HIST 3908B: Writing Historical Fiction
Winter 2025
Instructor: Dr. Jill St. Germain
Are you drawn to History by the stories?
Have you ever read an historical novel and thought I’d like to do that?
Is there a story that you want to tell?
HIST3908 Writing Historical Fiction is a writing course focused on a popular and often-undervalued form of historical writing – historical fiction. In this workshop-oriented course, students will have the opportunity to write a story set in a time and place and reflecting themes or events or their own choosing. The major project is a 25-page piece of original historical fiction. Each class will involve a practical component directed to the development and completion of your piece of fiction. Although we will read some examples of historical fiction/narrative, the emphasis of this course will be the writing of individual projects. The course work is structured to help you piece together the final project.
HIST3908 is a unique course. In it, you get to focus on a particular subject that you are passionate about. The subject of your story can come from any time, any place in history (up to about 1970…). You have the opportunity to spend a term exploring that moment through the eyes of characters that you create.
In class, you will work with the same small group through the term, discussing your own work with people you get to know well. You will be the expert on your moment in history, making it possible for you to participate with confidence. Past experience has shown that these group discussions are supportive and enjoyable. They are opportunities for peer review, but also for talking about your work with other people who are interested.
Coursework consists of a number of small assignments that help you build to the major project.
Attendance and participation are really important because the group engagement is a critical aspect of the course. There is no exam.
HIST3908 is offered in person and is not suitable for online students.