z

Young Writers Society


Any advice for writing historical fiction?



Random avatar


Gender: Female
Points: 1680
Reviews: 3
Sat Apr 23, 2011 4:31 pm
amanda0450 says...



I want to write a short story about Cleopatra, but I've never written historical fiction before. Do you guys have any advice?
I like pirates! :pirate1:
  





User avatar
1176 Reviews

Supporter


Gender: Female
Points: 1979
Reviews: 1176
Sat Apr 23, 2011 5:23 pm
Twit says...



Research?

Do you have a proper idea for a story, a character and ideas and all that? If you haven't, then just reading loads and loads about your time period/subject matter really helps kick start inspiration. Other than that, just go for it! There's no real rules about writing any kind of fiction; it's kind of like the Code of the Brethren and all.
"TV makes sense. It has logic, structure, rules, and likeable leading men. In life, we have this."


#TNT
  





User avatar
482 Reviews



Gender: Female
Points: 30278
Reviews: 482
Mon Apr 25, 2011 10:32 pm
Ranger Hawk says...



Like Twit said, research that specific time period extensively. You want to know the ins and outs of the time period and events, etc. Writing historical fiction is like writing a story where the setting, era, and some of the characters and their actions have all been set out for you already. The rest of it is up to you! Any additional characters or little twists and details you add make it your own original work. :)
There are two kinds of folks who sit around thinking about how to kill people:
psychopaths and mystery writers.

I'm the kind that pays better.
~Rick Castle
  





User avatar
362 Reviews



Gender: None specified
Points: 36
Reviews: 362
Tue Apr 26, 2011 9:04 pm
Fishr says...



Historical Fiction is all I ever write these days. I find it facinating and challenging. Read the tutorial I wrote about this genre here: post650572.html?hilit=historic#p650572

I'm also a historal Re-enactor of the American Revolution period going on my fourth year in the hobby. As such, I've grown adept at researching. So please ask specifically where you're stumped and I'll try and help.

My best advice is, you must learn patience and embrace it.

Cheers,
fish sticks
The sadness drains through me rather than skating over my skin. It travels through every cell to reach the ground. I filter it yet strangely enough, I keep what was pure and it is the dirt that leaves.
  








"He who has a why to live for can bear almost any how."
— Fredrich Nietzche (Philosopher)