Course Syllabus: Historical Fiction Writing

Writing historical fiction is quite simply writing a story that is set in the past. You will do your research to create a correct and realistic setting, based upon facts. Historical fiction can even include real people.

You are writing fiction, but it is so very important to do your homework so that you can pin down the mannerisms, costumes, conditions, vernacular and so on in order to make your novel realistic. In fact, historical fiction novels can take years to write due to the amount of ‘homework' (research), which you must do when writing one.

In this course, we are going to explore the genre and all its offshoots. We'll discuss the various sub-genres, the types of characters and settings you may want to explore, character motivations, conflict, plot, plot mapping, editing, and pacing. We'll even cover agents, queries, and so much more. You will walk away from this course (at the end!) feeling as if you know exactly what you want to write and exactly how to write it. So join us today!

Historical Fiction

What is Historical Fiction?

Elements of Historical Fiction

Types of Historical Fiction

Mystery

Romance

Classical

Screenplays, Young Adult and More…

Characters

Who

When

Setting

Where

When

Real or Make Believe?

Research

What to Include

How to Research, The Lengthy Process

On (Write what you know), Library, Internet, Books

Should You Pay an Expert?

Historical Fiction and Fact

Plagiarism, Lies, and Wikipedia

Plotting

Plot lines, Plot Maps

Conflict

Sub-Plots and Motivation

Pacing

Show, Don’t Tell

Wrapping it All Up

Editing

Agents

Queries

Each lesson will include a lesson review quiz along with an assignment. Students will successfully complete this course by mastering all learning outcomes with 70% or higher overall grade.