Choosing Your Subgenre of Historical Fiction: A Complete Guide
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Choosing Your Subgenre of Historical Fiction: A Complete Guide


Choosing Your Subgenre of Historical Fiction: A Complete Guide, on The Writer's Cabin

Choosing Your Subgenre of Historical Fiction


The historical fiction genre includes some of the best books you will ever read (which have been made into the best movies and TV shows you’ll ever see).


It is a vast genre with endless opportunities for writers to tell tales that will bring readers closer to their past. Within the genre are many subgenres that each provide a unique lens through which to experience that past.


History covers a lot of ground, and the possible fiction to be written about it is diverse with different narratives, time periods, and themes, making it important to narrow your focus.


If you are interested in writing historical fiction, understanding which of these lenses best would suit your story and potential readers is going to be paramount. It’ll allow you to tailor your writing to match both your interests and the preferences of your audience.



Today we will review the primary subgenres of historical fiction, but before you go choosing one, there are some factors to consider:


  • Personal interests - choose historical eras, themes, and types of stories that interest you the most. Even if you feel it has been done before, something you love will always come out better than something you are disinterested in.

  • Writing goals - understand that your chosen subgenre will influence and dictate your storytelling style, research requirements, and target audience. Make sure these all align with what you want.

  • Emotional connection - pick a genre that resonates with you emotionally on a deep level. This will lead to a better experience for you and your readers. Everything you write should mean something to you.





The beauty of historial fiction is its ability to transport you to different worlds and help us to maintain our connection with the past. By choosing a subgenre that resonates with you, you’re going to be able to write a story that promises excitement, education, and emotion.

Contents:


Choosing your Subgenre of Historical Fiction - Defining the Genre heading image

Defining the Historical Fiction Genre


Before diving into the subgenres, let’s get a handle on what makes historical fiction what it is.


There are a number of core elements that define the genre, regardless of where and when it is set. Historical fiction merges past fact with imaginative storytelling, creating something akin to a modern mythology of history.


The following are the characteristics of historical fiction that all subgenres have in common.


Key Elements of Historical Fiction


Authentic Settings


The setting in historical fiction is as important as any plot point or character. It serves as the backdrop but also as a catalyst for all the events in the story. This historical environment must be painstakingly recreated to immerse the reader in the past.


Details such as clothing, architecture, technology, and even everyday objects contribute to the vivid portrayal of history.


Time Period


It is pivotal in historical fiction to depict cultural norms, language, and societal dynamics with as much accuracy as possible.


A well-researched time period allows you to tell a better story that will ensure your readers engage deeply with the characters and their experiences.



Historical Events


Real historical events act as pivotal moments in the story, impacting characters’ decisions and driving the plot forward.


These events often act as the major plot turning points, and are used to create a sense of urgency, tension, or conflict.





Portrayal of Characters within Context


Characters in historical fiction will reflect the attitudes and beliefs of their era, adding depth and authenticity to the story.


Their personal growth and transformation within this historical context will often mirror the societal changes that were happening at that time in real life.


Blending Fact and Fiction


All historical fiction must, by necessity, balance a blend of historical accuracy and creative storytelling that allows for an engrossing experience.


Fictional characters and events will weave in and out of real historical elements.


Educational Value


Historical fiction, if done well, will rely on thorough research and provide readers with actual knowledge about the time period and the cultures featured in the novel.


Though all readers realize that some fictional liberties need to be made in order to tell the story, they also expect to be provided with factual information when it counts.


Choosing your Subgenre of Historical Fiction - The Subgenres heading image

Subgenres of Historical Fiction


There are many subgenres of historical fiction—too many to cover here today. This is a list of the most popular historical fiction subgenres.


Each offers a unique portrayal of the past, from the romanticizing of it to revealing the horrors of it. I have not included any period specific subgenres like Regency or Tudor; these are ones that will fit any time you would like your story to be set.


Historical Romance


Historical romance intertwines love stories into historical settings.


Usually, these stories explore differing social norms and hierarchies, etiquette, and the cultural constraints of different eras in order to create deep and complex relationships.


Some well-known books that fall in this category include:



Historical Mystery


These are thrilling whodunits set in different time periods, taking readers on an often educational journey through the course of thrilling investigations.


These plots are weaved in with historical events and feature either real or imagined detectives and slueths. They are well-researched books that need to accurately portray the latest investigation techniques for the time, and offer a unique blend of suspense and history.


Some examples of historical mystery novels are:



And of course, let's not forget the historical mysteries by one of our own, F. Nelson Smith, including the new retro mystery, Jack Tuesday.


Jack Tuesday by F. Nelson Smith, Buy Now anywhere books are sold

Historical War Fiction


Exploring times of great conflict, historical war fiction dives into the experience of soldiers, civilians, and the impact of war on society.


These books attempt to capture the raw emotion, sacrifices, and challenges faced during these times. They are moody with powerful atmospheres and have lasting impact.


Famous historical war fiction includes books such as:



Alternate History


What if….


Alternate history novels reimagine historical events with different outcomes, creating alternate timelines to explore “what if” scenarios.


These stories prompt reflection on the impact of pivotal moments in history and imagine what might be different today had certain events not taken place.


Some well-known alternate history includes:



Biographical Fiction


Biographical historical fiction brings to life the historical figures of a given period. It offers fictionalized accounts of their thoughts and experiences.


Also needing to be very, very well researched, these books provide insights into the motivations and struggles of renowned individuals, humanizing them and bringing them down from the archives so that they are tangible and relatable.


There are plenty of famous works in this subgenre including:



Historical Family Saga


This subgenre follows many generations across time. Historical family sagas span lives within a single family, showcasing how historical events shaped their legacy.


It highlights the dynamics, relationships, and transformations of familial ties over long periods. These books often reflect the societal changes taking place throughout history and mirror them in the characters.


Works of historical family saga you may know are:



Historical Literary Fiction


Though a wide variety of historical fiction books can be included in this subgenre, these books are recognized for how they explore historical settings and the profound themes that arise from them. Often through skilled and eloquent prose.


If you ever wanted to know the difference between genre/trade fiction and literary fiction, it basically comes down to the effort level of the writer. In my opinion, anyway.


Literary historical fiction offers a deep and educated exploration of the period while focusing on character development and introspection.


These stories are meaningful and written with purpose.


Some examples include:



Historical Time Slip Fiction


Like alternate history, time-slip fiction explores the “what if,” but here it is “what if someone were pulled out of our time, and plopped into [insert time period here].”


Historical time-slip fiction is a fun genre full of potential themes to explore and also often draws connections between themes of the past and present. These parallel and conflict heavy stories create intrigue and highlight the interconnectedness of history.


Some well-known time-slip historical fiction novels are:



Historical Adventure


Anyone who has read anything I have written in the Action & Adventure category will be familiar with how much I love the genre. When historical fiction and action & adventure combine, it gets even better.


These stories follow characters who embark on exciting adventures. They take readers on exhilarating escapades through historical landscapes and dangerous past events.


Characters face challenges and obstacles, high-stakes danger, and explore the unknown on heroic quests.


Here is a list of some of the best historical adventure fiction stories:




Final Words


These are the widest encompassing subgenres of historical fiction and you will be able to choose any time period to tell your story within each one.


Historical fiction is a vast genre, encompassing literally everything that has come before…well…right now.


Whether you are wanting to write about ancient cultures or events that happened only a few centuries ago, historical fiction is your ticket to explore the minds of charcters, grappling with the complexities of their eras.



The power of historical fiction lies in its ability to reflect on the human experience and reveal how our pasts shape the present. The diverse subgenres of historical fiction remind us that history is made of people and emotions, not just dry facts and numbers.


Each subgenre offers its own allure to foster imagination and a deeper connection to humanity, lineage, and legacy.


As Uhtred son of Uhtred would say, “Destiny is all!”


But, I’m getting flowery and have completely forgotten the point I was trying to make, so let’s just end this, shall we?


If you’re wanting to write historical fiction, choose a subgenre and then just keep writing until you’re done.


Soooo easy, right? 🙄


Uhtred - This Must be Done
The Last Kingdom, Netflix Series

How do you write realistic dialogue for historical fiction?


Crafting realistic dialogue for historical fiction about creating the illusion of history—the feeling and atmosphere of history rather than representing the actual speech of the time. The reason for this is because readers have come to expect historical characters of given time periods to speak a certain way, but also because historical speech is in reality either very close to modern day speech, or so far removed from it that it is unreadable for modern audiences.




About the Author: Tessa Barron, Bear Hill Books


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