For writers interested in exploring the past, understanding Historical Research Methods for Writers is essential. But there’s a myriad of genres out there. Each has its own accepted writing conventions and reader expectations, but there’s no other genre that can delve into our past better than Historical Fiction.
But first, you must lay the groundwork; the correct research methods are what take your novel from a simple story into a vivid window to the past.
One thing research has shown me is that it can also be a part of the creative writing process. The same can even be said for Historical Non-Fiction books that are inspiring and lots of fun to craft.
As writers, the most important challenge we face is balancing our research with engaging storytelling.
This might look daunting at first but used correctly it will become a valuable tool in your creative arsenal.
Historian Patrick Collinson points out that:
It is possible for competent historians to come to radically different conclusions on the basis of the same evidence.
This explains one of the trickiest parts of writing historical fiction: selecting the proper archival and historical research methods for your narrative. And when it comes to data, crap in equals crap out, so applying sound collection methods will help you build well structured stories without harming your creative vision.
In this piece, you’ll learn how to write historical fiction that feels real. You will see what keeps readers hooked, and you’ll find ways to develop a research plan, gather, and organise your findings in ways that’ll take your historical fiction to new heights.
Start with a clear research plan
Failure to plan is a plan to fail and writing without a research plan is akin to sailing around the world without a map.
One place where writers often falter is when they dive head-first into the research rabbit hole. And don’t get me wrong, deep research is necessary, but people often spend months or years collecting data. But then they never write a word.
Define your story’s historical scope
Get all your ducks in a row by establishing both your geographic and era.
For instance, the Renaissance might sound like one period, but it happened at different times across several countries. Everything from clothes and dialect, or even philosophy across these regions is going to be different. However, you can save yourself a lot of time by focusing on the specifics. For instance, I like to base my stories around a single character. But they must be grounded in a specific period and place. Then I can build the rest of my story and my research around that!
List key questions you need answered
Make a specific list of questions to answer before you start writing. I like to begin with the following:
· What social norms existed during this period?
· How did people dress, eat, and travel?
· What technologies were available?
· What historical events will affect your characters?
This focused approach stops scattered research and will have you checking off that first sentence a lot faster.
Identify types of historical research methods to use
After defining your scope and questions, select your research methods.
I like to begin with secondary sources, as they act as a good, but broad overview.
Next, I move onto primary sources. These are items like letters, diaries, or newspapers and can provide writers with rich and authentic details.
Most historical researchers use a documentary, biographical, oral history, or archival techniques, but the best writers fill the gaps with their imagination. So, remember, these are only tools. Use them to spark ideas and to ground your story so you can avoid bogging your readers down with facts!
Gather and evaluate your sources
Quality sources are the foundation stone of historical fiction.
Your research plan is the catalyst here, and it should work to encourage a closer look at which materials will make your narrative realistic.
Primary vs secondary sources: what to use and when
Primary sources give first-hand accounts of events or time periods created during the study period. These include:
· diaries,
· letters,
· speeches,
· newspapers,
· creative works, and
· original documents like death certificates or court transcripts.
Secondary sources provide analysis, interpretation, or commentary on primary sources. These are typically books, articles, or documentary-style works which blend information with ideas.
How to assess source credibility and bias
A source’s credibility depends on whether its content is trustworthy and accurate, and verifiable.
This isn’t just a random pub-test though, and you need to be asking critical questions about the source, eg:
· Who was the creator,
· When was it created, and where, or
· Who is the audience this source was intended for?
It’s your job to assess the author’s credentials here and to filter through their biases.
But while every source does have some degree of bias, it doesn’t instantly make them unreliable. However, it is your role to filter through the noise, because no bullshit detector is going to be better than your own—particularly when it’ll be your name printed on the final product.
Using archival and historical research methods effectively
Archival research is good for adding texture and depth to your story, but physical archives work best with specific questions rather than a random stumbling.
Cross-reference everything you read. Small details, like diet and clothing all matter, and the best approach is to find your balance between primary and secondary sources.
Organise and manage your research
Data management is my Achilles Heel.
So, if you’re wanting to make sense of information you’ve collected, then you’re going to need some good organisational skills. It’ll save you a whole heap of overwhelm but also create a valuable resource.
Note-taking strategies that work
Your first priority is to create some sense of reliable order.
Your memory won’t retain everything you read, so, make clear marks in your notes. Highlight direct quotes. Paraphrase your understandings and summaries to develop your own ideas. But it’ll also help you avoid plagiarism.
I like to write my notes by hand because it helps to sharpen my critical thinking, but tools like OneNote can work just as well.
Creating a searchable research database
Historical novelist Taylor Branch built a database with over 18,000 quotes for his three-volume biography of Martin Luther King Jr.
You might not need something that extensive, but even a simple spreadsheet can be helpful.
Software like Zotero is also another good option.
Blend research with storytelling
A historical fiction writer’s success hinges on their quality of research. However, we still need to know how to blend that research into our story, without coming off like a stick in the mud. My tip: don’t make the mistake of info-dumping. Don’t slump large piles of information into your prose. First, it bores the heck out of readers (a real cardinal sin), but it also kills the pace of your story and will put readers to sleep.
Avoiding info-dumps in your narrative
Info dumps show up when nothing is happening in your actual scenes. They’re expository paragraphs that lack any real effect because they focus too much on information and detract from the story. But do not ignore them. In fact, get them out of your system. Then, when it comes time for the reviews and re-writes, ask yourself: Is anything in this paragraph happening right now?
If the answer’s no, then you need to cull it, or move it to the footnotes!
Letting characters reveal the history
I always let my characters carry the heavy load of storytelling. This enables them to show the historical elements in a way that will feel natural to the reader. Plus, they’ll learn more about the story from a character’s perspective than from long-winded descriptions.
When to stop researching and start writing
Research turns into procrastination when sources start to feel a touch redundant. Even then I’d say you’re long past the point of where the rubber needs to hit the road.
Get yourself in tune with that I already knew this feeling. Then remind yourself that fiction equals creative freedom. In that sense, your story should matter more than historical accuracy. People might pick it apart, but people are going to pick it apart anyway, but this your story and you’re the one who gets to hang their hat on the effort it takes to write a novel. If you’ve done that part well, then the outside noise quickly fades away!
Conclusion
Historical research is for novelists who want to author authentic stories.
We’ve seen how good research plans stop writers from falling down the rabbit-hole. That’s the kind of stuff that can hold writers up writing for years. But good research should boost your creative process, not bury it in the wake of redundant information.
Quality primary and secondary sources play a vital role in historical accuracy. Writers need to assess it for credibility. Bias exists and we need to know how to sniff that out by cross-referencing and verifying our data.
A well organised research database will prevent endless chaos, and you can choose between physical notes or going digital. The world is your oyster and maintaining your own system helps turn facts into meaningful stories.
The art of historical fiction hedges on the ability to blend historical details into a creative story. Your characters should show history, not lecture readers about it. Meaning: your story needs to come first.
Historical research might seem daunting at first. But this approach turns an overwhelming task into something you can manage. View it as part of your creative process and remember that balance is the key. Do only enough research to get your story moving, because the story is what people want to read!
