Writing Historical Fiction?

Are there any members here who specifically write Historical Fiction? Or do you write a little HF, as well as other genres? I love Historical Fiction, and have written a little.

What attracts you to the genre?

Do you find that you do most of the research before, or during writing?

I'm writing an Historical Fiction Novella set in WWII and I do my research as I write. I find it easier that way.

*Nods* When I was writing my HF novel I researched some before, and then was researching as I wrote as well. I often found myself annoyed by how much it hindered my writing though!!

I think I'm currently into Historical Fiction novels.

I'm planning to write for NaNoWriMo (if I can get all the researching done) about an event that happened here during WWII. It's called the Death March -- when the Filipino and American POWs were forced to march quite a distance with barely any food and any rest. I plan to write it from the perspective of a young boy who joins a group of men that tries to rescue some of those POWs.

Wow! That sounds interesting, Idril! I already can't wait to read it.

Sounds like an interesting plot, Idril!

Ahh, I love anything WWII--now I'm curious about both of your novels, Idril and BottleTop! (*has seen some of Idirl's Twitter updates about her novel*)

I have newly fallen in love with the historical fiction genre. I used to think I was ill-suited for it because I hated research, but my previously-fantasy novel Peter's Angel was begging to be alternate history. I took the plunge and ended up loving it--including research! I love historical cultures, so I suppose it was a natural fit, once I learned to enjoy researching.

I research as I write, for the most part. That way I am only focusing on facts that are actually relevant to my story. It can be tedious, as you continually run across nit-picky things you need to research, but it's less overwhelming for me because I'm not inundated with information I don't need.

I enjoy alternate history--mixing the historical culture with my own world--but I want to try a true piece of historical fiction sometime.