Why is it that, when you're teaching genres to children, you go through historical, fantasy, science fiction, adventure... and so on... and then... non-fiction. You go into detail about all the wonderful types of fiction, and then non-fiction gets lumped in together. Perhaps because there are too many genres of non-fiction to count. I can't even name them all. So, with that in mind, I will attempt to write a single blog post about non-fiction. What is the most challenging aspect of middle grade non-fiction? For me, personally, the most challenging part is making the facts fun and engaging for children. It's a different skill writing facts for children rather than adults. Think back to when you were a child. If you picked up a dry wall of text, it might have put you off non-fiction for life. So, what can we do to ensure our non-fiction books grip children's attention? Fun Language Think Horrible Histories. Some of the facts in those books might not interest some kids, bu...
It is that time again... Get ready for the return of #HistFicMay!
For the first time, this #HistFicMay will be taking place predominantly on BSky, although I would encourage all writers to share the posts on any and all their social media channels. I'll be around on BSky, Facebook, and Instagram (if I can remember my password!) to share and like as many posts as I can. I am so excited to discover new authors and books, as well as reconnecting with the stalwarts who have been doing #HistFicMay over the last couple of years.
There are a couple of extra optional hashtags this year (#WhatTheyKnowVsWhatTheyShow and #WritingHabits), but the all important one is #HistFicMay
As always, please join in with as many or as few as you would like!
So - choose your gargoyle!
[the list of prompts is also available in text form at the bottom of this blog]
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#HistFicMay
1. Introduce yourself
2. Introduce your writing
3. Why Historical Fiction?
4. Do you write in any other genres/subgenres?
5. Introduce your setting
6. Why this time period?
7. Real places and people or entirely fictional?
8. Introduce your protagonist
9. Introduce your antagonist
10. #WhatTheyKnowVsWhatTheyShow Protagonist’s greatest strength
11. #WhatTheyKnowVsWhatTheyShow Antagonist’s greatest strength
12. #WhatTheyKnowVsWhatTheyShow Protagonist’s biggest fear
13. #WhatTheyKnowVsWhatTheyShow Antagonist’s biggest fear
14. #WhatTheyKnowVsWhatTheyShow Protagonist’s ultimate goal
15. #WhatTheyKnowVsWhatTheyShow Antagonist’s ultimate goal
16. Secondary characters: A shoutout to your favourite one!
17. Have you ever written a character based on yourself?
18. Historical accuracy: how much matters?
19. What’s the best research trip you’ve ever had?
20. Share a research gem
21. Historian whose work you would be lost without
22. Research words of wisdom for newbies
23. What is the biggest surprise you’ve found in your research?
24. Sequels and Prequels: Would you ever write them?
25. #WritingHabits Where do you write?
26. #WritingHabits Computer, phone, tablet, typewriter, or pen and paper?
27. #WritingHabits Do you have pictures/items from your story’s time period or place to help inspire you?
28. #WritingHabits Has your story got a song or playlist?
29. #WritingHabits Do you have a preferred time of day or time of year to write?
30. What’s the next HistFic book on your TBR pile?
31. What’s the next HistFic book you’re going to write?
I'm looking forward to reading all your answers and sharing some great Historical Fiction conversation with you in May!
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