He has been described as a genius in devising military strategy by some, a bloodthirsty warmonger by others, and even called an emancipator by some historians. There are those who see him as evil, and others who name their children after him.

It is a delicate balance to create an engrossing fictional story while also including real historical facts and details. But, as observed by Goodreads reviewer “B.”, F.M. Deemyad strikes that balance in her novel of Mongol Conquests, The Sky Worshipers.

At the time of his death in 1227, when he was 69 years old, Genghis had succeeded in conquering Central Asia from Siberia to the Caspian Sea. With a heart of steel and an unbending determination, fortified through years of living in the wilderness, he subjugated great civilizations of his time.

To paint the truest picture of the times, I consulted every source I could find on Chopin, Sand, Vidocq, French and Polish history, 1840s French fashion, Camille Pleyel, the Broadwood piano factory, and more. My prize discovery was a thirty-eight-page book titled How Chopin Played (publ. 1937) buried among several larger tomes on a library shelf.

There are machines to help tuners. But many forgo them, arguing that music is perceived, not measured. Moreover, a machine comes with an “ideal” tuning. Problem is, no piano is ideal: Each one has its own personality and quirks.

Like any good historical novel, author Nancy Burkhalter embraces the context in which her characters live. As Delhomme sinks deeper and deeper into his own personal dilemma, he finds himself gripped inextricably within the social upheaval of mid-nineteenth century France.

The more I read about this man, the more I appreciated his malleable morals, sizable ego, and skilled skullduggery. Most important was my need for a character to compromise the destitute piano tuner’s own principles into doing the king’s bidding. Zing! Vidocq was the man for the job.

At History Through Fiction, we believe that one of the most important elements of any historical novel is the Author’s Note. This letter from the author to the reader establishes a relationship of trust and accountability—the author says, I will give a story if you will give me your attention.

So, I had learned a valuable lesson: Remain neutral toward all characters, no matter their foibles or allure. Otherwise, you lose perspective on their usefulness to the story and, worse, it may keep you from putting them in compromising or even dangerous situations. The end result could easily become wimpy characters and insipid plots. No reader wants that.

Including nonfiction elements within historical fiction does not detract from the story—it enhances it. It provides an outlet for curiosity and gives deeper meaning to the characters and their experiences.