If writing historical fiction with realistic characters feels challenging to you, this blog post is for you.

Most decisions are not easy black-or-white choices. Neither should those of your characters be.

Learn to Write Historical Fiction by Doing Historical Research

Authors portray realistic historical fiction characters by what is learned from historical research, practical daily living, and the setting’s place. There is no one right way to do research, but it’s a great idea to visit the actual place of your novel’s setting. This gives you a good idea of what it was like to live at the place of your novel.

In addition, pay attention to daily living as well as habits and mannerisms of ordinary people in current times. Of course, practical living in different time periods will vary, depending on habits people are accustomed to in their particular era. Observing small details and mannerisms of an individual’s demeanor, however, reveals a lot about the person’s character.

Thus, the fiction author can more easily create realistic characters by observing such minute details in people today. Keep reading to discover a few writing tips that will help in creating realistic characters.

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Write the First Draft, and Do More Research

Once you’ve done extensive research, write the first draft. Then as you read the draft, you’ll find gaps requiring specific research. It seems like research is never-ending at times during the writing process.

However, take the time to fill in those gaps. Look up things such as a historical record, historical period, historical fact, etc. Your hard work will produce a good story.

Oftentimes, historical fiction novelists are historical fiction readers as well. You won’t go wrong for investing in much research. But stay organized with a plan so that you don’t end up in a research rabbit hole.

Writing Tips on How to Make Your Novel’s Characters Realistic

In character development, use the following tips to stimulate ideas to make your own novel’s characters realistic.

• Order books about what life was like during a certain century or time period.
• Going to the location of your fictional story. The context of real locations helps with authenticity.
• Look at your surroundings. Do the trees have pollen on them?
• Write about a tree or vine with a bee on it. Did the character brush her hair back, not realizing the bee was hiding there?
• Incorporate real life dilemmas, and imagine different ways you can solve them by mind mapping.

As you read historical fiction books and study the style of other historical novelists, you will discover new ideas to create a relatable character in your own novels.

Learn to Write Historical Fiction from Historical Fiction Authors’ Recommendations

Read blogs by historical fiction authors, and learn from their recommendations. Because of their writing experience, they can guide you in best practices of writing about historical events. You’ll learn how these historical fiction writers used primary sources, secondary sources, and other historical details in creating fictional characters.

For example, Andrew Noakes, executive editor of The History Quill, offers insightful writing tips in his “6 Principles for Writing Historical Fiction” article.

Also consider the social context of your historical novel. Abi Wurdeman discusses this topic in the “Creating Historical Fiction Characters That Are Timeless” article. She asks the question, “Were there any hobbies, celebrations, or customs that defined this time period?”

Learn to Write Historical Fiction by Reading Other Historical Fiction Novels

You might enjoy these three historical fiction novels if you’re interested in World War II and Nazi Germany history and fiction:

1. Churchill’s Secret Messenger: A WW2 Novel of Spies & the French Resistance 
2. Purchase the set of Outlander series books by Diana Gabaldon. .              Or shop for the DVDs of the popular movie.
3. All the Broken Places by John Boyne 
4. The Clockmaker’s Wife: A new and absolutely gripping debut WW2 historical fiction novel
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The most important thing, write what you enjoy. Write about the particular period that interests you. Research it well, and write multiple drafts.

Combine your love of historical fiction and the extensive research with the next phase of writing drafts and the editing process. Then you will see the finished result, a well-written novel in the historical fiction genre.