Researching for Novels

By: Emrald Sethna

Historical fiction is fun to read and write. After all, you get a glimpse into the past, whether that be involving time travel or characters living out their lives in an alternative history to the one we know of. However, absorbing readers into realistic depictions of the past is not always an easy feat. Depending on the era or year you delve into, you might have to consider cultural differences, community opinions towards certain subjects, familial roles, fashion, and even popular language. There is quite a bit you might have to take into account. What is the best way to learn of these historical elements? Well, Google of course.

There are several websites you can visit that offer you detailed insight into the life of people and great events taking place in the era you wish to learn about. Here are some examples of wonderful sites to research with:

For information about preferred hairstyles throughout history: http://www.crystalinks.com/hair.history.html

Local Histories tell stories of a country and culture's past, like the following page about the history of India: http://www.localhistories.org/india.html

History Magazine also posts great articles about life in different time periods, as shown in this article discussing interesting facts about life in the 1500s: http://www.history-magazine.com/facts.html

There are many websites devoted to relaying information about history, and they are available to you to explore and learn from. All you need to do is type in the era you wish to research—or a specific element of the era, such as roles of women in society during that time—in a Google search. You'll be amazed by all the facts you read, facts that you can mention and include in your historical fiction. It's important to help your readers engage in the plot and be absorbed into your story.  

If you ever need help with researching, comment below and send us a message. We are here to help!

Happy writing!

by: Emrald Sethna