Crafting characters for historical fiction is both an art and a science. They must feel authentic to their time while resonating with modern readers. How do you ensure your characters are historically accurate yet relatable? In this blog post, I’ll explore practical strategies to bring your historical characters to life.
Why Balance Matters
Characters are the heart of any story. In historical fiction, their believability hinges on two key elements:
- Authenticity: They must act, think, and speak in ways true to their era.
- Relatability: Their emotions and struggles should connect with today’s readers.
Striking this balance ensures your characters feel real and engaging.
Tips for Writing Historical Characters
- Research Their Worldview
Understanding the time period is crucial. Dive into:- Cultural norms and values: What was considered right or wrong?
- Language and speech patterns: Study letters, journals, or literature from the era.
- Daily life experiences: What challenges and opportunities shaped their lives?
This knowledge helps you create characters rooted in their historical context.
- Create Universal Motivations
While your characters live in a different time, their core desires—love, freedom, purpose—are timeless. Tap into universal themes to make their goals and struggles relatable. - Show Their Flaws and Growth
Perfect characters can feel unrealistic, especially in historical settings. Give them flaws that reflect their time and environment, then let them grow as they face challenges. - Use Dialogue Wisely
- Keep dialogue era-appropriate but avoid outdated or overly complex language that alienates readers.
- Mix historical accuracy with clarity by including context clues to explain unfamiliar terms.
- Blend Historical Figures with Fictional Characters
Introduce fictional characters into real historical settings or pair them with actual historical figures. This blend adds depth and realism to your narrative. - Avoid Anachronisms
Ensure your characters’ beliefs, behaviors, and choices align with the time period. For example, a 17th-century woman championing modern feminist ideals might feel out of place unless explained by the story.
Challenges and Solutions
Relating to the Past: It can be difficult to connect with characters from a vastly different era. Solution: Focus on universal emotions like love, loss, and ambition.Historical Biases: Characters may hold views that are offensive by modern standards. Solution: Present these views authentically but with context, allowing readers to understand without endorsing them.
Conclusion
Creating historical characters is a balancing act that requires respect for the past and an understanding of the present. By combining thorough research with timeless storytelling techniques, you can craft characters that are both authentic and deeply relatable.
