Historical Fiction: Breathe Life into History

Historical fiction is an alchemy of research and facts mixed with the emotion and immediacy of fiction. 

In Amelia and Eleanor Go for a Ride, Pam Munoz Ryan explains in her author's note that the women really did take a brief flight in their evening clothes. The fact is that they were piloted most of the time by Eastern pilots. In the book, Ryan puts the women at the controls. 

As she explains at the back, Ryan did meticulous research and included it in her story. She took a few liberties in order to highlight the spontaneity, courage, and strength of character the two women shared. This is an example of historic personalities in an historic situation, and is one of four frameworks for historical fiction. 

Find out how to use one of these four structures in your historical fiction writing in my GROG post.

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