The 3 Secrets to Writing a Historical Fantasy Novel
- sehar rollingauthors
- 5 days ago
- 7 min read
Ever dreamt of breathing magic and your wildest imaginations into centuries long buried?
Yes, that is historical fantasy for you. It is a portal to bring in dragons to Napoleon wars or the suffragette movement with witches. Sounds intriguing? Wait till you fully immerse in this genre. But pulling it off can be an arduous task for even a seasoned writer. Because it is about weaving art and myth so tightly that the lines between them begin to blur. But do not sweat it, you do not have to do it alone.
Table of Contents
Here are your three secrets that go behind any historical fantasy:
Make history your anchor, not your cage
You know what forms the core of every celebrated historical fantasy? The setting. The history. These elements are the core of the narrative, its very foundation. And who wants to build a world on fragile ground? Certainly not us.
To truly breathe life into your world, absorb the very essence of the timeline you're writing in. What did people wear? What phrases did they use? What did their food taste like? Soak in every detail you possibly can. Our goal isn’t just to reference the past—it’s to recreate it, as though we’ve time-traveled right into its heart.
This becomes your gold and the spine of your entire narrative.
But don’t fall into the trap of nitpicking every minor historical fact. Remember, it’s a fantasy for a reason. History should give your story texture, not restrictions. Let your imagination soar—like dragons flying over Napoleonic wars. Remember, history gives you the bones, but fantasy gives you the breath. Both are equally important if not more.
Use the best of both worlds. Weave a tale that feels as ancient as old age, yet as dreamy as Narnia.
Research history like a historian
You cannot just go head-on and dive into your story. Signing up for a historical novel means stepping into the shoes of a dedicated historian. You are burning the midnight oil. Because borrowing from the past would be a disgrace to your story—you have to live it.
You cannot just get away by Googling “what did people wear in the 1800s” and their leisure pursuits. You have to think like a real historian. You cannot just look at dates and call it a day—you have to dig into the centuries and study the perspectives of not just the renowned kings, but the infamous witches that were exiled, and the common men whose sufferings never made it to the headlines.
Sit down with the long-lost dusty notes, the forbidden journals, and the letters. Dissect their story. Believe in the myths they believed. Grieve the battles they lost—yet still sing songs about.
What did the women feel when history did not think them worthy enough to leave a mark? How did love blossom when its very existence was forbidden? And how did rebellion taste when you had nowhere to go?
The truth is—history is multifaceted. It has layers and dimensions, and you can still hear its wail cry. And this is exactly where your fantasy will thrive: in the messy parts and the gaps, in the spaces where even the facts written in bold make absolutely no sense.
And when you approach history as if your life depends on resurrecting it—that is exactly when your fantasy starts to breathe like it has rightfully earned its existence.
Give Power a cost
If your favourite protagonist walks around wielding magic like it is a dance, my friend, you have clearly missed the point. Power, in any era, comes at a cost. And in a world tied with class, prejudice, and patriarchy, power does not make you free or the supreme, but it is a threat and makes you the most easily exploited target.
Whether it is a young, naive girl who finds escape in reading at a time when women were forbidden to read, has the power to break down the generational curse like it is a spell she whispers in her spite. Or maybe it is the heir who hides his blue blood because it is tied to a lineage his empire tried to erase. (You can already feel the blood in your veins, right? I bet you can.)
The point being, however you bestow them with power, make it come with a dear god. Because there is no room for chosen ones and prophecies in a historical fantasy. Everything should connect like a ripple in the middle of a wide ocean.
Power should act like your character’s moral compass. It should break them a little, maybe even corrupt some, or worse, leave them in the juncture between do I want to win or do I want to be good.
Because the best historical fantasy is not what your actors can do—it’s what cost them, who they turned to while doing it. And the most unforgettable stories are the ones where the price is haunting and steep, as if you are climbing a cliff with absolutely no idea of what is waiting for you on the other side.
Takeaways
When a story is based on real life events, then it becomes alive; this is the main theme of the historical fantasy genre.
Researching history is important to know about the past, but when you research history you should not focus only on what you found on Google, you will find the most significant parts of our society in personal writings and other archived materials.
A society or a fantasy world will be seen differently from a society that is created from fantasy. Readers know the difference, and they want to experience the same way when they read a historical fantasy.
Many historical fantasy stories take on a character with an ethical dilemma.
Expert Opinions
The world of historical fantasy is one of the most important aspects of the setting; when writing a world of Fantasy, it must have a basis in history and then be extended into the future with myth and fact intertwined.
To make a historical world feel real, power must carry weight, emotional consequences, and as such, should be consistent with the real world. The response of the reader must be the same as it would be for a real person in the historical timeline.
Costs associated with the creation of magic systems for a world of historical fantasy must provide readers with the emotional investment to look for alternatives to convenience-based systems. Readers are more interested in the cost associated with creating a system as opposed to the convenience of the system itself.
Combinations of an author's imagination and the history of the time period within the setting will allow an author to create a unique conflict for the character and have the character's presence remain in the setting.
A Historical Fantasy Author should look for a plausible way to create an alternative history from the perspective of the marginalized sections of society.
Examples of cases:
1. God Shadow (myth/allied).
Contemporary, marks a pagan's belief in Nordic real societal structure, warrior society/system.
2. The Poppy War (war/spiritual).
It took place in mid-20th century China. Shots of magic have been completely devastating for the mentee, the book accurately captures the trauma of a political event.
3. The Song of Achilles (oath/gain).
While taking place during ancient times, the focus is on emotional truth, the emotional cost of acquisition (gain). loyalty, love, destiny, loyalty equals the gain of power, power each person uses or abuses, etc.
4. Your Story Template Insights.
A fantasy history is not only a fantasy; it is also history related to a specific time and place.
The creation of historical timelines functions naturally within one's culture.
One gains power, but one's character will also evolve due to that power dynamic.
FAQs
1. If I write a fantasy history, do I have to be 100% accurate?
Your historical world must be at least as credible as your own world (for instance). Meaning: While you do not need to adhere to every single spoon, you must replicate the historical time frame in terms of culture/mindset and society's norms.
2. If I wrote a fantasy history, does that mean I can change any major event?
Yes! You can (and should!) have some creative license in creating a new fantasy world. Your history should have an intentional, well-defined purpose, rather than simply "Hey, here's something different."
3. What are the best ways to avoid an info dump?
Take the time to learn the history of your culture via the common methods: Dialogue, Conflict, Ritual, Apparel, Building Architecture, etc.
4. How do you create magical systems for historical settings?
Ask the following question, "What did people of that time period view as holy, taboo or dangerous?"
Use existing systems of beliefs (myths, religions, superstitions) as a basis for your magical system.
5. What traits differentiate characters in historical fantasy?
Their moral choices, sacrifices, and the cost of acquiring magical abilities in a world that limits what is acceptable.
Historical fiction is not just about rewriting the past but resurrecting it like the phoenix rising from its ashes. It is about standing at the edge of what was and wondering what if there was more. More truth in the myth or more myth in the truth, you decide.
Are you ready to transform your historical fantasy concept into a world where readers can immerse themselves? Rolling Authors has an expert team of professionals dedicated to assisting you with developing your worldbuilding, conducting in-depth research and crafting your story into an interesting and polished manuscript—all while you remain the creator of your project.
If you are developing a universe that combines mythology with history, we would be delighted to work with you to express it in your own words, chapter by chapter.
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