How to Research for Historical Fiction

Research can be one of the most fun parts of writing a historical novel, but it can also be one of the most intimidating. On one hand, you get to immerse yourself in another time period, uncover fascinating details, and bring the past to life on the page. On the other hand, it can feel overwhelming. There’s so much to learn, and the fear of getting something wrong can stop writers before they ever begin.

The good news is that researching for a historical story doesn’t mean memorizing every date, event, or detail of the past. Research is a tool that supports your storytelling, not a test you have to pass. When approached with intention, it can deepen your characters, strengthen your setting, and give your story authenticity without slowing your momentum.

In this post, we’ll explore how to research effectively for a historical novel, what to focus on, where to find reliable sources, and how to keep research from taking over your writing process.

What is a historical novel?

A historical novel is a work of fiction set in a real past time period, typically one that predates the author’s lifetime. While the characters and plot may be invented, the story is shaped by real historical contexts, such as social norms, cultural expectations, technology, and significant events of the era.

What sets this type of novel apart is how deeply the setting influences the story. The time period isn’t just a backdrop; it affects what characters know, what choices are available to them, and what risks they face. A strong historical novel blends imaginative storytelling with an authentic sense of place and time, allowing readers to experience the past through compelling characters.

What research is (and isn’t) in historical fiction

In historical fiction, research serves the story. Its purpose is to help readers feel grounded in a believable world, not to showcase how much you know. Strong research allows readers to trust the narrative and sink into the time period without being distracted by inaccuracies or modern assumptions.

Research is not about achieving perfect historical accuracy at the expense of character and emotion. You are writing fiction, not a textbook. While some details matter deeply, especially those that affect your characters’ choices and constraints, others can be simplified or implied. The goal is plausibility and immersion, not exhaustive documentation.

It’s also important to recognize that too much research can become a form of procrastination! If you find yourself endlessly reading without writing, it may be time to shift your focus back to the story itself.

Start with the story you want to tell

Before diving into books, archives, or documentaries, it’s helpful to clarify what kind of story you’re writing. Not every novel requires the same depth or type of research. A sweeping epic set during a major war will have different research demands than a quiet domestic story set in a small town.

Ask yourself what truly matters to your narrative. What time period and place are essential to the story? Which historical elements directly affect your protagonist’s life, choices, and conflicts? These questions will help you focus your research on what actually belongs on the page.

Let your story guide your fact-finding rather than the other way around. When you research with specific story questions in mind, the process becomes far more manageable and far more useful.

What should you research for historical fiction?

One of the most important areas of research is daily life. Readers are often more interested in how ordinary people lived than in famous events. Understanding what your characters ate, wore, and worried about helps make them feel real. Social norms, class structure, gender roles, and expectations shape how characters move through the world and what choices are available to them. A writer working on a Regency-era story, for example, might spend time reading about social class, inheritance laws, and courtship customs.

Setting is also crucial. Geography, climate, architecture, and landscape all influence the rhythm of daily life. A character living in a crowded industrial city will experience the world very differently from someone in a rural village. Researching place helps anchor your scenes and gives your story a sense of physical reality.

Historical events and timelines also matter, but they don’t always need to be front and center. Consider what events are happening during your story and how much your characters would realistically know about them. Not everyone in the past had immediate access to information, and understanding that limitation can add realism to your narrative. For example, a story set during World War II will look very different for characters in the United States than for those in Europe or Asia, shaping everything from daily routines and risks to what your characters fear most.

Language and dialogue are another area where research is important, but tricky. You want dialogue to feel authentic without becoming unreadable. Studying speech patterns, levels of formality, and vocabulary can help, but it’s often better to suggest period-appropriate language rather than fully replicate it. Modern readers should be able to follow the conversation without effort.

Where to find reliable historical research sources

When researching historical fiction, it helps to draw from a mix of primary and secondary sources. Primary sources include materials created during the time period you’re writing about, such as letters, diaries, newspapers, and legal documents. These sources are invaluable for understanding how people thought, spoke, and perceived their world.

Secondary sources, such as history books, biographies, and scholarly articles, provide context and analysis. They help you see the bigger picture and understand how historians interpret the past. When using secondary sources, pay attention to the author’s credentials and perspective, and don’t rely on a single source for major factual claims. Nonfiction books and research articles typically include bibliographies or lists of cited works you can explore.

You may already know that your local library is a great place to start to find these kinds of historical records. Museums, newspaper archives, and digital collections or databases are also excellent resources. Many institutions have digitized their collections, making images, artifacts, and documents accessible online. These visual and material details can spark ideas and help you add sensory richness to your scenes.

How much research is enough?

One of the most common questions writers ask is when to stop researching and start writing. The answer is usually: sooner than you think! You don’t need to know everything before you begin drafting. In fact, many writers discover what they need to research by writing.

If you come across a detail you’re unsure about, make a note and keep going. Placeholders allow you to maintain momentum while reminding yourself to verify facts later. Revision is the ideal stage for filling in gaps and fine-tuning accuracy.

If research feels endless or paralyzing, it may be a sign that you’re avoiding the uncertainty of drafting. Trust that you can refine and correct later. The story itself will tell you what information is truly necessary.

Common mistakes historical novelists make

One common mistake new historical fiction writers make is overwhelming the reader with information. Even fascinating context can become tedious if it interrupts the flow of the story. Another is allowing accuracy to override emotional truth. While facts matter, the characters' emotional experiences matter just as much.

Writers also sometimes project modern values onto historical characters without acknowledging the differences in worldview. While it’s important to write characters readers can connect with, it’s equally important to respect the realities of the time period.

Finally, fear of getting something wrong can stop writers from making progress at all. Remember that historical fiction always involves interpretation. Perfection is not the goal—believability is.

Ready to start writing historical fiction?

When approached with curiosity rather than fear, research can become one of the most inspiring parts of writing historical fiction. It can spark plot ideas, deepen character motivation, and reveal unexpected conflicts. Research doesn’t have to slow you down; it can push you forward.

You don’t need to master history before you write. You can learn as you go, refine as you revise, and trust yourself to balance accuracy with storytelling. The past is rich, complex, and full of stories waiting to be told, and your novel is one of them!