Do the Research--But It Doesn't Have to be Dull

Nonfiction or fiction? Ugh. The choice is so difficult: a fictional world where anything can happen, but you can't decide what, or a nonfictional world where there are boundaries, but severe ones.
So how can you choose? Two words: Historical Fiction.

Historical fiction gives you a world that already exists, in a time you can decide, with characters living out fictional lives in a real place. Sounds perfect for the aspiring, indecisive writer, right?

Except for one thing: We often don't know everything about the time period we choose. What was the clothing like? What foods did they eat, songs did they sing, games did they play? Was the flushing toilet around? How about the telephone, the automobile, and soda pop? What were prices like then? What was the average allowance for a child? What were social justice and the political world like back then? Were hippies a thing? What about the popular actors, singers, TV shows, and movies of the time? Were there even TV sets? What books did they read? What famous figures were even alive then? Who was president?

The best way to learn to write a genre you're unfamiliar with is to read in that genre. So yes, do some old-fashioned research: books, interviews, the Internet. But also read historical fiction, historical memoirs, and books written during the time period of your choice.

Where to start? With an example. The two-book series The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate and The Curious World of Calpurnia Tate are excellently researched historical fiction books by Jacqueline Kelly. The plot, taking place in 1899-1902, contains many useful factoids about the dress, etiquette, girlhood, social structure, scientific knowledge, major events, and economy of rural central Texas at the turn of century then. From the Civil War to barometers to hurricanes, Calpurnia Tate covers many important topics about the early 1900s in Texas. This book is perfect if you want a fun read or historical fiction inspiration and research.

A few more historical reading suggestions:

• Hattie Big Sky and Hattie Ever After by Kirby Larson, set in the 1940s (WWII, anyone?)
• Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry by Mildred D. Taylor, set in the early 1930s (there are sequels)
• Red Scarf Girl by Ji-li Jiang, set during the Chinese Cultural Revolution (it's a true story)