Accuracy IS important

Writing, in and of itself, is difficult. Plot and character development. Setting. Dialogue. Some of the more “simple” components that can complicate a writer’s efforts. However, there is an additional element when writing historical fiction: accuracy. Granted, the task is not the same as a graduate level dissertation. Yet, glaring errors can be caught by a reader, taking them out of the magical ambiance that has hopefully been created. After that point, the connection is broken and the reader moves on.

There is, therefore, a balance that must be created and maintained: Enough factual information to establish an environment and time period while at the same time not inundating the story with mere facts (like we all did in our high school term papers). In doing the latter, more opportunities are created for the possibility of mistakes.

As dialogue is important to me, I found it necessary to determine the lingo of the 1930’s gangster. While some of the expressions are humorous and at times even unbelievable, their usage adds to the veracity of the story. Any other word choice creates an anachronism that sticks out directly to the reader.

References to everyday devices (phones, cars, office machines) or common tasks (going to the grocery store, doing laundry, eating out at a restaurant) are basic components intrinsic to the plot. As such, there must be an accurate presentation no matter how different they may seem to the reader because, again, less exact detail creates a stumbling block.

In my historical crime fiction series, Ark City Confidential, and Secrets of the Righteous, every attempt was made at presenting a time period as realistically as possible without inundating the reader with too many tidbits with which to be impressed. I have always believed that an entertaining story is far more important than excessive detail. The nature of the characters, their actions and verbiage, can create a significant image in the reader’s mind.

If enough slang and precise identification of “the way things were” is presented, the story will emerge from the time period. Any major errors will cause the structure to fall apart. As I continue writing this series, I can only hope my readers feel a sense of time and place.