
by James Hunter
Scaramouche & Captain Blood
by Rafael Sabatini
The Stricklands
by Edwin Lanham
The Deadly Lady of Madagascar
by Frank G. Slaughter
Bowdrie & Bowdrie's Law
by Louis L'Amour
Red Winter
by Dan Smith
There Is a Wideness
by Mark McAllister
Years
by LaVyrle Spencer
Angel in the Rigging
by Erika NauChildren of the Mist, The Clansman,
Gold for Prince Charlie, Macgregor's
Gathering, & The Wallace
by Nigel Tranter
Online Articles on Historical Fiction vs. History
(updated 9/17/2024)
5 Writing Tips from Mary Sharratt by Mary Sharratt (PW Tip Sheet, 5 October 2012)
50 of the Best Historical Fiction Authors Writing Today by Ann Foster (BookRiot, 16 November 2018)
6 Steps for Using Artifacts in Historical Fiction by Lucy E. M. Black (A Writer of History, 12 September 2023)
7 Elements of Historical Fiction by M. K. Tod (Inside Historical Fiction, 24 March 2015)
10 Absolutely Incredible Women in Historical Fiction by Alex Myers (Huffington Post, 10 April 2014)
10 Thoughts on the Purpose of Historical Fiction by M. K. Tod (Inside Historical Fiction, 14 April 2015)
300: Separating Fact from Fiction by Dr. Kaveh Farrok
20 Things about Vikings that Make Zero Sense Historically by Natasha B (The Things.com, 20 January 2020)
2018 Readers Survey compiled by M. K. Tod
2024 Reader Survey -- a few results by M. K. Tod (A Writer of History, 22 August 2024)
2024 Reader Survey -- a look at the numbers part 2 by M. K. Tod (A Writer of History, 28 August 2024)
Accuracy vs. Authenticity: 5 Tips for Writing Immersive Historical Fiction by Andrew Noakes (The Creative Penn, 26 September 2018)
The Agonising by J. D. Davies (J. D. Davies, 27 August 2018)
Ali Smith Wins Baileys Prize -- Historical Fiction is on the Up by Sally O'Reilly (The Conversation, 4 June 2015)
Animating History: the Challenges of Writing an Historical Novel about Josephine by Sandra Gulland (Sandra Gulland, 10 July 1993)
Are There Historical Inaccuracies in Ridley Scott's Napoleon? The History Professor Says That's OK by Erin Kayata (Northeastern Global News, 15 November 2023)
Art in Historical Fiction Interview: Michael Dean by Stephanie Renee Dos Santos (Historical Novel Society, 14 June 2014)
Art in Historical Fiction Interview: Susan Vreeland by Stephanie Renee Dos Santos (Historical Novel Society, 31 May 2014)
The Art of Historical Fiction by Andrew Pepper (Culture NorthernIreland.org, 3 November 2012)
Authentic Profanity: An Author's Guide to Swearing in Historical Fiction by Tim Hodkinson (The History Quill, 7 February 2020)
Authors Are Readers Too by M. K. Tod (A Writer of History, 19 June 2015)
Bartering with the Facts: How a Novelist Solves a Historical Problem by Samantha Harvey (Publishers Weekly, 16 November 2018)
Beautiful Lies: Facts vs. Story in Secret History Fiction by David Mack (LOCUS 2, February 2018)
The Beginning of Medieval Historical Fiction: Ten Novels from the 19th Century (Medievalists.net, 4 March 2015)
Blending Fiction and History: What Works? What Doesn't? by Paula L. Fleming (Writing-World.com, 2004)
Book Winner Hilary Mantel on Historical Fiction by Hilary Mantel (The Guardian, 17 October 2009)
Booth Library Professor Discovers History through a Novel (Journal Gazette & Times-Courier, 15 July 2013)
Bringing the Living into Historical Fiction by Heather B. Moore (A Writer of History, 14 September 2023)
But a Fable Agreed Upon: The Problem of Truth in History and Fiction by Richard Lee (Historical Novel Society, 2000)
Can the Language of Historical Fiction Ever be "Authentic"? by Dr. John Yeoman (Clio's Children, 24 June 2010)
Captain Blood: The History behind the Novel by Cindy Vallar (Pirates and Privateers, March-July 2009)
The Case for Author Notes in Historical Fiction by Cindy Vallar (Solander, May 2011)
Characteristics of a Historical Fiction Novel by Judi Brown (HubPages, 20 August 2015)
Cover Design: The Special Challenges of Historical Fiction by Helena P. Schrader (A Writer of History, 15 August 2022)
Criticism of Naval Historical Fiction: a Guide for New Authors by J. D. Davies (JD Davies, 30 June 2014)
The Dead Are Real by Larissa MacFarquhar (The New Yorker, 15 October 2012)
Defining the Genre: What are the Rules for Historical Fiction by Sarah Johnson (Historical Novel Society, March 2002)
Dipping Into History by Terry Whalin (The Writing Life, 20 April 2006)
Do It Yourself Historical Fiction by Steven Leibo (University of Albany)
Does Gender Affect Reading Habits by M. K. Tod (A Writer of History, 4 September 2024)
Don’t Shoot Holes in Your Credibility by John Rains (Writing-world.com, 21 August 2003)
Editorial: Black Sails, Historical Accuracy, and the Pirate Genre in Hollywood by David Fictum (Colonies, Ships, and Pirates, 7 February 2016)
Edutainment: Is there a role for popular culture in education? by Malcolm Jack (The Independent, 15 January 2010)
Evolving World of Publishing by M. K. Tod (A Writer of History, 29 October 2020)
Fact or Fiction? by M. K. Tod (8 December 2020)
Fashion Hits and Misses from YA Historical Fiction Book Covers (Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, and Part 4) by Laura Perenic (The YALSA Hub, 26 February, 1 April, 15 April, and 6 May 2014)
Favourite Historical Research Resources by K. M. Pohlkamp (A Writer of History, 14 May 2020)
Film Meets Fact -- Why Is Historical Accuracy Important? by Sam Wallace (Nouse, 13 January 2016)
Five Tips for Writing Inclusive Historical Fiction by Kate Morrison (The History Quill, 25 May 2022)
The Five Top Challenges of Writing Historical Fiction (And How to Overcome Them) by Andrew Noakes (The Historical Quill, 2 August 2019)
The Forgotten Sisters Who Pioneered the Historical Novel by Devoney Looser (Smithsonian Magazine, 20 October 2022)
Front Row: Writing about the Past (BBC Radio 4, 12 August 2009)
Guardian Books podcast: Historical fiction (The Guardian,17 February 2012)
A Guide to the Best Historical Novels and Tales by Jonathan Nield
He Disagreed with the History, but He Liked the Story by William Rainbolt (University of Albany)
Hilary Mantel on the Secrets of Successful Historical Fiction by Rob Attar (History Extra, 22 May 2019)
The Historian: Historical Fiction (The Historian, Spring 2013)
Historians and Novelists Fight Turf Wars -- Let's Flip the Narrative by Christopher Kremmer (The Conversation 15 June 2015)
Historical Fiction -- How, What, When & Why? by Triskele Books (Writers & Artists: The Insider Guide to the Media, 2019)
Historical Fiction Blurs Facts and Entertainment by Carrie Ruth Moore (Daily Trojan, 23 January 2013)
Historical Fiction or Fictionalized History? Problems for Writers of Historical Novels for Young Adults by Joanne Brown (ALAN Review, Fall 1998)
A Historical Fiction Roundtable (Penguin Books UK, July 2011)
Historical Fiction: Who Rules, Researcher or Story-teller? by Caro Clarke (Caro Clarke)
Historical Fiction Reader Survey by Mary Tod (A Writer of History, 2018)
HISTORICAL Romance vs. Historical ROMANCE by Kalen Hughes (History Hoydens, 21 June 2010)
Historical Texts as Literature? We Do Well to Praise EP Thompson by Ann Curthoys (The Conversation, 11 June 2015)
History through Fiction by Ira Socolo (SpeEdChange, 22 January 2010)
How Archival Fiction Upends Our View of History by Lucy Ives (The New Yorker, 20 May 2016)
How Historical Fiction Went Highbrow by Jay Parini (Atlantic Magazine, May 2009)
How Ridley Scott's Napoleon Stacks Up Against the French Emperor's Real Story by Olivia B. Waxman (Time, 22 November 2023)
How the Historical Novel Has Changed! by Catherine Savage Brosman (Chronicles, 27 June 2018)
How to Do Research for Historical Fiction: Balancing Fact and Fiction by Writer's Relief Staff (Writer's Relief, 3 March 2010)
How World Events and Story Intertwine by Eric Schumacher (A Writer of History, 17 November 2022)
The Importance of Historical Accuracy by Lyn Squire (A Writer of History, 24 August 2023)
Is Hilary Mantel's View of Historical Fiction out of Date? by Clair Armitstead (The Guardian 4 April 2017)
Is Historical Fiction an Effective Tool or a Genre Fraught with Bias and Exaggeration? by Abigail Dotterer (The College Reporter 9 September 2018)
Just the Facts? Not in Historical Fiction. by Christine Wells (PW, 13 January 2023)
Keeping Historical Figures Real by Mary Sheeran (A Writer of History, 2 April 2020)
A Literary Tour of Historical Y.A. by Jen Doll (The Atlantic, 10 January 2013)
Looking Back -- 13 Insights on Historical Fiction by M. K. Tod (A Writer of History , 13 February 2018)
The Mainstreaming of Historical Fiction by Sam Paul (Esquire, 17 November 2023)
Making Historical Characters Your Own by David B. Coe (Magical Words, 15 March 2010)
The Master of Historical Fiction by Allan Massie (Standpoint, April 2010)
Matters of Fact: Seven Keys to Writing Historical Fiction by Jamie Hannigan (MovieMaker, 4 August 2017)
My Annoyance with Historical Fiction by Carrie Lofty (Salome's Corner, 26 March 2007)
On the Frontier: The Intriguing Dance of History and Fiction by Tom Griffiths (The Conversation, 9 June 2015)
Outlander: 10 Things That Are Historically Accurate (And 10 Things That Aren't) by Alyssa Avina (ScreenRant, 24 April 2019)
A Passion for the Past: 2011's Best Historical Fiction (All Things Considered, 24 December 2011)
Personal Diaries Are Treasure for Writers of Historical Fiction by M. K. Tod (A Writer of History, 18 November 2021)
Portraying Women in Historical Fiction, Part 1 and Part 2 by M. K. Tod and Gina Buonaguro (A Writer of History, 8 February and 10 February 2022)
Preface (to the Historical Nights Entertainment) by Rafael Sabatini (The Life and Work of Rafael Sabatini, 2008)
Prithee, How Should I Tackle Historical Fiction, Fair Lady? by Nicola Morgan (Help! I Need a Publisher! 15 January 2010)
Publishing Revolution: Historical Fiction Evolves in Digital Age by Robin Maxwell (HuffPost, 10 February 2010)
Publishing Trends and Why My Novel Didn't Sell to the Big Five by Michelle Cameron (Words & More, 25 March 2019)
The Real History Behind FX's 'Shōgun' by Alexis Nedd (IndieWire, 28 February 2024)
The Real Vikings: The Early Medieval World Behind the Historical Drama by Howard Williams (HistoryExtra)
Research Flaws in Romance Novels by Anne M. Marble (Writing-world.com, 2001)
The Research Monster -- or -- Down the Rabbit Hole by Janis Susan (Ladies of Mystery, 12 July 2018)
A Research Primer for Historical Fiction Writers by Erika Dreifus (Writing-World.com, 2004)
Revisiting the 7 Elements of Historical Fiction by M. K. Tod (A Writer of History, 30 July 2024)
Roger Hudson Discusses Plausibility in Historical Fiction by Roger Hudson (Julie Lomoe: The Creative Crone, 12 March 2010)
Sarah Johnson on Current Trends in Historical Fiction (A Writer of History, 28 October 2021)
Seven Rules for Writing Historical Fiction by Elizabeth Crook (Elizabeth Crook)
Seven Tips from Napoleon for Historical Fiction Authors by Margaret Rodenberg (A Writer of History, 18 August 2021)
Sir Joseph Banks and the Aubrey/Maturin Novels of Patrick O'Brian by Jeremy Strong (Corilis, 2013)
Ten Rules for Writing Fiction (The Guardian, 19 February 2010) [part two]
Ten Rules for Writing Fiction by Rose Tremain (Go Into the Story, 26 March 2010)
Ten Themes Shared by Historical Fiction and Science Fiction by Annalee Newitz (Gizmodo, 17 November 2011)
This Is Exactly Why Fantasy 'Historical Accuracy' Doesn't Justify Violence Against Women by D. R. Medlen (The Mary Sue, 7 September 2023)
Those Pesky Little Rivet Counters by Anne Gilbert (Writer's Daily Grind, 16 February 2009)
Thoughts on Accuracy in Historical Fiction by Lynne Connolly (Sappho Sings, 22 March 2009)
Top Tips on Writing Historical Fiction from Historical Novelists by Andrew Noakes (The History Quill, 23 August 2019)
Treading Warily through History by Tessa Harris (HuffPost, 14 February 2013)
The True History Behind HBO's The Gilded Age (Smithsonian Magazine, 20 January 2022)
The True History Behind the 1917 Movie by Meilan Solly (Smithsonian Magazine, 20 December 2019)
The True Story behind the Harriet Tubman Movie by Meilan Solly (Smithsonian Magazine, 30 October 2019)
The True Story of "Operation Finale" by Patrick Sauer (Smithsonian Magazine, 28 August 2018)
The True Story of the Battle of Midway by Meilan Solly (Smithsonian Magazine, 28 November 2019)
The Truth Is Better Than Fiction: Accuracy in Historical Fiction by Kristen McQuinn (Book Riot, 19 March 2018)
The Truth Is Quieter Than Fiction by David O. Stewart (Publishers Weekly, 6 November 2015)
Tyburn Academy: The Role of the Historical Novel in the Classroom by Conor O'Donnell (Auburnpub.com, 9 April 2019)
The Uncertainties of Writing a Historical Novel by James Champ (The National, 12 October 2010)
Using the Historical Nugget & Making It Shine by Karen Odden (A Writer of History, 22 August 2023)
What Are You Willing to Fudge in Historical Fiction? by Boyd and Beth Morrison (A Writer of History, 12 May 2022)
What Django Unchained Got Wrong by Lonnie G. Bunch III (Smithsonian Magazine, 14 January 2013)
What Do Authors of Historical Fiction Owe to History? by D. B. Jackson (A Dribble of Ink, 18 June 2012)
What Does Historical Fiction Mean? by Pippa Brush Chappell (The History Quill, 12 August 2020)
What's Fact and What's Fiction in Harriet by Rachelle Hamptom (Slate, 31 October 2019)
When a Spiffy Literary Vehicle Turns out to be a Book of Lemons by Trace Edward Zaber (Tales of the Blue and Gray, 2001)
Why Historical Fiction Is Important for 21st-Century Kids by Ellen Klages (Brightly, 2019)
Why Historical Fiction Will Never Go Away by Justin O'Donnell (Publishers Weekly, 9 September 2016)
Why I Became a Historical Novelist by Hilary Mantel (The Guardian, 3 June 2017)
Why Is Christian Historical Fiction So Popular? by Mike Duran (MikeDuran.com, April 2012)
Why Is Holocaust Fiction Still So Popular? by JTA and Emily Burack (Haaretz, 29 April 2019)
Writing Backward: Modern Models in Historical Fiction by Anne Scott Macleod (The Horn Book, 6 January 1998)
Writing Historical Fiction by John Gorman (Twilight Times, 2002)
Sites devoted to Historical Fiction
(updated 5/20/2024)
Copyright © 2003-2020 Cindy Vallar
