Fiction without Anachronism

A good story is one that is believable. One that, no matter how impossible, manages to capture the heart of its readers. Sending people on time-travel is one thing, but inaccurate historical detail is another thing.

Anachronism sucks, especially if it’s caused by the writer’s ignorance. If you don’t care performing background check for your story’s setting before it’s completed, you might as well create your own universe. But if you’re still too lazy to do so and yet insist on create a story set in the past, I have some tips for you.

Alternate universe rules, man!
Ah, how we all love alternate universe. Setting your place in another “universe” is the easiest way to tackle anachronism. Imagine having a story set very much like Victorian England, but taking place in planet X (wherever that is) or the country of Y. So if someone scolds you because airplanes haven’t been invented at that time, you can point out that it’s NOT about Victorian England. On second thought, don’t even mention a particular time and place in which the story happens. You won’t get any trouble if you do that.

Yay for common men!
Don’t place prominent historical figures in your story. If you depicted them inaccurately, for example: having them come face-to-face with someone who lived 200 years before their time, there’s a good chance that people would notice. Write a story about common men/women instead, nameless faces in history. It’s safer.

Recreating the characters
A particular historical event catches your attention, but the research is too overwhelming? Don’t worry, just recreate them. Retain the aspects of that event, but place them in contemporary era. You might want to modify the names of characters (e.g. Okita Souji to Okita Soushi; get my point?).

Parody/comedy kills!
No matter how many inconsistencies might be in your story, it won’t matter as long as it’s a parody/comedy. As long as it’s as funny as it should. In Robin Hood: Men in Tights, Robin Hood’s men were wearing sunglasses and singing rap. And nobody cares about the anachronism, because it’s hilarious.