How to Blend Fact and Fiction for Historical Fiction

September 15, 2017 Elizabeth

How to blend fact and fiction for historical fiction is an art. Discover how Author Elizabeth Pye accomplishes the art in her historical fiction novels, The French Connection series.

How do you tell what is fact and what is fiction in a historical fiction book? Fiction writers include dialogue that seems to fit the era of their novels. In addition, part of the dialogue might actually have been recorded in a diary.

One must consider, however, that even diary authors write with a biased opinion. A particular event told by three individuals results in three different viewpoints. Finally, it is up to the reader which report to believe.

Elizabeth discusses how she blends fact and fiction in her novel writing in this interview:

Elizabeth Pye is the author of Silk or Sugar and its upcoming sequel, Return to Chateau Fleury.

Interview with Elizabeth Pye by Angie Horn:

Fact and fiction:

Angie: How do you determine what is fact and what is fiction in your books?

Elizabeth: I write historical romance fiction, so presumably everything is fictional, even when I am writing about historical figures. That needs to be made clear right up front. That’s my perception of those people and what I have read about them. Basically, I think it’s a fact that, yes, Napoleon Bonaparte married Josephine, he was First Counsel, and then he became Emperor; and those kind of things are factual.

But, basically, there’s really… fact is not an important element. It’s just important not to misrepresent anyone that is a historical character and to make them as real as possible. And so that way I read memoirs and other books that are available. There may be direct quotes about what Napoleon said. I may not use the direct quote, but I get the essence of how his demeanor was when he said that in the presence of the memoir writer, so I would say he was short-tempered about something. I can say that because it was known to be. It’s how he was.

So basically, most of my characters are fictional, strictly from my imagination. But as I shared earlier, Marie and Janine were not just in my imagination. They were the result of something I saw in my past life regression. But that said, some people would say, that’s in my imagination. That’s basically how it is. I’m not writing a story, trying to tell you about history as it actually should be written. I’m telling you about a story as I imagine it took place in an historical setting. So that’s pretty much how it is as far as I know.

Excerpts from Interview with Elizabeth Pye

Elizabeth Pye discusses her personal experience with hypnotherapy in an interview with Angie Horn. She became interested in hypnotherapy and completed a course, became a certified hypnotherapist, and kept that status for two years. However, Pye took the course because of personal interest, not to help people stop smoking or do past life regressions.

Pye describes the experience: “I did some regressions and things on family and friends but never went into the business. That was in 2006. I didn’t renew my certification because I thought, well, I’m not going to be doing this all the time.

You had to take new courses and keep up with the field which made sense. But I thought it was sort of interesting…I actually was a certified hypnotherapist.

‘In Return to Chateau Fleury, there are regression scenes in that story. I feel I’m prepared to write them because I’ve gone through the course. I’ve been regressed and regressed others so I know about it.”

Fictional Characters or Real People

Historical authors write about fictional characters imagined or based on real people from the distant past or different time period.

Learn more interesting facts about famous novels, novelists, and literary characters based on real people in this Amazon book, “Mental Floss.” You can purchase the book on Amazon by clicking on this Amazon link:

Best-selling historical fiction time-travel novels include:

Outlander by Diana Gabaldon

2. The Time Traveler’s Wife by Audrey Niffenegger

3. Kindred by Octavia E. Butler

Sub Genres of Historical Fiction

Historical fiction sub genres may include any of these:

Traditional Historical Fiction
Historical Romantic Fiction
Historical Western Fiction
Series and Sagas
Fantasy and Time-Travel
Christian Historical Fiction

Historical fiction readers who like historical fiction books with a twist of magical powers could find such novels in multiple genres. For example, the specific genre of historical fantasy may be categorized in the fantasy or historical fiction genre.

Historical Novel Writer’s Block

A great way to solve historical novel writer’s block is blend your big imagination, historical research, and real historical events. Additionally, using these elements are as important:

historical facts
historical accuracy
secondary sources
real historical figure
compelling narrative
reading a ton of books
blending of fact, historical truths

Writing an excellent historical novel takes plenty of research and a lot of work. But the starting point is use your imagination. When you combine a lot of research, you’re on the way to creating a good story.

Main Character Created from Imagination or Hypnotherapy

Historical fiction writers of time-travel historical fiction of a main character created from imagination or hypnotherapy are becoming more popular. A perfect example of character development created from hypnotherapy is Silk or Sugar and Return to Chateau Fleury by Elizabeth Pye.

When you read a good historical fiction novel, you know you’ve discovered one of the best writers of historical fiction. For example, consider the historical fiction author, Diana Gabaldon, who blended historical romance, adventure, and time travel in the popular Outlander series.

Imagination or Hypnotherapy?

Pye questioned herself about her regression experience, whether it was imagination or hypnotherapy. She explained, “Marie and Janine were the result of something I saw in my past life regression. But that said, some people would say, that’s in my imagination.”

In a conversation with Author Horn, Pye indicated that she had a change of direction in her life. She is a Bible-believing Christian and follows a path according to the Bible. Pye said, “Most of my characters are fictional, strictly from my imagination.”

I’m not writing a story, trying to tell you about history as it actually should be written. I’m telling you about a story as I imagine it took place in a historical setting.

Read more about writing historical fiction with a past life regression by clicking here.

Elizabeth Pye

Fiction with a French Connection