GET STARTED IN HISTORICAL FICTION: WORKSHOP SERIES

Introducing the series…

Get started in historical fiction is a series of online workshops designed to help you start writing historical fiction. There are three workshops in total, each covering a different aspect of getting started in historical fiction. You can pick and choose which workshops you want to take, or you can take all three!

Each workshop lasts approximately six weeks and consists of a series of written assignments, all of which are assessed by a tutor. As you tackle the assignments and receive expert feedback, you’ll move closer to achieving the objective of each workshop. All assignments are accompanied by a help sheet with useful tips, and you’ll be able to ask your tutor questions as you go along.

Below, you’ll find details on each workshop, information about the tutors, testimonials from previous participants, and a FAQ section.

1

Workshop one: Get started

What is it?

Workshop one focuses on building the fundamental skills you need to start writing historical fiction, including creating a historical setting while balancing history vs. story, writing historical dialogue, creating tension, using ‘show’ and ‘tell’, and more. At the end, you’ll have some of the most critical skills you need to start writing historical fiction.

Who is it for?

This workshop is ideal for people who want to start writing historical fiction and are looking for a structured way to build the necessary skills. You may not have written anything yet and are looking for a way to get started. You may have started already but aren’t sure whether you’re getting it right. Either way, this workshop aims to help you start writing with confidence.

Schedule

Week one: Bringing historical settings to life

Your first assignment will be to use a real historical source as inspiration for creating a fictional setting. You’ll learn to immerse the reader in your writing by creating an authentic sense of every-day life while balancing history with story.

Week two: Writing historical dialogue

In assignment two, we’ll show you how to rewrite modern-sounding and overly stilted dialogue to make it more natural and appropriate to your chosen historical era, while still being intelligible to the modern reader. This is a crucial skill for any historical fiction writer.

Week three: Internal thought

Assignment three focuses on internal thought. You’ll learn how to format it and how to use it to enhance the reader’s understanding of your characters.

Week four: Show and tell

In your fourth assignment, you’ll use a combination of ‘show’ and ‘tell’ to depict a character’s feelings. You’ll learn how to do both and how to strike the right balance between them.

Week five: Using viewpoint

Assignment five introduces you to different viewpoints and shows you how they can be used to build tension. Your task will be to rewrite a scene from an alternative viewpoint, using the features of that viewpoint to your advantage.

Week six: Drivers of plot – creating conflict, mystery, and suspense

For assignment six, you’ll learn to use three of the key drivers of plot – conflict, mystery, and suspense. Your task will be to create an engaging scene using all three.

Booking

Select your country for the correct pricing and currency (USD, GBP, or EUR)

Cost:

$428.40 USD

You will be able to choose your start date on the checkout page. Places for each start date are limited, so we recommend booking early to avoid disappointment. The following dates are currently available to book:

6 May 2024
1 July 2024
26 August 2024
21 October 2024

2

Workshop two: Outline your novel

What is it?

Workshop two guides you through the process of creating a detailed outline for your historical novel, including plot, setting, theme, characters, and chapters. Your tutor will provide feedback and assistance every step of the way. At the end, the objective is for you to have a complete novel outline.

Who is it for?

This workshop is for people who have an idea for a historical novel and are ready to turn it into an actionable plan. Whether this is your first attempt at an outline, or whether you’ve already started one and are looking to revise it in a structured way with feedback, this workshop is for you.

Schedule

Week one: Summarise your plot

In your first assignment, you’ll outline your plot in stages, starting with a big-picture, one sentence summary and finishing with a more detailed full page summary.

Week two: Outline your setting and themes

For assignment two, you’ll outline the key aspects of your setting, including locations and relevant historical background. You will also outline your themes.

Week three: Profile your main characters

Assignment three focuses on your main characters. Using our character profile template, you’ll profile your three main characters or all of your point of view characters, depending on your narrative structure.

Week four: Profile your secondary characters

Assignment four focuses on secondary characters. Using our character profile template, you’ll profile your key secondary characters.

Week five: Summarise your chapters

In assignment five, you’ll turn your plot outline into a provisional list of chapters, creating short summaries for each.

Week six: Complete your outline

In assignment six, you’ll bring all the different parts of your novel outline together, edit and revise them, and submit the finished version for final feedback, together with a summary of significant revisions. This assignment will only begin once you have received feedback from your tutor on assignment five.

Booking

Select your country for the correct pricing and currency (USD, GBP, or EUR)

Cost:

$428.40 USD

You will be able to choose your start date on the checkout page. Places for each start date are limited, so we recommend booking early to avoid disappointment. The following dates are currently available to book:

6 May 2024
1 July 2024
26 August 2024
21 October 2024

3

Workshop three: Write your first chapter

What is it?

Workshop three guides you through the process of writing the first chapter of your historical novel. Your tutor will provide feedback and assistance every step of the way. At the end, the objective is for you to have a complete first chapter.

Who is it for?

This workshop is for people who want to start writing the first chapter of their historical novel. Taking that first step can feel daunting, but this workshop will walk you through it and provide you with the support and feedback you need.

Schedule

Week one: Plan your first chapter

For assignment one, you’ll plan your first chapter, using our checklist to ensure it contains the key elements necessary to hook your reader.

Week two: Write your opening lines

For your second assignment, you’ll write your opening lines. You’ll learn how to grab your reader’s attention by starting your story the right way.

Week three: Write your first draft

For assignment three, you’ll have two weeks to write an initial first draft of your first chapter. You may or may not reach the end, but the aim is to produce a draft that you can receive feedback on and then revise and complete.

Week five: Revise and complete your draft

For your fourth assignment, you’ll have one week to revise and complete your draft. You’ll then submit it for final feedback from your tutor. This assignment will only begin once you have received feedback from your tutor on assignment three.

Booking

Select your country for the correct pricing and currency (USD, GBP, or EUR)

Cost:

$428.40 USD

You will be able to choose your start date on the checkout page. Places for each start date are limited, so we recommend booking early to avoid disappointment. The following dates are currently available to book:

6 May 2024
1 July 2024
26 August 2024
21 October 2024

Your tutors

You’ll be assigned one of the following expert tutors for your workshop before it begins.

Pippa Brush Chappell

Pippa Brush Chappell

Tutor

Edward Ferrari-Willis

Edward Ferrari-Willis

Tutor

Fija Callaghan

Fija Callaghan

Tutor

Testimonials

“Before I started the workshops, I had an idea for a novel and really wanted to write it, but I didn’t have much confidence and wasn’t sure how to begin. I took all three workshops, and I’m very glad I did. As I look back on what I’ve achieved over the last six months, it’s tremendously satisfying. I’m in a completely different place now – I’ve learned the core writing skills I needed to get going, gained the confidence to create a story outline and then write the first chapter, and received invaluable feedback that has helped me to improve my writing and catch problems before they got any bigger. I cannot recommend these workshops enough. I have thoroughly enjoyed the whole process. Brilliant!”

Lindsay W.

“I took workshops one, two, and three, and I’m really impressed with how far my book concept has developed. I’ve gone from just having ideas in my mind to a detailed plan for my story, and with workshop three, I now have a full draft of my first chapter! It feels liberating to have made so much progress and to be on the right path. This is a wonderful program for historical fiction writers who are just starting out. It’s an investment in your own success.”

Stacy S.

“I’m amazed to see that the vague impressions I started out with at the beginning of workshop two have actually become a story framework. My tutor’s comments helped me think more deeply about my story structure and the conflicts that drive the characters, which brought coherence to my ideas. I’m sure I’ll go through many more changes as I start to write, but now I have something solid to work with. I’m learning so much in the workshops with The History Quill, and I’m looking forward to the next one!”

Jill Ritz

Frequently asked questions

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Which countries do you accept bookings from?

We welcome clients who are resident in the United Kingdom, the United States, Canada (excluding Saskatchewan), Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, and any EU country. If you are not resident in one of these countries, unfortunately we won’t be able to accept your business at this time.

What are the eligibility requirements?

The programme is for historical fiction writers or those interested in writing historical fiction. Historical fantasy writers are very welcome, too. Most sub-genres are fine, but we won’t accept erotic fiction or any children’s fiction below Middle Grade level. Middle Grade and above is very welcome.

The programme is carried out in English, so you’ll need to be able to write and communicate proficiently in English. You’ll also need to be at least 18 years old and over – as is the case for all of our programmes and services.

We do reserve the right to make other exclusions on a case-by-case basis.

Before each workshop begins, we will check that you meet the eligibility requirements. If you do not, we reserve the right to refund your payment and cancel your place.

How do I book? Is there an application process?

The workshops are not selective, so there’s no application process. You can book now via the buttons on this page.

When's the booking deadline?

Bookings for each start date will usually close two weeks prior to the start of the workshop. However, places are limited, so we recommend booking early to avoid disappointment. We will remove dates from this page when all spaces are filled.

Should I book the workshops I'm interested in all at once or wait until later?

It’s up to you. You are welcome to book the workshops separately or all at once. However, places for each start date are limited, so we do advise booking early to secure your preferred dates.

Can I take more than one workshop at once?

We recommend that you take the workshops in sequence, starting with workshop one and working through to workshop three. When booking multiple workshops, you should ensure that each workshop starts on a different date, so you only take one workshop at a time. We factor in enough time between each start date to ensure that you can complete one workshop before you move on to the next.

Who will be my tutor?

Your tutor will be assigned to you before each workshop begins. If you have a strong preference for which tutor you would like, let us know after you’ve booked and we’ll do our best to accommodate your preference.

Will I be part of a group or working alone?

Although others will also be taking part in the same workshops, this is a form of structured one-to-one coaching, so there’s no group environment.

What is the format of the workshops?

The workshops involve receiving and completing written assignments, which you will then return to your tutor for written feedback. You can ask questions via email.

What's the time commitment?

The workshops are designed to be completed in your spare time and should fit well around work and other commitments. They’re a little bit more intensive than our group coaching programme, but they’re also shorter.

What happens after I book?

Your place will be reserved on your chosen workshop/s. You’ll receive email confirmation of your booking, followed by a welcome email where you’ll have the opportunity to reply with any questions. You’ll receive an introductory email from your tutor one week before the workshop/s begin.

Will I have to be available at certain times of the day?

No. There’s no requirement to be available at any particular time or to be in any particular time zone. You’ll complete the assignments in your own time, allowing you to participate around your schedule, no matter which time zone you’re in.

How will I submit my assignments?

Over email directly to your tutor.

How long will I have to complete each assignment?

One week for most assignments. The only exception is the assignment in week three of workshop three, for which you have two weeks.

What if I'm late completing an assignment?

The assignments are designed to be realistic and achievable within the given timeframe, but we understand life may sometimes get in the way. We’ll still provide feedback so long as the delay is reasonable, i.e. not longer than two or three weeks. Feedback may take longer than normal, however, especially if it falls during a holiday period.

Besides the assignments and feedback, what other support will I receive?

You’ll be able to ask one round of questions after you receive feedback on each assignment, plus a final round at the end of the workshop. You’ll receive a help sheet with every assignment to help you complete it.

What if I'm away/on holiday for part of a workshop?

If you’ll be away as a one-off for a reasonable length of time, we’ll ordinarily still provide feedback on any late assignments, provided they are not more than two or three weeks late. Feedback may take longer than normal, however, especially if it falls during a holiday period.

What if I change my mind or I have to leave the workshop early?

You’ll have a 14-day window to change your mind after booking, during which you can cancel and receive a full refund, unless the workshop has already started, in which case the value of the work will be deducted from any refund. After this 14-day window has ended, you can withdraw at any time, but we won’t be able to provide a refund.

How do I pay?

You can pay by credit or debit card.

Which payment currencies do you accept?

We accept three payment currencies: USD, GBP, and EUR. The currency you pay in will depend on your country of residence. People resident in the UK will pay in GBP, people resident in the EU will pay in EUR, and people resident in the USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa will pay in USD.

What are the full terms and conditions?

You can view our full terms and conditions here. You will be asked to review them and agree to them during the booking process.

More questions?

If you have any additional questions, or if you want to discuss whether the workshops would be right for you, don’t hesitate to get in touch by emailing us at enquiries@thehistoryquill.com.