Unit 1
- An introduction to historical fiction
- The rules of historical fiction
- Historical research
- Structure: Creating a solid foundation
- The five key elements of plotting
Pre-course preparation:
Although not required reading, the tutor has suggested a reading list in preparation for Unit 1, as follows:
- The Three Musketeers - Alexandre Dumas
- Clytemnestra - Costanza Casati
- A Gentleman in Moscow - Amor Towles
- Birdsong - Sebastian Faulks
- Pachinko - Min Jin Lee
- Beloved - Toni Morrison
- Ivanhoe - Sir Walter Scott
Unit 2
- Creating memorable characters
- Understanding and experimenting with point of view
- Crafting effective dialogue
- Understanding the environment
- World-building
Pre-course preparation
Although not required reading, the tutor has suggested a reading list in preparation for Unit 2, as follows:
- Katherine - Anya Seton
- Cold Mountain - Charles Fraser
- I, Claudius - Robert Graves
- All the Light We Cannot See - Anthony Doerr
- The English Patient - Michael Ondatjee
- Homegoing - Yaa Gyasi
- The Name of the Rose - Umberto Eco
Unit 3
- Using suspense to create drama
- Pacing – keeping your reader engaged
- Scene structure
- Revising and refining – editing and rewriting
Pre-course preparation
Although not required reading, the tutor has suggested a reading list in preparation for Unit 3, as follows:
- The Scarlet Letter - Nathaniel Hawthorne
- The Blind Assassin - Margaret Atwood
- Perfume: The Story of a Murderer - Patrick Suskind
- Washington Black – Esi Edugyan
- Fingersmith - Sarah Waters
- The Pillars of the Earth - Ken Follett
- The Poisonwood Bible - Barbara Kingsolver
- The Mermaid and Mrs Hancock - Imogen Hermes Gowar
What students need to bring
Your usual writing equipment, notebook and pen, and laptop.
Arrival day
Residential students can arrive from 4pm, non-residential students to arrive by 7.15pm for registration. Students arriving earlier are welcome to purchase dinner in the College Dining Room from 6pm.
First Teaching session: 7.30pm - 9pm (attendance is essential)
Daily timetable
Course teaching: 9.15am - 5pm
Morning session: 9.15am - 12.45pm including coffee/tea break
Lunch break: 12.45pm - 2pm*
Afternoon session: 2pm - 5pm including coffee/tea break
Teaching finishes: 5pm
Departure day
Course teaching: 9.15am - 3pm
Teaching finishes: 3pm
Residential students will need to check out of rooms by 10am.
Please note, the tutor may make slight variations to the daily timetable as required. *Lunch can be purchased on campus, view options.