I write historical fiction for a living. I find a real thing in history and make a good plot around it.
Dang.. I wish I could be you. I like writing, or at least think I could be good at it, if I didn't have complete lack of self-esteem. Too scared to do it for a living. Anyway, how does it work, exactly?
Don't be so down on yourself. Think of a historical novel.  Like something set to the background of WWII.  It's writings like that.
That does sound like fun. I'd be scared I'd have a lack of motivation to do it enough to write a whole novel, and then to consistently write novels for a living, and have deadlines. What else do you think I might find interesting about it?>
It sounds strict but it is not.  Historical fiction can be writing for novels, theater, opera, cinema and even video games.