Some Tips on Writing Historical Fiction
This page is prompted by my recent correspondence with Hayley, a 12 y.o. girl who is writing a medieval novel to enter into a competition and who wanted some advice on how to go about it. Based on the questions she asked me, this is set out as Q & A; if I've left out anything you want to know, please email me through the contact details and I'll continue to add the information to my website (if I know the answers!)
Q: My plot sounds a bit like The Janna Mysteries. Is that okay?
A: There is no copyright on plots and very often a story can spark off something in your mind. For example, my series is set at the same time as the Brother Cadfael mysteries of Ellis Peters; her central character is a herbalist and he solves crimes. I gave Janna the skill and knowledge of herbs and healing because she needed to be able to do something to transcend the very strict social boundaries of that time – so there is a good reason for her similarity to Brother Cadfael. Likewise, I set the novels in the same period because a) the civil war made a great background (see below) and b) because I'd already researched some of that history while writing the 3rd novel in my Shalott trilogy: Shalott, The Final Journey. So yes, those novels inspired me, but The Janna Mysteries are nothing like Ellis Peters' series.
Q: How do I know which age group will read my novel?
A: Generally, the main character(s) should be a year or two older than your target group of readers. Content and language level should reflect your readership.
Q: How can I decide on which historical time to write about?
A: It partly depends on your plot and what your character plans to do. If you want to write a battle scene with tanks, for example, you'll have to set your story much later than eg the 12th century when they used 'siege engines' (like giant catapults) and bows and arrows and lances in warfare. It also depends on what sort of society you want to write about. I chose the civil war between Stephen & Matilda as a background for the Janna Mysteries because it was a really bloody, treacherous and difficult time in England's history. The changing fortunes of the two rivals for the throne adds excitement and depth to Janna's journey in search of her father, and my story about her quest for identity.
Q: How can I find out information about medieval time?
A: The first thing to remember is that 'medieval time' stretched from about the 9th century to the 14th century, and society, buildings, dress, kings and power structures etc changed a great deal during that time. So the first thing is to identify the time frame of your story. Google is a great source of information – you can get maps of the town and setting you choose, plus information on all sorts of other things too. I have a HUGE and growing library with books on history and medieval society, medieval farming practice, herbs and herbal medicine (dating back to Anglo-Saxon time), flower, bird and tree guides, old maps, copies of old chronicles, dress through the ages, etc.
Remember that a picture is worth a thousand words. I have several basic picture books for children about life in a medieval society. Two are particularly good: The Middle Ages by Sarah Howarth, part of the See Through History series, has 4 layered 'see through' scenes so you can see the interior + exterior of a castle, a water mill, a monastery and a town scene. Medieval Towns from the I Was There series also has great pictures. They help you to visualise the scene you're writing about. The book that really helped me identify the setting was an edition of the Domesday Book. This was commissioned by William the Conqueror after the Battle of Hastings in 1066. William sent commissioners all over England to count every dwelling, person, pig, shed, piece of equipment etc so that he could find out what he now 'owned.' From the Domesday Book I identified the places I needed for my story: a medieval forest, farm, towns, castles and two abbeys, all close to Winchester (at that time the seat of power because the Treasury was kept in the castle there.) And I've used the Domesday spelling too, so that the place names sound authentic.
Q: How long does it take you to write a novel?
A: It depends how much research I have to do, and how quickly and easily the plot unfolds. The JMs are about 85-90,000 words long. On an average day I might write 2-3000 words; if I'm really firing I might write 5-6000 words. (Some days I can't write at all!)
Q: I want this story to have a sequel but I can't think of a plot.
A: The important thing is to write your first story; get to know your characters and their situation. What do they want, what is the outcome of their efforts to succeed? Plot ideas and future possibilities will come from that.
Q: Do you think of a title and base your story on that?
A: Sometimes, but it's more usual for me to think of a title after the story is written (when I know exactly what it's all about.) Finding a good title is sometimes the hardest thing of all.
Q: How do you decide on the cover?
A: I don't! It's up to the publishers to approach an artist or designer with a brief on what the novel is about. Once they've come up with something, I will have some input as to whether I like it or not, and whether I think changes are necessary.