PLOTTING HISTORICAL FICTION WORKSHOP

In this 2-hour workshop, Cristina Sanders will guide you through outlining a story and making a start on writing it. The session is for people with an idea of a story who need a nudge to help frame it, or beginners interested in the genre structure. 

The first part is an open discussion around:

• Choosing the time, place and characters
• Genre and purpose
• Research and the reliability of primary source data
• How to blend fact and fiction in history 
• Using invented and/or real characters
• Building a time frame and finding a plot 

The second part is where the structure is put into practice to build a sample story. Together participants choose a time and place (e.g. Nelson around 1900), and go online to do some flash research to find three interesting incidents each that occurred in this period. These are combined into one timeline, and then participants have twenty minutes to plot the outline of their own story that might incorporate some of these events. 

Time permitting, some of the plotted stories can be shared and developed. 

Participants should bring a laptop or pen and paper for writing and a phone for the research.

All books will be on sale through our festival bookstore PaperPlus Nelson, both through their shop and at their stall at our Pukapuka Talks events. Most authors will be available for book signings after their sessions. You can also buy pukapuka online – please select the Nelson store to collect in person.