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Writing Historical Fiction: A 5-Week Course at The Writing Salon

Aug.28.2011

Writing Historical Fiction: Come Explore the Challenges & Rewards!
Nov. 12-Dec. 17th (5 weeksm skip 11/26) 10:30 am-1 pm

Whether you’re intrigued by Norse settlements, your own grandmother’s journey to America, or an imaginary character from a far-away time, historical fiction can be an enchanting new outlet for your writing, transporting you and your writing into worlds that are incredibly fun to create. This introductory workshop will clue you in to  the unique requirements for writing historical fiction, and set you up for a successful journey into this increasingly popular genre.

You can’t just throw a tapestry over the flat screen TV in your scene and call it historical. There are real differences between modern life and life in the past, which require real differences in your writing. That challenge, to me, is the greatest thing about...

Jess's Latest Blogs

Mar.24.2012 - 10:43 pm
Completed teaching another seminar on “Writing Historical Fiction” at the marvelous Writing Salon in San Francisco.  My students invented lively and really insightful stories...
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Oct.24.2011 - 3:22 pm
As a mother of a son and writer, I am saddened, angered, ultimately frustrated by the situation regarding books for boys.  Here’s are some gems from an excellent article by...
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Oct.17.2011 - 2:46 pm
The recent story of Bay Area writer Joe Quirk who is suing Sony Pictures and others over copyright infringement contains a number of disheartening facts: “Even at (a) time when...
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Oct.10.2011 - 9:29 am
Lev Grossman has beautifully explained in a New York Times article what makes me uneasy about the eBook: “…so far the great e-book debate has barely touched on the most important...
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Comments from Jess

Oct.04.2010 - 12:25 pm
In response to: The Work Ethic of Jonathan Franzen
Just saw in the New York Times on Sunday (October 3rd, 2010) that the British edition of Franzen's new novel, "Freedom...
Aug.25.2010 - 9:20 am
In response to: Medieval Chateaus Built with Authentic Processes
Excellent point! Being able to dye fabrics with local, natural substances makes perfect sense, as do many of the other...
Dec.11.2009 - 7:31 pm
In response to: BoldfaceState Dinner
If you've never seen Kate Clinton in person, do so! She's hysterical and intelligent all at once.
Aug.28.2008 - 7:25 am
In response to: "No Children Were Harmed in the Making of this Summer"
Thank you so very much for your kind words. Parenting is the most amazing challenge I've ever encountered.  Best to you...

Published Reviews

Dec.12.2009
Published by Amazon.com
“The Rookery (is) visual and Gothic and reminded me of Ann Rice at her scene-chewing best.” -- Amazon.com review of Bitten by Honeygirl "The Rookery" by Jess Wells …with its...