Writing Historical Fiction

I’ve had a “prequel” to my novel, The Fence My Father Built in mind for several years. I conjured up the storyline to account for the life of Joseph Pond, who, in the Fence novel, has died as the book opens. Since Joe was half Nez Perce Indian, I became fascinated with what life could have been like for one of his ancestors. Then I stumbled upon the website of Sue & Kate McBeth, two sisters who were missionary teachers to the Nez Perce in 1880s Idaho. And they actually ordained a theological student from that era named Enoch Pond.
So I’m trying my hand at this historical fiction thing. I’m not sure how it’s going but it’s been a great way for me to keep my BIC and write. I want to have at least three chapters and a solid synopsis just in case–and miracles do happen–I’m ever asked to write this prequel. Stand alone novels seem a bit harder to brand–I’ve spent all this time and energy cultivating the Native American angle in Fence and yet my next contemporary stand-alone might be totally different. So this stab at historical fiction is the attempt to keep something going along the same lines as the Fence book. An added benefit for me is that I am learning a lot about the real persons while I try to learn how to write historical fiction. It’s not as easy as it looks.
Writing Tip for Today: If you are writing historical fiction and you get sucked in (as I have already) by the Research Monster, try a two-pronged approach. I allow myself an hour of research for every 500 words I actually write. Maybe it could work for you too.

About Linda S. Clare

I'm an author, speaker, writing coach and mentor. I teach both fiction and nonfiction writing at Lane Community College and in the doctoral program as expert writing advisor for George Fox University. I love helping writers improve their craft and I'm both an avid reader and writer of stories about those with wounded hearts.

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