- Rank: Chosen One
- Total Posts: 8156
@esther-c. AHHH!!! I’m in love already! XD <3333
First off, I just LOVE that idea!!! 🙂 <33333 A Union and a Confederate soldier!? Yes, please!!! 😀
So, I am also working on a Civil War book, tho right now, my WWII books are taking priority, lol, but I do know a thing or two about Historical Fiction. 🙂
So, any ideas?? Maybe some help fleshing out the plot/characters?
Okay, so, the characters are truly up to you. Plot, that’s where research comes in, so you’ll need to decide when exactly you want your Civil War novel to take place, since the war lasted from 1861-1865, there’s a very wide range to choose from.
But before we get to research, I will say that it’s also a good idea to read fiction books set in the time period you’re trying to write about. So, for you, you would want to look for historical-fiction books set in the time of the American Civil War. Not to copy, but for research. 😉
One I can recommend is Across Five Aprils by Irene Hunt, both a classic Civil War novel and a great example. (The story was inspired by her grandfather or great-grandfather, I can’t remember quite which one, but it was inspired by one of their own personal experiences during the Civil War)
But, then, without further ado, we move onto the RESEARCH! And since you asked me how I research, I’m gonna try to help you out the best I can. Shall we get started? 😉
1. Books. Books. Books! I cannot count the History books I have gotten over the years from the library. History books/biographies/autobiographies are wonderful resources, but again, be cautious and alert, as History has been tried to be rewritten in recent years. One of my favorite Historical Fiction authors, Jayna Baas, has recommended to me to read history books that are both modern and old, as modern books may try to rewrite history, whilst older ones can over-glorify people and events. So, she said to read both, as balance is key! So, try to find a good library close to you. (or get Ebooks if you like those more. 🙂 ) Ask them for books on the American Civil War or look at their catalogue yourself, and I’m serious when I say get as many books as you can. Books are always my number one resource for researching because they can be filled with soooo much information. Even though it can sometimes feel like a pain, it’s always worth it in the end. 😉
And a few tips on books:
- Check the bibliography. Chances are, especially if you’re reading an actual History book, there will be a bibliography, which will contain the resources the writer used for their History book, which means that it will likely contain more and maybe even better resources for you to look into, though not all History books have these, so you won’t always be able to check it.
- Check the notes/footnotes. Like the bibliography, the notes/footnotes will usually list sources that the writer used and possibly lead you to even better resources.
One great example I can think of is the Author Ben Thompson. His Guts & Glory series (which has a book on the Civil War, mind you) is both a joy to read and packed FULL of information, personal stories, and historical facts. One reason why I love his writing so much is that he tells History as it is, without trying to fit it into his agenda. And, to make it even better, he lists many, if not all, of the sources he used, so he has a very big Bibliography at the ends of his books. 😉
2. Internet. Just like books, the internet can be a great resource for getting information. Although personally, I always head for books first, but it’s always up to your opinion. But again, just like with books, always be cautious, vigilant, and alert, and if you have a question about something that may not seem right about History, talk to someone you trust and find other resources to see if that really is true or not. And that’s one key note: Please, please, PLEASE don’t use Wikipedia. It is not a trusted resource for Historical facts. However, you can look at the endnotes, and, you guessed it, again find resources that were used. XD
And a few notes for this.
- Always use trusted Historical websites. History.com is one example. But again, use your discretion and the holy spirit when researching about truly anything!
- Again, read endnotes! You never know what resources you’ll find!
So, I think those are the last of my tips for the researching part, but if you have any specific questions, just let me know and I’ll try to help you out! 😉
But before I finish this (very lengthy! XD) reply, I’m also going to add a few notes about Historical Fiction period.
- Stay true to the time. Now, this doesn’t exactly mean that your characters need to say and believe in everything people did then, however, it does mean that their life, their culture, the community and world around them will affect the way they think. (And trust me, even for me, it’s been a struggle to try to let go of some of my beliefs to keep my characters and story true to the time) @gracie-j wrote a wonderful article that puts that and a few other things way better than I could. XD https://kingdompen.org/faith-in-your-historical-fiction/
- Don’t be afraid to let your research change your story. This one has also been a struggle of mine, but in the end, it makes your historical fiction all the richer. I’ve had to change some parts of my story so it would be historically accurate, but in the end, it often made my story better.
Okay…I think that is finally the end of this VERY lengthy reply…XD
But all in all, I love your story idea and can’t wait until I hear about it more. 😉
If you have any other, specific questions, don’t be afraid to ask. I’ll help out however I can. 😀