Tips on What to Research Before Writing a Fictional Period Piece

Writing a period piece of fiction literature requires regularly placing oneself in the mindset of characters who "lived" in a world no longer remembered. For effective plot development, the author must not linger upon historical accuracy with each page. As such, coming to a thorough understanding of what the world would look like through the characters' eyes is essential during the initial outlining phase. To do so, however, requires extensive, focused study. Consider the following tips on what to research before writing a fictional period piece for a few guidelines on where you may wish to start for a solid foundation.

Tip #1: Speak the language. Begin by grasping how communication took place during the time period in which your story is set. Formal speaking language, casual private exchanges, and the manner in which characters of different ranks would have spoken to one another should be considered.

Tip #2: Spend a day in the life of each character. From sunrise to sunset, what must be accomplished on a daily basis? Why?

Tip #3: Understand social expectations. Every culture places general expectations upon its members. Community rituals are the center of your main character's existence, whether or not he/she chooses to abide by them. Understanding these societal pressures is key to effectively portraying the goals of each character in your period piece, as well as potential conflicts that may result.

Tip #4: Research traditional gender roles. As is still true today, men and women in different periods of history throughout the world have faced various expectation solely based on sex. For example, a woman in 19^th century America may have felt more obligated to bear children than she might have today. Consider how gender roles should play a part in character development and the execution of each story goal.

Tip #5: Explore status roles. Because status does not as easily define our lifestyles today as it once did, understanding how severely it affected the lives of your characters is essential. Keep in mind that status was not as easily altered in the past as it is today. Familial background, finances, education, and sex play defining roles in the lives of characters in a fictional period piece.

Tip #6: Consider attitudes toward faith, life, philosophy, and politics. Research how the events and popular movements of the day might have affected your characters and their views.

Tip #7: Take note of historical events and preoccupations. For example, one writing a fictional piece set in New York City in 2001 would be remiss not to consider how the terrorist attacks of September 11^th that year shaped the general atmosphere. Take into account how similar events may need to affect your story, especially if a specific year will be mentioned.

Tip #8: Study the laws and restrictions of that era. A thorough knowledge of what a character can and cannot do without legal or social repercussions is a must. This is especially true when involving female characters, enslaved characters, and characters belonging to a low rank or class.

Tip #9: Map out landmarks that existed, did not exist, and/or were being built. In order to set the scene correctly in a fictional period piece, the author must be aware of what buildings and other prominent markers existed and did not exist during that time. A reference to a landmark that did not yet exist or was currently under construction is a tremendous risk when extensive research is not conducted.

Tip #10: Study the geography and population of the area during your characters' lifetimes. Learn how populated your chosen area was (or how populated an area like it might have been), what the physical surroundings looked like, and how it differs today from how it may have appeared during the time in which your characters lived. Consider searching for maps and historical accounts that describe the setting you wish to use originating from the time period your characters will live in. Such tools enable the author to view the physical surroundings of the setting being referenced from a first person perspective before repainting it for the reader.

Keep in mind that seeing the physical world through your characters' eyes is not enough. Emotions, philosophies, social obligations and expectations, gender roles, religion, and general atmospheres must also be taken into careful consideration before a fictional period piece can truly (and accurately) come alive for the reader.