My very first contest win was with an historical entitled Southern Belle, a post-Civil War story set in the fictional town of Belle Terre, Louisiana. This was before they told me post-Civil War stories didn’t sell, but not before I imagined an epic love story spanning the decades. Some of you might recognize Belle Terre as the setting for my Lovers of Belle Terre series.
Belle Terre was easy for me to create. It’s based on my Louisiana hometown, though I’ve taken liberties with some aspects of the geography and history. I also didn’t want to be restricted by the pesky facts that can limit the possibilities or anger readers when you don’t get it exactly right.
But how far can you take it? I figure if Hollywood can make Abe Lincoln a vampire-hunter, then pretty much anything goes. Magic schools, dragons, time travel, matriarchy rule, an honest president. Let’s say however you want to stay truer to history. You can’t have the Normans invading England in 1492. Of course, in your version of history, maybe you can.
The rule of thumb I use? Feasibility. If it’s possible in a logical way for my story, then I will do it. If you’re using historical figures, then the feasibility test is a little more important. You can’t have Abe Lincoln giving a speech 2 years after the Civil War ended, or have him hunting in Texas the day he gives the Gettysburg Address. But if history shows he’s in Virginia, you can reasonably have him run into your characters while traveling around Roanoke.
Unless they’re reading an autobiography, readers are prepared to suspend reality. But even that has its limits. You can’t ignore the laws of physics without the right set up but once you set the rules for your universe, be sure and follow them.