Give your characters clear goals and motivations. In historical fiction, these can be influenced by the events and circumstances of the time. A character living during a war might be motivated by survival, patriotism, or a desire for peace. By having well - defined goals, your characters will seem more real and drive the plot forward.
One important tip is to do in - depth research on the historical period. Understand the social norms, values, and lifestyles of that time. This will help you create characters that are believable within the historical context. For example, if your story is set in Victorian England, a character's behavior and beliefs should align with the strict social hierarchies and moral codes of that era.
Start with their goals. What do they want? It could be something big like world peace or something small like getting a particular job. This will drive their actions throughout the novel. Then, think about their relationships. How do they interact with family, friends, and enemies? A character who has a strained relationship with their parents might be more guarded or rebellious. And don't forget about their speech patterns. A well - educated character might use more complex language, while a street - smart character might use a lot of slang.
One important tip is to do thorough research on the historical period. Understand the social norms, values, and lifestyles of that time. For example, if you're writing about medieval Europe, know how people dressed, what they ate, and their religious beliefs. This knowledge will help you create characters that are believable in that context.
For the first 5 pages of historical fiction, it's crucial to set the time period clearly. Use specific details like the year, era name, or important historical events that are immediately recognizable. For example, if it's set during the Industrial Revolution, mention smoky factories or new inventions right away.
If you have a prompt like 'A person finds a time - traveling device', first think about the rules of time travel in your story. Can they change the past? What are the consequences? Then, consider the character's motivation for using it. Maybe they want to fix a past mistake or meet a historical figure. Build the plot around these ideas. For example, if they try to change a major historical event, how does that affect the present and future? This can create a complex and interesting plot.
Writer's Reference can provide historical timelines which are very useful for plot development. By knowing the sequence of events in a particular era, a writer can build a plot that fits within that framework. For example, if the story is set during the Industrial Revolution, the reference can show when new inventions were made and how they affected society. This can then be incorporated into the plot, like a character's life being changed by the introduction of the steam engine.
You can consider the character's personality. For example, if the character is brave, a strong - sounding name like 'Max' or 'Aria' could be suitable. Another way is to look at the character's background. If they are from a certain culture or region, choose a name that is typical of that area, like 'Sakura' for a Japanese - inspired character.
One tip is to show, not tell, the historical setting. Instead of just saying 'It was a time of great change', describe the bustling streets filled with new inventions or the people's reactions to political upheavals. This makes the setting more vivid.
You can start by looking at the character's personality. For example, if the character is brave, you could use names that have strong meanings like 'Valiant' or 'Braxton'. Another way is to consider the setting of the story. If it's a medieval fantasy, names like 'Aric' or 'Ella' might fit well. Also, you can mix and match different syllables that sound good together, such as 'Zoe' and 'ryn' to make 'Zoryn'.
First, make sure your manuscript is polished. Agents receive a lot of submissions, so a well - written, error - free manuscript stands out. Tailor your query letter to each agent. Mention why your historical fiction is unique and why you think it would appeal to their client list. For example, if an agent has represented successful historical novels set in a particular era, point out how your work is related but different.
The physical description is important in developing character in a novel. It can give readers an initial impression. For instance, a character described as having a haggard look might imply a tough life. Character growth over time is crucial too. A character starting as timid and evolving into a brave hero shows development. And the character's dialogue should be distinct. A well - educated character may use complex language, while a simple - minded one would have more basic speech patterns.