Faith Blum

I love this, Faith! I’ve had several historical ideas in the past and held off because of the research required.
You give fantastic advice I. This article that makes it sound a bit less daunting. Maybe I’ll try it out when it’s time to write my next story.

This is amazing! I’ve always been afraid of attempting a historical fiction, but that makes it feel very doable. Thank you!

This is so helpful! I’ve been wondering how to tackle research for my historical fantasy. I’ll definitely be keeping this in mind now.

Hi, Samantha! Another Western writer! Yes, it is hard. I have found one resource that was super helpful. The writer’s guide to everyday life in the wild west by Candy Vyvey Moulton. This is actually part of a series of books by various authors in different eras.

Again, these are some fantastic tips, even for those of us who don’t write historical fiction. Fantastic job! Congratulations on publishing your first Story Embers article. 😃

Super inspiring and insightful, Faith!
I started a historical fiction novel a couple years ago, but gave up because I couldn’t find the balance between too much detail and not enough. These are some really great tips, and I may have to dig up that manuscript and start again! Thanks so much!

Thank you, Isabelle! How exciting to actually go to the place you are writing about! I hope the rest of your writing goes well. You’re welcome!

You’re welcome, Amy! I’m glad the advice was helpful.

Yes! That is so true!

You’re so welcome! I’m really happy to hear that my article helped.

This is great advice, especially the part about reading books set during the period you are researching/writing about.

I’m a bit of an oddball, in that I have read more Medieval Literature than Classics. By Medieval Literature I don’t mean modern novels set in the Middle Ages, I mean actual Literature written at the time.
I think a lot of people find the whole prospect daunting because they think everything is written in Latin, or that there simply isn’t much around, but there are some really good modern English translations of lots of great works and writers from past centuries.

I’d say I’ve learned a huge amount from reading Medieval Literature, and I am planning to branch out to Arthurian Legends, Chivalric romances, and Welsh Mythology soon, perhaps for some story ideas.

If someone ever said to learn about a period by reading its books, they were right.

I appreciate most of this, but I still know from experience that researching well can be lonely and exhausting.
Sometimes its the hardest thing in the world to keep going. I just have to keep in mind that I have to do this because I cannot write amazing historical fiction if I don’t.