Yesterday’s Stories for Today’s Young Readers: Writing Historical Fiction for Children and Young Adults with Sheena Wilkinson

Course Summary

How do historical novelists remain true to the facts and attitudes of the past while producing inclusive, diverse narratives for the young readers of today and tomorrow? Award-winning novelist Sheena Wilkinson, whose historical fiction has been praised for its ‘formidable narrative gift and  acute sense of historical justice’ will help you to meet this challenge. By focussing on character, world-building, point-of-view, dialogue and story structure, we will consider how best to honour both past and present. This course is suitable for both intermediate writers and for more experienced writers wishing to try historical fiction for the first time.

Course Outline

Throughout the six weeks, participants will consider all aspects of writing historical fiction for young people, from the nuts and bolts of drafting and editing, to the ethical and aesthetic considerations of working in this popular, challenging genre. Drawing on both classic and contemporary texts, they will be encouraged to read widely and expected to produce a short piece of historical fiction for critique by the facilitator and other participants.

Course Outcomes

Participants will gain insights into all aspects of writing historical fiction for young people, and will develop the tools and confidence to negotiate the demands of the genre.

Described in The Irish Times as ‘one of our foremost writers for young people’, Sheena Wilkinson has published eleven acclaimed novels for children, teens and adults. She has won many awards for novels, short stories and memoirs. Her most recent books are the Fernside series, a homage to the much-loved girls’ school story, and Mrs Hart’s Marriage Bureau, a book club favourite which was described in the Irish Times as ‘a briskly witty delight’.

Booked out? To be added to the waiting list for this course, please email info@irishwriterscentre.ie.