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Bring the past to life with a well-written historical fiction book and take advantage of a huge market on Amazon. Learn how to combine your imagination with the authenticity of the time period to keep the story believable and engaging. With the right balance of research and creativity, you will have readers hooked on every page!

Ask for help from experts

Unfortunately for you, the internet isn’t the best resource for historical research, as it’s full of flawed information, particularly on periods of time that the author or webmaster won’t have been present for. Whilst of course it’s impossible to get everything spot on, you need to stay as authentic as possible. The best way to research is to ask for help from experts; be that professors, historians or those who have already written about a similar time or topic. Don’t be afraid to ask for advice – most of those who are passionate about an era will embrace the opportunity for it to continue to be promoted through more writing.

Stay true to reality when referring to real people

You’ll never know exactly what was said, done or thought by any individual on the planet other than yourself, so when writing about real people it’s natural that you’ll apply some artistic license. When you do reference real characters through your story you need to remain as reasonably responsible toward their persona as possible. Researching and referencing the who, what, when, where and why of a character can help you draw upon their voice and attitudes easily and reflect this through into your coverage of them.

Don’t judge different cultures and attitudes

There are many, many aspects of history that sit uncomfortably with today’s societal values. It can be difficult, therefore, to find some characters within your story likeable: and even more difficult to not judge them for it. It’s imperative that you remain neutral in your tone toward cultures and attitudes of the time you’re writing about, even if they don’t fit with your personal values and beliefs. If it was ‘how things were done then’, let it be so. It’s not your place as author to pass judgment.

Use a ‘historical note’ disclaimer at the end

There will always be someone who reads your book and finds it their place to draw attention to or question historical details written within it. Human nature dictates even the best of writers won’t manage perfect accuracy, but if you’re worried about the details or have used more poetic freedom than you expected, add in a short disclaimer at the back. Being honest about your ability and estimations is always the best policy – and you should never allow a small detail or two to get in the way of a damn good story!

One of the biggest changes for writers of non-fiction books has been the dawn of the internet. No longer are writers restricted to academia or textbooks for research, and they can often find or obtain information on their chosen subject much more quickly and easily. Non-fiction writers can now often write and publish their book in a similar timeframe to that of fiction writers. That said, non-fiction writers need to conjure the imaginations of readers just as much as their fiction colleagues in order to keep readers… well… reading. If you’ve hit a creative block and need some intervention to aid your cause, look no further for some great advice to help you achieve a flowing pen and tapping keys once again.

If you’ve got an Editor, USE THEM!

Not all writers have the luxury of an editor to read through, correct minor errors, and ensure their work is ‘on message.’ But, if you do, use them. A fresh pair of eyes can be invaluable, and they can help you to catch inconsistencies you may have missed, or re-phrase things to be more easily absorbed by your audience.

Structure your work

If you’re struggling with your manuscript and it feels a bit chaotic or confusing, outlining your structure first can really help. An introduction, a body, and a conclusion gives you something to start from. Fill in the different sections from there, leading from one subject on to a related subject. Make the end of the previous chapter or section transition to the next. Check your timeline and flow. Looking over your timeline should tell you all of the most important elements in your book.

Know Who and What you’re writing for

This should be the first question you ask yourself: who is the audience and what is this book aiming to do? The audience will determine your tone of voice, level of information, and language style. And the aim of the book should influence the way in which it’s written. Sales books need to be persuasive, informational guides need to be clear and full of examples, and biographies should draw you into the story and keep you interested in the person.

Show, and hold authority…

When writing non-fiction, the author is assumed to be an expert on the subject that they’re covering, even if that may be a slight stretch of the truth. Therefore, it’s important to be positive and assert your authority throughout your writing. The writer can pose a theory, idea, or suggestions, but don’t be tentative. Limit the use of ‘maybe’, ‘I think’ and ‘in my opinion’ as that can make your book feel wishy-washy. Don’t make things up or write nonsense, but be direct and keep your language solid.

…and know the subject you’re being authoritative on

You may not be the world’s foremost expert on your book subject, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t know it well. Do your research and make sure that your sources are good reputable ones. If someone else is carrying out research for you, make sure it’s comprehensive and check a few pieces before you repeat it.

Whether it’s a travel guide, teaching manual, cookbook, or self-help book, your non-fiction book can inform and entertain your readers. And that’s what it’s all about.

Starting out in writing is exciting, and being an aspiring novelist is full of promise and ambition. However, as with all of life’s joys, the initial motivation can quickly turn to despair when you’re faced with a clean desk and a blank page. Writing fiction is complex, multi-layered, and ambitious. Yet, fret not, fellow writers! There are tips and tricks you can use in your writing to ease the journey from novice to published wordsmith, and squeeze out every drop of your inner creativity. This guide presents some easy practices to try out as you start on your self-publishing adventures…

Open in a way that entices your reader

Your opening line and paragraph are what, for many, will justify them continuing to read your whole book. There’s a balance to be maintained here, between drawing readers in and sparking their interest, yet not giving everything away and overwhelming them. Your first few pages will likely be the most edited of your whole story, so don’t be afraid to go back and work and re-work them over and over again.

Don’t just write what you know

In fiction, it’s altogether unlikely that your reader will directly identify with every character, every situation, and every storyline that you pull together. Therefore, knowing a subject inside out may actually mean you’re in too deep – and instead, learning something new will allow you to explain and explore it better. Broadening your horizons and becoming educated on something new is required to develop not just yourself, but the stories you can tell, too.

Seek structure… at the end

While it’s easy to attack your manuscript with a well-thought-through plan for the structure and organisation, so much will change as your book progresses that it’s unlikely that it will stick to your schedule! Instead, work on your story’s structure once you’re nearing the end of the work so that you don’t feel you need to stuff it into a set pattern or method, and instead let it work in organically.

Keep on top of spelling, punctuation, grammar, and language rules and usage

Errors cause readers to stutter over a sentence, and possibly stop reading. Therefore, punctuation and spelling must be accurate to best represent the message you’re trying to convey, but grammar sometimes less so. If a sentence isn’t 100% grammatically accurate, but it really works, use it. Especially in dialogue. Like everything else, language evolves. It’s important that the language you use in your writing is relevant to the time period in which your book is set, relevant to those using it, and that it makes sense within the context it’s being used. Don’t be entirely confined by conventional language rules, but don’t abandon them, either. Even if your fiction is set in the present day or not too distant past, don’t get too hung up on technicalities – something you were taught during your education may already be out of date! Your work should be as readable as it is accurate. The most important thing is for your writing to be understood by the reader.