Pockets of personality: what might your characters choose to carry?

Pockets of personality: what might your characters choose to carry?

Last updated Mar 25, 2026 | Blog

I’m a proud pocket devotee: I refuse to buy clothes without pockets. But what do I put in them? A quick check of my jeans reveals fairly prosaic items: my phone, lip balm, a handkerchief, an old bus ticket – but in a coat I find shells, a pinecone, and a rather...
In the trenches: writing realistic war scenes in historical fiction

In the trenches: writing realistic war scenes in historical fiction

Last updated Feb 24, 2026 | Blog

Ultima ratio regum. The last argument of kings. King Louis XIV of France liked the phrase so much he had it on his cannons. Wars mark big turning points in history, so they naturally serve as the ultimate form of conflict and drama. So much historical fiction focuses...
The six days of Twixmas: festive writing prompts for the holiday lull

The six days of Twixmas: festive writing prompts for the holiday lull

Last updated Dec 17, 2025 | Blog

In our final blog post of the year, we invite you to give yourself the gift of time and imagination after the holiday rush. Here are six quick, low-pressure writing prompts inspired by the traditions and customs of Christmases past during Twixmas – the period between...
Obscure historical jobs for your characters

Obscure historical jobs for your characters

Last updated Nov 26, 2025 | Blog

Have you ever thought about the jobs your characters do? Paid or unpaid, their occupations are more than background details – they reveal skills, shape personalities, drive motivations, and can even influence your plot and themes. Several factors come into play when...
Using myths, legends, and folklore to inspire historical fiction

Using myths, legends, and folklore to inspire historical fiction

Last updated Oct 28, 2025 | Blog

For a writer, inspiration is everywhere. If you’re looking for ideas for your next historical fiction novel, myths, legends, and regional folklore are a great place to start. But there’s such a wide expanse of motifs and archetypes that it can be a little intimidating...