: Re: Getting details of a past century right I have been gathering ideas for a novel. The basic idea is in place; the story combines two different eras but the same place. How do I get the little

@Sent2472441

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Do research, of course. Others have discussed some specific ideas for research. I have nothing to add to that per se, but let me make this one point:

Think about what you need to get accurate and what you don't. What will your readers expect to be accurate, and what will they accept is made up for purposes of fiction?

For example, if I read a story set in Norway that talked about the palm trees lining the main street through town, I'd find that quite jarring. Or if I read a story set in ancient Rome that talked about the centurion carrying a rifle, that would be rather implausible. (Assuming, of course, that the story is not about massive climate change in Norway or a time traveler bringing modern weapons to ancient Rome.)

But if I read a story set in a town that I had visited and knew, and somewhere in the story it said that the hero stopped at a donut shop on Elm Street, and I know that there is no donut shop on Elm Street in that town, I probably wouldn't think twice about it. Especially if it is critical to the story that the hero stops at a donut shop. I'd just accept that, the writer needed a donut shop for the story to work, so he put one there.

Similarly, I expect some elements to be fictionalized to avoid the author getting sued for libel, or to avoid bogging the story down in irrelevant issues. I'm not surprised if the evil mega-corporation that plots to take over the world is completely fictitious. I don't expect the writer would name a real company. Or if he invents make-believe political parties, because he doesn't want to alienate readers from whichever party he paints as the villains. Etc.

But things like climate, culture, at least general geography, technology, I'd try to get those right.

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