[asingrey Posts: 90 Status: Offline]

I have a rather unique story idea that came from family letters that have been passed down from the 1940's. This is a topic that isn't very well-known. How would I go about citing these letters in historical fiction? And how do you cite sources in historical fiction? While the characters lives aren't following the letters exactly and I have changed the names, I am trying to be historically accurate about the setting and circumstances they might have found themselves in.

[anita Posts: 403 Status: Offline I love kids' books! WWW]

I'm not sure what you mean by citing. Are you talking about within the story or in the bibiliography?

[dewsanddamps Posts: 2,941 Status: Offline]

You don't cite them, you just write the story. But if you provide a bibliography at the end, you would include them and note the date, writer, and recipient. If you don't do a biblio, though, it would be interesting to mention them in an author's note.

[Barbara Etlin Posts: 2,358 Status: Offline WWW]

You could mention the letters that inspired the book in your Author's Notes page.

[Marissa Doyle Posts: 3,731 Status: Offline Charles Bewitched: out now! WWW]

What Katie said: in historical fiction, bibliographical notes aren't necessary. But an Author's Note explaining the inspiration for the story would be a wonderful thing, especially since it is personal to you and your family.  In mine I usually discuss what is fact and what general aspects of the history in my stories I've fudged a bit to make for easier reading by a modern audience.

[asingrey Posts: 90 Status: Offline]

Awesome! Thanks everyone. I wasn't sure if I needed to cite sources to show I had done my research or not. This was very helpful.