How do you write a historical fantasy novel?

Here are a few tips I picked up while writing my historical fantasy series, “The Year of the Dragon”.

1. Choose the right period. This is a tricky bit.
2. Write what you like. This is a variation of the old adage “Write what you know”.
3. Balance your research.
4. Create a relatable character.
5. Sense the sensibilities.

Is historical fiction hard to write?

Let’s face it: historical fiction can be a daunting genre to write in. If you’re diving into this genre for the first time and feeling a little overwhelmed, or if you’re already a historical fiction writer and looking for some guidance to help restore your sanity, then help is on the way.

How do I start writing historical fiction?

How to write historical fiction in 10 steps

1. Tell a fictionalised (but accurate) version of a true story.
2. Tell a true story with some creative license.
3. Use real events as the backdrop for your mostly fictional story.
4. Use a true story as the inspiration for your fictional story.

How do you structure a fantasy novel?

10 Tips for Writing Fantasy Fiction

1. Read and re-read. You can only write as well as you read.
2. Know your market. For first-time fantasy writers, it’s especially important to consider your audience.
3. Start small.
4. Next, go big.
5. Choose a point of view.
6. Meet your characters.
7. Outline your story.
8. Make, and keep, rules.

What is an example of a historical fiction book?

Historical fiction is a literary genre that reconstructs past events in fictional stories. Great examples of historical fiction in literature include The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain, Memoirs of a Geisha by Arthur Golden, and The Accursed by Joyce Carol Oates.

How do you structure a historical novel?

How to write historical fiction

1. Choose a clear starting point. The Shogun’s Queen begins with the most dramatic and momentous event in Japanese history.
2. Hit the books: research, research, research.
3. If possible, visit the places you are writing about.
4. Remember that the story is always important.

Can historical fiction be written in first person?

Unless you’re writing in the form of letters or journals, make sure any first-person character has a good reason to be telling his story. People tend not to like people who notice themselves too much or describe themselves or seem overly aware of how others perceive them. We feel the same about characters.

How long does it take to write a historical fiction novel?

Or if you’re meticulously constructing a thousand-page historical fiction novel, it might take an entire decade. But if you’re writing a typical novel (50,000 words or more) on a typical schedule (a few hours of writing per week), you’ll likely fall somewhere in that 6-to-12-month range.

What makes a great fantasy novel?

A good fantasy book will have a vividly realized world with internal rules that restrict rampant deus ex machina. Some fantasy books are a lot of magic and others choose to minimize magic presence in favor of plot (George Martin’s A Song of Ice and Fire for example).

What defines high fantasy?

High fantasy is set in an alternative, fictional (“secondary”) world, rather than the “real” or “primary” world. This secondary world is usually internally consistent, but its rules differ from those of the primary world. Many high fantasy stories are told from the viewpoint of one main hero.

What is the most important element of historical fiction?

Setting
Setting: The setting is the most important part of a historical fiction novel. It should take place during an authentic period in history and be set in a real historical place.

What makes a great historical novel?

Historical novels capture the details of the time period as accurately as possible for authenticity, including social norms, manners, customs, and traditions. Many novels in this genre tell fictional stories that involve actual historical figures or historical events.

What do you need to know about writing historical fiction?

They anchor your story and turn it into historical fiction, and not just fantasy or literary fiction. A historical fiction story needs to take place in an accurate historical setting. When researching for your novel, find milestone events that would naturally affect and shape the characters in your story.

Is there such a thing as historical fantasy?

Historical fantasy is a subgenre of historical fiction that incorporates fantastic elements (such as magic) into the narrative. There is much crossover with other subgenres of fantasy; those classes as Arthurian, Celtic, or Dark Ages could just as easily be placed in Historical Fantasy.

How long does it take to write a historical novel?

Historical novels usually take several years to write, as they require research at every turn. You won’t always be able to anticipate what you’ll need to know for a scene, and will constantly have to be returning to your references. This is entirely different from writing contemporary fiction.

Who are some famous authors of historical fiction?

Author Mariah Fredericks reveals how she conducted research on The Gilded Age for her new book, Death of a New American. I love historical fiction. Growing up, I read Jean Plaidy, Mary Renault, and less well-known authors such as Elizabeth Byrd and Rosemary Hawley Jarman.