Ask Jerry

Ethics of Historical Fiction & Hello Mr. Jenkins!

Asked by Sonja Chisolm on January 18, 2024

Thank you so much for allowing me to glean your wisdom regarding writing! Please know that I am pretty sure that I am the least of the least abled writers in your guild, but by the grace of God, I work hard.
I've been working on two books, one chunk at a time. I've enjoyed the process as a creative hobby. One book is fiction, and I've been writing about "Candace, Queen of the Ethiopians" (Acts 8) in the non-fiction book. Unfortunately, there is very little information about her, aka Kandake Amantitere. I'm captivated by her story because I found two historians who stated that she became a Christian due to the influence of the Ethiopian eunuch. Also, I found exciting historical plot material (within her King/Queen lineage). I've written 250 pages and have struggled with how much of the story can be respectably fiction. Should I leave this story alone, or are there other options (i.e., write it as fiction and change some character-identifying information or other ideas)?
Blessings

Jerry's Answer

I believe readers will give you literary license to imagine plausible dialogue, Sonja, understanding that no one knows what actually happened that long ago beyond what is recorded in Scripture.

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