Ten Things I Consider Before Choosing a Time Period to Write About.
I don’t always write historical novels, but when I do . . .
It has to be an era that will fascinate me through months and maybe years of research and writing. For example, when my father was stationed with the U.S. Embassy in Dublin, Ireland for two years, I studied medieval history, especially that of the Celts and Normans, and visited museums and castles. Decades later, I’m still enthralled with that time period. Also, instilled in me—the history of European kings and queens. How would you feel if you received a love letter from King Henry VIII?
I want to write about a place because I’ve been there. (Been there in modern times, no time travel—just making that clear.) E.g., London, the Scottish Highlands, the western U.S., etc.
I want to go there. (To keep this post short, deeper answers and explanations may come in later posts.)
I feel a connection to the place and time.
Sometimes I choose a time period after reading an article. For instance, I saw that King Henry VIII, Jack the Ripper, and Hitler are among the most infamous people in history. (I’m not sure I’ll ever write about Hitler, but I have written about King Henry and the Ripper.)
Brainstorming. I ask myself: who or what was the most important, interesting, or pivotal person, war, battle, event, life, death, architecture, or romance in history?
I consider who I would like to meet from the past.
I ask myself who or what from history I'd like to know more about.
Another angle I consider is, I know I’m not supposed to alter history, but if I could, what would I want to go back and change?
Sometimes, I see something cool on an educational channel, or read a great book, and say, “Oh, yeah. That’s what I want to write about.” I like shows about history, travel, cultures, inventions, and discoveries. They make me think and wonder.
I’m curious, if you could go anywhere in time, where would you go?