Editor shares the six do's and don'ts of writing historical fiction

There’s no way around it: historical fiction can’t be nothing but the literal truth.

The dialogue will confound or annoy your readers. The detail will overwhelm them. Or the lack of surviving evidence will leave your story as a shell.

We’re not saying this to be dramatic, though — we’re saying this as a preface to a set of six do’s and don’ts for historical fiction from an expert.

Andrew Noakes, executive editor of The History Quill, begins his advice by granting you the freedom to create (some of) your own rules.

Check out the other tips, including how to judiciously include historically relevant descriptions and information, on Jane Friedman’s blog.

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