As I blogged about last time, I was asked to teach a 2-hour class on “How to 
Write Historical Christian Fiction” by a public library in northern Minnesota. I asked if I could share the challenge with local author-friend, Michelle Griep, and they (and thankfully, Michelle) agreed. That turned out to be a good decision. The class was this past weekend, and we received positive feedback from the ~20 attendees that they enjoyed this tag-team approach, which added variety and interest as we tackled the mammoth task. And personally, I enjoyed Michelle’s company for the overnight trip. We ate delicious meals together and did some productive brainstorming during the 4-hour drive there and back. A win-win!
My selfie skills leave a lot to be desired…
Knowing it was a lot of information to cram into two hours, we did our best to
give a good overview of the main aspects of writing historical fiction, and provided handouts with resources for further study. If you happen to be a writer and are interested in the handout, comment with your email address or send a message to julie@julieklassen.com and I will be happy to email a copy.
Here are the topics we touched on:
What Sets Christian Fiction Apart?
How to Generate (Salable) Ideas
Research: Where to Find It, How Much is Enough, and Managing Mistakes
Planning Your Plot
Creating Memorable Characters
The Basics of Point of View
Incorporating Faith Into Your Fiction (without being preachy)
Tips to Finishing that First Draft
Self-Editing (and if and when to hire a professional editor)
How to Get Published—Traditionally
How to Self Publish a Book
Publishing Realities. Is it Worth It? (Yes!)
We had a good turnout, enjoyed talking to people at different points in their writing journeys, and hopefully, helped and inspired them a bit. It was a positive experience all around, and one we would repeat, should another library ask us. Hint, hint. 🙂 Thanks all!
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How fun! Having admired the historical details both you and Michelle apply to your writing, I’m sure everyone found the day immensely beneficial! (And yes please to a copy of your handout!)
Sounds like the class was thorough and interesting! Would love a copy of the handout.
I wish I could’ve sat in on this class! I’d love a copy of the handout. Thanks!
I can only imagine how much work went into preparing for the class. What a gift! Thank you. I’d love a copy of your handout.
I’m glad to hear it went well! I’d love a copy of the hand out <3
trishrobertson at mac dot com
Hi Julie,
Thanks for sharing how you organized the class. Sounds like you and Michelle had a great time and covered a lot of information. I’d love to have a copy of the handouts!
I’d agree on a copy of that handout! Sounds like it was a neat class!
I’d love a copy of the handout. Thanks!
I, too, would love a copy of your hand-out. I read The Silent Governess earlier this year, and loved it so much, that I asked the local library, that if they were considering discarding the book (it was paperback, the spine was broken, and pages were falling out), that I would love to claim it. And they agreed! So I now have it in my to-be-read-again pile of books.
I wish I could have been there! I would like to read your handout. Thank you for sharing your knowledge!
How fun, wish I could have come!
Well done, Julie and Michelle! Sounds like a very productive trip on several levels. So happy for you.
I’d love a copy of the handout. Learning from one of my favorite Regency-era authors will be a delight!
Blessings,
Andrea
andrearenee2004@yahoo.com
I would love a copy. My dream since jr high has been to someday write Historical Fiction. I’d love to find out more. Currently I write Christian Romance. Thanks for sharing all of this with us!
Although I am not yet published, I would love a copy of your handout. I am very interested in writing historical fiction. Congratulations on your successful class!
Julie & Michelle, sure wish I could have come. Perhaps we could find a time for you to present to Minnesota Christian Writers Guild. I’d love a copy of the handout.
Blessings as always.
I’d like a copy of the handouts as well – Thanks for making them available to all !
It sounds like such fun! I wish I lived closer. I’d love a copy of the handout. Thanks for sharing.
Wow! I wish I could come along to something like this I don’t know of any place that does anything remotely like this!
I’m not a writer, other than of snail mail. It’s a dying practice, but I still love it.
I’m not currently writing anything. Poetry, prose. When I was younger, I wrote all the time. Without my knowledge, my English teacher entered one of my short stories into a school competition. I was horrified! I thought it was one of my worst stories! So what happened? I got 3rd prize in prose. I didn’t know until the day before the ceremony that I was even getting one! That was the time I found out my work had been entered,
Anyway situations changed and I continued my studies via correspondence. A couple of months later I received their school magazine. That was nice, but why was I receiving this? I hadn’t asked for it. I didn’t even know it existed! So I read it from cover to cover, still stunned. And then it found me. One of the assignments that I’d written for English. I was stunned! Some time passed and I was sent another. Again, another assignment was published. By this stage, my teachers were asking me for more material to publish. I was really shy and didn’t have the courage. So they just kept printing my assignments.
Some people I know have cousins who are publishers. They told me to send them some of material. Again the nerves kicked in and I never followed through.
Now I’m completely out of practice. I need to go back and need to re-learn all of my grammar etc, and learn again how to write. I’m so out of practice that I doubt anybody would want to read my work. There is a part of me that would like to try again. Any tips?
When I say that I don’t know of any place that does anything remotely like this, I mean I live in Western Australia. A bit of a hike to get to you.
If it’s not too much, could I also have a copy of your notes? 😀
Julie,
I’d love to have your handout. I sent you sample chapters of my mail order bride book, Alexandria, several years ago when you were at Bethany. You were so kind and helpful. I’m still trying for traditional publishing, and I do have an agent. I have very much enjoyed your books!
Thanks for the handout.