Writing Historical Fiction: Course Content
Week One
We begin with a look at ways to get started when writing historical fiction and get organized in order to pursue your writing to its full potential. We’ll also cover some of the ways you can spark your creativity and stay motivated with your writing.
Welcome and course outline
Starting out as a writer
Creating time and space for your writing
Writers block
Week Two
We examine the nature of historical fiction, popular time periods for stories, and some of the different eras that history is divided into. We’ll also look at the importance of editing and revising your work and the need for planning and outlines.
What is historical fiction?
The importance of editing and revision
Assignments
Assignment 1: People and Places
Week Three
Research plays an important role in historical fiction. You need to get all the facts correct and also create a realistic setting for the reader. We take a look at why research is important to historical fiction and things to consider when choosing a setting for your story.
The importance of research
Historical eras
Choosing a setting
Week Four
Explore the many methods of creating strong characters, including names and personality features that make them more realistic and believable. We also examine ways to create dialogue that makes your characters come to life.
Readings
Naming your characters
Dynamic dialogue
Assignments
Assignment 2: Creating Characters
Assignment 3: Dynamic Dialogue – Bringing Characters to Life
Week Five
Create a story based on your impression of a picture. Also learn how to create a short, yet compelling, back cover synopsis for your story.
Assignments
Assignment 4: Every picture tells a story – Ideas from pictures
Assignment 5: Back covers
Week Six
Compose the first attention-grabbing chapter of your story to really hook the reader and make them wish to continue reading.
Using the story idea generated from Assignment 4, learn how to create a short, yet compelling back cover synopsis for your story. You’ll also compose the first attention-grabbing chapter of your story to really hook the reader and make them wish to continue reading.
Assignments
Assignment 6: Hooking the reader