Historical Writing Techniques Every Aspiring Author Should Know

History has almost always found its way into storytelling, whether through characters that were inspired by historical figures or perhaps by setting the theme of the story into a historical event (epic tales, ancient civilizations, biographies of world leaders, etc.).
All these books and written pieces have left their imprint on literature. For writers, it is extremely impactful to tap into these techniques of old, in order to enrich their writing.
In this article, you will learn about how to use the old writing styles to structure your narratives, craft captivating and engaging dialogue, and do something different (not something new, but something old; old but gold).
Let’s embark into history!

Using Ancient Storytelling Structures For Your Writing

Storytelling is nothing new. It has always been an integral part of human history. Just imagine the narratives of ancient civilizations, such as Greek tragedies, Roman epics, or Norse myths.
At the crux of these ancient tales is Aristotle’s three-act structure:

1. setup
2. confrontation
3. resolution

This method has been used for centuries, and it still continues to shape modern literature and film. Why? Well, because this structure offers a very natural flow to the story. And that helps maintain momentum in the story.
If you’re trying to be an author, then you likely already know this, but studying these ancient techniques can truly be a goldmine of inspiration. Simply by researching past writers, one can learn how to introduce drama, tension, and (ultimately) resolution, into his work.
If you’re not too eager to spend countless hours doing research, then a book writing course can help guide/point you into the right direction. Courses are usually compact and straight to the point.
Any aspiring author can grow by using practical exercises, and, in the end, mastering storytelling. With that, you’d have the tools required to craft a well-paced narrative that will keep readers on their toes from page one, all the way to the finish.

4 Ways to Utilize Historical Research for Authentic Settings

One of the key elements that will separate good fiction from great fiction is the accuracy of the setting. Readers need to be able to simply close their eyes and see what the words are telling them. Hear those sirens, smell that gunpowder, just by reading the words. The key is in the detail.
Below, you’ll find four ways that you can enchant your book to greatness by using real and factual historical settings.

Historical Texts & Diaries

Historical fiction often has immersive dialogues, intended for the audience to better connect with the characters and to better understand what they’re going through. A well-written dialogue can help readers immerse themselves in that particular time period.
By studying personal diaries (e.g., Anne Frank, Samuel Pepys, Martha Ballard, etc.), letters (e.g., Abraham Lincoln’s letter to Mrs. Bixby, Martin Luther King Jr.’s letter from Birmingham Jail, Thomas Jefferson’s letter to John Adams, etc.), or even speeches (e.g., Abraham Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address, Martin Luther King Jr.’s “I Have a Dream”, John F. Kennedy’s Inaugural Address, etc.) from that historical era that you’re trying to emulate, you’ll pick up on language nuances, speech patterns, and even slang that has been used at that time.
By using that knowledge, you can give your characters an authentic flare, making the narrative feel true to that period.

Utilizing Old Maps to Construct Realistic Locations

Think of the time period that you’re trying to portray in your book. Now, think of any maps that may have been created at that period and in that area/location.
For writers, these old maps can be invaluable pieces of information when it comes to authenticity, narrative, logistics, and inspiration. The immersive and realistic settings that come out of such dedication are simply mindboggling when experiences.
Writers can use such maps (of towns, cities, villages, places, countries, etc.) to precisely describe the town’s structure, factually identify where crucial historical events took place (even how), and get help when visualizing characters moving trough the cities.

Analyzing Period-Specific Fashion/Architecture

A lot of books use details and well-written descriptions to help immerse the readers in that authentic experience.
Researching styles of dress code, or construction techniques for a specific place in a specific time period can help writers describe scenes much more vividly.
These details can also (without using blunt words) help the readers identify things like the social status of specific characters or cultural influences of that time.

Historical Weather Patterns

If you want to take your story even further towards realism, then incorporating documented weather conditions can also help with authentic detail.
For example, if you’re describing a story/scene that takes place during a specific battle in history, then incorporating the weather conditions as documented in historical data can bolster that narrative with much more realism.
This way of writing will result in readers (especially those who love history) enjoying and cherishing those written words even more.

Conclusion

Incorporating historical research into your writing (especially if you’re writing about actual historical people or events) can enhance the authenticity of your work. This way, you’ll be able to leverage old writing techniques and styles, which will result in your book standing out from the crowd.
Furthermore, your characters will feel much more real, as well as the events and places that you describe in your story – all of which would end up feeling familiar.
History not only serves as a heavy inspiration for story narrative, but can also be an educational gateway that connects the readers from the present and future with the past, which, from both the writer's AND the reader's standpoint – is simply mesmerizing.

 

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