This one-day bootcamp focuses on the three areas every historical story needs- planning, writing and editing – concentrating on how to use the characters’ journeys and voices to bring the past alive. There will be time for students to discuss their WIP and to get Pamela’s guidance. This bootcamp will work best for students who already have a story in mind (but it can still be in your mind rather than on the page). Ideal for those who have stalled and need to get moving again!
Class Outline
This workshop will be in three parts:
9.00am – 11.00am: Setting yourself up for a great story. The three key elements in historical fiction are character, plot and setting. This session looks at the interweaving of these three elements and suggests some ways of getting started, and making sure you have enough of each to create your fictional world.
11.00am – 11.30am: Break
11.30am – 1.30pm: It’s all about voice. Bringing the historical character alive through limited point of view and dialogue. How do you create an authentic character which readers will empathise with?
1.30pm – 2.30pm: Lunch
2.30pm – 3.30pm: Using character drivers to create narrative tension – your guide to structure and editing. The linking of character and plot to create a solid structure.
3.30pm – 4.00pm: Q&A. Time for participants to ask further questions.
List of Handouts
- Plaiting your story together
- Point of view defined
- Issues with historical characters
- Developing characters with story in mind
- Plaiting it back together
About Pamela Hart
Pamela Hart is an award-winning, best-selling author of more than 40 books. She writes acclaimed historical novels; The Charleston Scandal is her most recent historical story, set in 1920s London, and she has a Regency romance coming out with Escape in November. She also writes the Poppy McGowan mystery series, starting with Digging Up Dirt.
As Pamela Freeman, she is well-known as a beloved children’s author and fantasy writer. Her most recent children’s book is a non-fiction picture book, Dry to Dry: The Seasons of Kakadu. Her adult fantasy series, The Castings Trilogy, ended with the award-winning Ember and Ash. To be kept up to date about Pamela’s next story, you can subscribe to her newsletter here (www.pamela-hart.com/newsletter-subscription/); you even get a free novella! For further information:
