So, you have a terrific idea for a historical fiction story.  The only problem is, for some reason or another, you can't get to the place where the event happened.  You realize that because it's a historical fiction story, you have to have all your facts but you don't have to scrap that idea just because you can't get there.  You can still write it. 

If you don't drive, you can still travel to where the historical event happened.  You can always take a plane, train or bus to your destination.  There's even a better way to get there.  I can say this in two words: road trip!  Ask a good friend or a family member to take you to your destination and make a party out of your trip!  Be sure to take a lot of pictures while you're there. Take pictures of the geography, take pictures of the town and if possible, take pictures of your subject.  Visit their local library and be sure to visit the local historical society.  What if you don't have the money or for some medical reason you can't travel?  You still have three sources to bring your story to life.  

Libraries

Your local library is a wealth of resources.  This is always the place to start.  You don't have a library card?  You can get one easily plus they're free!  Also, you can start using the card the same day.  Where do you start?  Ask the reference librarian.  Librarians will bend over backwards trying to help you or to point you in the right direction.

At your library, you can find information on the geography of the area, speech in that era, how your subjects would have dressed and traditions specific to that area.  Be sure to take lots of notes, including the books' title, author, page numbers you found your information on, copyright and publisher.  Also, you will be able to find the address to that area's historical society.  Not only that, you will find the current president of the historical society and their phone number.  You don't want to find the historical society that way?  I have a two-word answer for you:  the internet.  If you don't have a computer or don't have access to the internet, don't worry.  Thanks to your library card you have full access to the internet. 

Computers

Most libraries have computer banks that are hooked up to the internet.   Give the librarian your card and settle in front of one of the computers.  Do a search on your subject and you'll be surprised at how many websites appear!  You will find even more information there that agrees what you just found in the library books.    Here, list the title of the internet article plus the website.  Always write to the copyright holder to ask permission to use their work.  You can usually find their email address at the bottom of the website. 

Historical Societies

This is an invaluable resource.  Of course, you'll find all their contact information either at the library or on their website.  Also, you'll find several other things there, including a gift shop.  Take full advantage of this.

You can purchase period music, postcards and a lot more.  Many of the books for sale there are only sold at the historical society.  If the books aren't in your library, offered for sale online or in a bookstore, email them asking if you can purchase the item through the mail. I've done this.   Take full advantage of this service!   You will also find a plethora of information on your subject there. 

Historical Websites

You name it and you can find information on these websites.  I did an internet search and came up with 16,800,000 historical websites!

I'd also like to share with you my favorite research portal.  It's Library Spot and can be found at http://libraryspot.com.  This site will take you anywhere from historical documents, presidential speeches, encyclopedias, dictionaries (on any subject) to homework help for kids.  Take a look at it.

Thanks to libraries, computers and historical societies we all can write our historical fiction stories no matter what our financial or medical conditions are.

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Deborah Hockenberry
kidztales1@gmail.com
'When God closes a door, He always opens a window'
http://thebumpyroadtopublishing.blogspot.com