In this workshop, participants will work through a series of exercises designed to immerse them in their chosen era/idea, including an ‘alternate history’ exercise. We’ll examine what makes historical fiction feel appropriately grounded in its chosen era, how and where to research historical facts, as well as the ways in which too many informative inclusions can make fiction feel overstuffed and expository.
Attendees will learn how to create memorable secondary characters, how to avoid the dreaded ‘saggy middle’ of a novel, and how to consider delicate the balance between contemporary authorship and realistic historical fiction.