The writer of historical fiction bears an awesome responsibility--the construction of a balanced story.

In order to write a balanced story one must be knowledgeable about the time, places, people, customs, mores, and religion of which he or she writes. Write about what you know is a proven adage passed from experienced to inexperienced writers. To write what one knows requires a combination of experience and research. Writing from experience is relatively uncomplicated; however, anything outside of experience makes research necessary. I have found research to be complicated, at times expensive, often mundane, and it requires a lot of time and perseverance. It is always compelling since any historical illusion must be structured upon verity. The appropriate blending of facts with fiction produces a believable story. To paraphrase Roberta Gellis, a noted author of historical fiction: If it isn't believable, it probably won't be published; and if it should be published, it will not be successful.