historical research – Page 2

A Hidden Treasure for Historical Writers

By Sandra Merville Hart

Maps are hidden treasure for historical writers. If you haven’t used this key source of information to add authenticity to your novel, it’s worth investigating.

A treasure chest full of information can be found on old maps. Authors find railroads, waterways, and roads. How close was the town to a river? Often a little digging leads to showing the size of a city and street names.

One of the first things I look for when researching a new historical novel is an old map. It’s important to find a map dated the year of or before the setting year. Anything later runs the risk of expansion/decline, referencing businesses not there at the time, and the like.

That brings us to another wonderful feature of detailed maps: location of homes and especially businesses. Knowing the name of a mercantile or the street where the post office resides sparks reader interest, especially those familiar with the area. Such details add depth if referenced in a novel.[bctt tweet=”You may find the greatest treasure hidden in plain sight. #Author #History”]

A railroad depot in town offers an exciting setting for a scene, maybe in that sagging middle. Perhaps someone comes to visit the main character at the train station or the protagonist travels from there on a day’s excursion. These tidbits reveal that era’s everyday world.

A careful study of these maps may show where Widow Matthews lived. Maybe the widow goes to church with your characters or makes the best apple pies around. A manufacturing company or mill on the map may employ a character’s family member.

If possible, visit the area during the research phase of the novel. Walking the streets in the oldest part of town or eating at a diner gives a sense of a town. Local museums can hold a wealth of information not commonly known. Ask questions. It’s always fun to find a knowledgeable person on local history. Listen to their story even if it doesn’t directly pertain to the novel; maybe some fact will capture your imagination.

When researching for historical novels, don’t overlook maps. You may find the greatest treasure hidden in plain sight.

Research Can be a Chore or an Inspiration: You Decide

Researching for a story or article can be a chore. It’s certainly a lot of work to dig for facts if a novel fits the historical genre, but it also inspires a deeper meaning. Sometimes we grind our teeth in frustration at the delay in beginning chapter one, but please don’t shirk this duty for three reasons: it provides historical background; it enhances the story; and it demonstrates how people lived during that time period.

History happened the way it happened. Events took place in a particular location and year. In the opinion of the author, stories that adhere to historical events add authenticity and build a reader’s trust. Writers must research to discover important details.

Begin by checking out nonfiction books from the library on the subject. If this does not provide enough information, read about the location of the story. There are many interesting Internet sites, but try to utilize reliable sources such as those from the government, colleges, medical facilities, and the like.

[bctt tweet=”Something wonderful happens in the imagination while discovering the history. #Author #Historical”]

Then take copious notes. Make certain to cite the source and the page containing the information so that you can easily return to research notes when, somewhere in the middle of writing Chapter Seven, you need to dig a little deeper to enhance the story.

Also, verify the information found by reading multiple sources. If an appealing fact is only found in one spot, take it with a grain of salt.

An exception to this could be an eyewitness account, a diary, or a journal. If an author lived through or witnessed an event, that person gives vital facts.

Diaries, newspaper articles, and journals provide excellent factual sources as well as hinting at the emotions people experienced. Books written during the period, including novels, give authors a sense of being there.

Secondly, research enhances our stories. When an idea first germinates, the author may know the beginning and ending fairly quickly. That murky middle remains a little fuzzy. Try not to fall in love with any aspects of the story until well into the research because something wonderful happens in the imagination while discovering the history.

Fascinating tidbits and little-known facts are uncovered during weeks — and maybe months — of research. Some discoveries will become part of our story. Readers feel like they are learning about history just by reading our novel.

Be cautious about the facts included. Only use details that fit as a natural part of the story. If they don’t work, remember the information for that next novel or article.

Thirdly, research shows how people of the time period lived. For example, how did they cook? What was on the menu? Find period recipe books. Mentioning names of recipes and a little about the preparation fascinate folks who love to cook.

People in the 1830s did not turn up a thermostat to heat their home. Read as many nonfiction books and novels as necessary to understand daily living habits for people of the period and location. Visiting museums local to the setting of your novel give visual clues to inspire the story.

The article photo shows my stack of opened books. Yes, research can be a messy business. (It always is for me!) Learning the historical background and the way people lived greatly enhances the story for our readers, making it well worth the effort.