Creating History – Historical Characters

In some ways, writing fiction that is based in history is more difficult than genres set in fantasy worlds.  If you are writing historical fiction, historical fantasy or alternative history, then you have some responsibility to represent certain elements in a realistic way.  Yes, even when fantasy is involved, if you are setting your story within our history then your readers will expect that you have done your homework.  If this is not a responsibility that you want, then writing within an historical context is probably not the right path for you!  In particular, you will need to focus on your characters and making sure that you write a realistic portrayal of them.

Real Historical Figures as Characters

The importance of your research into characters will depend on who you choose as your protagonist.  For example, there will be a big difference in responsibility if your main character is a made-up peasant to if he is Alexander the Great.  If you choose a very famous figure as a character in your work, then be prepared to do some serious research!  You will need to read anything and everything you can on this person, in order to bring them to life in a realistic way.  Even if you are writing an alternative history in which, for example, Hitler has an epiphany and decides to be a campaigner for peace, then you will still need to know all of his previous character traits and actions so that you can set your new Hitler apart from the historical one.

Remember that every well-known historical figure has at least a small following of devotees who know all about their life and achievements.  These will be the initial target audience for your book, and if they are not satisfied by what you have written, then it could seriously hamper your chances of having a successful book.

Invented Characters

If your protagonist is a made-up person in an historical setting, there is still research to be done.  Granted you will have a bit more leeway than if the character was an actual person, but there is still a responsibility to get the context correct.  If your character is a king, research the kings of the culture that you are basing your book in.  How did they act, how did they dress, what were their customs?  Did they take several wives or were they faithful to one?  What did they eat?  Where did they live?  Knowing all of this information will help you to invent a king that is true to the culture of your setting.

If your character is a lowly peasant or slave, then this can also be researched.  What were the conditions like?  Did they have the basic necessities such as clean water and fresh food?  Were they able to rise above their class and make a better life for themselves?  What was their life expectancy?  All of these details will make your story richer, by impacting on the actions of your characters.

Writing in the historical genre is tricky!  But it is also rewarding to immerse yourself in the history of a culture and come away with a realistic and detailed book.