A Write of History, conceived in early 2012, now has over 1200 blog posts. At roughly 1000 words a post, that’s 1.2 million words. And let’s not forget the images – diagrams, cover photos, illustrations, images of paintings and maps and so on. A major overhaul of the site a few years back hopefully made the information more accessible to those interested in historical fiction and the look more appealing.

Yet the question remains – how does a reader make sense of it all?

The project I’m working on right now intends to answer that question with a book on mastering the seven elements of historical fiction. It’s in the very early stages – I’ve written five rough chapters.

Here’s a bit from the introduction. I won’t do my usual blue highlighting for emphasis or a quick scan. Your feedback would be very helpful.

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In 2015, I found a diagram that would change the direction of A Writer of History, the blog I began in 2012. The diagram – The Seven Elements of Historical Fiction – came from a website that no longer exists. I wrote a post about it which has now been viewed more than 50,000 times – not exactly viral, but significant in the realm of historical fiction authors.

PS … I plan to update this image.

Ever since discovering this diagram, I’ve explored those seven elements – character, dialogue, setting, world building, plot, conflict, and theme – in more than one hundred posts. Other historical fiction authors have written guest posts to add their perspectives on one or more of the elements. Collectively, there is now a sound body of knowledge based on the 7-elements concept. However, this ‘body of knowledge’ is not organized to make it easy for those writing historical fiction to take a comprehensive look at the elements.

And hence this book.

The seven elements are the backbone of a story, but the story itself remains the most critical element. So, let’s begin with a reminder of the power of stories, the unique role and purpose of historical fiction and thoughts on why we read and why we write.

Why do we read? 

We read to gain knowledge, find advice and counsel, build self-awareness, develop motivation and strength, be entertained, create hope, seek escape or regeneration. We read to understand who we are and what we might become. We read to quiet our souls. We read to comprehend humanity, to build empathy for the experiences of others, to understand community and friendship, to appreciate how to live and die. Those are my thoughts. What do others say?

Novelist Trevor Byrne was part of a panel sponsored by the University of Cambridge that focused on the topic: Why do we read (and write) novels?

Trevor said: “Fiction brings you to places, emotionally and imaginatively, which you never otherwise would have visited.” Emotionally and imaginatively. Malachi McIntosh, another panelist cited Albert Camus in his response: “[Camus’s] core idea is that narrative art organises life in such a way that we can reflect on it from a distance, experience it anew and deny the transient nature of the everyday.” Author David Foster Wallace said, “fiction is about what it is to be a human being.” And finally, author E.A. Durden claims that “it is the job of fiction to portray the full spectrum of human possibility, to remind ourselves of everything we are capable of—from exploring the heavens to breaking out of the clink.”

In Vineetha Mokkil’s article The Purpose of Fiction she writes: “a good novel or story gives us a better understanding of ourselves by drawing us into the lives of characters that have sprung from the writer’s imagination … Fiction is essential to the survival of the human race because it helps us to slip into ‘the other’s’ skin. It builds tolerance because it gives us an opportunity to see the world from different perspectives.”

Donald Maas, well-known literary agent, speaker, and author of fiction and non-fiction offered this perspective on fiction: “Fiction is about us. It captures our condition. It confronts us with our fears. It celebrates our human joys and triumphs. It’s a mirror, a telescope, a microscope, a record and a reminder. In it we discover what drives us apart and what binds us together.” 

Historical fiction must do all this while portraying recognizable human characters who lived according to very different values, norms and customs, providing insight into their minds, and educating readers about the past. Done well, historical fiction allows modern-day readers to contemplate social, religious, and political change and to understand how the events of history have an impact on today.

These are seriously demanding objectives for writing fiction. And historical fiction adds another layer of complexity, that of bringing the past to life so that we can understand our past and the insights it provides to both our present and our future. And, of course, to enjoy a great story!

In 2017, I asked readers and authors to look under the covers of historical fiction and examine what sets the genre apart. Author Janie Chang: “Historical fiction adds context to modern-day social problems.” Author Geraldine Brooks: “Novels are about exposing the truth of who we are and who we have been.” Author Harald Johnson: “In my case, it’s about going back in time to not only see the differences, but to also see and experience our common humanity.”

Readers have stated their expectations too: 

“World building is absolutely essential, and it is probably the deal breaker as far as I am concerned. I come to the book for the setting, I enjoy plot and characters, but if the world does not come alive for me as I read, I consider it a big letdown.”“Details have to be woven in seamlessly, so that it doesn’t come off as a contemporary novel dressed up in historical costume. Also, an author needs to give just enough description, but not so much that it weighs the reader down and interrupts the flow.” “History is concerned primarily with conflicts, winners and losers, and what historical fiction adds to a dry retelling of history is where it imbues the events of the past with characters who reach back in time to make it happen again for me, the reader.”

The purpose of 7 Elements of Historical Fiction is to provide a framework for understanding the demands of successful historical fiction along with practical insights and guidance to writers and aspiring writers of this genre.

What can you expect?

To set the stage, chapter one presents a big-picture perspective on reading and writing historical fiction along with the value and purpose of this complex genre. This chapter includes input from well-known authors of historical fiction as well as insights from five comprehensive reader surveys.Chapters two through twelve offer an in-depth look at of each of the seven elements with four of these chapters dedicated to world building.Chapter thirteen examines the critical role research plays in bringing the seven elements to life within a story and the range of techniques and sources available to authors.Chapter fourteen positions the seven elements in the context of successful historical fiction and includes examples from award-winning novels.Each chapter ends with 10 tips – and sometimes more – for writers. These tips are intended as a handy reference and a summary of critical points presented in that chapter.Throughout the book you will find quotes from well-known authors as well as quotes from readers and book bloggers. You will also find diagrams – I love diagrams – and useful links to other relevant materials.7 Elements of Historical Fiction ends with reflections on two topics: Inside Historical Fiction (also known as what makes historical fiction tick) and Transported in Time and Place. Both are topics I explored through interviews with readers and authors.

A question for you who visit A Writer of History – what do you think? Your feedback at this very early stage will be really helpful. Many thanks!

FOR MORE ON READING & WRITING HISTORICAL FICTION – and the occasional political post –  FOLLOW A WRITER OF HISTORY. There’s a SUBSCRIBE function on the right hand side of the page. 

M.K. Tod writes historical fiction. Her latest novel THAT WAS THEN is a contemporary thriller. Mary’s other novels, THE ADMIRAL’S WIFE, PARIS IN RUINS, TIME AND REGRET, LIES TOLD IN SILENCE and UNRAVELLED are available from  Amazon ,  Nook ,  Kobo ,  Google Play  and  iTunes . She can be contacted on  Facebook  or on her website  www.mktod.com .

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