How to Know if You’re Ready for Historical Consulting
Let me tell you a secret... you'll NEVER feel ready. The key is to get help before you need it. If you wait until it's too late, you may have to delete a lot of what you've written...
If you're an author, filmmaker or screenwriter embarking on a new historical project, you’re probably already feeling the thrill of creativity. At the same time, the challenge of accuracy hangs heavily over your head...
Whether you’re crafting a script for a biopic, writing a historical novel, or developing a period film, bringing the past to life requires more than a spark of inspiration.
The reality is, at some point, you’ll need help to ensure that your story, characters, and details are historically accurate. That’s where a historical consultant can come in. But how do you know if you’re ready to hire one?
Let’s peek behind the scenes. What have I learned after consulting for 130 historical novels and film projects? Here’s a guide on what you should have done, read and prepared before reaching out. By the end of this article, you'll not only understand if you're ready but also be better prepared to make the most of historical consulting.
Phase 1: When You Have the Idea – Develop a Solid Concept
Every great project starts with an idea. It could be an event from history that piques your curiosity, a famous figure whose life you want to explore, or even a particular era that you feel compelled to set your story in. At this stage, you may not have all the details fleshed out, but the core of your project should be clear.
What You Should Have Done
Preliminary Research: Have a basic understanding of the time period, the key figures and major events you want to explore. You don’t need to be an expert, but you should be familiar enough with your topic to ask meaningful questions.
Reading Material: Books, documentaries and articles that introduce you to the era or subject. This might include reading biographies, general histories or watching well-regarded films set in that period.
Checklist for Readiness
A (more or less) well-defined concept for your story.
A list of preliminary sources you’ve explored (books, documentaries, etc).
A grasp on the major historical figures and events relevant to your project.
I know. You're probably thinking: “It's too early to start bothering people. It's just an idea.” But with this idea, you are probably going to sell the story. You try to find a producer (or a publisher) who will help you get this story out into the world. Personally, when consulting on biopics, scripts and fiction, I like to get involved as early as possible. It's the best way to prevent a story from becoming unhistorical. We want to weed out any mistakes as early as possible. Don't hesitate to have your story idea checked and proofed at a very early stage! It will help you create a better story.
What a Historical Consultant Could Do Now
They can help you to find a theme, a historical figure or a setting that sparks your interest.
You tell them what you want to tell, for example about a conflict after the First World War in Italy, or a family drama in a large country house in the south of England, or... or... or...
Why this early in the creative process? Because it prevents you from creating protagonists who are just modern figureheads in a historical setting.
It also prevents you from making mistakes. Listen to what one of my author clients says.
“During her preliminary research, Barbara discovered: No women were employed at Kew Gardens during the period in question! This meant that our main character — a woman — could not have worked there in the 1920s… A normal historian would probably have criticised this and advised us to rewrite the story completely. But Barbara pointed out the error; at the same time, she gave us a list of 2–3 possible workarounds. So we avoided the pitfall, didn’t lose any time and were able to continue working on the story as planned.”
— K., London
Phase 2: When You Start Writing – Outline with Historical Accuracy in Mind
Once you’ve committed to your project and started writing, your narrative is starting to take shape. At this point, you’ll need to ensure that your outline not only flows logically but also holds up under historical scrutiny.
What You Should Have Done
Fact-Check Key Events: Are the events you’re writing about accurate in their timeline, significance and impact? Have you verified that the sequence of historical events aligns with your narrative?
Identify Gaps: As you write, where do you feel unsure? Where are the grey areas where you might need an expert to confirm or challenge your interpretation?
Checklist for Readiness
A detailed outline of your story or script.
Notes on where you’re unsure of historical accuracy or need more information?
Specific historical questions that have arisen during the writing process.
What a Historical Consultant Could Do Now
An expert can help you make suggestions for changing the setting for greater impact, add an antogonist or come up with even deeper issues that your protagonist might have experienced at the time.
Experts can suggest options that you might never have thought of, rooted in history, and even find historical people who experienced exactly what you want to tell.
An expert can send you preliminary research material, such as 2-3 hand-selected books on your chosen topic. Or a bunch of letters written (and transcribed so you can easily read them!) by the person you want to write about. Emphasise on “selected" sources. Why?
I always try to NOT confuse or overwhelm my research clients. Sending too many books and resources at this point in the creative process will only lead to overwhelm. Make sure you are working with an expert, archivist, historian or museum curator who understands this — now is not the time to make you feel overwhelmed! The story (and you!) need room to breathe.
Phase 3: When You Start Conducting Research – Dive Deeper with Purpose
This phase can feel overwhelming if you’re new to historical research. You’ve likely scoured libraries, sifted through online archives, and maybe even interviewed historians. But knowing when to ask for help is crucial—research can be an endless rabbit hole, and a consultant can help you navigate it.
What You Should Have Done
Skim Archives and Libraries: You should have tried your hand at finding primary or secondary sources relevant to your topic, such as letters, newspapers, or other firsthand accounts.
Consult General Works: Broad historical works can give you context, but you’ll start needing more specific, niche sources at this stage.
Checklist for Readiness
A list of sources you’ve already consulted.
An understanding of where your research lacks depth or where expert guidance is needed.
Any primary source material that you’ve found but are unsure how to interpret.
What a Historical Consultant Could Do Now
An experienced historian can help you interpret the sources so that you really understand their meaning.
We historians can find original sources and then decipher the old, spidery handwriting. You’re a creative person, not a historian :) So leave the groundwork to us. We can also help you find unpublished sources that would add new information to your story.
We can also help you identify gaps in your research. We can suggest where to look next. We can suggest that you contact an expert on a particular subject (and prepare that historian so that he or she doesn't overwhelm you!) We can send you books. We travel to archives or search digital databases we know about to provide you with the best, unpublished, interesting material you can use to add conflict, authenticity and suspense.
Phase 4: When You’re Searching for Eyewitnesses or Experts – Know When to Reach Out
Depending on the historical period, you may need to talk to people who have direct knowledge of your subject—whether they are survivors, relatives or historians who specialise in the field. This phase is particularly common for more recent historical events, such as 20th-century conflicts or biographical projects.
What You Should Have Done
Attempted to Contact Experts: Have you already sent out emails to historians or experts in the field? If so, you’re aware of how difficult it can be to get a response, let alone valuable insights. These people are BUSY, and they might not want to talk to you.
Identified Potential Eyewitnesses: If your project revolves around living memory, you should have some idea of who you want to talk to, and what questions you need answered.
Checklist for Readiness
A list of people you’ve tried contacting and the responses (or lack thereof) you’ve received.
A clear idea of what expert testimony or eyewitness accounts could contribute to your project.
And: What questions would you like to see answered in an interview? What specific topics do you want to talk about?
Be honest: is this step to contact even more people really, really necessary, or does it just cost you valuable time? Would you get bette results by delving into written, original sources? A good historical consultant can assess this. They’ll tell you if you’re wasting your time.
They can also help you understand conflicting information from different eyewitnesses by putting it into perspective.
What a Historical Consultant Could Do Now
Every historian and historical consultant has an extensive network that we can tap into for you.
We can contact colleagues and they will respond. They will help us because—at some point—we’ve helped them.
We can contact several experts (or eyewitnesses) and then collate and summarise the answers for you. That way you don’t have to contact 22 different people—you just get the most relevant information in an easy-to-read format. I
like to deliver these collections as text, video or even as podcasts.
Phase 5: When You're Weighing Historical Accuracy vs. Artistic License – Determine the Balance
Every historical project walks a fine line between fact and fiction. How much creative licence you take often depends on the story you’re telling and the message you want to convey. But knowing where to draw that line is a skill—one that a historical consultant can guide you through.
What You Should Have Done
Identified Points of Tension: Which moments in your narrative deviate from historical facts? Are these changes intentional for artistic purposes, or did they arise from a lack of information?
Artistic Justification: You should be able to explain why certain aspects of your story might not align with history and how this enhances the narrative.
Checklist for Readiness
A list of key points where historical accuracy and narrative needs diverge.
Justifications for any artistic licenses you’ve taken.
Questions on whether these changes are too significant or still plausible within the historical context.
What a Historical Consultant Could Do Now
Again, a historical consultant can prevent you from veering off in a direction that oversimplifies and falsifies the story.
They can also motivate and encourage you when creative doubt sets in. I’ve had a writer of historical fiction call me in despair and say: “I just don’t know anymore if this story is accurate or if it's just a figment of my imagination!” Very carefully, we untangled her storyline, subtracted what felt too much, added extra conflict and a new antagonist (so the story felt more coherent!). And that resolved her self-doubt. She could finish writing without fear of creating something that was not authentic.
At this point, the story is no longer yours alone. Other writers, directors and producers hear about it—and everyone has an opinion! People will tell you to change things. They will tell you to add conflict. They will tell you to kill off your favourite characters. They will tell you to change the setting completely.
Countless times I’ve received a phone call or email from an author or screenwriter: “They want me to make major changes!” Together we’ve collected aspects that would keep the original direction of the story, so that the writer can argue why certain aspects are important and should not be changed.
Phase 6: When You’re Frantically Trying to Tie it All Together – What Now?
By now, you’re deep into your project and realising that managing historical accuracy, narrative pacing and character development is a balancing act.
Checklist for Readiness
A comprehensive understanding of where you need help.
Clear goals for what you want from historical consulting—whether it’s fact-checking, research guidance or story refinement.
What a Historical Consultant Could Do Now
You could have the historical consultant read the entire script, and write a detailed audit of what’s missing.
You could delegate travelling to the location, checking the last things in an archive or museum, or contacting the last experts you want to interview.
You could bring in someone to keep you on track. Someone to help you navigate the complexities of this stage of work, and get your project across the finish line.
My research clients love that I have written books myself. So I know the creative process. I get it: Now is not the time for major changes any more—we can make cosmetic changes and add bits and pieces. Just that! But the main work should have been done before. That’s why I don't accept offers to fact-check novels or scripts that are due to be published in a few days... I love accompanying authors, scriptwriters and actors in the early stages of a new project. It’s where I work best. If this sounds interesting to you and you have a historical book or film project in mind, don't hesitate to contact me here.
What’s next?
Every phase of your project benefits from involving an expert who understands both history and storytelling.
Whether you’re shaping your initial concept, gathering materials to recreate a long-forgotten world, writing the script and dialogue, or fine-tuning details before pitching or selling your work, a historical consultant can elevate your project.
So, what is the right moment to bring in a historical consultant?
If you’re at a stage where you’re refining the narrative, conducting research, or juggling historical accuracy with artistic licence, any stage is the ideal time to reach out for professional guidance.
You don’t have to do it alone.
A little help will get you there faster.
And the story you want to tell?
It will be so much better.
~ Cheers from my desk to yours,
Dr. Barbara | Historian
Image: Syrie Wellcome | CC0 via Wellcome Library London