Writing historical fiction: A one-day workshop

Learn how to use the past to create new stories, at this inspiring one-day masterclass

Historical fact is the heart of great historical fiction. Led by award-winning novelist Katharine McMahon (The Rose of Sebastopol, The Alchemist's Daughter), this inspiring one-day course will teach you how to develop plot, character and structure in the context of a historical subject. Attendees will explore how to weave real events and people into fictional plots or, conversely, fictional characters into events that actually happened.

The course will show you how to explore fiction writing by drawing upon the past. You'll learn about the importance of authenticity in your prose, and how to find inspiration in real historical materials and artefacts. From mining social niceties for material to ensuring your dialogue sounds realistic, it's the ultimate way to look forward to the past.

This course is for you if…

• You're currently writing, or would like to write, a historical novel or story but are unsure of how to engage with bygone events
• You write contemporary fiction but have an idea for a story set in the past
• You're writing a novelised memoir or non-fiction novel

You may also be interested in Katharine's two-day Writing historical fiction course, which will also cover subjects such as research techniques; how to examine great works of historical fiction, and how to use location to create great historical fiction.

Course description

This lively, one-day course mixes teaching, practical exercises and discussions to show how to write a novel or short story set in a bygone era. Attendees will leave the course with handouts with key learning points about plot, character and structure, and a plan for an original piece of historical fiction. The course will cover:

• The writer's connection with the past
• Developing a fictional plot by building on historical facts
• How to blend fact and fiction
• Breathing life into 'real' historical characters alongside fictional characters.
• Creating a character who works within four dimensions
• Intertwining historical events and people with fictional plotlines and characters
• Bringing it all together – blending voice, plot, character, setting and historical context
• Using historical snippets – including diaries, letters and news reports – to find a springboard for fiction

Tutor profile

Katharine McMahon is the author of eight novels. Her international bestseller, The Rose of Sebastopol, set during the Crimean War, was selected for Richard and Judy's British Book Awards, and her previous novel The Alchemist's Daughter was a Waterstones Paperback of the Year. Katharine has taught creative writing in universities and for the Arvon Foundation and was a mentor on the Eastern Arts Council Escalator programme.

Full course and returns information on the Masterclasses website