Book Writing Tips for 1700s History
Writers understand that to form an interesting book, the story has to be well rounded when it comes to characters, plot, setting, and style. Historical fiction readers expect well researched details and believable dialogue. History buffs will appreciate your insight as you write about events of the time. Your basic story or idea should be forged before you begin writing, as it will be easier if you know the problems your characters or historical figures faced and how they will, or did solve them.
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Research the Time Period
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Whatever year your book is set in, find all the information possible for the time period. From the beginning to the end of the 1700s, ideas and people changed. Wars were fought, and nations formed and lost. Read books published in or before your story takes place to see the way sentences were formed and words used. Benjamin Franklin began publishing Poor Richard's Almanack in 1732, but copies are still available in libraries and on line. Read the work of poets of which your characters would have been familiar. Listen to music composed that is still heard today, such as movements by Bach, Beethoven, Mozart and many others. The history of the time period will support your storyline if you include such events in your book. If you are writing a non-fiction book especially, your facts must be true.
Proper Style of Speech
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With fiction, use words that would have been used by your characters in the 1700s, but do not overdo it. Readers may find it too difficult to understand if they are forced to decipher language. Do not write using current slang, as your readers will find it unauthentic. Try using timely words in dialogue and write descriptions in a more current tone. If you are stuck in a certain area, such as an historical event, head to your local library and access the help of a research librarian.
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Keep Track of Details
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You may not remember all that you write, and your characters may have to revisit plot points later in your story. One way to remember these is to write such details on index cards. Give each character and storyline its own card. Use the card to jot down notes you want to revisit. You may also want to write a brief summary of each chapter on its own card so that when you are ready to write a synopsis, you will have your outline notes already completed.
Hair, Habits, and Clothing
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Although people may have had the same emotions in the 1700s as we do today, their habits, styles, and clothing were quite different. Bathing was rare for most people, and their wardrobe was usually quite small compared to today's standards. Describe their personal habits, their hairstyles, and clothing if you want your reader to imagine the way your characters looked. Include details that may be common today as well as in the 1700s for a way to connect your reader to your writing.
Time and Hard Work
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If you decide you want to pilot an airplane, you first have to know how to do it. The same goes with writing. But unlike flying, writing is something you can learn by trial and error and by reading the books you enjoy. If you want to write fiction set in the 1700s, read such books and pay attention to the way other authors did it. By dedicating a set time every day, writing will become a habit and in less time than you might imagine, your novel or nonfiction book will be complete.
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References
Resources
- Photo Credit writing image by jimcox40 from Fotolia.com
