• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Home
  • Bio
  • Bookshelf
    • Audio
    • Complete List of Chautona’s Books
    • The Rockland Chronicles
      • The Vintage Wren
      • The Aggie Series
      • The Hartfield Mysteries
      • Sight Unseen Series
        • Sight Unseen Series Archives
      • The Agency Files
      • Christmas Fiction
    • Legacy of the Vines
    • Meddlin’ Madeline
      • Madeline Blog Archive
    • Ballads from the Hearth
      • Ballads from the Hearth Blog Archive
    • Legends of the Vengeance
    • Journey of Dreams
    • Wynnewood
    • Webster’s Bakery
    • The Not-So-Fairy Tales
    • Heart of Warwickshire
  • Start HERE
    • If You Like…
    • Characters
    • Suggested Reading Order
    • Free Books
  • Blog
  • Contact
  • Podcast
    • Advertising
    • Podcast Guest Information
    • Podcast Interview FAQ
  • Merch Shop
  • Nav Social Menu

    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    • YouTube
  • Bonus
  • Speaking
  • New & Coming
Chautona Havig

Chautona Havig

Using story to connect YOU to the Master Storyteller

Crazy Things Historical Authors Have to Research

by Chautona Havig · Leave a Comment

Authors have to do tons of research for any book they write, but historical fiction can be a deep dive down scary rabbit holes that may lead you wrong! via @chautonahavig

Most readers have a good idea that historical fiction requires heaps and heaps of research. It’s obvious that you have to find out what happened when and similar details, but what other sorts of things do authors uncover, and do those things ever spark new ideas?

Cultural norms, seemingly unrelated historical facts, and word usage are just three things that can completely change the direction of a story! Getting things wrong is crazy easy to do, even with hours of research, and sometimes you just can’t find the answer no matter what you do. This week, we’re going to chat about some of the things I’ve had to do in researching my books.

Crazy Things Historical Authors Have to Research

Crazy Things Historical Fiction Authors Have to Research

Note: links may be affiliate links that provide me with a small commission at no extra expense to you.

General History:

Okay, let’s start with general history.  Look, even a mere fifty years can completely change the world we live in. Imagine what changed between 1800 and 1850.  While the rules of civility weren’t that different between the Regency and Victorian eras, they also were quite different.  It’s easy to assume that the earlier eras were more conservative, but often later eras become more restrictive, often as a backlash against earlier excesses, which can be seen in the Victorian era as well as in things like the homeschool movement of the late eighties through the early twenty-first century, for example.

A personal pet peeve:

Sensibilities. We often like to read about the plucky girl who defies social norms and strikes out on her own. I used the example of a woman who wants to be a doctor in the eighteenth century or a girl riding on the Pony Express. We see the Earl of Snobsbury who just wants to study the Egyptian beetle and forget about his title, but most of the time, that thing didn’t happen.  Yes, we like to read about exceptions to the rule, but when every book that comes out is that exception, we then risk “understanding” history through a warped lens.

Historical events sometimes shape the direction of a story or are more necessary than expected in historical fiction

I shared the example of the assassination of President McKinley and the subsequent execution of Leon Czolgosz–in the electric chair. More about that can be read in this BLOG POST. It would have been unrealistic for that not to be mentioned in a book where a main secondary character is the mayor of a major city and a book about an electrical scheme!

Later in that same series, rules of mourning became an issue. Because Queen Victoria died, I allowed myself a tiny bit of leeway that I otherwise wouldn’t have risked.  America, a daughter instead of a spouse, after her death, et cetera let me cut normal mourning in half for a daughter with a wedding date set (and a mother who insisted they go on with the wedding, of course).  Did I stretch too much?  Probably.  However, I made an attempt to show that they were cognizant of the situation and kept things simple because of that as well.

Research also changes directions of some stories. 

Case study: Deepest Roots of the Heart

The Battle of San Jacinto.  Researching that changed everything.  Twenty minutes! I couldn’t believe it. However, that also gave me insight into Santa Anna’s men, and I learned that they were very poorly trained.  So, my character running AWAY when all the men went running wasn’t implausible. Instead of having to make him get turned around and lost, I was able to make him run because he was a coward.  Look, the other fit his character, too, but this one made the story richer.

At the time, I read stuff about Sam Houston and the Battle of San Jacinto. Then I moved onto learning about San Francisco, the voyages around Cape Horn, about Alta California, and the lifestyle of the Californios.  I read fiction written at the time and about the time if I can.  During all that time, I learned a whole lot about Juana Briones.

Food!

Sometimes food is just so very different.  Even today the difference between a British biscuit and an American one is the difference between dinner or breakfast bread and a sweet treat.

Chocolate–hot drink or candy bar?

Dry cake– stale or just with no icing?

There are so many food differences that change everything when given half a chance.

Words— were they in use?  Did they mean the same thing?  

If you want to know how to make those American biscuits, would you be asking for a receipt or a recipe?  Depends on what year you ask!

Pocket: sewn into a garment or something you tie on and hope you don’t lose?  (And I suspect now we know why some people call wallets “pocketbooks.”

Nice: this one has meant many things, beginning with ignorant or idiot

Cute:  it once meant “bowlegged” or quickwitted.  Two completely different things. It only changed around the 1830s to mean “attractive” in some way.

Keen: Eager or anxious to do something (slang) was in use by 1901

Peachy Keen?  Adding that adjective didn’t come until the fifties!

I don’t write a historical fiction scene without looking up if some word was in use at that time AND if it was used the way I’m using it.  Even the simplest ones can trip you up. And with words, there’s the other side.  Certain ones were in use… but have made a comeback. Snarky is one example.

Also, perfectly normal words in a perfectly normal way can’t be used because they SOUND modern when they aren’t.  I used the example of someone having the “coolest backyard in town.”

How do we keep it all straight?

Well, books, libraries, experts…  It’s a jungle to wade through, isn’t it? On the other hand, we have it so much easier than people fifty years ago did. We have huge search engines at our fingertips.  We also have even more inaccurate information than ever before thanks to anyone being able to throw up their opinions–kind of like me with this podcast. 😉

Going back to Regency as an example, when I go try to look up something, HALF or more of all the search terms are going to give me Victorian replies.  I have to work down and down and down until I find the right thing.  Sometimes, even that isn’t enough

So, how does this all play out?  Well…

My historical fiction process looks like this.

  1. I pick my time and check the world’s events. Is there something going on that will make it impossible to do what I want to do?
  2. Then I start reading about things related to it—from the era if possible. I try to get as many primary sources as possible, but the further back you go, the harder that becomes.
  3. I create a general list of scenes and for each one that may include some specific information, I start gathering everything I’ll need for that.
  4. If possible, I travel to the area. Usually, it isn’t. I mean, for the Madeline books… that area doesn’t exist.  For DROTH I went up to Napa and drove the roads I have my characters drive.  I took the time to really look and it was amazing how I’d written exactly what I wanted… except that I’d assumed it was Sonoma when it was actually Yountville.  How cool is that? The museum there was awesome, too. Spent a small fortune at it.
  5. I start writing. Any word at all that I don’t know for certain I saw in a book written prior to the time of my book, I look up.  Yes, I looked up “really” once because I know how much we overuse it.
  6. When it’s done, during my read through, I check EVERYTHING again. I also pray.  A lot.

By the time I’ve finished a contemporary book, I can probably say I’ve usually done between twenty and forty hours of research on stuff–job skills, how a football play works, what songs are popular in what genres… that sort of stuff.

However, research for historical fiction can easily take well over two hundred. Every time I add up the hours for DRotH, I remember more and it goes up.  The last count was closer to 250 on that one.  The Madelines are taking me about a hundred hours these days because I did so much with the first two.

Like to listen on the go? You can find Because Fiction Podcast at:

  • Apple 
  • Castbox 
  • Google Play
  • Libsyn 
  • RSS
  • Spotify
  • Stitcher
Share
Pin
Tweet
Email
Share
Pin
Tweet
Email

Related

Filed Under: Because Fiction Podcast

Previous Post: « Ready for the Great Stories from This Exciting Contest?
Next Post: Time to Spice Up Your Life—and Your Reading! »

Reader Interactions

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Or, you can subscribe without commenting.

Primary Sidebar

The Because Fiction Podcast

The Because Fiction Podcast
The Because Fiction Podcast

Taking the pulse of Christian fiction

Episode 265: A Chat with Karen Witemeyer
byChautona Havig

Nothing says fairy tale like a sweet western romance by an author like Karen Witemeyer… unless it’s a fairytale retelling set in Texas in the late 19th century, right?  Fairest of Heart takes the familiar “Snow White” and turns it on its head with retired cowboys, a self-absorbed actress, a Texas Ranger, and a sweet girl who knows the true Source of her beauty.  Listen in to see all the genius Easter eggs Witemeyer planted in this book.

Note: links may be affiliate links that provide me with a small commission at no extra expense to you.

Sometimes All a Girl Needs Is a True Change of Heart

I fell in love with the cover of Karen Witemeyer’s Head Over Heels a few years back (only to learn it’s much older than that, even), and meant to read that book.  I didn’t.  #BecauseIdiot. Well, that’ll be rectified just as soon as I’m done listening to her first book in a trilogy of fairytale retellings. I loaded it up on my Audible app tonight and wheeeeeeee. Here I go! So much for no new books until October. HA! 

Karen talks about her heart for young women today and how they’re taught by every bit of media blasting at them that they need to use their bodies to get what they need or want when the Lord has a better plan. And I can’t guarantee it, but I strongly suspect she does it without preaching. SQUEE!

Fairest of Heart by Karen Witemeyer

Once upon a time in Texas . . .

Beauty has been nothing but a curse to Penelope Snow. When she becomes a personal maid for a famous actress whose troupe is leaving Chicago to tour the West, she hides her figure beneath shapeless dresses and keeps her head down. But she still manages to attract the wrong attention, leaving her prospects in tatters–and her jealous mistress plotting her demise.

After his brother lost his life over a woman, Texas Ranger Titus Kingsley has learned to expect the worst from women and is rarely disappointed. So when a young lady found in suspicious circumstances takes up residence with the seven old drovers living at his grandfather’s ranch, Titus is determined to keep a close eye on her.

With a promotion hanging in the balance, Titus is assigned to investigate a robbery case tied to Penelope’s acting troupe, and all evidence points to Penelope’s guilt. But Titus might just be convinced that the fairest woman of all has a heart as pure as her last name . . . if only he can prove it.

You can learn more about Karen Witemeyer and her books on her WEBSITE. Don’t forget the book is 30% off on BakerBookHouse.com.  

Follow Karen on BookBub and GoodReads.

And don’t forget her Posse Group on Facebook.

Like to listen on the go? You can find Because Fiction Podcast at:

  • Apple 
  • Castbox 
  • Google Play
  • Libsyn 
  • RSS
  • Spotify
  • Amazon
  • and more!
Episode 265: A Chat with Karen Witemeyer
Episode 265: A Chat with Karen Witemeyer
September 29, 2023
Chautona Havig
Episode 264: A Chat with Romance Author, Sarah Monzon
September 26, 2023
Chautona Havig
Episode 263: A Chat about The Love Script w/ Toni Shiloh
September 23, 2023
Chautona Havig
Episode 262: Chatting about The Legacy of Longdale Manor with Carrie Turansky
September 19, 2023
Chautona Havig
Episode 261: Chatting with Christian Youth Fiction Author, Candice Yamnitz
September 15, 2023
Chautona Havig
Episode 260: A Chat with Rachel Hauck
September 12, 2023
Chautona Havig
Episode 259: A Chat with Debut Author, Laura Conaway
September 8, 2023
Chautona Havig
Episode 258: A Louisiana Christmas to Remember
September 2, 2023
Chautona Havig
Episode 257: A Chat with Fantasy Author, N. Ford
September 1, 2023
Chautona Havig
Episode 256: A Chat about Summer in the Spotlight w/ Liz Johnson
August 29, 2023
Chautona Havig
Search Results placeholder

Love Audio Books?

audio book ad

Check out the Sparrow Island novels. A tiny island with a lot of heart

independence islands series

Featured Books

A Ransomed Grete

A Ransomed Grete
Buy This Book Online
Buy from Amazon
Buy from Amazon Kindle
A Ransomed Grete
Buy now!

Twice Sold Tales

Twice Sold Tales
Buy This Book Online
Buy from Amazon
Buy from Amazon Kindle
Twice Sold Tales
Buy now!

Under the Hibiscus

Under the Hibiscus
Buy This Book Online
Buy from Amazon
Buy from Amazon Kindle
Under the Hibiscus
Buy now!

Upcoming Posts

Sorry - nothing planned yet!

Or just subscribe to the newsletter

Recent Blog Posts

  • What Would Make a Tropical Vacation More Exciting? Find Out!
  • Sometimes All a Girl Needs Is a True Change of Heart
  • How Does an Intense Christmas Competition Lead to Love?

I buy my stickers here! (affiliate)

Custom Stickers, Die Cut Stickers, Bumper Stickers - Sticker Mule
Just another hour... Tea is Pumpkin Masala Chai fr Just another hour...
Tea is Pumpkin Masala Chai from Marcella's Enchanted Cottage and blueberry cinnamon roll courtesy of #6daughter
, @andralane0129 
#AmReading 
#AnnetoberReadAThon 
@teri_blake_author 
#womensfiction
Yum... seriously the best beef ever. So glad we go Yum... seriously the best beef ever. So glad we got some,  but so many missed out. 
Thanks @robsogbbq
Instagram post 18282011413151971 Instagram post 18282011413151971
If you haven't read Seek and Hide by @amandagsteve If you haven't read Seek and Hide by @amandagstevens , stop everything and order this book. Then schedule dinner delivery the day it arrives and dive in. Chilling,  inspiring,  and proof that Amanda is a stellar Storyteller.
#AmReading 
#ChristFic
Reposted from @beccawierwille Less than one month Reposted from @beccawierwille Less than one month until release day for Road Trip Rescue! 🚘 🐶 Mark your calendars for Tuesday, October 24 to help me celebrate sending this story into the world. 

Also, prepare for more posts than normal. I’m excited to launch this book. 🥳
I think the moon is embracing autumn, too. I think the moon is embracing autumn,  too.
Reposted from @lisaphillipsbks Woot! Happy release Reposted from @lisaphillipsbks Woot! Happy release day, @lovereadwriterepeat
  • Home
  • Bookshelf
  • New & Coming
  • Blog
  • News!
  • Disclosure & Policies
  • Privacy Policy

Copyright © 2023 · Chautona Havig · All Rights Reserved · Coding by Gretchen Louise

Don't go before you grab your FREE short story collection!