Writing Historical Fiction
There’s nothing like getting lost in a good historical fiction tale. When done right, historical fiction transports us to a past time and lets us imagine ourselves living there. History provides the framework for the story, but the book should not read like a history text. Rather it should be a wonderful story that happens to take place during another time and perhaps teaches something new about that time.
To be effective, historical fiction must be accurate. Nothing takes a reader out of a story like an anachronism or citing a wrong fact. For example, Henry VIII wouldn’t say “okay”, because the word did not exist during his time. Or a character in a pre-World War II novel would refer to World War I only as “The Great War”, never World War I.
When I set out to write “A Delicate Marriage”, historical fiction set in Puerto Rico during the 1930s to ‘50s, I was determined to get it right. Here are some lessons about writing 20th century historical fiction I learned along the way.
- Absorb as much as you can about the history of the time. Start with an overview and then drill down into specific events.
- Use primary sources whenever possible—letters, speeches, books written by the characters you are portraying, photos taken during the time.
- Newspapers and magazines bring facts to life and humanize the players. Ads are a font of information for question like what people wore or how much renting an apartment cost.
- If you can’t find the information you’re looking for in a book or online, contact an expert in that field. Academics and archivists are generally happy to help. For example, when researching my book, I consulted a Puerto Rican food historian and a historian for the El Yunque Rain Forest, among others.
- If you can’t verify a fact, leave it out. Even after consulting a Puerto Rican movie history expert, I could not confirm whether Puerto Rican theaters served popcorn in the 1930s, so my characters do not eat popcorn on their movie date.
- Bring history alive through the details—names of restaurants, books people were reading, popular songs, types of cars, the latest washing machine technology.
- You don’t have to include every historic event in detail. Pick and choose those that best serve the story and summarize others.
- First decide on the story you want to tell and then weave in the history. An agent critiqued an early draft of my manuscript, telling me “I would have liked to see the story and the historical details woven together a bit more seamlessly. Ideally, the reader will feel like we’re reading a love story within the historical context, instead of a love story with specific details about Puerto Rico during that time.” You bet I fixed that!
- Research is fun, but you need to know when to stop digging and when to start writing. Other writers advised me not to worry about the small details during the first draft, like what the character is wearing or what song is playing. You can add those later.
- Don’t have too rigid of an outline. Sometimes my research led the story in a new direction. For example, when I read about the opening gala for the Caribe Hilton Hotel in San Juan, I knew I had to set a scene during that party.
So why not try your hand at historical fiction? Pick an era that fascinates you and see what stories you can concoct. Spend time in 17th century France, Cleopatra’s Egypt, or even the Ice Age. And learn a little something along the way.
About the Book
From glittering ballrooms to verdant mountains to poverty-stricken slums, A Delicate Marriage takes the reader on a vivid tour of Puerto Rico forty years after becoming a U.S. colony, a time of great change and political turmoil on the island.
Isabela, a wealthy woman, sacrifices her artistic aspirations to marry Marco, a penniless man dedicated to improving conditions on the island. As the island’s insular government enacts pro-U.S. policies, Marco builds a real estate empire while struggling to maintain his populist principles. Meanwhile, Isabela feels unfulfilled in her traditional role as a wife and mother and becomes disillusioned with Marco’s shifting moral compass. She begins to identify with anti-U.S. factions, leading a dangerous double life that puts her family in peril.
As political violence threatens their paradise, Isabela and Marco question whether their marriage, like the island’s relationship with the U.S., should continue. Margarita Barresi’s debut novel celebrates Puerto Rican culture while delving into themes of class, oppression, and the effects of colonialism through the lens of a marriage.
Publisher: Atmosphere Press
ISBN-10: 1639889302
ISBN-13: 978-1639889303
Print length: 352 pages
Purchase a copy of the book at Barnes & Noble, Amazon, and Bookshop.org and add it to your Goodreads reading list.
Praise for A Delicate Marriage
“Margarita Barresi’s A Delicate Marriage is an electrifying debut … smart, heartfelt and timely… a trenchant portrait of an island and a marriage pushed to the breaking point.”
— Junot Diaz, author of This is When You Lose Her
“Immersive and interesting, empathetic, and expansive, Barresi skillfully interweaves a love story with the history of Puerto Rico politics. An impressive debut!”
— Susie Orman Schnall, author of We Came Here to Shine
“Barresi is a naturally gifted storyteller with a talent for narrative structure…What emerges is a fully three-dimensional portrait of a couple trying to find a way forward in a time of political and social upheaval…An absorbing and deeply nuanced romance.”
—Kirkus Reviews
“Barresi expertly weaves captivating details of Puerto Rican history into this gripping love story.”
— Independent Book Review
“A Delicate Marriage, with its blend of glamour, charm, and a nostalgic nod to a bygone era, promises to uplift readers’ spirits on even the dreariest of days, inviting them to revisit the tempestuous yet enchanting landscape of Puerto Rico.”
— Literary Titan
About Author Margarita Barresi
Raised in Puerto Rico by her grandparents, Margarita Barresi grew up hearing stories about the “good old days”—the genesis for this, her first novel. She studied public relations at Boston University, and after
a successful career in marketing communications, now devotes her time to writing. Her essays have been published in several literary magazines and compilations. Margarita lives in the suburbs north of Boston with her husband and two Puerto Rican cats, Luna and Rico.
Learn more at www.margaritabarresi.com.
Instagram: @margaritabarresi https://www.instagram.com/margaritabarresi/
X/Twitter: @Barresi_Writes https://twitter.com/Barresi_Writes
Facebook: Margarita Barresi
Blog Tour Calendar
November 10th @ The Muffin
Join us as we celebrate the blog tour launch of A Delicate Marriage by Margarita Barresi. You’ll have the chance to read an interview with the author and win a copy of the book.
https://muffin.wow-womenonwriting.com
November 12th @ World of My Imagination
Stop by to read Nicole’s review of A Delicate Marriage.
https://worldofmyimagination.com
November 14th @ Michelle Cornish’s blog
Read a guest post by Margarita Barresi about the evolution of her writing process.
https://www.michellecornish.com/blog
November 16th @ Deborah Adams’s blog
Check out Deborah’s spotlight of A Delicate Marriage, read a guest post about Puerto Rico by Margarita Barresi, and enter a giveaway.
http://www.deborah-adams.com/blog
November 17th @ A Story Book World
Visit Deirdra’s blog to view a spotlight of A Delicate Marriage.
https://www.astorybookworld.com/
November 19th @ What is That Book About?
Stop by Michelle’s blog while she spotlights A Delicate Marriage.
November 20th @ Author Anthony Avina’s blog
Check out Anthony’s blog where he shares a spotlight of A Delicate Marriage.
http://www.authoranthonyavinablog.com
November 21st @ Lisa Haselton’s Reviews and Interviews blog
Join Lisa for an interview with Margarita Barresi.
https://lisahaselton.com/blog/
November 23rd @ World of My Imagination
Return to Nicole’s blog to read a guest post by Margarita Barresi about writing based on reality.
https://worldofmyimagination.com
November 25th @ Boots, Shoes & Fashion
Join Linda as she interviews author Margarita Barresi.
https://bootsshoesandfashion.com
November 27th @ Author Michelle Cornish’s blog
Stop by to read Michelle’s review of A Delicate Marriage.
https://www.michellecornishauthor.com/book-reviews
November 30th @ The Knotty Needle
Visit Judy’s blog to read a review of A Delicate Marriage.
http://knottyneedle.blogspot.com
December 2nd @ Reading is My Remedy
Stop by Chelsie’s Instagram to read her review of A Delicate Marriage.
https://www.instagram.com/reading_is_my_remedy/
December 4th @ Author Anthony Avina’s blog
Check out Anthony’s blog where he shares a guest post by Margarita Barresi about writing historical fiction.
http://www.authoranthonyavinablog.com
December 5th @ Nikki’s Book Reviews
Stop by to read Nicole’s review of A Delicate Marriage.
https://nikkitsbookreviews.wordpress.com/
December 6th @ StoreyBook Reviews
Join Leslie as she spotlights A Delicate Marriage and shares a guest post by Margarita Barresi about writing characters based on people you know.
