The Importance of Research in Historical Fiction Writing by Writers Exchange E-Publishing
Historical fiction bridges the past and the present, offering readers a vivid glimpse into times they could never experience firsthand. To truly capture the spirit of a bygone era, the genre demands more than imaginative storytelling–it hinges on rigorous research. For readers, this accuracy transports them authentically; for writers, it builds trust and depth. In this article, we’ll explore the importance of historical research from both the reader’s and the writer’s perspectives, offering insights, practical tips, and guidance for writers committed to excellence.
Part I: From the Reader’s Perspective
Why Historical Accuracy Matters
When readers pick up a historical novel, they often do so with the hope of being transported to another time and place. Whether it’s Regency-era England, Ancient Rome, Colonial Australia, or post-war America, readers crave an immersive experience. But that experience can fall apart if the details don’t ring true.
- Trust and Suspension of Disbelief
Historical fiction readers willingly suspend their disbelief, but only to a point. If a character in 15th-century France casually checks their wristwatch or drinks coffee before it was introduced to Europe, readers are jolted out of the narrative. These inaccuracies break trust and can make readers question everything else in the story.
As British author, broadcaster, and playwright Kate Mosse asserts:
“I am not a fan of historical fiction that is sloppy in its research or is dishonest about the real history.”
— Kate Mosse
Readers who are familiar with the era in question–historians, re-enactors, genealogists, or lifelong enthusiasts–will catch the smallest slips. But even casual readers are sensitive to anachronisms or modern attitudes pasted into historical settings.
- Learning Through Story
Many readers enjoy historical fiction not only for the emotional arc but for what they learn along the way. A well-researched novel can introduce them to unfamiliar customs, real-life figures, forgotten social norms, and the day-to-day realities of another age.
In this way, historical fiction serves an educational purpose. It can spark interest in history, provide context for current events, or illuminate human nature across time. When the research is solid, readers walk away enriched–not just entertained.
- Emotional Authenticity
Beyond dates and facts, research ensures emotional resonance. How would a young woman in 1800s Australia respond to an arranged marriage? What were the emotional consequences of war for a Victorian family? Emotional truth is anchored in cultural and historical context. Readers feel cheated when characters think or act too much like modern people in corsets.
A deeply researched book invites readers not just to observe history–but to feel it.
Part II: From the Writer’s Perspective
Why Writers Must Prioritise Research in Historical Fiction
Historical fiction is one of the most demanding genres to write because it requires authors to do justice to two things simultaneously: a compelling story and a believable historical backdrop. That backdrop is only convincing if it’s based on careful, comprehensive research.
- Foundation for Authentic World-Building
In fantasy, writers create worlds from scratch. In historical fiction, the world is already built, but writers must reconstruct it with fidelity. Streets, clothing, lighting, language, food, transportation, social hierarchies, laws, and gender expectations–all these details require attention.
Writers are not only setting the scene–they’re recreating a living world. And just like with a fantasy realm, if one element feels out of place, the illusion crumbles.
As Ken Follett, renowned for his meticulous historical novels, explains:
“I like to create imaginary characters and events around a real historical situation. I want readers to feel: OK, this probably didn’t happen, but it might have.”
- Respecting Real Lives and Cultures
Historical fiction often deals with real people, places, and events. Writers carry a responsibility to depict these elements respectfully. Misrepresenting a culture, trivialising a tragedy, or romanticising injustice out of ignorance can alienate readers and do real harm.
Research is a form of respect–for the people who lived through those times and for the readers who invest in your story.
As Max Overton says in the beginning of his Ancient Egyptian novels: “I have read extensively in preparation for this series, consulting the works of both Egyptologists and other authors for whom the mystery of the pyramids is the centre-point of their lives. These researches provided me with the bones upon which to hang the flesh of my novels.”
Practical Tips and Action Steps for Writers
- Start Broad, Then Go Deep
Begin with general overviews to get your bearings on the time period–encyclopedias, timelines, and documentaries. Then narrow your focus to specifics relevant to your story: What was childbirth like in Ancient Egypt? What weapons did Irish rebels use in 1920? What did servants eat in Georgian England?
Action Step: Create a research folder or document divided by categories–clothing, food, social customs, language, transportation, etc.
- Use Primary Sources When Possible
Letters, diaries, newspapers, and official records from the time are goldmines. They reveal language patterns, opinions, and daily routines that textbooks might miss. Even advertisements can give insight into what people valued or desired.
Action Step: Visit your local library’s historical archives or use digitised resources like Trove (for Australian content) or Project Gutenberg.
- Avoid Information Dumps
Writers can become so proud of their research that they overload readers with details. While it’s tempting to include everything, the key is subtlety. Let the history shape the narrative organically, rather than halting the story for a lesson.
Tip: Integrate historical facts through action, dialogue, and description–not exposition.
- Check Historical Language and Slang
Dialogue is a quick way to reveal anachronisms. Phrases like “cool”, “okay”, or “going viral” can instantly date a scene. However, using exact period language can sometimes alienate modern readers.
Action Step: Strike a balance. Use period-appropriate terms and idioms, but ensure they’re understandable. Consider glossaries or context clues for obscure terms.
- Fact-Check Fictional Events
Even if you’re making up characters or events, the surrounding world must remain consistent. If your story takes place during the Gold Rush, ensure your fictional town fits within the known patterns of the era. Ask: Would that building material have been available? Could this technology exist?
Action Step: Make a timeline of real events and layer your story over it to ensure consistency.
- Be Culturally Sensitive
When writing outside your own cultural or racial background, research becomes even more crucial. Avoid stereotypes and generalisations. Consult sensitivity readers when needed.
Action Step: Read memoirs and writings from individuals within that culture or consult with cultural historians.
- Visit the Locations If Possible
There’s no substitute for standing where your characters would have stood. Even if modern changes have altered the landscape, there’s still something powerful about walking those streets, visiting museums, and observing terrain.
