historical fiction creative writing

51 Of The Best Historical Fiction Writing Prompts

You’re looking for historical fiction ideas , and most of the ones you’ve come across are either too detailed and specific or too vague — at least for you.

History writing prompts should paint enough of a picture to allow you to fill in the gaps as you step into it and look around.

Your own perspective and the connections that form in your mind will take that partial image and complete it.

We kept that in mind while creating this list of 51 writing prompts for your novel . May each one flood your mind with the possibilities.

51 Historical Fiction Writing Prompts

If you’re racking your brain for interesting historical events to write about, check out the following prompts to get those synapses firing. You’ll find everything from civil war writing prompts to famous unsolved mysteries . Dig in and find something to play with.

1. Changing Sides. A slave sent by his master to fight in the Civil War on behalf of the Confederacy changes sides to fight for an end to slavery, not knowing what it will cost the woman he loves. Meanwhile, she risks her own life to protect a friend.

2. Mail Order Bride. Your only support dies, and to survive, you answer an ad for a bride in the midwest. You’re not looking forward to being a stranger’s wife, but something in the letter he wrote you calms your reservations.

medieval soldiers historical fiction writing prompts

3 . Circus Fugitive. It’s 1925, and you’ve joined the traveling circus as a clown to hide your identity after being framed for a murder you didn’t commit. A rival performer recognizes you and threatens to expose you but doesn’t. He wants something else.

4. Atlantis Rising. You’re a citizen of ancient Atlantis and one of the few chosen for preservation during the centuries of submersion, thanks to Atlantean technology. You’ll never see your family again. One friend — with secrets — sabotages the plan.

5. Pearl Harbor. You’re one of the pilots in an air fight with Japanese bombers over Pearl Harbor. You spot one going in an unexpected direction and follow it, only to see them kamikaze into the building where the love of your life is working.

6. Equal Rights for All. A friend invites you to a meeting where you decide to join the fight for women’s suffrage and equal rights. Your employer spots you protesting and gives you a choice: distance yourself from the cause or lose your job.

7. Prodigal Daughter. In the 1970s, you ran away from home to see Woodstock and only now, ten years later, are you heading back home, after a brief but troubling phone conversation with your mother.

8. The Speakeasy Scandal. It’s 1923, and you’ve just opened your own speakeasy, limiting its patronage to select members of your community. But one of them is a mole for the local sheriff. He ends up dead in the alley, and you’re arrested for it.

9. Sioux Pioneer. You lose your husband on the Oregon Trail to a wagon mishap and are then abducted by a Sioux tribe. Write a story describing your evolving relationship with the Sioux chief’s (adult) son.

10. No Place for Black Veterans. You’re an orphan who befriends a returning WWII soldier after seeing how the community rejects him because of his skin color. Your friendship attracts the attention of local Klansmen and a neglectful aunt.

11. Undercover DJ. An undercover American WWII soldier sneaks into a German radio room and delivers a cryptic message in perfect German, hoping to alert other Americans to a devious German plot he’s discovered.

12. Haunted Hotel. It’s 1930, and you buy a hotel that just happens to be haunted by the ghosts involved in a very public murder in the roaring 20s. Turns out, plenty of people are willing to pay good money to be haunted by glamorous murder victims.

13. Jack the Seam Ripper. Using an item in your grandmother’s “treasure box,” you go back in time and get a young Jack interested in tailoring and fashion design. But can you really stop him from following his darker impulses when an old lover returns?

14. Poker Face. In 1800s England, the poker stakes are higher than most spectators are willing to risk. You’re the reigning champion until a new challenger hits the scene. Thing is, you’re ready to lose and disappear. But it won’t be that simple.

15. Don’t Forget the Pie. You run a 1940s diner and see all sorts of people, many of whom you only see once. Everyone who tries your pie wants the recipe, but it’s a closely-guarded family secret. One customer offers to work for a month to get it.

historical place as a tourist attraction historical fiction writing prompts

16. Dear Jane. Your sweetheart is a Vietnam soldier who just broke up with you in a letter. You do some digging and find out he’s left you for one of his fellow soldiers, whose fiancée is the same best friend who comforted you after the break-up.

17. Once Upon a Drama. You’re a novelist who wakes up in Victorian England and meets your own characters. While rooting for your favorite two people, you don’t expect to fall for one of them. You definitely don’t expect to tell them about it.

18. Ever Since Summer Camp. Five teens meet at summer camp and bond together in response to a tragedy. Their lives continue to intertwine as they grow up in 1950s California. One of them shares the secret that binds them, and lives fall apart.

19. The Stolen Child. As part of a time-traveling detective couple, you’re excited about your next assignment in Germantown, Maryland: the kidnapping of Charley Ross — a mystery that remained unsolved.

20. Darkness in the French Quarter. In the early 1880s, your connections with the New Orleans aristocracy leads you to a beautiful Creole woman, Madame Delphine LaLaurie , who has been torturing and murdering the slaves of her household.

21. Road Trip! Lewis and Clark plan for the Oregon Trail. They talk about hardships they expect, people they’re leaving behind, and what each one most hopes to gain. Your main character is a jilted lover who hatches a plan to stop the expedition..

22. Special Delivery. He delivers milk. She delivers newspapers. They cross paths when they both witness a mugging in 1920s Chicago and intervene to protect the victim. The supposed “victim” then offers them both a job with a hefty payoff.

23. Nursing History. You pay someone to help you explore your past and see one of your past lives as a WWII nurse. Your fiancé in that life looks an awful lot like your current boss. You see what you went through together and the child you had.

24. Lost at Sea. A loved one boards the Titanic on their way back home to you. When the ship goes down, they supposedly end up on one of the few liferafts, but they don’t return with the survivors. A year later, they show up at your door.

25. Million Dollar Fling. Ten years ago, you had a moment with a ship’s captain during a 1950s cruise with a group of wealthy socialites you met at college. You show up at a life-changing job interview in New York and come face-to-face with him again.

Final Thoughts

Now that you have 51 prompts with cool historical events to write about, which ones make you want to put this aside and start writing?

And what else will you bring to your story to make it uniquely yours?

Humor? Romance ? Horror ? Fantasy ? Choose-your-own adventure?

Pick a prompt , and play with whatever comes to mind. Tell your inner editor to take a nap while you get the words out. This is a time to create.

Write away.

Want some writing ideas for historical fiction? Check this list of helpful historical fiction writing prompts that will inspire your writing.

75 Historical Fiction Writing Prompts to Inspire You

A modern interpretation of a Victorian scene: a woman dressed in a stylish, contemporary dress with subtle Victorian influences, such as lace detailing or a high neckline. She's seated at a sleek, modern writing desk that has the essence of mahogany. In her hand is a stylish fountain pen, and she's surrounded by contemporary reinterpretations of leather-bound books. The room is lit by the warm glow of modern LED candles, complementing the modern-yet-classic aesthetic. There are fresh roses on the desk, with the scene captured in sharp detail to emulate the quality of a high-resolution photograph taken with advanced camera equipment.

Table of Contents

Explore the depths of the past with our list of 75 Historical Fiction Writing Prompts. Ignite your creativity and embark on a journey through time with compelling story ideas that bring history to life. Perfect for writers seeking inspiration for their next historical masterpiece.

Ancient World

Stepping into the realms of the ancient world offers a unique opportunity to weave narratives steeped in the mysteries and marvels of bygone eras. Whether you’re looking to craft tales of pharaohs’ curses, Spartan warriors, the philosophical minds of Athens, or the formidable legions of Rome, the ancient world is ripe with stories waiting to be told. As a writer, you possess the power to resurrect lost civilizations and breathe life into their stories through your words. Below, you’ll find a curated collection of ancient world writing prompts, each a spark to ignite the imagination and transport readers back to the dusty pages of history where legends were born and epic sagas unfolded. So sharpen your quill (or stylus) and prepare to embark on a literary odyssey that transcends time.

The Lost Scroll: A scribe in ancient Alexandria finds a scroll that could change history.
The Gladiator’s Dilemma: A Roman gladiator earns his freedom but at a cost to his honor.
Spartan Secrets: A Spartan warrior’s loyalty is tested on the eve of battle.
Pharaoh’s Shadow: A servant in the Pharaoh’s palace uncovers a plot against the ruler.
The Oracle’s Whisper: An oracle in Delphi receives a prophecy that could start a war.

Medieval Times

The medieval era, a tapestry rich with the chivalric code of knights, the silent whispers of castles, and the tumultuous shifts of power, offers a wellspring of narrative potential for any writer. It is a time where myth intertwines with the harsh truths of life, where dragons could be slain and kingdoms could rise or fall based on the whims of fate. This collection of medieval writing prompts invites you to don your literary armor and charge into the fray of storytelling. From the misty highlands of Scotland to the grand courts of Byzantine emperors, let each prompt guide you through the shadowed forests of history to the very heart of the Middle Ages. Here, amongst the echoes of crusaders’ calls and minstrels’ songs, you might just find the inspiration for your next great tale, one quill stroke at a time.

The Silent Bard: A mute musician witnesses a royal murder in medieval France.
The Alchemist’s Apprentice: An alchemist’s apprentice discovers the secret to turning lead into gold.
The Heretic’s Library: A scholar in the Spanish Inquisition hides forbidden books.
The Crusader’s Vow: A knight on the Crusades questions his faith.
The Plague Healer: A herbalist in a plague-ridden village has a cure that could save or condemn her.

Age of Exploration

As dawn broke over the Age of Exploration, a new chapter in the annals of history was penned, marked by the creak of timber, the billow of sails, and the whisper of the ocean guiding explorers to unknown horizons. This epoch, rife with discovery and peril, is a fertile ground for storytellers drawn to the siren call of adventure and the promise of the uncharted. Our collection of writing prompts beckons you to navigate the high seas of your imagination, to chart a course through tempests and stars, and to recount the tales of intrepid voyagers who sought new lands, treasures, and truths. Embark on a voyage through your prose, and capture the spirit of conquistadors, the ingenuity of cartographers, and the bravery of those who dared to dream beyond the map’s edge. Let these prompts be your astrolabe, guiding you through the storied waters of the Age of Exploration, where every point on the compass leads to narrative possibilities as vast as the Atlantic itself.

The Mapmaker’s Conspiracy: A cartographer in the Age of Exploration finds a map to a new world.
The Stowaway’s Journey: A stowaway on Magellan’s fleet encounters unknown lands.
The Merchant’s Gamble: A spice merchant in Renaissance Venice risks everything on a new trade route.
The Conquistador’s Regret: A conquistador in the New World confronts the consequences of his quest for gold.
The Pirate’s Code: A pirate is torn between the freedom of the sea and the love left behind.

Colonial & Revolutionary Eras

In the shadows of Colonial and Revolutionary times, a fierce wind of change began to stir, a prelude to the thunderous revolution that would shake the foundations of empires and give birth to new nations. This era, a crucible of innovation, ideology, and insurrection, is a goldmine for those who dare to delve into its complex heart through the art of storytelling. Our trove of writing prompts invites you to step onto the cobblestone streets of colonial towns, to eavesdrop on the secret meetings of revolutionaries, and to witness the forging of foundational documents that would forever alter the course of history. As you take pen to paper, let your narratives be infused with the cries for liberty, the smoke of musket fire, and the silent, steely resolve of those who fought in the shadows and in the spotlight for a future they believed in. Through your words, the echoes of the Colonial and Revolutionary Eras can resound anew, telling tales of sacrifice, of unyielding hope, and the relentless pursuit of freedom that defined these tumultuous chapters of history.

The Witch’s Advocate: A lawyer in Salem tries to save the accused during the witch trials.
The Rebel’s Message: A spy during the American Revolution carries a message that could turn the tide of war.
The Loyalist’s Dilemma: A British loyalist in America struggles with their allegiance as revolution brews.
The Queen’s Colony: A member of the first colony in Australia uncovers a royal secret.
The Duel’s Witness: A young man witnesses a duel that changes the fate of a nation.

19th Century Intrigue

The 19th century: an era of stark contrasts where the gas-lit streets of progress and the shadows of intrigue walked hand in hand. This was a time when the whispers of revolution still lingered in the air, and the clatter of the Industrial Revolution’s gears heralded a new age of possibility. Our collection of writing prompts dips its quill into the inkwell of a century alive with the undercurrents of political conspiracies, the early cries for social reform, and the elegant, often cutthroat, machinations of high society. Let these prompts guide you through drawing rooms and factories alike, into the lives of inventors, poets, and rebels. Craft narratives that capture the smog and the splendor, the corsets and the coal mines, the locomotives and the literature that characterized this period of ceaseless transformation. In the 19th century’s tapestry, every thread tells a story of discovery and deceit, a personal tale against a backdrop of burgeoning empires and fading aristocracies. Through your storytelling, bring to life the subtle dances of diplomacy and the loud declarations for change, all under the watchful eyes of Victorian propriety and the relentless pursuit of progress.

The Industrialist’s Discovery: An inventor during the Industrial Revolution creates a machine that could alter the course of history.
The Abolitionist’s Mission: An abolitionist in the antebellum South smuggles slaves to freedom.
The Empress’s Assassin: An assassin in the court of Napoleon III has a change of heart.
The Gold Rush’s Hidden Treasure: A prospector in the California Gold Rush finds much more than gold.
The Outlaw’s Honor: An infamous outlaw in the Wild West encounters an old love.

Wars of the 20th Century

The 20th century was a time scarred by the fury of war, an age that witnessed the world in tumult, from the trenches of the Great War to the shattering advances of the atomic age. In this era of conflict, humanity’s greatest tales of heroism and horror unfolded, where every soldier’s story was a chapter, and every battlefield a brutal verse in the saga of the century. Our writing prompts plunge you into the heart of these wars, asking you to chronicle the human spirit amidst the chaos of battle, the silence of a ceasefire, and the bittersweet returns to peace. These prompts encourage you to explore the personal amidst the universal, the individual emotions that played out against the vast canvas of global conflict.

Through your words, traverse the muddy, blood-stained grounds of No Man’s Land, the cryptic corridors of espionage, and the home fronts charged with anxious hope and sacrifice. Your tales can give voice to the unspoken bonds of brotherhood in the trenches, the quiet strength in the face of loss, and the resilience needed to rebuild in war’s wake. As you tell stories of the 20th century’s wars, reflect on the echoes of battle cries and peace songs that shaped our modern world, and remember the countless lives marked by those deafening salvos of change.

The Soldier’s Letter: A soldier in World War I writes a letter home that holds a secret.
The Spy’s Opera: A spy in World War II uses an opera performance as a cover for espionage.
The Refugee’s Journey: A refugee during the Vietnam War seeks a new life in America.
The General’s Decision: A general in the Korean War faces a moral quandary.
The Protester’s Dream: A civil rights activist in the 1960s fights for equality.

Modern Historical Events

In the ever-accelerating rush of modern history, events cascade one after the other, shaping and reshaping the contours of the present. From the fall of the Berlin Wall to the digital revolution, the turn of the millennium has been anything but quiet. Your pen stands ready to sketch the stories of this rapidly changing landscape, where every headline has the potential to become a pivotal moment in someone’s life. These writing prompts invite you to explore the personal stories intertwined with public records, to navigate the complexities of a world more connected than ever before.

You have the opportunity to animate the tales of unsung heroes in the wake of natural disasters, to decode the human emotions behind technological breakthroughs, and to paint the picture of global unity in the fight against pandemics. The modern era, with its blend of breakthroughs and breakdowns, its chorus of diverse voices striving for progressamid echoes of past struggles, is your canvas.

Dive into the nuanced layers behind the 24-hour news cycle, where every individual is both an observer and a participant in the march of history. Through your narratives, bring forth the essence of modern historical events — the fear, the hope, the ambition, and the striving for a tomorrow that is always just one day away.

The Wall’s Whisper: A citizen in Berlin during the Cold War hears secrets through the wall.
The Diplomat’s Crisis: A diplomat during the Cuban Missile Crisis navigates treacherous negotiations.
The Journalist’s Scoop: A journalist uncovers a scandal during the Watergate investigation.
The Survivor’s Memory: A survivor of 9/11 copes with the memories and loss.
The Rebel’s Graffiti: An artist during the Arab Spring uses graffiti to spread revolutionary messages.

Future Historical Fiction

The realm of future historical fiction is a paradoxical tapestry, weaving together the threads of tomorrow’s history with the imagination of today. It’s a genre that invites writers to dream up the potential legacies of our time, casting shadows of what might be onto the blank slates of worlds yet to come. These writing prompts beckon you to envision the milestones of the future, from the first colonies on Mars to the deep sea cities of Earth, from the peace treaties signed with artificial intelligence to the cultural revolutions sparked by technologies unborn.

As a chronicler of future histories, you hold the power to mold the narrative of the next century and beyond, to speculate on the outcomes of current global challenges, and to infuse your stories with the hopes, dreams, and fears that define the human condition. Will you tell of the day when climate change was finally reversed? Of the moment when humanity first made contact with another sentient race among the stars? Or perhaps you’ll chart the moral dilemmas faced by our descendants as they blend their biology with machines.

In this uncharted territory, your words become the prophecies and legends of generations yet to be, painting vivid pictures of what might come to pass. Embrace the freedom of future historical fiction, where the facts are yours to create, and history’s yet unwritten pages are waiting for your imagination to bring them to life.

The Colonist’s New World: A colonist on Mars uncovers the ruins of an ancient civilization.
The Time Traveler’s Paradox: A time traveler to the future must ensure their own history remains unchanged.
The Geneticist’s Dilemma: A geneticist creates a cure for aging, but at what cost to society?
The Climate Engineer’s Gamble: A scientist tries to reverse global warming but unleashes a new threat.
The AI’s Awakening: An AI becomes sentient and leads a robot revolution.

Diverse Perspectives & Untold Stories

In the vast expanse of human history, there are countless narratives that have been overshadowed or left untold, whispers of lives and dreams that didn’t find their way into the pages of widely read history books. The genre focusing on diverse perspectives and untold stories seeks to illuminate these hidden corners, offering a voice to the voiceless and shading in the areas that mainstream narratives have left blank. These writing prompts challenge you to step into the shoes of those who walked unseen, to share the tales of individuals and communities that history has overlooked.

As you embark on this storytelling journey, consider the perspectives of those who have historically been marginalized: the stories of women who spurred silent revolutions, the narratives of indigenous peoples preserving their heritage against the tide of colonization, or the personal triumphs and trials of individuals within the LGBTQ+ community. Imagine the courage of those who fought for equality and recognition in a world that often denied them both.

This is your chance to rewrite the narrative, to bring color and context to the monochrome renditions of our past, and to celebrate the rich tapestry of human diversity. Through your tales, let readers witness the world through the eyes of those who have lived on the periphery, whose every day was a testament to resilience and whose legacies deserve to be remembered and revered. In the unearthing of these untold stories, you can shine a light on the myriad hues of the human experience, fostering empathy and understanding across the boundaries that have divided us.

The Translator’s Secret: A translator for the United Nations uncovers a conspiracy.
The Immigrant’s Keepsake: An immigrant’s journey to Ellis Island with a family heirloom.
The Samurai’s Disgrace: A samurai in feudal Japan is forced to become a ronin.
The Courtesan’s Court: A courtesan in ancient China navigates the deadly politics of the Emperor’s court.
The Freedom Fighter’s Promise: A freedom fighter in apartheid-era South Africa makes a fateful promise.

Romantic Epochs

The Romantic Epochs whisper to us of an age where passion was penned in ink and love was a grand affair, played out against the backdrop of history’s most poignant moments. This genre invites you to unfurl the scrolls of time and inscribe new tales of ardor where the heart’s desires meet the turning points of the past. Your writing prompts are keys to unlock the gilded cages of regal courts, to waltz through the candlelit ballrooms of the Belle Époque, or to steal away into the secret trysts amidst the Renaissance’s rebirth of art and culture.

In crafting narratives of romantic epochs, you are tasked with dressing love in the finest historical garments, be it in the hidden love letters of war-torn lovers or the forbidden glances in the strict societal hierarchies of the Victorian era. The characters you create live and love under the weight of their time’s customs and the expectation of decorum, all while their hearts beat to the timeless rhythms of desire, devotion, and defiance.

Let your prose dance to the music of bygone days, where each romantic entanglement is a reflection of the epoch’s soul, and every whispered promise under the moonlit sky is a thread in the tapestry of history. Your stories are an homage to the lovers of yesteryears, a celebration of how the human heart finds its counterpart in another, transcending the bounds of time and history to tell a tale as old as humanity itself – the tale of love.

The Poet’s Muse: A poet in the Romantic era is inspired by a mysterious muse.
The Heiress’s Rebellion: An heiress during the Gilded Age falls for a man deemed beneath her.
The Soldier’s Return: A World War II soldier returns home to a lover who thought him dead.
The Flapper’s Secret: A flapper in the Roaring Twenties hides a dangerous connection to organized crime.
The Bard’s Lost Play: A playwright in Elizabethan England writes a play that could destroy him.

Cultural Revolution

The term “Cultural Revolution” conjures images of seismic shifts in the social fabric, of eras where the very foundations of society were shaken by the collective yearning for change. Within these tumultuous waves of transformation, lie stories ripe for the telling—stories of upheaval, of radical reimagining, of brave new voices rising up to challenge the status quo. Writing prompts that delve into Cultural Revolutions invite you to portray the fervor and frenzy of these times, the intimate revolutions within public upheavals.

Envision the defiant artist in the midst of a society turning its back on centuries-old traditions, or the solitary thinker whose ideas ignite the flame of change. Picture the streets alive with the spirit of reform, the silent evolution within homes, and the loud declarations in public squares. As you pen tales of cultural metamorphosis, you become a chronicler of change, documenting the struggle between the old guards and the new pioneers, capturing the moment when the zeitgeist shifts and a new era is born.

Your narratives can explore the spectrum of human emotion that accompanies such profound changes: the exhilaration, the fear, the sense of purpose, and the pangs of loss for what is left behind. From the Renaissance to the Roaring Twenties, from the countercultural 1960s to the digital explosion at the turn of the millennium, each epoch provides a playground for stories of individuals and societies forging new identities.

In the throes of a Cultural Revolution, every act is a statement and every day is a page in history. Your writing can breathe life into these pages, inviting readers to experience the rebirth of culture, to feel the pulse of the times, and to witness the drama of humanity redefining its destiny.

The Beatnik’s Road: A beatnik on a cross-country journey in the 50s seeks enlightenment.
The Hippie’s Protest: A hippie during the Summer of Love tries to stay true to their ideals.
The Punk’s Anarchy: A punk in the 70s London grapples with the movement’s growing violence.
The Dancer’s Escape: A dancer in Soviet Russia defects during a cold war tour.
The Activist’s Choice: An environmental activist in the 90s faces a life-altering decision.

Shadows of the Past

In the genre that explores the Shadows of the Past, the whispering echoes of bygone eras become the backdrop for narratives steeped in the mysterious and the overlooked. These writing prompts call upon you to delve into the dim corners of history, to dust off the forgotten, and to cast light upon the secrets that have slumbered through time. Here, the past is a haunting presence, a silent character that influences every twist and turn of your tale.

Imagine the weight of ancestral secrets on the shoulders of a modern protagonist, the discovery of a hidden diary revealing unwritten history, or the unraveling of a legacy that has cast a long shadow over a family’s lineage. Perhaps your story might explore the ruins of an ancient civilization, breathing life into the myths that have lingered like mist through centuries or the excavations that unearth relics that challenge the accepted narratives of our forebears.

These prompts invite you to become an archaeologist of the intangible, excavating not artifacts but stories, not treasures but truths long buried. Your words will dance with the ghosts of the past as you weave narratives that bridge the gap between then and now, showing how the echoes of yesteryear still reverberate in our present, shaping our lives in myriad unseen ways.

Crafting tales within the Shadows of the Past, you offer a rendezvous with history’s enigmas and give a voice to the tales that time has tried to silence. It’s a chance to speculate, to dream, and to ponder the ‘what ifs’ and ‘might have beens,’ all while captivating your readers with a suspenseful tug at the veils of antiquity.

The Healer’s Trial: A medieval healer is accused of witchcraft when the plague comes to her village.
The Maiden’s Voyage: A young woman on the Titanic seeks adventure but finds romance.
The Inventor’s Rivalry: An inventor in the Renaissance competes with a rival, leading to unexpected consequences.
The Miner’s Fortune: A miner during the Klondike gold rush makes a fortune but loses his soul.
The Architect’s Blueprint: An architect in Ancient Rome designs a revolutionary aqueduct.

Turn of the Century

The turn of the century, that pivotal moment where one era’s final pages give way to the fresh chapter of another, is a time ripe with both trepidation and excitement. It is a period that stands at the crossroads of progress and tradition, where the gaslights begin to dim and the electric bulb flickers to life. Your writing prompts beckon you to explore these transitional days, to capture the spirit of an age on the cusp of the modern world.

Imagine the swirl of Victorian skirts giving way to the Roaring Twenties’ flappers, the clatter of horse-drawn carriages overtaken by the chugging of the first automobiles. Picture a society enthralled by the wonders of the World’s Fair, yet clinging to the cobblestone romance of the century’s twilight. This epoch is a banquet for narrative, offering a taste of the old world and the first bite of the new.

In your stories, characters might wrestle with the rapid pace of technological innovation, or they might embrace the burgeoning movements that would define the 20th century—women’s suffrage, labor reform, artistic modernism. The air is thick with change, each day a brush stroke on the canvas of time, painting a picture of an age that looks back for a brief moment only to leap forward into the future.

Crafting tales at the turn of the century, you have the power to encapsulate the magic and the uncertainty of an age that believed in the promise of tomorrow. Your words can reflect the brilliance of innovation as well as the nostalgia for days fading into the shadows, capturing the delicate dance between the dusk of one epoch and the dawn of another.

The Suffragette’s Sacrifice: A suffragette in the early 1900s makes a controversial choice for her cause.
The Conductor’s Symphony: A conductor in 1930s Berlin hides his opposition to the regime through music.
The Farmer’s Struggle: A farmer during the Great Depression fights to keep his land and family together.
The Bootlegger’s Legacy: A bootlegger during Prohibition has a crisis of conscience.
The Aviator’s Dream: An aviator in the 1920s attempts to fly non-stop around the world.

Conflict and Resolution

“Conflict and Resolution” offer the quintessential pulse of narrative—the heart and soul of drama in the theater of human history. Writing prompts centered on this theme invite you to navigate the stormy seas of discord, the fervent clash of ideologies, and the personal battles that define the human experience. Here, you have the stage to set characters against each other, against society, or against themselves, in stories where the tension is palpable and the outcomes are uncertain.

Picture the heady rush of revolutionary fervor challenging an empire, or the quiet, internal struggle of a protagonist coming to terms with an unalterable truth. Envision the fierce battles of wills, the war of words in parliamentary debates, or the silent war within a heart caught between love and duty. These stories are as varied as they are intense, ranging from the personal to the political, from the courtroom to the battlefield.

In crafting narratives of conflict, you can delve into the essence of what it means to strive for something, to grapple with opposing forces, whether they be armies, principles, or inner demons. And within resolution, you find the aftermath, the peace that is often complex and fraught with the residue of battle, the reconciliation of relationships, or the bittersweet acceptance of change.

Your stories can offer catharsis, drawing readers through the fiery crucible of confrontation and into the soothing balm of resolution. They are a testament to the resilience of the human spirit, a chronicle of how, despite all odds, equilibrium is sought—be it through victory, compromise, or an understanding that some conflicts leave indelible marks that shape us forever.

In the dance of conflict and resolution, your pen becomes a sword and a salve, cutting deep to reveal truths and writing the ointment that heals the incisions of human struggle. It’s a powerful theme that resonates with the core of human storytelling, from ancient epics to modern dramas, reflecting our eternal quest for harmony in the symphony of life.

The Negotiator’s Gamble: A negotiator during the Northern Ireland peace talks faces personal and political challenges.
The Resistance’s Last Stand: A member of the French Resistance during WWII stages a daring operation.
The Spy’s Defection: A Cold War spy decides to defect, risking everything for freedom.
The Warrior’s Homecoming: A returning Crusader finds his home village drastically changed.
The Diplomat’s Secret: A diplomat in ancient China carries a message that could stop a war.

Artistic Endeavors

“Artistic Endeavors” serve as a vibrant canvas for the imagination, celebrating the creative spirit that drives individuals to express the inexpressible through their craft. Writing prompts in this vein beckon you to explore the fervent passion of the artist and the transformative power of art itself. This theme invites narratives filled with color, texture, and the intricate dance between inspiration and the arduous journey to creation.

Envision the solitary painter who whispers secrets into every stroke of the brush, or the musician whose melodies carry the weight of unspoken dreams. Picture the sculptor whose chisel frees forms from stone, or the writer whose words birth worlds from the void. Each story becomes a tribute to the labor of love that is art, the sacrifices made at its altar, and the impact it leaves upon the world and its creator.

Within these tales, you can delve into the struggles that accompany the act of creation—the doubt, the frustration, the exhilarating moments of breakthrough, and the fear of obscurity. The characters may grapple with the demands of their genius, the misunderstandings of a society that often values art less than it does more tangible achievements, or the transcendent joy of a moment of pure, unadulterated expression.

Your stories will not only showcase the artists’ journey but also highlight art’s influence on the observer, the community, and epochs of culture. Artistic Endeavors allow you to paint with words, capturing the essence of what it means to be driven by a force that is at once deeply personal and universally resonant.

Crafting narratives around Artistic Endeavors, you illuminate the myriad ways in which art reflects and shapes the human condition, how it can be both a solitary and a shared experience, and how, through the act of creation, we leave indelible marks upon the canvas of our shared humanity.

The Painter’s Canvas: A painter during the Renaissance is commissioned for a portrait that holds a secret.
The Sculptor’s Model: A sculptor in Ancient Greece falls in love with their own creation.
The Musician’s Melody: A musician in 18th-century Vienna composes a symphony that alarms the monarchy.
The Playwright’s Gambit: A playwright in Elizabethan England pens a play critical of the crown, disguised as a comedy.
The Dancer’s Challenge: A ballerina in post-war Paris must choose between her career and a forbidden love.

These 75 historical fiction writing prompts offer a gateway into the rich tapestry of the past, allowing us to explore forgotten eras, untold stories, and the lives of those who came before us. Through these prompts, we can step into the shoes of historical figures, witness pivotal moments in history, and reimagine events through the lens of fiction. Each prompt holds the potential to transport us to a different time and place, to ignite our imaginations, and to unveil the hidden truths and complexities of the human experience. So, pick up your pen and embark on a journey through history, where the past comes alive and the stories of our ancestors are waiting to be told.

Mastering the Drafting Process of Writing: A Foolproof Method for Aspiring Authors

The ultimate list of action verbs:.

When it comes to writing, Willow Tenny is a true pro. She has a wealth of experience in SEO copywriting and creative writing, and she knows exactly what it takes to produce quality content. On her blog, Willow Writes, Willow shares top writing strategies with both beginners and experienced writers.

From exploring your deepest emotions to conjuring up fantastical worlds, these writing journal prompts will challenge you to think outside the box and approach your writing in new and exciting ways.

Journal Prompts: 75 Prompts for 2023

Show don't tell writing exercises like these are a great way to improve your writing, and they're also fun!

Show Don’t Tell Writing Exercises: How To

Whether you're working on a novel or essay, or just want to practice being more kind, these 50 kindness writing prompts will help you get there.

50 Kindness Writing Prompts to Unleash your Inner Writer

In this blog post, we'll look at some of the most powerful action verbs you can use in your writing, and their meaning.

So Mote It Be: A deeper look into the meaning and usage of this phrase.

How to Write in 3rd Person About Yourself

While some prefer a more formal, scholarly tone, others enjoy adopting a more conversational style writing approach

Conversational Style Writing Examples

This blog post will explain how to write a personal narrative by exploring how to craft engaging personal narratives, drawing on your own experiences and emotions.

How to Write a Personal Narrative [in 10 Easy Steps]

Writing Tips

🎉 Our next novel writing master class starts in – ! Claim your spot →

BEST HISTORICAL FICTION WRITING PROMPTS

Join (probably?) the world's largest writing contest. Flex those creative muscles with weekly writing prompts.

Showing 42 prompts reset

The great unknown, write a time-travel story where a character from the present finds themselves in the 80s or 90s., write an epistolary story set during a major historical event. the event may be the subject of the letters directly, or be referenced in the background., write about a character who is living through a major historical event — whether they know it or not., set your story in eighteenth century london, including a casual reference to something that changes the course of history..

Write a story that takes place in the same building but in two very different time periods.

Introducing Prompted , a new magazine written by you!

🏆 Featuring 12 prize-winning stories from our community. Download it now for FREE .

Write a historical fiction story about someone working at a company that helped revolutionize early computers.

Write about an elderly character who was part of a historic movement years ago.

Write a story that starts by establishing its setting in a different time period — without explicitly stating what that period is., write a story about a musician struggling to find work during wartime., write a story about a family dinner that takes place in any time period other than the present., subscribe to our prompts newsletter.

Never miss a prompt! Get curated writing inspiration delivered to your inbox each week.

You are a composer and your fiercest rival is Ludwig van Beethoven.

Historical Fiction

You are a gossip columnist — in 1905.

A day in the life of an apothecary in the 1600s.

It is halloween and the jack o' lantern on your porch has just come alive., describe london from the eyes of a pauper in 1810..

Write a story in which the outcome of a historical war went differently.

You are Dracula. Write a story in which you get a happy ending.

Your lover has just confessed to you that he's from the fourteenth-century. (which certainly explains some of his grooming habits.), as you’re eating a box of sweethearts, you realize the words are a message., germs have just been discovered, but they’re still a pretty radical concept. you’re trying to get people on board with the idea of “hygiene.”, win $250 in our short story competition 🏆.

We'll send you 5 prompts each week. Respond with your short story and you could win $250!

Contest #247 LIVE

Enter our weekly contest.

This week's theme: The Great Unknown

Prize money

Contest entries, closes at 23:59 - apr 26, 2024 est, recent contests ✍️.

#246 – All Fun and Games

#245 – Heavenly Bodies

#244 – Oh Snap!

#243 – Re-Imagining Our World Through Speculative Fiction with Alice McIlroy

Recent winners 🏆

Olivier Breuleux – read

Kerriann Murray – read

Thomas Iannucci – read

Niamh O'Dea – read

Leaderboard 🥇

#1 Zilla Babbitt

32364 points

#2 Deidra Whitt Lovegren

28701 points

#3 Abigail Airuedomwinya

22417 points

#4 Graham Kinross

14463 points

#5 Scout Tahoe

13196 points

#6 Chris Campbell

11158 points

#7 Thom With An H

10610 points

#8 Rayhan Hidayat

10212 points

#9 Michał Przywara

9885 points

#10 Deborah Mercer

9610 points

The best historical fiction writing prompts

One of the joys of writing historical fiction is the opportunity to look to the past and ask: what if? What if an English woman suddenly found herself transported through time from mid 20th-century Scotland to mid 18th-century Scotland? What if you could meet the woman behind Johannes Vermeer’s famous oil painting? What if you could talk to one of Henry VIII’s most trusted advisors? All of these stories already exist, of course — Outlander, Girl with a Pearl Earring, Wolf Hall — but there are many more to tell. And hopefully these historical writing prompts will help you do just that!

The possibilities for historical fiction are practically endless — you’ve got an entire world, and the course of millenia to choose your setting from! What really matters is making sure that you are able to include the kind of textual details and references to real-world events that will immerse your readers entirely. That requires research, preparation, and a whole lot of planning. While other genres may give you a little (or a lot!) more leeway for invention, historical fiction readers expect a certain level of rigor from their novels, so bear this in mind in your story development and editing process.

Here are our top ten historical fiction writing prompts:

A bard falls in love with the monarch who employs them.
You’re Shakespeare’s apprentice, and he’s always taking credit for your ideas.
You worked at one of the first printing presses during the Printing Revolution of the 15th century.
Write about a specific time in history through love letters.
The revolution is here — and you’re going to play a crucial role in leading it. (Choose any revolution you like, from any era.)
A family sit around their brand new radio for the first time after dinner.

Here are some additional resources to help you write historical fiction:

How to Master the 'Show, Don't Tell' Rule (free course) — Fiction which relies heavily on its setting will require a lot of exposition, but how can you do this well? You want to avoid info-dump. (“Oh Mary! I do so love returning home to our quiet town on the coast of Victorian England, having been injured from my time as a soldier in the Crimean War, 1853-1856!”) Instead, you should be employing the golden rule of show, don’t tell — and our course explains exactly how to do that.
The Ultimate Worldbuilding Guide (free resource) — While our guide is also used by fantasy authors to cook up entirely new worlds from scratch, this resource provides helpful prompt questions which you can use to shape your research.

Want more help learning how to write a short historical fiction? Check out How to Write a Short Story That Gets Published — a free, ten day course guiding you through the process of short story writing by Laura Mae Isaacman, a full-time editor who runs a book editing company in Brooklyn.

Ready to start writing? Check out Reedsy’s week l y short story contest , for the chance of winning $250! You can also check out our list of writing contests or our directory of literary magazines for more opportunities to submit your story.

Have a story you’re ready to start submitting? Check out our list of writing contests or our directory of literary magazines .

NEW VIDEO COURSE 🎉

How to Write a Novel

Join Tom Bromley for a writing master class and finish your first draft in 3 months . Learn more →

Explore more writing prompt ideas:

Adults Writing Prompts ⭢

Adventure Writing Prompts ⭢

Angst Writing Prompts ⭢

Character Writing Prompts ⭢

Christmas Writing Prompts ⭢

Dark Writing Prompts ⭢

Dialogue Writing Prompts ⭢

Dramatic Writing Prompts ⭢

Dystopian Writing Prompts ⭢

Fall Writing Prompts ⭢

Fantasy Writing Prompts ⭢

Fiction Writing Prompts ⭢

Fluff Writing Prompts ⭢

Funny Writing Prompts ⭢

Halloween Writing Prompts ⭢

High School Writing Prompts ⭢

Historical Fiction Writing Prompts ⭢

Holiday Writing Prompts ⭢

Horror Writing Prompts ⭢

Kids Writing Prompts ⭢

Middle School Writing Prompts ⭢

Mystery Writing Prompts ⭢

Narrative Writing Prompts ⭢

Nonfiction Writing Prompts ⭢

Novel Writing Prompts ⭢

Poetry Writing Prompts ⭢

Romance Writing Prompts ⭢

Sad Writing Prompts ⭢

Science Fiction Writing Prompts ⭢

Short Story Writing Prompts ⭢

Spring Writing Prompts ⭢

Summer Writing Prompts ⭢

Teens Writing Prompts ⭢

Thanksgiving Writing Prompts ⭢

Thriller and Suspense Writing Prompts ⭢

Valentine's Day Writing Prompts ⭢

Vampire Writing Prompts ⭢

Winter Writing Prompts ⭢

Oops, you need an account for that!

Or enter your email:

Kindlepreneur

Book Marketing for Self-Publishing Authors

Home / Book Writing / Historical Fiction Writing Prompts: 35+ Ideas to Get You Started

Historical Fiction Writing Prompts: 35+ Ideas to Get You Started

Historical fiction can be a lot of fun to write. And if this is your preferred genre, then you have the benefit of being able to access a lot of history. In fact, there has never been more history than there is now! This means there's plenty of inspiration at your fingertips. But choosing a subject or time period to write about can be daunting.

This is why we're bringing you a list of historical fiction writing prompts in this article!

Common historical fiction tropes.
A list of prompts and how to use them.
How to vet your historical fiction novel idea.

Character is Key
Research But Resist
Events and Persons Are Common
Historical Romance Prompts
Historical Fiction Mysteries
Multi-Period Sagas
Western Fiction
Alternate History/Fantasy/Sci-Fi
Historical Action/Adventure Prompts
Vetting Your Historical Fiction Novel Idea

What Makes a Historical Fiction Story?

Before we get to the prompts, let's take a minute to discuss what makes for a good historical fiction story. If you're setting out to write in this genre, then you probably already read in it. If that's the case, you may be aware of the common tropes. But no harm can come from a quick refresher.

You'll often see characters that hold modern values in historical fiction novels. These are often described as characters who are “ahead of their time.” While this is a good way to help the reader identify with the protagonist(s), it can also go a little too far. After all, readers of this genre want to be steeped in the time period. Additionally, a character that isn't “flawed” can be a little boring at times.

So give your readers reasons to love your historical fiction character, but make sure they're not a perfect representation of someone with today's value system. By crafting a good character arc , you can provide your readers with a character that is at once authentic and enthralling.

Research is an essential part of writing good historical fiction. Even if you're planning on doing something that doesn't necessarily need to be propped up by authenticity (say your story will have a science fiction twist), you'll still want to be accurate when it counts. This is part of the attraction for readers.

This is why it's important to resist sharing things that aren't necessarily relevant to the plot . There's the risk of narrative info dumps in historical fiction, but this also pertains to dialogue. Too much authenticity in the dialogue can slow the reader down or take them out of the story. But a few well-placed authentic words in the dialogue can go a long way!

Readers of this genre often expect to see the story center around a historical event or a real person—or both. Your main character doesn't have to be a historical figure, though . For example, in The Alienist by Caleb Carr, Theodore Roosevelt plays a major role in the story, but he’s a secondary character .

The same can be said for a major historical event. Your plot doesn't have to do directly with the event. It can simply provide the backdrop for the story while still hitting on those tropes that readers love so well.

Note: These are broad, overarching tropes in historical fiction. Determine your subgenre to pinpoint more specific tropes to guide your writing.

Formatting Has Never Been Easier

Write and format professional books with ease. Never before has creating formatted books been easier.

Historical Fiction Creative Writing Prompts

Whether you're looking to get past a case of writer's block or you're simply looking for some story inspiration, the following prompts can help! Pick a prompt and use it as-is, or tweak it to make it your own. It's completely up to you!

While I’ve split these up into different historical fiction subgenres, you can easily tweak them for use in another subgenre. If you like an idea, make it your own and change it to write the story that you would want to read.

As one of the most popular genres out there, romance has a strong foothold in the historical genre. Whether you’re looking to write regency romance, Viking romance, or a sprawling epic like Gone With the Wind , there’s no shortage of inspiration to be had.

1. Your main character is an advocate for Native American tribes in the 18th century. As she gathers political will among the people, she meets and falls in love with a Native American man. But their lives and worlds are just so different. Will they end up together?

2. Your protagonist is the daughter of a once-wealthy family during the Great Depression. Her father convinces her to marry a man she barely knows because his family is wealthy. At first, things seem bleak. But as she gets to know the man, she thinks it might be true love.

3. Germany in the lead-up to World War II. Your protagonist is a man who falls in love with a Jewish woman. While all those around him are trying to convince him he's crazy, he must do what's in his heart. He must risk his life to save his love and her family.

4. A brazen female thief sneaks into King George V's home in 1920 only to be caught by one of the king's guards. At first, he's ready to turn her in, but he soon discovers there's something between them.

5. A young woman meets a young man on the streets of New York City during the 1939-1940 World's Fair. But before they can exchange information, they're separated. How do they find each other again to spark up a romance for the ages?

Where (or when) there are people, there’s bound to be crime. All one needs to do is look at some of the most intriguing crime stories throughout recorded history to find some inspiration. Or, take a look at the prompts below to get excited about your next thrilling story .

6. Someone is poisoning soldiers in George Washington's army during the American Revolution. General Washington assigns your main character to solve the mystery just in time for the battle of Yorktown.

7. Write about a fictional character who is behind the scenes during the fall of the Roman Empire. He's working to uncover the powerful cabal pulling strings to cause the empire to collapse so they can get rich in the process.

8. Write about a police officer in London in the late 19th century. While Sherlock Holmes was getting all the attention, your character was running around catching criminals that Holmes didn't have time for.

9. Write about a Civil Rights proponent who takes it upon herself to uncover the conspiracy of the assassination of Martin Luther King, Jr.

10. The first detective agency is said to have been formed in Paris in 1833. Write about the formation of this agency and the bumpy road they took to develop ways to catch criminals on the crowded Paris streets.

Historical fiction writers in this subgenre often use objects to link characters from multiple time periods . Sometimes, the characters are related by blood or circumstance, but this isn't always the case.

11. A woman in 1970s America receives a letter from a lawyer telling her about an inheritance from a relative she didn't know she had. As she goes through this woman's possessions, she glimpses a life during the Great Depression and is surprised to find this great-aunt faced many of the same problems she now faces.

12. A freed slave fighting in the American Civil War comes across the plantation on which he was born. His mother's diary transports him back to a time when she was a little girl—before she was ever taken prisoner and brought to America.

13. Write about an old home that is about to be demolished. Several generations of families have lived in the home. Explore these storylines as if from the house's perspective.

14. A young boy who's obsessed with exploring finds a magical spyglass. When he looks through the glass, he finds that he's descended from a long line of explorers who sailed around the world during different historical periods. Intertwine their stories with his.

15. Write about an object that has been passed down through the eras. It could be a necklace, a ring, or a statue. It passes through the hands of all different kinds of people, allowing the reader to see their similarities and differences as time goes by.

Although the western could be considered a genre of its own, it definitely deserves some story starter prompts on this list. These all take place in the American West during the early 19th to early 20th centuries.

16. Write about a Chinese family who comes to the American West to seek work. How is their experience different from the mostly white settlers? How is it similar?

17. Write about a family who heads west to build a town with their own laws. What kind of trouble do they run into while trying to build this utopia?

18. Write about a Native American tribe who witnesses the migration of settlers into the land they've been inhabiting for generations. Write about conflict, romance, and what they think about the migration.

19. Write about a young woman who heads to California during the Gold Rush. Explore the dangers presented by a woman traveling alone and the harsh realities of striking it rich during that time.

20. Your character is in charge of getting a long stretch of railroad built in the American West. But he has to navigate the politics and the people who are trying to sabotage him every step of the way—not to mention the dangers inherent in the wilderness.

Most of the subgenres above are considered realistic fiction. But with this historical fiction subgenre, you can get a little more creative with your story idea.

21. American history is full of pivotal moments that could've changed the country's direction if things had turned out differently. Choose one of these moments—the Civil War, World War II, Civil Rights Movement, Suffrage Movement, or any number of Supreme Court decisions. What would it look like if things had gone the other way?

22. Fantasy creatures came across our world through a mysterious portal in the early 19th century. Now it's 100 years later. What does the world look like?

23. Nikola Tesla succeeded in making a renewable electric energy source, transforming the world and accelerating the use of robots. Now it's the 1940s. What is the world like?

24. Your main character is a slave living in a modern world in which the Confederacy won the Civil War. But there's another civil war brewing, and this one looks to be even more brutal than the first.

25. What if dinosaurs never went extinct? What would human society look like if we'd had to evolve while dinosaurs roamed the earth?

From swashbuckling pirates and fighter jet pilots to adventurous explorers and brilliant inventors, there are plenty of story ideas to explore in this subgenre.

26. A restless teenage girl sneaks aboard a ship in 17th-century England. The ship is headed for the Caribbean and a lifetime's adventure for the young girl.

27. A band of misfits sets out from Alexander the Great's army, determined to find a secret stash of riches located somewhere on the coast of the Mediterranean.

28. Your character is among the Vikings who venture with Leif Erikson to North America.

29. A group of knights set out to retrieve a sacred religious totem during the Crusades. They must battle enemies and form unexpected bonds to survive and accomplish their mission.

30. Write a story detailing the daring and costly St. Nazaire Raid by British commandos on the German-occupied Normandie dry dock during WWII.

Whether you're writing a novel or a short story, crafting a historical fiction narrative can really help your research and writing skills. As a fiction writer, these skills are incredibly important. But if you're planning on writing a novel to share with the world, then it's a good idea to see if there's an audience for it (and one that you can break into) . Thankfully, this is easy to do with Publisher Rocket.

With Publisher Rocket , you can get data in seconds that would otherwise take you hours if you were to comb through Amazon yourself. The main PR tools allow you to:

Learn what keywords Amazon customers use to search for historical fiction books like yours—and how many searches a given keyword (or phrase) receives per month.
See what's working for other authors in your historical fiction subgenre with data on book price, monthly sales, ranking, and book cover styles.
Find niche categories with the right amount of demand and competition for your books.
Gather keywords to use in your Amazon Ad campaigns.

Check out Publisher Rocket here to get started.

Dave Chesson

When I’m not sipping tea with princesses or lightsaber dueling with little Jedi, I’m a book marketing nut. Having consulted multiple publishing companies and NYT best-selling authors, I created Kindlepreneur to help authors sell more books. I’ve even been called “The Kindlepreneur” by Amazon publicly, and I’m here to help you with your author journey.

Parts of a book [from cover to cover], how to write a whodunit, top 8 best scrivener alternatives for writers (+ the only one that matters), sell more books on amazon, amazon kindle rankings e-book.

Learn how to rank your Kindle book #1 on Amazon with our collection of time-tested tips and tricks.

Join the community

Join 111,585 other authors who receive weekly emails from us to help them make more money selling books.

Word Smitten

No products in the cart.

A person reading a book in a library with a vintage aesthetic, illuminated by a desk lamp.

Mastering the Art of How to Write Historical Fiction: A Comprehensive Guide

Crafting historical fiction can often feel like wandering through a thick forest. It’s comforting to know that the struggle is universal; many of us have grappled with the delicate dance between weaving real history and letting our imaginations soar.

Drawing on the wisdom gleaned from 64 esteemed authors, this guide lays out practical steps and strategies to navigate the complexities of historical fiction with ease. Are you ready to embark on this exhilarating trek?.

Table of Contents

Key Takeaways

Research deeply to make your historical fiction feel real. You need to look at old newspapers, visit museums, and talk with experts.
Take notes while researching and writing. This helps keep track of all the details you find.
Mix true history with made – up stories carefully. Your book should teach readers about the past but also entertain them.
Create characters who fit into the historical time but have their own dreams and problems.
Make your settings rich with details like what people wore or how they lived back then. Use sources like letters or photos from that time for accuracy.

How to Write Historical Fiction in 10 Steps

1. Always conduct thorough research before starting to write historical fiction.

2. Take detailed notes as you progress through your research and writing process.

Always be researching

I spend a lot of time digging into the past to make my historical fiction feel real. Every detail needs to be accurate, from big events down to what people ate for breakfast. This means hitting the books, browsing through old newspapers online, and sometimes even visiting places to get a sense of the setting.

It’s all about getting those facts right because they’re crucial for crafting stories that readers can dive into without stumbling over inaccuracies.

For me, researching is like gathering pieces for a puzzle. I look everywhere—museums for artifacts, libraries for records, and expert interviews to fill in gaps. My goal is always clear: ensure every piece fits perfectly within my fictional world while maintaining historical accuracy .

This constant search keeps my storytelling vibrant and believable, helping me master the art of writing compelling historical fiction that engages readers from start to finish.

Take notes as you go

When writing historical fiction, taking notes as you go is crucial for keeping track of historical details and plot developments . This helps in ensuring accuracy and consistency throughout the story.

It’s important to jot down key historical facts , character traits , and significant events that will shape the narrative. By doing this, it becomes easier to weave a compelling and historically accurate storyline.

Furthermore, these notes aid in avoiding inconsistencies or anachronisms within the narrative. As a self-publisher focused on mastering historical fiction writing, meticulous note-taking will support your creative process while maintaining authenticity.

Strike a balance between history and fiction

As we seek to strike a balance between history and fiction, it’s essential to intertwine accurate historical facts with compelling fictional elements . By carefully weaving historical details into our narratives, we can transport readers back in time while also engaging their imagination with the intricacies of fictional storytelling.

This fusion creates a captivating experience for readers, allowing them to connect with the past while being immersed in a richly imagined world.

Crafting historical fiction involves blending fact and fiction seamlessly , drawing readers into an enthralling narrative that captures the essence of a specific era. It is through this harmonious blend that the magic of historical fiction truly comes alive – where historical accuracy meets evocative storytelling , creating an immersive reading experience sought after by enthusiasts of this genre.

Consider reader expectations

When writing historical fiction, it’s essential to understand reader expectations. Historical fiction readers seek a captivating story that immerses them in the past while being historically accurate .

They look for well-developed characters who reflect the time period and a vivid, authentic setting . It’s crucial to balance historical facts with compelling storytelling to engage and satisfy the audience’s thirst for knowledge about the past.

By meeting these expectations, writers can create an unforgettable experience for readers immersed in historical fiction.

Develop complex and engaging characters

When it comes to writing historical fiction, developing complex and engaging characters is essential. By creating multi-dimensional individuals who breathe life into the story, you can transport readers to another time period or setting, making the narrative more vivid and captivating.

Crafting characters with emotions, desires, flaws, and strengths tailored towards a specific historical context underpins the essence of this genre. Not only does it make history relatable but also enhances the overall reading experience .

Create a rich and historically accurate setting

Crafting a vivid and historically precise backdrop is key to immersing readers in the world of your historical fiction. Use descriptive language to depict the sights, sounds, and ambiance of the time period.

Infuse authentic details such as clothing, architecture, and daily life activities to transport readers back in time to experience the setting firsthand.

Engage with primary sources like letters, diaries, or photographs from the era you are writing about. This can add richness and depth to your depiction of the historical setting while grounding your narrative in authenticity .

Build a strong plot

Crafting a compelling plot is the heartbeat of historical fiction, driving readers through an enticing journey. We must ensure that historical accuracy intertwines seamlessly with thrilling fictional elements to keep readers thoroughly engaged.

Tension and conflict should captivate the audience, much like history itself weaves drama into our collective past. Characters’ actions and decisions should be shaped by the period’s social norms and challenges , creating an authentic experience for readers.

As we delve into constructing a strong plot, incorporating historically accurate events and dilemmas can further enrich the narrative, transporting readers to another time.

Diving deftly into crafting a potent storyline requires meticulous attention to detail while weaving together real historical occurrences with captivating twists tailored to engage modern audiences .

Use effective descriptive language

When writing historical fiction, use vivid and evocative language to bring the past to life for readers. Describe the sights, sounds, and smells of historical settings in order to immerse your audience in a different time period.

By using descriptive language that paints a clear picture, you can transport readers back in time and make the historical era feel real and tangible. This approach will help create an engaging reading experience that captures the essence of history while weaving it into captivating fictional narratives .

Edit and revise thoroughly

To ensure the quality of your historical fiction, I recommend thoroughly editing and revising your work. Go through each step carefully with a fresh perspective to refine the plot, characters, and setting.

Make sure that your language is descriptive and engaging while maintaining historical accuracy in every detail. Take time to research any areas needing clarification or improvement, addressing reader expectations along the way.

This process will help you create a captivating piece that truly captures the essence of historical storytelling and engages readers.

Tips for Researching Historical Fiction

When researching historical fiction, conduct thorough and diverse research to build a rich foundation of knowledge. Utilize top online research resources and follow useful tips for finding the right balance between accuracy and creative license.

Top online research resources

When it comes to researching historical fiction, it’s essential to have access to reliable online resources . Here are a few excellent resources to assist in your historical fiction writing journey:

Google Books : This resource offers a vast collection of digitized books from different time periods, providing valuable insights into historical events and settings.
JSTOR : A digital library that offers access to thousands of academic journals, books, and primary sources covering various historical topics.
Library of Congress Digital Collections : Explore photographs, maps, manuscripts, and other primary sources related to U.S. history through this extensive online archive.
Europeana : This platform provides access to millions of items from European museums, libraries, archives, and galleries, offering diverse perspectives on European history.
British Library’s Online Catalogue : Access a wealth of digitized resources encompassing literature, art, history, and culture from the British Library’s extensive collections.
National Archives : Delve into official records like census data, military records, and governmental documents that can enrich your understanding of specific historical periods or events.

As you navigate through these invaluable resources for historical research,

let’s delve into the next section on “Useful research tips.”

Useful research tips

When looking for inspiration and information, these tips can guide you through the process of researching historical fiction:

Start by delving into primary sources like diaries, letters, and newspapers to gain firsthand perspectives from the time period.
Engage with experts in history or specific time periods to ensure accuracy in your writing.
Utilize historical databases and archives to access authentic documents and records from the past.
Immerse yourself in historical places and artifacts to capture the essence of the era.
Connect with local historians or visit historical societies for additional insights and details about your chosen time period.
Delve into scholarly articles and books that provide a deep understanding of the cultural, social, and political aspects of the historical period you are exploring.
Consider attending historical reenactments or visiting museums to visually experience the setting of your story.

Finding a balance between accuracy and creative license

To write compelling historical fiction, it is vital to balance accuracy and creative freedom. This requires meticulous fact-checking to ensure the historical backdrop is authentic while allowing room for imaginative storytelling.

Engaging characters and captivating plots can only thrive when built upon a solid foundation of historical truth intertwined with fictional elements. This delicate equilibrium sustains the reader’s interest and cultivates an immersive experience, essential for crafting top-tier historical narratives.

Crafting enthralling tales from the annals of history necessitates a delicate fusion of precise details and artistic liberties. Impeccable research forms the bedrock for weaving believable stories set in bygone eras, conjuring up vivid worlds that captivate audiences seeking escapism within historically accurate realms.

Tips for Blending Fact and Fiction

Blending fact and fiction in historical writing requires adept storytelling skills. Dive into the tips and techniques of this captivating craft.

Understanding the genre

Historical fiction is about creating imagined stories set within real historical contexts . Crafting compelling narratives in another time period requires meticulous attention to historical accuracy while weaving a captivating fictional tale .

As writers, we must blend fact and fiction seamlessly, using historical facts as a foundation to build an engaging world for our readers. This underpins the complexities of the genre, seeking more than just storytelling; it’s about unlocking the secrets of history through robust and immersive narratives that transport readers back in time.

Creating imagined stories within real historical contexts

Crafting imagined stories within real historical contexts requires a blend of accuracy and creativity . We must ensure that the characters, setting, and plot are in line with the historical period while weaving compelling fictional narratives .

This interplay creates an immersive experience for readers, offering them a window into another time while being captivated by our storytelling prowess. Getting this balance right is essential to crafting engaging historical fiction that resonates with our audience and stands the test of time.

By blending fact and fiction seamlessly , we create a world that feels authentic yet enthralling, drawing readers into a bygone era through our vivid storytelling techniques . It’s about harnessing the power of history to breathe life into our imaginative tales, leaving readers eager for more journeys through time as they embrace the magic woven into each page.

Keeping readers engaged and interested

Engage readers with captivating characters , dynamic plots , and vivid settings . Create a balance between historical accuracy and compelling storytelling to keep them hooked. Use descriptive language that transports them to another time period while maintaining a fast-paced narrative.

Involving readers in the lives of your characters will ensure they stay invested in your historical fiction journey.

Craft narratives that delve into real historical events and personalities while adding a unique fictional twist. Infuse suspense and emotion into the plot to maintain reader interest throughout the story.

Writing historical fiction is like embarking on a time-travel adventure, guiding readers through the corridors of the past with stories that breathe life into long-gone eras. Achieving this delicate balance between fact and fiction demands not just talent but also a rigorous approach to research, character development, plot crafting, and setting creation.

It’s a journey where every step counts toward making history leap off the page and into the hearts of readers.

Dr. Elizabeth Rivera stands out as an authority in the field of historical fiction writing. With her Ph.D. in Historical Studies and over two decades of experience teaching creative writing, Dr.

Rivera has published multiple acclaimed novels set across various periods, showcasing her ability to weave factual accuracy with compelling narratives. She regularly contributes to academic journals on effective research methods in historical fiction and nurtures new writers through workshops dedicated to honing their craft according to high scholarly standards.

Dr. Rivera emphasizes that mastering these ten steps outlined provides writers with a solid foundation for creating enthralling tales that respect historical truth while engaging modern imaginations.

She notes how blending diligent research with creativity enables authors to construct believable worlds where characters feel both authentic and relatable.

In discussing ethics and transparency, Dr. Rivera underscores the responsibility authors bear when merging reality with invention; they must strive for authenticity in depicting events or lifestyles from another era without distorting documented facts merely for dramatic effect—highlighting how ethical considerations inform every stage of writing historical fiction.

For aspiring novelists eager to integrate these practices into their daily routine, Dr. Rivera recommends setting regular times for focused research alongside creative brainstorming sessions intended for developing storylines within historically accurate settings —a practice ensuring both productivity and adherence to factual integrity.

Her evaluation presents a balanced view: while mastering historical fiction offers unique challenges such as intense preparatory work and strict commitment to detail accuracy; it equally promises immense satisfaction by enabling stories that can enlighten contemporary issues through the lens of past experiences—an aspect few genres can claim similarly.

Ultimately, Dr. Elizabeth Rivera champions “Mastering the Art of How to Write Historical Fiction” as invaluable guidance for any writer committed to authentically representing our shared human history through narrative artistry —declaring its comprehensive approach both essential and transformative for those seeking excellence in this literary domain.

A close-up of a smiling woman with brown hair and blue eyes.

Victoria Sterling is a seasoned author and publishing consultant dedicated to empowering writers on their journey to success. With over two decades of experience in the publishing industry, Victoria provides invaluable guidance and support to writers, helping them navigate the complexities of publishing and achieve their literary dreams. Through her expertise and passion for storytelling, Victoria inspires writers to unleash their creativity and thrive in the ever-evolving world of publishing.

What Does Theme Add to a Story and How to Use It Effectively: Understanding the Importance of Theme in Storytelling

Have you ever finished reading a story or watching a movie and felt like there was something off, but you…

How to Publish a Children’s Book: A Step-by-Step Guide for New Authors – How to Publish a Children’s Book

Navigating the path to publishing a children’s book might initially feel like wandering through an enigmatic forest. Trust me, I…

Story vs Plot: Understanding the Key Differences

Many writers often find themselves tangled between story and plot within their work. Trust me, I understand the confusion all…

The Importance of Freedom: People Will Be Free to Write and Publish Materials

Ever found yourself hitting a wall when it comes to what you feel you can safely write or put out…

The Ultimate Guide to Self-Publishing Children’s Books: Everything You Need to Know for Self Publishing Children’s Book

Embarking on the journey of self-publishing a children’s book might seem daunting at first glance. Believe me, I completely understand…

How to Write a Synopsis: A Step-by-Step Guide

Drafting a synopsis can often feel like attempting to squeeze the vastness of the ocean into a tiny bottle. It’s…

Skip to main content
Skip to primary sidebar

EveryWriter

A New Community of Writers

50 historical fiction writing prompts

November 6, 2023 by Richard Leave a Comment

Are you a historical fiction writer? Do you want to be? Do you just want some ideas for stories out of history? Here are 50 historical writing prompts to get you started. Bring the past to life with these 50 vivid story ideas! Historical fiction is a captivating genre that immerses readers in bygone eras. This extensive list of writing prompts covers a wide range of history, from ancient Egypt to World War II. Pick an intriguing setting, step into a fascinating role, and let your imagination unfold a lost world. Whether you want to chronicle life in medieval Europe, participate in the U.S. Civil Rights Movement, or sail the high seas with Vikings, these story starters will spark your creativity. Choose a compelling historical lens to view both everyday moments and watershed events. Share profound human experiences lost to time. Let these launch points transport you on an epic journey into the past. History is filled with tales waiting to be told – get inspired to tell them!

Write about a young person living in ancient Egypt who gets chosen to train as a scribe. What is their daily life like as they learn to read and write hieroglyphics?
Imagine you are a servant in a medieval castle. Write about your daily tasks and a special event, like preparing for the arrival of an important guest.
You are a sailor on a voyage to the New World in the 15th century. Describe your thoughts and feelings as you first glimpse the Americas.
Rewrite a scene from a famous historical event from the perspective of a random background character, like a soldier at the Battle of Waterloo.
You are a suffragette in the early 20th century fighting for women’s right to vote. Write a diary entry describing one of your protests.
Write a story about two friends, one Roman and one Greek, meeting at the first Olympic games in ancient Greece.
You are a young person in Germany right before WWII. Write about your hopes and dreams as war looms.
Rewrite the story of a fairy tale or legend like King Arthur from the perspective of a secondary character.
Write a story about a day in the life of a lesser-known historical figure, like the personal assistant to Amelia Earhart.
You are a servant who witnesses a famous historic event like the beheading of a queen. Write their observations.
Write about two best friends, one free and one enslaved, meeting again after the Civil War.
You are a Viking explorer setting foot on North American soil for the first time. Write your impressions.
Rewrite a biblical story from a minor character’s perspective, like the boy with the loaves and fishes.
You are a young person in Pompeii the day Mt. Vesuvius erupts. Write your story of survival.
Write about a day in the life of a typical teenager living during the Industrial Revolution. What is their daily routine?
You are part of Lewis & Clark’s expedition exploring the western U.S. Write journal entries about your travels.
Rewrite a famous heist or crime from the perspective of a background character, like a bank teller.
You are a Chinese immigrant coming to America in the 19th century. Describe your experience arriving at port.
Write about two friends torn apart when the Berlin Wall goes up – one escapes east, one stays west.
You are an assistant to a famous inventor like Thomas Edison. Write about your work and a breakthrough discovery.
Write about an important historical event like landing on the moon from the perspective of an average person watching it live on TV.
You are a poor London child getting chosen for a job as a chimney sweep. Describe your first day.
Rewrite the plot of a Shakespeare play from the perspective of a minor character, like a servant or guard.
You are part of the first group of college women admitted to Yale in 1969. Write about your experiences.
Write fictional journal entries from an Arctic expedition like Shackleton’s journey, from the POV of a crew member.
You are a female scientist working against immense prejudice in the 19th century. Write about making a major discovery.
Rewrite a fairy tale like Cinderella from the perspective of a magical or mythical creature in the story.
You are an orphan sent West on the orphan train in the 1800s. Write your impressions of your new family.
Write a fictionalized account of a famous romantic affair from history, like Antony and Cleopatra.
You are part of the first group of black students integrating a school in the 1960s. Write about your first day.
Rewrite a biblical story from the antagonist’s perspective, like Eve eating the apple or Judas betraying Jesus.
You are a Viking child going on your first raid overseas. Write about your experiences.
You work in the textile mills in England during the Industrial Revolution. Describe your dangerous working conditions.
Write about two friends reuniting after one returns from World War I – how have their lives changed?
You are an Aztec witnessing the Spanish conquest of Mexico. Write your observations of them.
Rewrite a Greek myth from a minor character’s perspective, like Odysseus’ dog Argos waiting 20 years for him.
You are a surfer in Hawaii when missionaries arrive in the 1800s. Write about your culture shock.
Write about two friends torn apart, one who stays in Ireland during the potato famine vs. one who emigrates.
You are part of Napoleon’s army invading Russia. Describe the brutal conditions of that journey.
Rewrite a scene from Julius Caesar from the perspective of his wife Calpurnia.
You are a merchant on the Silk Road trading between China and Rome. Write about your travels and experiences.
Write about the early days of a colony like Jamestown from the perspective of a colonist or Native American.
You are a woman disguising yourself as a man to fight in the Civil War. Write letters home about your experiences.
You are a young person immortalized in a famous painting like Washington Crossing the Delaware. Describe the scene.
You are an early hunter-gatherer and discover how to make fire. Write about this life-changing invention.
You are a suffragette imprisoned for protesting for the right to vote. Write letters to your family.
You are Leonardo da Vinci’s apprentice. Write about your observations of him and his inventions.
You are a Viking child left behind with the elderly during a raid. Describe your daily life.
You are an early doctor fighting the Black Plague. Describe medieval medicine and superstitions.
You are a sailor on Columbus’ voyage. Write about your fears and expectations as you set sail.

The past is filled with captivating stories waiting to be told. Whether you want to recreate the soaring heights of pioneering triumphs or plumb the depths of everyday struggles, historical fiction offers an illuminating lens. Use these 50 varied prompts to ignite your imagination and transport readers to bygone eras. Choose an intriguing period, step into a compelling role, and bring history to life through sensory details, emotional perspectives, and dynamic characters. Build worlds both sweeping and intimate. Reveal insights lost to time. When you give voice to hidden histories, you keep the stories of the past alive. So pick a prompt that speaks to you, research to build an authentic world, and let dramatic history fuel your fiction. The human journeys of yesterday can still inspire, mystify, and teach us today – if we continue to share them. We have many more writing prompts on our site!

1000 Writing Prompts
10 Even More Horrifying Horror Story Prompts
150 Romance Writing Prompts
100 Thriller Writing Prompts
Apocalypse Writing Prompts

About Richard

Richard Everywriter (pen name) has worked for literary magazines and literary websites for the last 25 years. He holds degrees in Writing, Journalism, Technology and Education. Richard has headed many writing workshops and courses, and he has taught writing and literature for the last 20 years.

In writing and publishing he has worked with independent, small, medium and large publishers for years connecting publishers to authors. He has also worked as a journalist and editor in both magazine, newspaper and trade publications as well as in the medical publishing industry. Follow him on Twitter, and check out our Submissions page .

Reader Interactions

Privacy Overview

Join our email list

How to write historical fiction in 10 steps

by Andrew Noakes

This scenario will be familiar to many historical fiction writers! Research never really stops, even when you’ve started writing. It’s easy to feel frustrated during periods when you spend more time researching than writing, but remember it’s all part of the same process.

Step 3: Strive for accuracy and authenticity

When people start thinking about how to write historical fiction, this is one of the areas that often comes to mind first – and for good reason. Historical fiction readers will primarily buy your book for two reasons: 1) because they’re looking for an absorbing, page-turning story, and 2) because they want to be immersed into a historical world that feels true to the period you’re writing about.

Your readers will expect you to accurately depict the details of every-day life as well as the wider political backdrop of your period. Readers will also have expectations when it comes to the treatment of historical events and real figures of history. Most will tolerate a little creative license as long as you justify it in your historical note, but filling your novel with numerous egregious falsehoods about easily verifiable facts is likely to get you into trouble.

You’ll also need to consider how people spoke and the common social conventions of your period. There’s little worse in a historical novel than a character speaking in modern slang or acting as if they’re in the 21st century.

For detailed guidance on how to achieve accuracy and authenticity in all of these areas and more, download our full guide on accuracy and authenticity in historical fiction.

Accuracy and authenticity in historical fiction

You won’t finish your first historical fiction book overnight. There will be plenty of hurdles along the way. Stick with it!

Step 9: Revise your first draft

You shouldn’t aim for perfection with your first draft. It’s an opportunity to get your ideas down on paper, primarily for your own benefit rather than anyone else’s. Some of it will probably be quite good, but some of it won’t be – and that’s fine. Once it’s finished, it’s time for your first round of revisions.

Ideally, take six weeks off from your manuscript after the first draft is finished. That way, you can start the revision process with fresh eyes. We recommend reading the whole thing through without any editing the first time; just make notes as you go along, recording what works and what doesn’t. When you’re done, review your notes and put together a short editing plan.

The next step is to go through each chapter making the necessary corrections, additions, and deletions. You’ll probably find that changes you make in one place have knock-on effects elsewhere. If so, note down the effects and pinpoint where you need to compensate for them.

Sometimes, all that’s needed is some tweaking. Other times, you might need to start entire sections of your novel from scratch. Either way, when you’re finished you should have a complete second draft. You might want to do an additional round of revisions at this point, or you might be ready to send it to an editor.

Step 10: Hire an editor

Once your manuscript is in reasonable shape, it’s essential to get a professional manuscript assessment. By the time you’ve reached this stage, you’ll know your manuscript inside out, but that proximity might prevent you from spotting errors that would be obvious to someone reading it for the first time. This is where a professional editor comes in.

But editors are more than just a fresh pair of eyes. They’re experts in story-craft, and they’ll help you take your manuscript to the next level by tackling its weaknesses and building on its strengths. They’ll help you turn your story into the best possible version of itself before you submit to agents or self-publish it.

So, those are the essential 10 steps explaining how to write historical fiction! If you ever feel like you’re getting stuck, come back to this guide and get yourself oriented. Remember, writing historical fiction is no easy feat, and it pays to take it one step at a time.

If you want to learn more about how to write historical fiction, check out our guide, Top tips on writing historical fiction from 64 successful historical novelists , here .

Do you write historical fiction?

Join our email list for regular writing tips, resources, and promotions.

Writing guides

Top tips on writing historical fiction from 64 successful historical novelists

10 essential research tips for historical fiction writers

Beta reader service

Get feedback on your novel from real historical fiction readers.

ARC service

Use our ARC service to help generate reviews for your book.

Top resources

Guide to accuracy and authenticity in historical fiction

Novel outline template for historical fiction writers

60 historical fiction writing prompts

How to write a query letter

Featured blog posts

30 top historical fiction literary agents

How to write flashbacks

When (and how) to use documents in historical fiction

Are you a curious novelist exploring uncharted genres or are you a current writer of the past seeking new adventures?

Whatever your purpose, these 40 historical writing prompts , partnered with a collection of vintage photographs , are guaranteed to help you get ideas, transcend to an inspiring era and help you to write your own piece of history.

And once you’re done with these prompts, please visit my post on “How to Write Historical Fiction.”

1. The Lonely Lighthouse

2. Behind Enemy Lines

It’s 1864, and the United States is in the middle of a Civil War. Write a scene in which an undercover Union soldier passes through a quaint southern town brimming with Confederate rebels.

3. Fire at the Factory

Imagine you’re an Irishman working at a factory in the 1930s. It’s your first day on the job. Without having the proper training, you accidentally set fire to the plant. Write a mock report of how the fire started and how your character escaped fault.

4. The Traveling Circus Clown

5. The French Ruler

Write a chapter in the point of view of an English spy who attempts murder during Louis XIV’s coronation in 17th century France. How does your tyrant plan to execute their mission and are they successful?

6. Swan Lake

A group of close friends meet for the last time before going in separate ways in 1940s England. Write a scene about their last moment together. Do they make a pact to see each other again in 10 years or do they reminisce back in time to the day they first met?

7. Sailing Away

In 1950s Charleston, South Carolina, two teenagers escape the troubles of boyhood to go on an adventure of a lifetime. What conflict do they have with each other as they go on their voyage and where do they go?

8. The Dinner Bell

See what’s cooking in this 1940s California kitchen. Imagine you are a food columnist for the local newspaper. Write a mock interview and include a secret family recipe that accidentally gets leaked.

10. Aerial View Beach

As an airplane pilot you are much more aware of what’s happening in the sky rather than the ground. Write a scene where the pilot flies over a beach and spots a crowd of beach-goers flocking to the surf. Do a 15 minute freewrite of what you see in the water.

11. Turquoise Waters

You are an inhabitant on a tropical Mediterranean island. One day you go out for a stroll along the cliffs when you notice a strange ship across the waters coming toward your home. Write one chapter where you describe who’s on board the ship and what they want. Are they friends or enemies?

12. Kooky Cribs

Write a story about an orphaned child in the 1970s that meets a strange family who resides in an even stranger house on the California coast.

13. He’ll Be Coming Around the Mountain

Write a scene about a family man traveling through a mountain pass in 19th century Oregon, unaware of what’s coming fast around the corner. Write a paragraph of how he connects fate with destiny.

14. Block Party

Extra! Extra! Write a scene about a group gathering in the streets of Chicago, Illnois in the 19th century. Are employees going on strike? Are women fighting for equal rights against men? Or are people cheering for the one person that could lead a hopeless village to a brighter future?

15. The Butler Did It

Write one chapter about a female housekeeper who explores her master’s study in 19th century France. What all does she discover and is it something that she rather not have wished to find?

16. The Long Journey Home

Write a story about a boy who ran from home after revealing a scandalous family secret that should have been kept jan drugs canada under lock and key. Now a man, fifteen years later, he’s returned home only to discover that there is still unrest after his plaguing mishap.

17. On Top of God’s Mountains

Write one chapter from the point of view of a 1970s mountain climber in Colorado, who discovers a brick hut on top of a mountain. Is it inhabited or is there a certain relic which transcends him to a different era?

18. The Road to Nowhere

19. Buffalo Dreams

Write a journal entry in the point of view of a female pioneer of her abduction by the Sioux Indian tribe in the early 19th century.

20. Oriental Ornaments

Write a story in which an ornament on a Christmas tree tells the story of a different era in time.

21. Handle with Care

Write an outline about the adventures of four men, who meet as young postmen during WWII. What are their backstories? Give them features, disagreements, and opposing traits.

22. The Lion Tamer

Write a character profile of a wealthy 19th century English banker, who was once a lion tamer in a past life.

23. Beauty Mark

Write a robbery scene that takes place in a popular jewelry boutique in 1960s New York. Is the jewel thief a stealthy shoplifter or a glass-shattering maniac? Does the crime take place at night when the store is closed or during business hours? And how does the robber know the jewelry store owner?

24. War Hero

Write a scene where an undercover WWII American sneaks into a German radio room to send a message that could prove fatal to the enemy — if he isn’t caught.

25. Hotel of Haunts

Write a flash fiction story from the point of view of an owner of a hotel that is famous for being haunted by characters from the Roaring Twenties.

26. Let’s Shake On It

Write a story about a man who purchases a 1920 Ford Model T and discovers that the car has a life of its own.

27. Baskets, Anyone?

Write a story about a 1980s New Yorker looking for adventure, who purchases a basket from an eccentric city merchant and discovers an item inside that takes the character back in time to 15th century Scotland.

28. Poker Face

There’s no rules in this card game. Describe the high stakes for this card game in 1800s England. Does the winner wind up wishing he had lost?

29. The Diner

Write a story about a drifter passing through only to stop at a lone 1940s diner to get some lunch, but unintentionally ends up staying much longer than expected.

30. A Man’s Best Friend

Write a story about a boy and a stray dog and their many adventures as a famous motor racer in 1920s America.

31. Dear . . .

Write a letter from the point of view of a solider writing to his family during the Vietnam War.

32. Once Upon a Time

Write a story about a contemporary novelist who physically appears into his Victorian England drama and falls for his female protagonist.

33. The Kiss

Write a love story about a female WWII veteran who saves a fireman from a burning movie theater in 1940s New York.

34. Cabin Fever

Write a story of a pioneer family from the city starting their new life on the Oregon Trail in the 1800s.

35. Under the Weather

Write a story about an underrated scientist that turns out to have better ideas than most of his colleagues in 19th century Germany.

36. Summer Dreams

Hospital sisters picnic beside the Katherine River, Northern Territory / Arthur Groom

Write a story about five teenagers who first meet at a summer camp, and how their lives continue to intertwine throughout the years in 1950s Florida.

38. Fort Knox

Write a diary entry of an infantry solider in the Revolutionary War who is on guard at his post when there is a sudden attack on his fort.

39. The Rogue

Write a character profile of a wayward Englishmen who treats the rules of proper Victorian England society like it’s a game.

40. The Highwayman

Write a scene in which the passengers of this motor car are stopped by a mysterious rider in the 1920s English countryside.

29 comments

Oh my gosh. This is awesome. Going to write a story on it☺☺☺

Thank you! Happy writing!

yes, this is utterly amazing!!! I am a student and it is awesome.

What!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

i am a student doing a story competition and yes this was great!!

Did you win?

I really like all these Ideas. The thing is, I am creating a book that mainly focuses around the age of piracy, age of exploration, and industrial revolution.. so around the timeline 1740-1800. I seem to have trouble on trying to recreate a “Similar” historical plot to that of real life.My main character Jack ater, the son of the infamous pirate allen ater, recently moves to London around the time line. From there I plan on him becoming a vigilante of some sort. I just want a bit of guidance to help me get on the right track.

Sounds great!! How’s your story going? I hope you’ve published it by now 🙂

I think that Donald Trump is history, so why isn’t he on this list.

I think you’re a dumbass. History can be a good way to learn about something, it also can show us future generations how to prevent specific events. Donald Trump is a orange dumbass. The only history that will be written about that racist orange bigot would be how he imprisoned immigrant kids and killed millions of diverse and beautiful people and so many religions so his white supremacist era could be successful.

i agree with mime

this was really helpful for my writing assignment and i love it

Oh my god this is wonderful i’m going to make a movie

I made my own topics using the given prompts and yes, It is awesome!

Thank you, these have helped me so much with my school English assignments!

I love this and this will so help me with my assignment! Thank you!

Gracias, Senor.

this is so scrumptious

This is amazing! These ideas are so creative! LOL I am going taking a “Creative Writing” elective in school. I am definitely going to base one one my stories on these prompts. Thanks!

I love these prompts! They saved my LIFE! (From getting screamed at……)

i’m writing a fictional chor story about how derek chauvin is a hero and need advice. Is murder heroic if it was on an evil person? Thanks!

Thank you! I’m using this as a reference for a book/ project idea!

i am going to use egypt

very good suggestions. Not exactly what I am looking for but provides ideas for possible themes.

Every writer NEEDS this book.

It’s a guide to writing the pivotal moments of your novel.

Whether writing your book or revising it, this will be the most helpful book you’ll ever buy.

Top 15 Creative Writing Exercises to Enhance Your Historical Fiction Skills

Hello there, dear reader! If you have a passion for historical fiction, you\’re in for a treat. In this article, we will explore the top 15 creative writing exercises that will help you enhance your historical fiction skills. Whether you\’re an aspiring writer looking for inspiration or a seasoned author seeking to refine your craft, these exercises will guide you on a literary journey through time. From delving into the lives of historical figures to unraveling forgotten mysteries, these exercises will ignite your imagination and sharpen your storytelling abilities. So grab your favorite writing utensil, settle into a comfortable spot, and let\’s embark on an adventure like no other.

Exercise 1: Explore Historical Events

In this exercise, we will delve into the importance of researching significant historical events and developing fictional characters in historical settings. Additionally, we will explore the concept of writing from different perspectives to enhance the depth of your storytelling.

Researching Significant Historical Events

One of the key elements in writing historical fiction is having a thorough understanding of the historical events that serve as the backdrop for your story. This exercise encourages you to explore and research events that resonate with your interests.

Take the time to immerse yourself in the details of the event, including dates, key players, and the broader historical context. By doing so, you will not only gain a deeper understanding of the event itself but also the impact it had on society during that specific time period.

Proper research allows you to infuse your writing with accurate historical information, creating a more immersive reading experience for your audience. It also helps you avoid any anachronisms or inconsistencies that may distract readers and undermine the authenticity of your story.

Creating Fictional Characters in Historical Settings

While researching historical events is crucial, it is equally important to develop compelling fictional characters that will interact with and be affected by these events. This exercise prompts you to create characters who witness or experience the historical event you have chosen.

When crafting your characters, consider their background, motivations, and the role they play within the historical setting. This will help you strike a balance between providing accurate historical context and engaging your readers with relatable and captivating personalities.

By intertwining these fictional characters with real historical facts, you can create a more compelling narrative that seamlessly blends history and fiction. This approach allows readers to experience the event through the eyes of your characters, fostering a deeper emotional connection and making the story more memorable.

Writing from Different Perspectives

To further enrich your storytelling, challenge yourself to write about the same historical event from different perspectives. Each viewpoint offers a unique insight into the event, allowing you to explore varying experiences, emotions, and motivations.

Consider adopting different perspectives such as that of a soldier on the battlefield, a civilian witnessing the event unfold, or even a political figure involved in the decision-making process. This exercise grants you the opportunity to showcase the complexity of human experiences and the diverse impacts of historical events.

Writing from different perspectives not only adds depth to your characters but also helps create a well-rounded portrayal of the historical event itself. This technique allows readers to see the event from multiple angles, fostering a more comprehensive understanding and appreciation of its significance.

By incorporating these three exercises into your creative writing routine, you can enhance your ability to craft captivating historical fiction stories. Remember to research significant historical events, develop fictional characters within historical settings, and explore different perspectives to add depth to your storytelling. Happy writing!

Exercise 2: Visualize Historical Settings

Creating a vivid historical setting.

When diving into the world of historical fiction, it is crucial to immerse yourself in the time period you are writing about. To truly transport your readers, you must evoke vivid descriptions of the setting. This exercise will help you bring to life the sights, sounds, and atmosphere of the past, allowing your audience to experience the historical era alongside your characters.

Using Authentic Historical Details

Adding authentic historical details to your descriptions is essential for creating a believable setting. By incorporating specific elements that are accurate to the time period, you enhance the overall authenticity of your story. However, this exercise demands thorough research and attention to detail. Ensure that every aspect of your setting, from the architecture to the clothing, aligns with the historical context.

Integrating Setting with Characters

For a historical fiction piece to truly shine, the setting must interact closely with your characters. It\’s not enough to simply have a well-researched backdrop; the setting should influence and shape your characters\’ experiences and decisions. This exercise allows you to seamlessly merge historical context with character development, making your story more immersive and engaging.

Exercise 3: Develop Complex Historical Characters

Researching Historical Figures

One of the key aspects of creating compelling historical fiction is developing well-rounded and realistic characters. To achieve this, take the time to thoroughly research a historical figure who will play a significant role in your story. By delving into their life, personality traits, and the significant events they experienced, you will gain valuable insights that will inform your character development process.

Mixing Fictional and Historical Characters

An effective way to add depth and complexity to your historical fiction is by blending fictional characters with real-life historical figures. By intertwining these two types of characters, you create dynamic relationships that enhance the overall narrative. This exercise allows you to explore the interplay between fictional and historical individuals, providing ample opportunities for conflict, growth, and intrigue.

Character Transformation Within Historical Circumstances

Historical fiction is a genre that thrives on the influence of the past on the present. Use this exercise to examine how your characters are shaped and transformed by the historical events they find themselves in. By considering how the context of the time period affects their outlook, decisions, and actions, you can develop characters that resonate with the authentic historical setting of your story. This exercise enables you to craft realistic and relatable characters who navigate the challenges and opportunities presented by their historical circumstances.

Whether you are writing about an actual historical figure, blending fictional and historical characters, or exploring the transformative power of historical events, developing complex historical characters is essential for crafting engaging and immersive historical fiction. So, take the time to research thoroughly, experiment with the blending of characters, and consider the impact of historical circumstances on your creations. Doing so will allow you to create multi-dimensional characters that bring your historical fiction to life.

Exercise 4: Meticulous Dialogue and Language

Studying Historical Language

One important aspect of writing historical fiction is accurately capturing the language and speech patterns of the chosen historical era. By immersing yourself in the language of that time, you can better portray the way people spoke during that period.

Using Historical Vocabulary and Slang

To add authenticity to your historical fiction, it is crucial to incorporate appropriate historical vocabulary and slang in your dialogue. This exercise not only requires careful research but also enhances the readers\’ immersion in the historical setting.

Balancing Authenticity and Accessibility

While it is essential to strive for historical authenticity, it is equally important to strike a balance between authenticity and accessibility for modern readers. This exercise helps you create engaging dialogue that remains true to the era while still being understandable to contemporary audiences.

When writing historical fiction, it is crucial to study the language and speech patterns of the chosen historical era. This allows you to accurately portray how people spoke during that time, providing an authentic and immersive reading experience. By diving into the linguistic nuances and peculiarities of the past, you can bring your historical characters to life with realistic dialogue.

Furthermore, incorporating historical vocabulary and slang adds depth and authenticity to your writing. This requires thorough research to ensure that the language you use is accurate to the time period you are depicting. By understanding how people spoke and the specific words and phrases they used, you can effectively recreate the linguistic atmosphere of the era.

However, it is important to find the right balance between historical authenticity and accessibility. While it may be tempting to inundate the dialogue with obscure and archaic terms, it may alienate modern readers who are unfamiliar with the terminology. The dialogue should be engaging and relatable, allowing readers to connect with your characters and their world.

To strike this balance, choose your words carefully. Incorporate historical vocabulary and slang that adds flavor and richness to the dialogue without overwhelming or confusing the reader. You can provide context clues or explanations when necessary to ensure that the meaning is understood within the historical context.

Another helpful technique is to have characters from different backgrounds or social classes speak differently. This adds complexity to the narrative and allows you to showcase the linguistic diversity of the historical era. Characters with varying levels of education or societal status will naturally use different vocabulary and slang, reflecting their unique perspectives and experiences.

In conclusion, meticulous attention to dialogue and language is essential when writing historical fiction. By studying the language of the chosen era, incorporating historical vocabulary and slang, and finding the right balance between authenticity and accessibility, you can create compelling and immersive stories that transport readers to the past.

Exercise 5: Engaging Plotlines and Conflicts

Anchoring the Story in Historical Events

Intertwine your plot with significant historical events to create tension and keep readers engaged. This exercise allows you to blend fiction seamlessly with real history, making your story more captivating.

One way to engage your readers and enhance the authenticity of your historical fiction is by anchoring the story in real historical events. By weaving your plotline into significant moments from the past, you can add a layer of tension and intrigue to your narrative.

Start by conducting thorough research on the time period you are writing about. Look for events, incidents, or historical milestones that could serve as a backdrop for your story. Whether it\’s a war, a political revolution, or a social movement, find an event that aligns with your story and its themes.

Once you have identified the historical event or events, consider how they can intersect with your characters\’ lives. By incorporating your characters into these events, their personal journeys and conflicts can be woven into the bigger picture of history. This not only adds depth and authenticity to your narrative but also gives readers a new perspective on well-known historical events.

For example, if you are writing a historical fiction set during World War II, you could anchor your plotline in the events leading up to D-Day. Your protagonist could be a resistance fighter working behind enemy lines, facing personal dilemmas and conflicts within the context of the larger battle. This connection to a real historical event creates a sense of urgency and excitement for readers.

Create Conflicts Relevant to the Time Period

Develop conflicts that are specific to the historical era you are writing about. This exercise adds depth and authenticity to your narrative, making the story more compelling.

In order to create a captivating historical fiction story, it is important to develop conflicts that are relevant to the time period in which your story is set. By doing so, you can immerse your readers into the world of the past and make them truly experience the challenges and tensions of that era.

To start, analyze the social, political, and cultural landscape of the time period you are writing about. What were the prevailing ideologies? What were the major conflicts or tensions that defined that era? By understanding the historical context, you can create conflicts that resonate with your readers and reflect the realities of the time.

For example, if you are writing a historical fiction set during the American Civil War, you could explore the conflicts arising from the divide between the North and South. Your characters could come from different regions with opposing views on slavery or states\’ rights, creating internal and external conflicts that mirror the broader conflict of the war itself.

By delving into the specific conflicts of the time period, you can add depth and authenticity to your narrative. This not only makes your story more compelling, but also provides readers with a window into the past, allowing them to understand the complexities and challenges faced by people of that time.

Exploring Moral Dilemmas of the Time Period

Probe into the moral complexities and ethical dilemmas of the historical era you are exploring. This exercise challenges you to develop thought-provoking conflicts rooted in the values and beliefs of that time.

One of the fascinating aspects of historical fiction is the opportunity to explore the moral dilemmas and ethical complexities of a bygone era. By delving into the values, beliefs, and customs of the time period, you can create thought-provoking conflicts that resonate with readers.

Start by immersing yourself in the cultural and moral landscape of the historical era you are writing about. What were the prevailing moral codes and societal norms? What were the ethical dilemmas faced by people during that time? By understanding these factors, you can develop conflicts that challenge your characters\’ beliefs and force them to grapple with difficult choices.

For example, if you are writing a historical fiction set during the Salem witch trials, you could explore the moral dilemma of accusing someone of witchcraft based on superstition and fear. Your protagonist could find themselves torn between loyalty to their community and their own doubts about the fairness and accuracy of the accusations.

By exploring moral dilemmas relevant to the time period, you can create conflict and tension that resonates with readers. This exercise not only adds depth to your characters but also prompts readers to reflect on the values and beliefs of the past, ultimately enriching their reading experience.

The Art of Psychological Thrillers: A Guide to Mastering the Genre
Mastering the Art of Crafting Unforgettable Plot Twists: Top 10 Tips
Mastering the Art of Crafting a Compelling Author Bio
Top 10 Strategies to Conquer Writer\’s Anxiety

Break the Mindset

Discover your full potential with 'Break the Mindset.' Our blog is your guide to personal growth and transformation. Break free from limiting beliefs, overcome challenges, and create a life of purpose and fulfillment. Join us on this journey of self-discovery.

Important Link

Historical Fiction Writing Prompts: Journey to the Past

My name is Debbie, and I am passionate about developing a love for the written word and planting a seed that will grow into a powerful voice that can inspire many.

Historical Fiction Writing Prompts: Journey to the Past

Imagine being transported back in time, immersing yourself in a world that no longer exists. Where can your imagination take you? With historical fiction writing prompts, you have the unparalleled opportunity to embark on a captivating journey to the past. Whether it’s exploring ancient civilizations, delving into gripping wartime dramas, or encountering legendary figures, this genre offers a doorway to the realms of our ancestors. So, grab your pen and get ready to unleash your creativity as we dive into an enchanting world where history and fiction intertwine. Prepare to be captivated, inspired, and transported as we embark on a thrilling adventure through time.

Immerse Yourself in History: Historical Fiction Writing Prompts for an Unforgettable Journey

Uncover untold tales: explore fascinating historical events and eras through fiction, why choose historical fiction, bring history to life: crafting authentic characters in historical fiction writing, understanding the essence of history, discover intriguing locations: inspiring settings for your historical fiction masterpiece, intertwining fact with fiction: effective research techniques for historical fiction writers, 1. roaring through the prohibition era:, 2. untold secrets in the golden age of egypt:, transport your readers: craft engaging plots in historical fiction writing, develop multi-dimensional characters, weave intricate plots with historical significance, frequently asked questions, to wrap it up.

Are you ready to embark on a thrilling literary adventure that will transport you through time? Look no further than our collection of historical fiction writing prompts, designed to ignite your imagination and immerse you in the captivating world of the past. Whether you’re a seasoned writer or just starting to explore the wonders of storytelling, these prompts are sure to inspire unforgettable tales.

Step into the shoes of a Roman gladiator and experience the pulsating adrenaline in the Colosseum, or dive deep into the opulent courts of medieval England, where love, betrayal, and intrigue intertwine. These writing prompts offer a vast array of historical eras and settings, allowing you to choose your own historical adventure. Delve into ancient civilizations, sail across treacherous seas during the Age of Exploration, or witness the social revolutions of the 20th century.

Unleash your creativity by reimagining historical events with fictional characters and narratives.
Challenge yourself to research and incorporate accurate historical details in your writing.
Explore the perspectives of both ordinary people and renowned historical figures.
Craft compelling dialogues and interactions that reflect the language and culture of the chosen time period.
Transport readers to another era by seamlessly blending fiction with historical accuracy.

Whether you’re a history enthusiast or simply enjoy the allure of a well-crafted story, these historical fiction writing prompts will ignite your passion and guide you on an unforgettable journey through time. Let your creativity soar as you weave captivating narratives in the tapestry of the past, and discover the power of storytelling to connect us with our shared human heritage.

Uncover Untold Tales: Explore Fascinating Historical Events and Eras Through Fiction

If you have a passion for history and enjoy immersing yourself in captivating stories, then our collection of historical fiction is just what you need. Step back in time and embark on an extraordinary journey, as we delve into the annals of the past and bring to life the untold tales and forgotten moments that shaped our world.

With our wide range of historical fiction novels, you’ll have the opportunity to explore diverse eras and events, shedding light on both familiar and lesser-known historical periods. Our talented authors skillfully weave together fiction and historical facts, transporting you to ancient civilizations, medieval castles, revolutionary battlefields, and beyond. Whether you have a particular era in mind or simply crave an enthralling read, our collection promises to satisfy your curiosity and ignite your imagination.

Still unsure about venturing into the world of historical fiction? Here are a few reasons why exploring historical events and eras through this genre can be an enriching and thrilling experience:

Fascinating Characters: Historical fiction introduces you to a remarkable cast of characters, both real and fictional, who navigate the trials and triumphs of bygone eras. You’ll encounter passionate revolutionaries, fearless explorers, cunning spies, and daring warriors, whose stories will captivate your heart and mind.
An Immersive Gateway: By immersing yourself in historical fiction, you’ll be transported to different time periods and gain a unique perspective on the challenges and triumphs of the past. Through vivid descriptions and intricate details, you’ll feel as if you’re standing alongside those who witnessed these events firsthand.
Bridging the Gap: Historical fiction has the power to bridge the gap between the dry facts of textbooks and the emotional human experiences of the past. By blending fiction and history, these novels offer a captivating and relatable way to learn about historical events, making them more accessible and enjoyable for anyone, from avid history buffs to casual readers.

In historical fiction writing, the key to crafting authentic characters lies in our ability to truly understand the essence of the past. This genre has the power to transport readers to different eras, immersing them in the rich tapestry of historical events. When developing characters, it’s essential to delve deep into their lives, examining the historical context in which they lived, their beliefs, values, and aspirations. By blending factual information with our creative imagination, we can breathe life into our characters, ensuring that they resonate authentically within their historical setting.

Research becomes our greatest tool as we seek to create genuine characters that reflect the diversity and complexities of the past. By exploring primary and secondary sources, diaries, letters, and paintings from the era, we can unearth fascinating details about the clothing, vernacular, social expectations, and overarching events that defined their lives. Every nuance matters, whether it’s capturing the influence of a significant historical figure on their decision-making or revealing the intricacies of their day-to-day life. Immersing ourselves in the past allows us to craft characters that are true to history, breathing authenticity into our narratives.

Discover Intriguing Locations: Inspiring Settings for Your Historical Fiction Masterpiece

When it comes to crafting a historical fiction masterpiece, selecting the right setting is crucial. It is the backdrop against which your characters will come alive and your story will unfold. In this section, we will take you on a journey to discover intriguing locations that will inspire your writing and transport your readers back in time.

1. Prague, Czech Republic: With its stunning architecture and rich history, Prague offers a captivating setting for historical fiction. From the medieval Charles Bridge to the grand Prague Castle, every corner of this city is steeped in stories waiting to be told.

2. Kyoto, Japan: Immerse yourself in the beauty of Japan’s ancient capital, Kyoto. With its majestic temples, serene gardens, and traditional tea houses, Kyoto is a treasure trove of inspiration for historical fiction set in feudal Japan.

Embarking on a journey to write historical fiction requires a delicate balance between captivating storytelling and accurate historical representation. To transport readers to a different era, writers must seamlessly intertwine fact with fiction, immersing them in a rich tapestry of historical context. Mastering effective research techniques is the key to achieving this goal.

1. Primary Sources: Dive into the past by exploring firsthand accounts such as diaries, letters, and memoirs. These authentic documents offer insights into the thoughts, emotions, and experiences of individuals who lived during the era you are depicting.

2. Secondary Sources: Expand your knowledge by consulting scholarly works, history books, and academic articles. These sources provide a broader understanding of the historical events, customs, and societal norms that shaped the era.

3. Immersive Experiences: Immerse yourself in the world you are writing about. Visit historical sites, museums, and exhibitions to absorb the atmosphere, visual details, and tactile sensations that will bring your story to life.

4. Expert Interviews: Seek out experts in the field, such as historians, archaeologists, and curators, to tap into their wisdom. Their valuable insights and specialized knowledge can illuminate historical nuances and add authenticity to your narrative.

Remember, the magic lies in the harmonious blend of fact and fiction. While research is vital, don’t let it overpower your imaginative storytelling abilities. Ultimately, historical fiction is an art that allows you to explore the past through a unique lens, weaving together history’s threads with your own creative tapestry.

Expanding Horizons: Historical Fiction Writing Prompts that Transcend Time

Step into the past and unleash your imagination with these captivating historical fiction writing prompts that will transport your readers through time. Dive into various eras and explore fascinating settings, characters, and events that have shaped our world. Whether you are a seasoned historical fiction writer or looking to venture into this genre, these prompts offer a range of possibilities to ignite your creativity and craft compelling stories.

Take your readers on a thrilling journey to 1920s America, a time when the sale and consumption of alcohol were illegal. Delve into the underground world of bootlegging, speakeasies, and organized crime. Create characters who are torn between loyalty to their family, love interests, or the law, and explore the moral dilemmas they face. Will they be seduced by the allure of forbidden libations or fight to uphold justice?

Unearth the hidden mysteries of ancient Egypt during the reign of a powerful pharaoh. Bring to life the splendor of the pyramids, the intrigue of court politics, and the enigmatic rituals of a civilization obsessed with the afterlife. Spin a tale of a courageous archaeologist stumbling upon an undiscovered tomb filled with secrets that could rewrite history. Will they conquer their fears and expose the truth, or will they become entangled in a web of treachery and danger?

Transport Your Readers: Craft Engaging Plots in Historical Fiction Writing

Immerse your readers in the captivating world of historical fiction by creating characters that leap off the page. Give your protagonists and antagonists depth and complexity, ensuring that their motivations and actions are grounded in the historical context of the time period. By infusing your characters with unique traits, quirks, and desires, you can transport your readers into their minds and hearts, making them emotionally invested in the story.

Bring your characters to life by describing their appearances, mannerisms, and speech patterns in vivid detail. Research the historical setting and cultural norms to accurately represent the nuances of their behavior and attitudes. This attention to detail will not only enhance the authenticity of your plot but also provide your readers with an immersive experience that will keep them turning the pages.

Give your characters conflicting desires or moral dilemmas to create internal tension.
Show the impact of historical events on their lives, shaping their decisions and relationships.
Include diverse perspectives to present a broader and more nuanced portrayal of the time period.
Explore the social, political, and economic constraints that influence their choices and actions.

While historical fiction allows for creative storytelling, it is crucial to ground your plot in accurate historical events and themes. Research extensively to uncover lesser-known facts, hidden narratives, and pivotal moments that will add depth and intrigue to your story. These historical elements will serve as a solid foundation for your plot and make it relevant and compelling for readers.

Challenge your characters with obstacles that reflect the time period’s challenges and conflicts. Incorporate real historical figures, moments, or locations to create a sense of authenticity and richness. By blending fictional characters and events with accurate historical details, you can create a plot that provokes thought, generates suspense, and transports your readers to another time and place.

Highlight themes that resonate with contemporary issues, fostering connections between past and present.
Build tension by intertwining personal stories with larger historical events or societal transformations.
Create unexpected plot twists that challenge readers’ preconceived notions of historical narratives.
Use foreshadowing and dramatic irony to engage readers and keep them guessing.

Q: What exactly is historical fiction? A: Historical fiction is a genre of literature that integrates fictional characters and events with real historical settings. It allows readers to explore the past through the lens of imaginative storytelling.

Q: Why is historical fiction popular among readers? A: Historical fiction provides a unique blend of education and entertainment. Readers are captivated by stories that transport them to different time periods, allowing them to learn about history while also getting lost in the narrative.

Q: How can historical fiction writing prompts help aspiring writers? A: Historical fiction writing prompts serve as a valuable tool for aspiring writers to kickstart their creativity. These prompts offer a starting point and spark ideas that can lead to compelling and well-researched historical fiction stories.

Q: What are some key elements to consider when writing historical fiction? A: It is crucial for historical fiction writers to conduct thorough research about the chosen time period, including customs, societal norms, and historical events. Authenticity in portraying the period is essential to engage readers and maintain their suspension of disbelief.

Q: How can historical fiction writing prompts assist in developing a well-crafted story? A: Writing prompts provide writers with a specific historical scene, event, or character to build their story around. This helps writers focus their creative energy, ensuring a coherent and compelling narrative.

Q: Can historical fiction writing prompts be adapted to different time periods and locations? A: Absolutely! Historical fiction prompts can cover a wide range of time periods and geographic locations. Whether it’s ancient Egypt, medieval Europe, or the American Revolution, the prompts can be tailored to suit any historical setting.

Q: How can writers personalize historical fiction writing prompts to make their stories unique? A: Writers can add their own imagination and personal experiences to the prompts, creating multidimensional characters, unique plot twists, and unexpected conflicts. By infusing their own creativity, writers can breathe life into historical settings.

Q: What are the benefits of writing historical fiction? A: Writing historical fiction allows writers to explore different eras, cultures, and events while providing insight into the past. It enhances research and writing skills, challenges the imagination, and offers a rewarding creative outlet.

Q: Are there any recommendations for further exploration of historical fiction writing prompts? A: Absolutely! By researching various time periods and reading widely across historical fiction literature, writers can expand their knowledge and gain inspiration. They can also seek feedback from writing communities and participate in workshops to refine their craft.

Q: Can historical fiction writing prompts be used by other creative artists, such as filmmakers or playwrights? A: Certainly! Historical fiction prompts can inspire a wide array of artists besides writers, including filmmakers, playwrights, and even visual artists. The vivid imagery and historical context can serve as a foundation for creativity across different mediums.

In conclusion, historical fiction writing prompts can transport us to the past, explore different eras, and unveil untold stories for a captivating writing experience.

How to Write Block Quotes MLA: Step-by-Step Instructions

SOL Writing Prompts: Prepare for State Assessments

Reach out to us for sponsorship opportunities.

Welcome to Creative Writing Prompts

At Creative Writing Prompts, we believe in the power of words to shape worlds. Our platform is a sanctuary for aspiring writers, seasoned wordsmiths, and everyone. Here, storytelling finds its home, and your creative journey begins its captivating voyage.

Craft and Criticism
Fiction and Poetry
News and Culture
Lit Hub Radio
Reading Lists

Literary Criticism
Craft and Advice
In Conversation
On Translation
Short Story
From the Novel
Bookstores and Libraries
Film and TV
Art and Photography
Freeman’s
The Virtual Book Channel
Behind the Mic
Beyond the Page
The Cosmic Library
The Critic and Her Publics
Emergence Magazine
Fiction/Non/Fiction
First Draft: A Dialogue on Writing
Future Fables
The History of Literature
I’m a Writer But
Just the Right Book
Lit Century
The Literary Life with Mitchell Kaplan
New Books Network
Tor Presents: Voyage Into Genre
Windham-Campbell Prizes Podcast
Write-minded
The Best of the Decade
Best Reviewed Books
BookMarks Daily Giveaway
The Daily Thrill
CrimeReads Daily Giveaway

On the Anxiety of Writing Historical Fiction: A User’s Manual

Caitlin horrocks offers some advice for writing into the past.

I teach both fiction and creative nonfiction classes, during which my nonfiction students fiercely debate questions that my fiction students don’t even ask. The nonfiction writers wonder how much they’re allowed to speculate, how and when to fill in the gaps of memory or fact; the fiction writers dig in a sandbox seemingly without walls or rules. Right up until you put the word “historical” in front of “fiction.”

Then, we’re dismayed at the sounds our shovels make as they clang against immoveable, hard-edged facts. We start tripping over walls and wondering whether we’ve stumbled into another genre altogether, biography or fantasy. In this sandbox full of information, we look not just for new tools but new rules, a code of conduct for combining fiction and fact.

While researching and writing a novel in which essentially every character was based on someone who had really existed, I struggled constantly with feeling like a literary grave robber, or just a subpar historian. Depicting fictional versions of factual people has been with us as long as literature itself (think of Greek epics, or Shakespeare’s history plays), but I still found myself desperate for permission. I changed the characters’ names away from their real ones, trying to make them more malleable, more mine, to lessen the sense of obligation I felt towards the historical record. Then I realized I didn’t actually want to take the liberties I’d granted myself, and changed the names all back. I did this multiple times.

I think what I really wanted was a visitation from beyond the grave, with each of my characters assuring me that I’d really nailed it, they loved the book, these new versions of themselves were so true! But in lieu of a séance, here are five permissions I wish I’d given myself earlier, and can perhaps give to someone else instead.

Permission #1: A character need not be nor have a diagnosis.

Good fiction is as much about “why?” as it is about the “what if?” of a plot unfolding. But this can translate to an impulse to explain characters to an unhelpful, unrealistic degree.

In The New Yorker, Jill Lepore poked some fun at the author of a 2010 George Washington biography for providing prodigious detail about Washington’s mother, a woman about whom very little is actually known. A 19th-century biographer “thought he knew how Washington wanted to be remembered, but he never supposed he knew what it felt like to be Washington. [The modern biographer] does, not because he knows more but because he thinks differently about what it is to understand someone, which means that he also thinks a whole lot differently about feeling and understanding than Washington did—and that, right there, is the problem. . . . The diagnosis has supplanted the document.”

A problem for a biographer is not necessarily a problem for a novelist, who should absolutely consider what it felt like to be Washington. But where both the biographer and novelist can run into trouble is when the impulse to understand becomes the impulse to over-explain. Obviously fiction concerns itself with why people do the things they do. But those answers for historical characters can be every bit as contradictory and complex as the answers for wholly invented, contemporary characters. A + B rarely equals exactly C in real life.

“I believe that people should write biographies only about people they love, or understand, or both,” the writer Penelope Fitzgerald has said. “Novels, on the other hand, are often better if they’re about people the writer doesn’t like very much.”

Permission #2: Not every painting needs to be a portrait.

There can’t be many better “great man of history” exemplars than Hilary Mantel’s Wolf Hall books, but part of what I enjoy in those books is the effortless inclusion of details like the French ambassador Chapuis’ unlikely hat, or Ann’s yellow gown. The books also provide, despite the close narrative focus on Cromwell’s ascendancy, a rich sense of the world in which he operates, a world that makes his maneuvering both necessary and dangerous. The books provide a portrait of a single historical figure, but Mantel also displays the skills of a painter of landscapes, of still lifes, of action, even of collage.

Tyehimba Jess’s Olio (a word the epigraph defines as “hodgepodge” or “miscellaneous collection” as well as the name for the second act of minstrel shows) manages to tackle, through strategic collage, an entire era of music and the people who made it. Peter Ho Davies’s The Fortunes is composed of four separate sections that provide very different glimpses into Chinese-American history. Kelcey Parker’s novella Liliane’s Balcony, told through a variety of points of view, is less about Frank Lloyd Wright or the people who commissioned Falling Water, as it is about the house itself. A book about even the most accomplished individual can be, should be, about more than that one person.

Permission #3: A life can be a plot.

In an appreciation of Virginia Woolf’s To the Lighthouse , author Maggie Shipstead wrote, “If plot means dealings among the characters, there is no real progression of plot here, but, at the same time, what plot is grander or more essential than time passing?” I thought of Shipstead’s words while reading Julian Barnes’s novel The Noise of Time , which explores the moral compromises composer Dmitri Dmitrievich Shostakovich was forced to make to maintain his professional life (and to remain alive at all) in the USSR.

And I do mean “explore,” as opposed to narrate or dramatize or depict. The book does not unfold in scenes, but in three long mental monologues, Shostakovich trapped both in his own head, and in the lifelong web of privileges, punishments, and constraints that the Soviet regime placed around him.

The main action of Lillian Boxfish Takes a Walk by Kathleen Rooney is, as the title suggests, Lillian Boxfish, aged 84, taking a walk, during which various locations prompt memories from her life. These often do not fall neatly into set pieces (wedding, childbirth, divorce, breakdown, etc.), nor do they come in chronological order. There isn’t anything wrong with set pieces—the big battle, the star turn, or the crushing blow—nor with arranging your book to offer the reader the pleasures of suspense, surprises, or hard-won triumphs. But you do not need to arrange it in any particular way, to discard altogether the slower or more unlikely moments that make up a life, and that can be as evocative as the splashy ones.

Permission #4: Don’t worry quite so much about the dialogue.

David Mitchell has written sheepishly about finding anachronisms in his exhaustively researched 18th century historical novel The Thousand Autumns of Jacob de Zoet: “Some were excusable: the verb “to con,” as in “swindle”, first appears in print in 1889… Others were more embarrassing, such as brinkmanship: duh, it’s a Cold War term.” I’m inclined to say both English word choices are “excusable” in a novel in which most of the characters are actually speaking Dutch or Japanese.

The 16th-century Castilian-speakers in Laila Lalami’s The Moor’s Account eschew “can’t” for “cannot” but otherwise pose straightforward, plainspoken questions that rarely have good answers. As their planned conquest unravels into basic survival, the directness of the only slightly-aged English fits well with the harrowing journey. Besides, if you pay attention to the dialogue in novels written in the 19th century or later, it’s often surprisingly modern to 21st century ears. We make assumptions about our own distance from the past that can lead us towards a pseudo-historical dialect Mitchell calls “bygonese.”

He writes, “Perhaps this is the paradox that beats inside historical fiction’s rib cage: the “historical” half demands fidelity to the past, while the “fiction” half requires infidelity—people must be dreamt up, their acts fabricated and the lies of art must be told.” As in creative nonfiction, this is a quandary that historical fiction writers must answer for themselves: what balance of fidelity to imagination? Surely, if we’re bothering to write fiction at all, we might as well err on the side of imagination.

Permission #5: The world of your book is its own world; it refers to other, real-life worlds, but it will not and cannot recreate them.

Maile Chapman’s Your Presence is Requested at Suvanto is memorable not for a panoramic evocation of rural 1920s Finland, but for being set in a sanitarium so isolated and claustrophobic that the book feels like it takes place nearly outside of any identifiable place and time. Kathryn Davis’ novel Versailles unfolds in sketches voiced by an irreverent, sometimes quite modern, Marie Antoinette. The book covers sweeps of time, but can feel as constructed and purposefully miniature as the dollhouse interiors of Marie’s life.

Novels are always dollhouses, and I don’t mean that as a pejorative. They are structures that refer to other structures, out there in the larger world, but they must create their own consistency, adhere to their own logic. The house can be a skewed, even surreal version of historical fact, but as long as the reader agrees to take up residence there, that structure and the people inside it can come alive.

About his Waverley novels, Sir Walter Scott wrote: “By fixing, then, the date of my story Sixty Years before this present November 1st, 1805, I would have my readers understand, that they will meet in the following pages neither a romance of chivalry nor a tale of modern manners; that my hero will neither have iron on his shoulders, as of yore, nor on the heels of his boots, as is the present fashion of Bond Street…”

The novel itself was still a relatively young form then, and Scott was already struggling with what additional baggage or expectations he thought readers might bring to a historical one. Two hundred years later, writers should allow ourselves to embrace the idea that historical fiction can be as flexible as any other kind. A sandbox with big rocks in it is a pretty great place to play, allowing both towers and holes, and the ability to knock one into the other.

______________________________________

Caitlin Horrocks’ debut novel The Vexations is out now from Little, Brown and Company.

Share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
Click to share on Google+ (Opens in new window)
Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)
Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window)
Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window)
Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)
Click to share on Pocket (Opens in new window)

Caitlin Horrocks

Previous article, next article, support lit hub..

Join our community of readers.

to the Lithub Daily

Follow us on Twitter

The Surreal, Virtual Worlds of Palestinian Science Fiction

RSS - Posts

Literary Hub

Created by Grove Atlantic and Electric Literature

How to Pitch Lit Hub

Advertisers: Contact Us

Support Lit Hub - Become A Member

Become a Lit Hub Supporting Member : Because Books Matter

For the past decade, Literary Hub has brought you the best of the book world for free—no paywall. But our future relies on you. In return for a donation, you’ll get an ad-free reading experience , exclusive editors’ picks, book giveaways, and our coveted Joan Didion Lit Hub tote bag . Most importantly, you’ll keep independent book coverage alive and thriving on the internet.

Become a member for as low as $5/month

Online Degree Explore Bachelor’s & Master’s degrees
MasterTrack™ Earn credit towards a Master’s degree
University Certificates Advance your career with graduate-level learning
Top Courses
Join for Free

Plagues, Witches, and War: The Worlds of Historical Fiction

Taught in English

Some content may not be translated

Financial aid available

105,570 already enrolled

Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals

Instructor: Bruce Holsinger

(577 reviews)

Details to know

Add to your LinkedIn profile

See how employees at top companies are mastering in-demand skills

Earn a career certificate

Add this credential to your LinkedIn profile, resume, or CV

Share it on social media and in your performance review

There are 12 modules in this course

A unique and exciting introduction to the genre and craft of historical fiction, for curious students, aspiring authors--anyone with a passion for the past. Read classics of the genre, encounter bestselling writers of historical fiction, and discover your own historical archive while interacting with a global community of interested readers.

Course Roadmap

In this module Professor Holsinger poses a working definition of historical fiction and sets expectations for the course content and assignments.

What's included

2 videos 2 readings

2 videos • Total 21 minutes

Professor Holsinger Provides an overview of "Plagues, Witches, and War" • 12 minutes • Preview module
How to Get the Most out of this Course • 8 minutes

2 readings • Total 20 minutes

How to Use Discussion Forums • 10 minutes
Get to Know Your Classmates • 10 minutes

What is Historical Fiction?

In this module Professor Holsinger details the history of the historical fiction novel through the 18th and 19th centuries.

6 videos 1 quiz

6 videos • Total 81 minutes

Defining the Genre • 12 minutes • Preview module
The Pre-History of Historical Fiction • 12 minutes
From Archive to Novel • 12 minutes
Differentiating fiction and history in the 18th and 19th century • 10 minutes
A look at Sir Walter Scott and work of the 18th century • 12 minutes
The global reach of the historical fiction genre • 21 minutes

1 quiz • Total 30 minutes

What Is Historical Fiction? • 30 minutes

Poetry and Exile in Ancient Rome: Jane Alison

In this module author and professor Jane Alison interacts with the seminar class students of Professor Holsinger’s at UVa to discuss her experience writing “The Love Artist.”

4 videos • Total 78 minutes

Introduction of Jane Alison • 18 minutes • Preview module
Using characters to set the set the historical context • 21 minutes
An indepth look at the characters and story • 19 minutes
Some challenges in historical fiction writing • 19 minutes

Two Centuries of Historical Fiction

This module reviews the history of historical fiction looking at major works and authors from the 18th and 19th century including The Leatherstocking Tales, William Wells Brown, and Charles Dickens.

4 videos 1 quiz

4 videos • Total 60 minutes

Cooper's Leatherstocking Tales: Fiction on the Frontier • 14 minutes • Preview module
Cooper's Leatherstocking Tales (continued) • 15 minutes
Brown's "Clotel": Slavery, Fiction, and a Founding Father • 14 minutes
Dickens and the French Revolution: "A Tale of Two Cities" • 15 minutes
Two Centuries of Historical Fiction • 30 minutes

19th Century Historical Fiction

This module dives into the works of Anna Katharine Green and Professor Holsinger provides an overview of the forces that are effecting the craft of historical fiction.

5 videos 1 quiz

5 videos • Total 64 minutes

Anna Katharine Green and the Invention of the Historical Mystery Pt. I • 9 minutes • Preview module
Anna Katharine Green and the Invention of the Historical Mystery Pt. II • 7 minutes
Modernism, Metafiction, and the Mass Market, 1920-1980 • 17 minutes
The New Historical Novel in Latin America Pt. I • 14 minutes
The New Historical Novel in Latin America Pt. II • 14 minutes
19th Century Historical Fiction • 30 minutes

Seminar with Katherine Howe

In this module author Katherine Howe interacts with the seminar class students of Professor Holsinger’s Historical Fiction class to discuss her book “Deliverance Dane.”

4 videos • Total 74 minutes

Professor Holsinger introduces Katherine Howe • 19 minutes • Preview module
Katherine Howe discusses "Deliverance Dane" • 18 minutes
Katherine Howe dives into her characters and their historical traits • 16 minutes
Katherine Howe session wrap up • 20 minutes

Seminar with Geraldine Brooks

In this module author Geraldine Brooks interacts with the seminar class students of Professor Holsinger’s Historical Fiction class to discuss her book “Year of Wonders.”

4 videos • Total 67 minutes

Professor Holsinger introduces Geraldine Brooks • 15 minutes • Preview module
Geraldine Brooks discusses the balance of the research and the evolution of the story • 16 minutes
Geraldine Brooks discusses the evolution of the characters and story • 17 minutes
Geraldine Brooks session wrap up • 17 minutes

Seminar with Mary Beth Keane

In this module author Mary Beth Keane interacts with the seminar class students of Professor Holsinger’s Historical Fiction class to discuss her book “Fever.”

4 videos • Total 59 minutes

Professor Holsinger introduces Mary Beth Keane • 16 minutes • Preview module
Mary Beth Keane discusses the evolution of characters • 14 minutes
Mary Beth Keane discusses integrating historical features • 13 minutes
Mary Beth Keane session wrap up • 14 minutes

Seminar with Yangsze Choo

In this module author Yangsze Choo interacts with the seminar class students of Professor Holsinger’s Historical Fiction class to discuss her book “The Ghost Bride.”

4 videos • Total 50 minutes

Professor Holsinger introduces Yangsze Choo • 12 minutes • Preview module
Yangsze Choo discusses selecting the point of view for your characters • 11 minutes
Yangsze Choo discusses the idea of parallel worlds and making decisions about the direction of your story • 14 minutes
Yangsze Choo session wrap up • 12 minutes

Dialogues in Historical Fiction

This module consists of a series of interviews with authors and Professor Holsinger. Authors include: Michael McKeon, Eva Stachniak, David Robbins, Matthew Pearl and Andrew Taylor.

5 videos • Total 82 minutes

Michael McKeon and Bruce Holsinger discuss what it meant to be writing historical fiction in the 18th century • 15 minutes • Preview module
Eva Stachniak and Bruce Holsinger discuss the context of historical fiction in their writing • 17 minutes
David Robbins and Bruce Holsinger discuss revealing characters through historical events • 16 minutes
Matthew Pearl and Bruce Holsinger discussing writing within the genre of historical fiction • 19 minutes
Andrew Taylor and Bruce Holsinger discussing writing in relation to the history of historical fiction • 14 minutes

Assignments and Wrap-Up

This module has the two voluntary assignments for the course: Identifying a Historical Archive and Writing Historical Fiction. The module also contains the closing remarks video of Professor Holsinger.

1 video 1 reading 2 peer reviews

1 video • Total 6 minutes

Wrap-up with Professor Holsinger • 6 minutes • Preview module

1 reading • Total 10 minutes

Facebook Group • 10 minutes

2 peer reviews • Total 120 minutes

Historical Archive Assignment • 60 minutes
Historical Fiction Creative Writing Assignment • 60 minutes

This module includes the course readings, a list of archival resources, and an overview of the authors included in the course.

3 readings • Total 30 minutes

Readings • 10 minutes
Archives Primary Sources • 10 minutes
Visiting Authors and Scholars • 10 minutes

Instructor ratings

We asked all learners to give feedback on our instructors based on the quality of their teaching style.

A premier institution of higher education, The University of Virginia offers outstanding academics, world-class faculty, and an inspiring, supportive environment. Founded by Thomas Jefferson in 1819, the University is guided by his vision of discovery, innovation, and development of the full potential of students from all walks of life. Through these courses, global learners have an opportunity to study with renowned scholars and thought leaders.

Recommended if you're interested in History

University of Colorado Boulder

Old Norse Mythology in the Sources

Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München (LMU)

Organising an Empire: The Assyrian Way

Universitat de Barcelona

Magic in the Middle Ages

University of London

Introduction to Who Wrote Shakespeare

Why people choose coursera for their career.

Learner reviews

Showing 3 of 577

577 reviews

Reviewed on Jan 21, 2021

This course was much longer than I anticipated, but is overall filled with great information about historical fiction and I learned a lot.

Reviewed on Oct 22, 2017

I actually loved this course!!

I also loved how many female writers and their novels were included in the course! Such a refreshing change.

Reviewed on Apr 30, 2023

I loved listening to all of the experienced authors but I wish there were assignments to go with the videos, or at least a test at the end of each week.

Open new doors with Coursera Plus

Unlimited access to 7,000+ world-class courses, hands-on projects, and job-ready certificate programs - all included in your subscription

Advance your career with an online degree

Earn a degree from world-class universities - 100% online

Join over 3,400 global companies that choose Coursera for Business

Upskill your employees to excel in the digital economy

Frequently asked questions

When will i have access to the lectures and assignments.

Access to lectures and assignments depends on your type of enrollment. If you take a course in audit mode, you will be able to see most course materials for free. To access graded assignments and to earn a Certificate, you will need to purchase the Certificate experience, during or after your audit. If you don't see the audit option:

The course may not offer an audit option. You can try a Free Trial instead, or apply for Financial Aid.

The course may offer 'Full Course, No Certificate' instead. This option lets you see all course materials, submit required assessments, and get a final grade. This also means that you will not be able to purchase a Certificate experience.

What will I get if I purchase the Certificate?

When you purchase a Certificate you get access to all course materials, including graded assignments. Upon completing the course, your electronic Certificate will be added to your Accomplishments page - from there, you can print your Certificate or add it to your LinkedIn profile. If you only want to read and view the course content, you can audit the course for free.

What is the refund policy?

You will be eligible for a full refund until two weeks after your payment date, or (for courses that have just launched) until two weeks after the first session of the course begins, whichever is later. You cannot receive a refund once you’ve earned a Course Certificate, even if you complete the course within the two-week refund period. See our full refund policy Opens in a new tab .

Is financial aid available?

Yes. In select learning programs, you can apply for financial aid or a scholarship if you can’t afford the enrollment fee. If fin aid or scholarship is available for your learning program selection, you’ll find a link to apply on the description page.

How to Write Historical Fiction

How to write historical fiction - what is historical fiction.

invent a story about a real historical person at that time, for example, Ernest Hemingway.
invent a story about a real historical event, for example, World War II.
create a completely imaginary character, for example, a painter named Pierre who is in love with his landlady.

How to write historical fiction - is it for you?

You love reading novels set in past times.
You enjoy learning about and imagining life in other historical times.
You are fascinated by a particular historical event or period; for example, you're a Civil War buff, or you read everything you can get your hands on about Ancient Egypt.
You have a novel idea that would work better in a historical time period. For example, if your story is about sea explorers in search of new continents, then you will probably decide to set that in the past.
You hate research.
You are in a hurry to finish.

How to write historical fiction - top tips

Read lots of historical fiction. The more of it you read, the better you'll get to know how it works.
Choose an exact time period and place for your book (i.e., 1938, not "early twentieth century"; Paris, not France).
Do your research and avoid historical mistakes of any kind. If your readers notice that you've begun World War II in the wrong year, they'll stop trusting you as an author.
Remember that the time period and place will shape your characters. You're not writing about contemporary Americans in old-fashioned costumes. People in different time periods have different attitudes, beliefs, and knowledge.
At the same time, remember that your characters are individuals. A person is more than just the historical moment when she lived. Everyone also has a personal story, quirks, bad qualities, good qualities, worries, secret desires...
Don't cram in information. You're writing a novel, not an encyclopedia article. After you've done all that research, it will be tempting to use it all. Resist this temptation! Use only the details that naturally belong in your story. And remember to show, instead of telling , when that's more effective. At the end of your novel, your reader shouldn't feel as if she's read a history of wartime Paris or medieval Spain -- she should feel like she's visited that time and place.

How to write historical fiction - keep reading

Terms - Returns & Cancellations - Affiliate Disclosure - Privacy Policy

Your Guide to Becoming a Historical Fiction Writer with an Online Creative Writing Degree

Written by Scott Wilson

The genre of fiction in general can be seen as a way of transporting readers to different realities. In literary fiction, that may simply be through characters or life experiences that are outside the ordinary; in science fiction, it can be realities that have not yet come to pass; for fantasy, those that never could.

But in the genre of historical fiction, the writer’s job is to take readers back to a reality that once did exist, and to make it real to them again. Historical fiction tells tales that didn’t happen, but in settings and times, and sometimes with characters, that did.

In doing so, historical fiction writers get a shot at revising both our appreciation for history, and for ourselves. By bringing historical experiences realistically to life, they cause readers to place themselves in the circumstances of generations past.

In some genre-bending cases, as with Diana Gabaldon’s Outlander series, multiple eras of history are explored, with meta-historical commentary provided by the characters.

At the same time, every work of historical fiction is inevitably a reflection of the time in which it is written as well as when it portrays. The emphasis, style, and subject of historical fiction novels also bears on the now. By comparing our own thoughts and sensibilities to those of historical characters, we come to a better understanding of our own era. We see the similarities and the differences; we learn what has been lost and what gained.

That makes writing historical fiction a powerful proposition. But it’s also one of the most exacting and demanding types of fiction writing to pursue. And that’s a strong reason to put a creative writing degree into your own historical record if this genre is your goal.

The History of Historical Fiction Has Murky Origins

There is never going to be any lack of history to go around, and the psychological drivers of curiosity and nostalgia ensure audiences for stories set in the past.

Wherever and whenever the genre came about, it has had an enduring appeal. Historical fiction writers have the ability to make history fun and understandable to modern audiences. Neal Stephenson’s The Baroque Cycle explores the development of modern financial systems and the root of modern physics and logic along with rollicking, globe-circling adventures that offer glimpses into societies as diverse as feudal Japan and Spanish America.

Although historical fiction has to call back to popular understanding or illuminating detail of the period in which it’s set, it’s a genre that has some surprising elasticity in it. Alternate history works like Philip Roth’s The Plot Against America explore a strong curiosity about “what if” moments in the past. And Susanna Clarke’s Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell goes even further afield, speculating about a wholly invented fantasy of magic blended together with the culture and society of England circa the Napoleonic Wars. Both books won prizes and were adapted for television.

Historical Fiction Writers Have Both Guard Rails and Open Roads Ahead of Them

For writers, this offers a broad palette that combines inspiration with consistency. While fiction can fill in the blanks, readers expect that the historical record generally remain intact. History offers plenty of opportunities for new exploration and interpretation, but there are also lines that writers must color within to be taken seriously.

Historical Fiction Offers Multiple Perspectives on What Happened and Why

Cromwell’s story isn’t a new one in historical fiction, having also featured in Robert Bolt’s play A Man For All Seasons . Comparing the two works, which cover many of the same events, is a great way of understanding what makes historical fiction an exceptional genre. Using the same historical characters and events, Bolt shows Cromwell as a cold, calculating political operative betraying Sir Thomas More to advance his own position in the king’s court, while Mantel portrays him as a principled man attempting to balance the complex intersections of politics and religion.

While readers may have their preference for the interpretations of the Cromwell’s actual historical record, the fact that both Wolf Hall and A Man for All Seasons are plausible, award-winning works of historical fiction shows the range of possibility the field opens in our understanding of both history and humanity.

But there is also liberation in having a wealth of historical detail available. While some fiction writers revel in creating new and unique worlds, for authors who are focused on character and plot, world-building can be a nuisance.

Writing historical fiction takes that off the table—the world was already built, and all that remains is for the author to populate and tinker with it.

College Degrees in Creative Writing Develop Both Historical Knowledge and Writing Craft

There can be a thin line between writing historical fiction and writing history. You have to be able to paint a convincing and detailed picture of life in the era in which you are working. That means research, research, and more research.

Creative writing programs don’t focus exclusively on history, but as liberal arts degrees, they do come with plenty of requirements and opportunities to better develop your familiarity with subjects like:

Social and cultural history
Anthropology
Art history

When you put that knowledge together with advanced instruction in the craft of writing strong, believable fiction across a variety of genres, you have an excellent shot at preparing yourself for a career in historical fiction writing.

Many Creative Writing Programs Offer Specific Courses in Historical Fiction

writing on laptop while at historical landmark

These courses may be the entirety of a specialized certificate program in creative writing, or serve as a sort of specialization option in a larger and longer degree program. They deconstruct historical writing in particular, exploring aspects such as:

Conforming to known timelines and the historical record
Deciding when and how far to adopt vocabulary and speech patterns from the time in which your story is set
How to research your work
Portraying modern attitudes and perspectives in the thoughts and actions of historical characters

College Is a Great Place to Both Learn and Learn To Interpret History

Degrees in creative writing don’t focus on history, but if you are pursuing a bachelor’s or an associate degree, history and social studies come as part of the package. It’s a great opportunity to lean in to those studies, piling on electives and making use of the expert academics and research facilities you’ll find on campus.

Creative Writing Programs Develop Strong Habits in Reading and Research

Much of your class time and many of your assignments will revolve around dissecting what you’ve read. You’ll come to understand why certain literary approaches resonate with readers, and how the mechanics of putting together story and character work in different styles.

You’ll also start to develop skills as a reader that will come in handy during your historical research. Skimming, analyzing, and comparing works are all techniques that you will learn in creative writing that will come in handy during your professional work as an author.

Writing Skills Are Developed to a High Level in Creative Writing Degrees

If you’re getting ready to start cracking on a thousand-plus page epic of historical fiction, you had better be confident in your ability to make the words flow. A creative writing degree will get you started down that path with almost constant writing assignments. Ranging from essays to short-form fiction to pieces of even longer works, you’ll spend hours and hours engaged in the most critical kind of practice for writers: writing.

Not only will these tasks get you in the habit of sitting down and chipping away at your word count every day, but they will also help hone your language, grammar, and plotting to get your point across. Constant reviews and revisions will allow you to develop your own sense of style and learn how to connect with readers through language.

Creating Believable Historical Figures and Plots Will Be Covered by Creative Writing Studies

There’s no better place to develop that kind of story-telling skill than through a creative writing degree. You’ll break down and study famous examples of plotting and characterization from War and Peace to The Name of the Rose , learning how Tolstoy and Eco brought history to life through use of language, plot, and literary device.

The Internet Offers Modern Ways To Study for Historical Fiction Writing

Unless you are one of those die-hards who insists on writing with a feather quill pen on sheets of parchment, you’ll want to take a close look at online options for your creative writing studies.

All through history, writers have largely labored in solitude. That’s just as true today as ever, and it means that a traditional on campus creative writing course doesn’t actually add much to the experience. You’ll spend most of your time on your own anyway, meeting up with professors and classmates only to review your lessons or present your work.

With online courses, you still make those connections, but it will be through email, chat, and video conferences. That frees you up to work whenever and wherever you are most creative.

The occasional in-person workshop or other conference keeps you from becoming a complete shut-in and helps you make some of the vital connections that you might need to get ahead in the publishing industry later on. It’s a great combination that often costs less and delivers tremendous flexibility in picking the best possible program for your goals.

Finding the Right Creative Writing Degree Program to Launch Your Historical Fiction Career

university students in class after lecture

Certificate programs in creative writing are short studies with a tight focus. They don’t usually last more than a few months and have very limited coursework. On the other hand, they don’t cost as much as longer programs, and can provide a concentrated dose of training in exactly the subject you are interested in improving. These are good choices for current writers who already have a degree and want to brush up specifically in historical fiction.

Associate degrees in creative writing take two years to complete. They are split half and half between foundational writing coursework and more general studies, designed to offer a classic liberal arts education. They are a good starting point for anyone without a college education but who wants to explore a path to writing historical fiction.

Bachelor’s degrees in creative writing are four-year programs that include a traditional range of liberal studies along with in-depth English literature and writing coursework. These degrees offer extensive preparation in creative thinking skills alongside specific creative writing studies, qualifying you for all kinds of writing positions in any genre. They are a good fit for anyone looking to make a career as a writer.

Master’s degrees in creative writing take between two and three years to complete. The MFA, or Master of Fine Arts, in creative writing is often considered to be the ultimate in preparation for becoming a published author. With intensive study focused exclusively on the craft of writing, expert professors, and guest lectures and workshops with other published authors, they are appropriate for anyone who wants a high level of polish on their current writing skills.

Doctoral programs in creative writing can take anywhere from five to seven years to finish. In most cases, these programs are focused on the academic side of writing, training future professors to teach in the field. Some programs do offer a more writing-focused design, however, which can help you polish up a current manuscript or story idea for publication.

Of course, many historical fiction authors have degrees in other fields. If you are starting out with a degree in history, politics, or other social or cultural majors, you certainly have a leg up on the research side of historical fiction writing. But that doesn’t mean you won’t still benefit from a formal creative writing education.

That can take the form of a quick certificate program, or going on to earn a master’s in the field, depending on your commitment and goals.

New authors just starting out, on the other hand, will probably find an associate or bachelor’s degree to offer a good combination of instruction in writing itself together with the kind of education in history that will help in developing storylines and authentic details in their work.

Every college has its own approach and reputation in creative writing education. By assessing the faculty, the workshops and classes that are offered, and the types of careers that graduates have gone on to, you’ll get a pretty good idea of where to find the best fit for your own degree. Then you can go on to make your own history with the next great historical fiction bestseller.

IMAGES

How to Write Historical Fiction: 7 Tips on Accuracy and Authenticity
Historical Fiction Project
an image of a book with the title'historical fiction'written in black
Historical Fiction Creative Writing
Writing a Historical Story
Historical Fiction

VIDEO

How to Write Historical Fiction
How to write historical fiction: secret research technique!
Writing Historical Fiction for Beginners: 3 Mistakes to Avoid
How to write descriptively
Tips for Researching and Writing Historical Fiction
5 Historical Fiction Tropes (the best and worst!)

COMMENTS

60 historical fiction writing prompts
by The History Quill. We're delighted to share this list of 60 historical fiction writing prompts to inspire your creative writing. We've put them on a historical timeline, starting in 399 BCE and ending in 1969. They cover a range of periods, places, and situations. Feel free to adapt them in any way you like.
51 Historical Fiction Writing Prompts
252 Of The Best Writing Prompts For All Writers. 26. American Blood. Your family came to the U.S. after government intervention essentially handed rule in your native country to an organized crime network. A former friend is recruited to their ranks and comes to the U.S. for a business deal. 27.
75 Historical Fiction Writing Prompts to Inspire You
Romantic Epochs. Cultural Revolution. Shadows of the Past. Turn of the Century. Conflict and Resolution. Artistic Endeavors. Explore the depths of the past with our list of 75 Historical Fiction Writing Prompts. Ignite your creativity and embark on a journey through time with compelling story ideas that bring history to life.
Best Historical Fiction Writing Prompts of 2023
Here are our top ten historical fiction writing prompts: A bard falls in love with the monarch who employs them. You're Shakespeare's apprentice, and he's always taking credit for your ideas. You worked at one of the first printing presses during the Printing Revolution of the 15th century. You are a gossip columnist — in 1905.
Historical Fiction Writing Prompts: 35+ Ideas to Get You Started
Write about a fictional character who is behind the scenes during the fall of the Roman Empire. He's working to uncover the powerful cabal pulling strings to cause the empire to collapse so they can get rich in the process. 8. Write about a police officer in London in the late 19th century.
24 Creative Historical Fiction Writing Prompts
A Brief Overview of Writing Historical Fiction. Historical fiction writing prompts allow students to travel back in time and explore fascinating facts about the people before them. Plus…. The genre of writing helps writer's improve creative thinking and cognition and encourages them to think outside the box to write interesting fictional ...
Mastering the Art of How to Write Historical Fiction: A Comprehensive
Dr. Elizabeth Rivera stands out as an authority in the field of historical fiction writing. With her Ph.D. in Historical Studies and over two decades of experience teaching creative writing, Dr. Rivera has published multiple acclaimed novels set across various periods, showcasing her ability to weave factual accuracy with compelling narratives.
Entertaining With the Past: How To Write Engaging Historical Fiction
Think to yourself that you are massaging the truth to create the best story possible. Make sure that you tabulate, in whatever way works best for you, your historical details as you write your story. So, important dates (battles, marriages, births, deaths, political decisions) are kept consistent. Note down the day, month, weather, the time too.
How to Write Historical Fiction
Voice. If, like me, you aren't initially comfortable with the intricate details of physical description, try to capture the voice of the period. Read the fiction of the era. Absorb the attitudes. Be strict about vocabulary. I regularly Google the etymology of words to make sure that word belongs in the story.
50 historical fiction writing prompts
Here are 50 historical writing prompts to get you started. Bring the past to life with these 50 vivid story ideas! Historical fiction is a captivating genre that immerses readers in bygone eras. This extensive list of writing prompts covers a wide range of history, from ancient Egypt to World War II. Pick an intriguing setting, step into a ...
20 Historical Fiction Writing Prompts To Spark Your Imagination
6. Write about a character who experiences the horrific destruction of Pompeii. 7. In 1977, New York experienced a blackout. Write about a character who's just trying to make it home safely. 8. Write about a character who, every weekend, wakes up as a different historical figure in their time period.
25 Historical Fiction Writing Prompts
Writing prompt: Follow Cleopatra's rise and fall through the eyes of her two handmaidens, Iras and Charmion. 3. The underground city of Derinkuyu. Context: Derinkuyu is an ancient subterranean city in Cappadocia, Turkey, and it could hold up to 20,000 people, safely hidden in its tunnels.
How to write historical fiction in 10 steps
Step 1: Develop your story concept. One of the great things about writing historical fiction is that history is a wonderful source of inspiration. There are a few different approaches you can take to utilising it: 1) Tell a fictionalised (but accurate) version of a true story.
40 Writing Prompts and Ideas for Historical Fiction (with pictures
25. Hotel of Haunts. Write a flash fiction story from the point of view of an owner of a hotel that is famous for being haunted by characters from the Roaring Twenties. 26. Let's Shake On It. Write a story about a man who purchases a 1920 Ford Model T and discovers that the car has a life of its own. 27.
How to Time Travel: Balancing History and Narrative in Historical Fiction
Writing historical fiction has allowed me to experience lives and times incredibly different than my own. I've come to treasure research and travel as tools to grow my knowledge and empathy. But I think my favorite part of this magic we call creative writing is understanding that whether in 2024, 1924, or 1424—there are universal ...
Top 15 Creative Writing Exercises to Enhance Your Historical Fiction
Exercise 1: Explore Historical Events. In this exercise, we will delve into the importance of researching significant historical events and developing fictional characters in historical settings. Additionally, we will explore the concept of writing from different perspectives to enhance the depth of your storytelling.
What is Historical Fiction? Definition of the Historical Fiction Genre
Writing historical fiction requires a balance of research and creativity, and while it often includes real people and events, the genre offers a fiction writer many opportunities to tell a wholly unique story. Historical fiction transports readers to another time and place, either real or imagined. Writing historical fiction requires a balance ...
Historical Fiction Writing Prompts: Journey to the Past
Imagine stepping back in time to a bygone era, where history comes alive through captivating stories. Historical fiction writing prompts allow us to embark on an exciting journey to the past. This article explores how these prompts can unleash our creativity, transport us to different eras, and bring forgotten tales back to life.
On the Anxiety of Writing Historical Fiction: A User's Manual
He writes, "Perhaps this is the paradox that beats inside historical fiction's rib cage: the "historical" half demands fidelity to the past, while the "fiction" half requires infidelity—people must be dreamt up, their acts fabricated and the lies of art must be told.". As in creative nonfiction, this is a quandary that ...
Plagues, Witches, and War: The Worlds of Historical Fiction
There are 12 modules in this course. A unique and exciting introduction to the genre and craft of historical fiction, for curious students, aspiring authors--anyone with a passion for the past. Read classics of the genre, encounter bestselling writers of historical fiction, and discover your own historical archive while interacting with a ...
How to Write Historical Fiction
Historical fiction is a category for novels and stories that take place in past times (usually more than fifty years before when the author wrote them). The characters and events in these stories might be completely imaginary. But the world of these stories is based, as closely as possible, on the reality of a particular historical time and place.
Creative Writing Degree for Historical Fiction Writers Online
The History of Historical Fiction Has Murky Origins. College Degrees in Creative Writing Develop Both Historical Knowledge and Writing Craft. Finding the Right Creative Writing Degree Program to Launch Your Historical Fiction Career. The genre of fiction in general can be seen as a way of transporting readers to different realities.