Make sure your customized error page 404. Html has the content size greater than 512 bytes. Many browsers like IE, Chrome etc don't show your customized page if content length of your custom 404 page is less than 512.
I unfortunately came across the same issue recently whilst working on a PHP project for work.
I cant really gove you an answer,but what I can give you is a way to a solution, that is you have to find the anglde that you relate to or peaks your interest. A good paper is one that people get drawn into because it reaches them ln some way.As for me WW11 to me, I think of the holocaust and the effect it had on the survivors, their families and those who stood by and did nothing until it was too late.