7 elements of historical fiction

When it comes to historical fiction, there are several key elements that make a story compelling and memorable. Whether you're a fan of epic tales set in ancient civilizations or prefer atmospheric novels based on real events, historical fiction is a genre that can transport readers to different times and places. In this article, we will explore the seven essential elements of historical fiction that make it a beloved genre among readers.

1. Accurate Historical Setting:
One of the most important elements of historical fiction is an accurately portrayed historical setting. Readers expect to be immersed in a specific time period, whether it's Ancient Rome, Victorian England, or the American Revolutionary War. Authors should conduct thorough research to accurately capture the era's customs, technologies, social dynamics, and overall atmosphere.

2. Well-Researched Background:
Credible historical fiction requires extensive research. Authors should delve into the historical details, including clothing, food, language, and societal structures. This attention to detail creates an authentic backdrop against which the fictional elements of the story can unfold.

3. Engaging Characters:
Compelling characters are essential for any novel, and in historical fiction, they must feel true to the time period. Whether they are brave knights, intrepid explorers, or resilient suffragettes, readers want characters who embody the spirit and values of the era. These characters should also experience personal growth and face challenges that reflect the historical context.

4. Integration of Real Historical Figures:
Incorporating well-known historical figures can bring depth and credibility to a historical novel. By weaving in characters such as Leonardo da Vinci, Queen Elizabeth I, or Abraham Lincoln, authors can add an additional layer of interest and authenticity to their stories.

5. Authentic Dialogue and Language:
To fully transport readers to a different time period, historical fiction should use authentic dialogue and language. This means avoiding anachronisms and incorporating idioms, slang, and vocabulary particular to the era. Balancing this with modern readability is crucial for ensuring the story remains accessible to readers.

6. Accurate Depiction of Historical Events:
While historical fiction often involves fictional storylines, accurate depictions of historical events are crucial. Whether it's a major event like the sinking of the Titanic or a lesser-known event, readers appreciate when authors adhere to the facts and provide insight into how these events affected the characters and their lives.

7. Blend of Fact and Fiction:
Balancing historical accuracy with storytelling is a delicate task for authors of historical fiction. While it's important to present well-researched facts, the main goal is to create an engaging narrative that keeps readers hooked. This blend of fact and fiction allows for creative storytelling while maintaining the integrity of the historical context.

In conclusion, historical fiction is a genre that combines meticulous research with imaginative storytelling. Through accurate historical settings, well-researched backgrounds, engaging characters, and the integration of real historical figures, authors can transport readers to different times and places. By incorporating authentic dialogue and language, accurately depicting historical events, and striking a balance between fact and fiction, historical fiction captivates readers, shedding light on the past and offering a unique reading experience.

If you're interested in exploring the world of historical fiction, some notable authors to check out include Philippa Gregory, Ken Follett, Hilary Mantel, and Bernard Cornwell. Websites such as Goodreads and Historical Novel Society can also provide recommendations based on your historical interests. Happy reading!
Twelve Hairpins of the Empress Fiction
Twelve Hairpins of the Empress

At first, it was all fun and games, but suddenly the building collapsed. She only wanted a stable life with food and shelter, but she got caught up in a conspiracy and struggled in vain, only to become an empress in the end. It's harder to gain someone's heart than to reach the heavens. Is it luck or a curse to have transmigrated and been reborn? Among this group of beautiful men, there are those who provoked her, those who betrayed her, and those who were used by her until they reached despair and left... In the first half of the story, the female protagonist drives the car, while in the second half, the male protagonists take charge of the car crash road trip. In this harem of men, the battle for power and schemes in the harem are diverse, with each family relying on their own abilities. Instead of witnessing women tearing each other apart for a man, why not change the flavor? Take a look at how different the world of China would be if the matriarchal society had not been overthrown...

512.09 Million words | 2023-06-28 09:33Update

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New Ming Empire Fiction
New Ming Empire

Please do not be confused by the categorization and the original era. The 318th year of the Chongzhen era in the Ming Dynasty is the setting for this Cold War novel. With an extraterrestrial advanced civilization's spaceship and a large number of robot soldiers, they travel through the final moment of the resistance against the invasion. Nanyang becomes an independent country, striving to be the third pole in the Cold War, fighting against the United States and the Soviet Union. Our slogan is: Be a Chinese imperialist!

228.79 Million words | 2022-11-07 18:01Update

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Peerless Imperial Uncle Fiction
Peerless Imperial Uncle

Ultimate Royal Uncle, surrounded by beauties, I possess the world. With the strength of golden swords and iron horses, the clouds of all directions tremble! The Hu people weep, while the Han people laugh; the beautiful woman with a slender waist is embraced by the lonely king! The king drunkenly rests on a thigh, wielding power over the Great Ming. With red lips and fine wine, effortlessly crushing all realms! (WeChat ID: asd; QQ discussion group: ) - Author: Solitary Boat Scholar

584.39 Million words | 2021-05-21 12:42Update

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Three Kingdoms Modifier Fiction
Three Kingdoms Modifier

Others are working hard to increase their attributes, but Yang Xu is struggling to decrease them. Cao Cao: Join me, and I will appoint you as the Grand General. Yang Xu: Not interested. (Being the Grand General would increase command value) Sun Jian: Join me, and I will reward you with gold, silver, jewels, and powerful weapons. Yang Xu: Not interested. (Powerful weapons would increase strength value) Liu Bei: Join me! Let's together restore the Han Dynasty. Yang Xu: Not interested. I want to work alone... Reader QQ Group: [No translation provided]

52.53 Million words | 2023-01-03 12:00Update

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Prime Minister of Qin Fiction
Prime Minister of Qin

The Eastern Jin court was complacent, and the gentry pursued intellectual discussions. The officialdom was plagued with factionalism and corruption. The protagonist became an orphan due to the ravages of war, but through numerous adventures, he was fortunate to receive the guidance of a mysterious master. Little did he know that he would be drawn into a great whirlpool. Fortunately, he met many like-minded individuals who helped him navigate through crucial moments. The protagonist experienced numerous ups and downs in life, witnessing the coldness of the world and the deceitful nature of human beings. Through these trials, he gradually matured and grew. Eventually, he saw through the decay and hypocrisy of the Jin court, and returned to the northern lands to assist the Fu clan in pacifying various tribes. He also strived to reform the internal affairs, ultimately establishing a powerful

427.75 Million words | 2022-07-13 23:28Update

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Chen Jialuo's Happy Life Fiction
Chen Jialuo's Happy Life

"Can the 'prosperous era of Qianlong' truly be incapable of provoking rebellion? When the soul of a modern young man, Chen Jialuo, transmigrates into the story, the Red Flower Society embarks on a different path of revolution."

87.05 Million words | 2020-08-28 17:00Update

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The Mythical Wars of the Warring States Fiction
The Mythical Wars of the Warring States

Yi Xiaochuan once again traveled back to the end of the Warring States period. He was saved by Qu Yuan by the banks of Miluo River, became a disciple of Zhuang Zhou in Linzi, earned the appreciation of Lord Chunan in Jixia Academy, and traveled in the ruins of Zhanxu as a follower of the Mohist School. While serving as an official in Xueyi, Xiaochuan offended the powerful Mengchang Jun and was forced to leave Qi. He then wandered in the land of Sanjin and eventually found employment with a businessman from Song due to financial difficulties. This led him to travel to the State of Qin, where a captivating drama was just about to unfold.

279.98 Million words | 2021-02-13 21:43Update

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Jinguang Chunlan Fiction
Jinguang Chunlan

In the enigmatic and mysterious palace of deception, a group of women as bright as flowers, fight bitterly and clash with each other, either for power and status or for love and prosperity. Behind their enchanting appearances, do they hide ugly and malicious souls? Or is it the eruption of loneliness beyond their control? Within the splendid palace walls, scenes of drama are unfolding...

180.26 Million words | 2021-06-19 07:44Update

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"Spring and Autumn Dreams Ⅱ" Fiction
"Spring and Autumn Dreams Ⅱ"

The ultimate goal of Xiang Bao's life is to eat, drink, have fun, and make jokes. However, fate played a not-too-small joke on her. Fan Li said, "If you abandon Xiang Bao in this life, you will surely live a lonely and isolated life until old age." Yet, the man who once deeply loved her brought back another woman after his triumphant return, losing his memory and completely forgetting about her. She had to bear someone else's name and bear the honor that did not belong to her. Unable to escape from her destiny, Xiang Bao carried the honor and mission and went to the State of Wu. What awaited her was a mysterious conspiracy. One by one, the people involved in this conspiracy died, while Xiang Bao remained unharmed. Because she was the last trump card, or was someone always protecting her? Fu Chai, who was always arrogant and cold-hearted, showed great affection for her. Was

435.86 Million words | 2020-12-31 17:27Update

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Full of spring in the Tang Dynasty. Fiction
Full of spring in the Tang Dynasty.

An excellent jewelry technician accidentally travels back in time to the Tang Dynasty, where he becomes an apprentice in a struggling gold shop. His master is lazy and hot-tempered, and his two older apprentices have a difficult relationship. To make matters worse, he is bound by a strict apprentice contract that forbids him from leaving. Fortunately, there is a beautiful young lady who secretly has feelings for him. Liu Yuan has yet to decide on his future path. Unexpectedly, overnight, his two older apprentices kill their master and flee with all the gold and valuables, leaving behind a mountain of debt and unpaid loans. The impending rent payment and other financial obligations leave the young lady at a loss for what to do. Should she sell their possessions or even sell herself to a brothel? PS: The book's chat group welcomes anyone who likes to chat and brag.

327.02 Million words | 2021-01-24 08:39Update

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Endless Blood Feud Fiction
Endless Blood Feud

In Yan and Zhao, many mighty warriors have always resided. Now, their courage and valor span the heavens! He is reborn in the Wansheng coal mine in Fushun and will undoubtedly unleash his vengeance from within the depths. This is not an ordinary resistance against the Japanese; it tells a chapter of history that many have chosen to forget. He cares about nothing else but his sole purpose of reclaiming the Wansheng coal mine, which the short and ignorant foreigners have established in the land of China! He will repay them in their own coin! This is an army that spares no lives for the sake of their country and the people. They swear with their lives: never retreat, fight to the bitter end! In a head-on confrontation, I am invincible! Note that the names in the story are both real and fake, so please do not try to match them with actual individuals. The storyline contains both truth and fiction, so do not take it as a historical textbook!

568.70 Million words | 2021-06-22 05:22Update

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The Royal Family of Great Jin Fiction
The Royal Family of Great Jin

In the second year of the Great Jin Dynasty, Prince Dai, who had just recovered from a serious illness, arrived in Chang'an City. He flipped through history books and finally came to a conclusion: this was a dynasty unfamiliar to him, but possibly a dynasty he was familiar with. With the emperor's order to conquer Goguryeo, Baekje, and Korea, and the construction of the Grand Canal, as well as a series of national policies to pacify the south, he seemed to grasp something... an alternative history! Please don't take it as fact, thank you all! Regular group.

169.21 Million words | 2022-11-14 04:27Update

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Conquering the world with a system Fiction
Conquering the world with a system

War has always been serious and brutal, but I brought new elements to it - innocence and naivety. However, from a different perspective, they became whimsical and unimaginable! The various tactics I devised appeared magical in the eyes of my opponents; they simply couldn't grasp my thinking because I am not of this era! Additionally, I possess an almost supernatural territory system that allows me to turn war into a game that can be replayed. Therefore, I am invincible!

388.20 Million words | 2022-03-10 12:56Update

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King of the Three Kingdoms Fiction
King of the Three Kingdoms

Thieves have their own ways, and bandits have their own tactics. A true king must possess the ability to dominate! Those who aspire to be king are destined to be different from ordinary people. While the ordinary follow conventional ways, a king carries an arrogant mindset, looking down upon the world. Born with the heart of a king, born with the eyes of a king, they see the world with great insight and manipulate power to astonish others. They view their opponents as puppets and obstacles in their path. There is no difficulty too challenging for them, and they have no equal in their eyes. The story goes that Liu Cong traveled back in time to the late Eastern Han Dynasty. Dissatisfied with the prospect of being slaughtered by Cao Cao four years later, he unleashed the hidden ambition

435.35 Million words | 2022-03-21 10:31Update

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Yuan Family's Decision Fiction
Yuan Family's Decision

Reborn in the Three Kingdoms, I became Yuan Shao's third son, Yuan Shang, by a strange coincidence, right in the midst of the Battle of Guandu! At this moment, the Battle of Guandu was nearing its end. Xu You had already betrayed Yuan Shao, Wuchao's food supply was about to be burned, Zhang He and Gao Lan were about to defect to Cao Cao, Tian Feng was imprisoned, and Ju Shou was trapped in the prison carriage. The 700,000 strong army was on the verge of collapse, and the decline of the prestigious Yuan family seemed inevitable. Having time-traveled back to the Three Kingdoms, would Yuan Shang still follow the course of history and surrender to Cao Cao? The answer is absolutely not! The outcome of the Battle of Guandu and the downfall of the Yuan family will be altered by the efforts of Yuan Shang.

488.13 Million words | 2021-03-28 16:25Update

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National Hero Fiction
National Hero

It was the mid-thirteenth century, and the Southern Song Dynasty was teetering on the verge of collapse in the face of the raging tide of the Mongol Empire. Meng Gong, who shed tears in agony, Cao Youwen, who fought alone, Du Gao, who defended the city with unwavering loyalty... all their struggles were feeble in the relentless wheel of history. For three hundred years, the nation had nurtured talented individuals, and now it was time for scholars to serve their country! Zheng Yunming, the son of a prime minister of the Song Dynasty, who was reborn through time and space, found himself in this turbulent era...

449.09 Million words | 2023-05-19 22:40Update

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Gentlemen should also be cautious. Fiction
Gentlemen should also be cautious.

In the first year, when Princess Qian first met the "gentleman", he upheld justice with a resolute demeanor. She sneered, "A hypocrite." In the third year, during the struggle for succession to the throne, one wrong step resulted in complete defeat. She closed her eyes, wishing for death. The only person who came forward to protect her, at the risk of his own life, escorted her back to the capital. She scoffed lightly, "He could be considered a gentleman." In the fifth year, there was a coup d'état and the empress took the throne. She bestowed high positions, wealth, and beautiful women upon that person, but he declined everything. She furrowed her brows slightly, "Indeed, he is a gentleman." In the tenth year, she woke up in the morning, feeling sore all over her body. She gritted her teeth and cursed the person by her side, "Being a gentleman is futile!" "Three things can make an empire great again: the sword, loyal subjects, and scholars of Confucianism, Buddhism, and Daoism," he said to the empress. ------------------------- [The author has already written a 2.4-million-word masterpiece called "I Have a Sword Immortal Wife" in the fantasy and martial arts genre. You can check it out if you are in need of a good read!

92.23 Million words | 2020-11-01 15:59Update

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Rebirth in America Fiction
Rebirth in America

Nickname as "Quick Shooter", a Chinese Special Forces instructor, accidentally travels to a parallel world where he finds himself in the American Old West, a world full of cowboys, lawlessness, and heroes... Here, you will witness fiery duels between Western cowboys, lightning-fast gun draws that leave you breathless, and the legends of fearless gunslingers roaming

284.33 Million words | 2021-06-17 01:16Update

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Hong Xiuquan, the Heavenly King. Fiction
Hong Xiuquan, the Heavenly King.

Hong Renkong, a senior high school student majoring in liberal arts, unexpectedly becomes Hong Xiuquan from a hundred years ago. He comprehensively understands the history of the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom and laments for it. Determined to change history, he wants to make the movement that once caused widespread suffering and cannibalism a true source of national pride! As a poem goes: "The shadow of the Heavenly Kingdom shines upon China, pitying the people who have not yet been spared from calamity. With a heart for the impoverished masses, he defies history and the Qing Dynasty, leaving behind a Taiping legacy of tranquility."

294.31 Million words | 2021-05-22 23:28Update

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The First-Class Prime Minister Fiction
The First-Class Prime Minister

Kings from various countries arrived at the imperial banquet, engaging in a battle of wits. In their hearts, they coveted the prosperity of the capital, Bianliang, and all harbored intentions to bully the weakened Great Song. After three rounds of wine, they all took turns to taunt the Emperor of Great Song: "Our country has a mighty cavalry, a million elite soldiers!" "I have Chen Siwei!" "Our country has a thousand renowned generals, capable of breaking the enemy's formation with a wave of the whip!" "I have Chen Siwei!" "Our country possesses mountains of silver and rivers of grains!" "I have Chen Siwei!"

212.79 Million words | 2021-07-20 11:44Update

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