Blending Fact with Fiction: How I Keep History Accurate in Masters of Time

When people hear “time-travel adventure,” they usually expect pure imagination—and there’s certainly plenty of that in Masters of Time. But one of my core goals in writing The Mark of Aion was to ground the story in real, accurate history.

Because while the characters may be fictional, the world they step into is not.

Why Accuracy Matters

Kids are naturally curious. When they read about a real place or event—even inside a fictional story—they often want to know:

• Was that real?

• Did people actually live like that?

• Did that really happen?

I take that curiosity seriously.

If a young reader is inspired to look something up after reading a chapter, I want them to discover that the foundation of what they experienced is true.

Research Comes First

Before I write a scene set in a historical time period, I spend time understanding it.

For example, when writing scenes set in ancient Egypt, I looked into:

• Daily life and clothing

• Religious festivals like the Festival of Opet

• Architecture and city layouts

• How people traveled and communicated

The same goes for places like the Library of Alexandria. I didn’t just want it to sound impressive—I wanted it to feel authentic.

What would it smell like? How were scrolls stored? Who was allowed inside?

These details matter more than you might think.

Where Fiction Steps In

Of course, Masters of Time is still a story.

Time travel powered by gold? That’s fiction. A mysterious figure manipulating the timeline? Also fiction.

But I draw a clear line:

The events, places, and cultures are real. The story woven through them is imagined.

That balance allows readers to explore history in a way that feels exciting without losing its authenticity.

Respecting the Past

One thing I’m especially mindful of is respect.

Every historical setting in Masters of Time represents real people and real cultures. Even when the story introduces action or danger, I aim to portray those settings with care and accuracy.

That means avoiding shortcuts, stereotypes, or modern assumptions that don’t belong in that time.

Writing for Discovery

One of my favorite outcomes is when a reader finishes a chapter and wants to learn more.

Maybe they:

• Search for the Library of Alexandria

• Look up ancient Egyptian festivals

• Ask a teacher or parent about something they read

That moment—when curiosity turns into discovery—is exactly why I put so much effort into getting the details right.

The Goal: A Story That Feels True

At the end of the day, I want readers to feel like:

“This could have happened… if time travel were real.”

That sense of possibility is what makes the story immersive—and what makes history stick.

Masters of Time is an adventure. But it’s also an invitation.

An invitation to explore the past, ask questions, and discover that history is far more fascinating than it first appears.

— M. Nathan King