--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I've been told by people who write…" description: "\"I've been told by people who write historical novels that you just sort of write the emotional truth first, the story at the core, and then you go back..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/65d/jami-attenberg-2877_core_i-ve-been-told-by-people-who-write-histo_2428966.png" --- # I've been told by people who write historical novels that… ![“I've been told by people who write historical novels that you just sort of write the emotional truth first, the story at the core, and then you go back and research it at the end.” quote by Jami Attenberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/65d/jami-attenberg-2877_core_i-ve-been-told-by-people-who-write-histo_2428966.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/65d/jami-attenberg-2877_core_i-ve-been-told-by-people-who-write-histo_2428966.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/65d/jami-attenberg-2877_core_i-ve-been-told-by-people-who-write-histo_2428966.png) > “I've been told by people who write historical novels that you just sort of write the emotional truth first, the story at the core, and then you go back and research it at the end.” [Jami Attenberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jami-attenberg/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Writers often prioritize emotional authenticity before factual accuracy, shaping the story’s heart first and filling details later. **In simple terms:** Emotional truth first, research later. Key Takeaway Start with feeling, then verify. Themes writing authenticity research Mood reflective inspired Type advice process When to use this quote - novel drafting - screenwriting - creative workshops Key Concepts Narrative structure emotional truth historical fiction Questions to Reflect On - How do you balance feeling with factual integrity? - When does research reshape the story? A Different Perspective Research may reveal contradictions that challenge the emotional core. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Emotional](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/emotional/) [Historical](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/historical/) [Historical novels](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/historical-novels/) [History](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/history/) [Novel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/novel/) [People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people/) [Research](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/research/) [Stories](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/stories/) [Truth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/truth/) [Writing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/writing/) ## Related quotes > [I don't write fantasy; I write historical novels about an imaginary place.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/raymond-e-feist/i-don-t-write-fantasy-i-write-historical-novels-about-an-imaginary/) [Raymond E. Feist](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/raymond-e-feist/) > [I can see myself wanting to write a historical novel - you don't need to worry about references to reality TV or pop music,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/irvine-welsh/i-can-see-myself-wanting-to-write-a-historical-novel-you-don-t-need/) [Irvine Welsh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/irvine-welsh/) > [If you write a book set in the past about something that happened east of the Mississippi, it's a 'historical novel.' If you write…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/louis-l-amour/if-you-write-a-book-set-in-the-past-about-something-that-happened/) [Louis L'Amour](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/louis-l-amour/) > [Historical novels are about costumery. I think that's the magic and mystery of fiction. 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