Writing About Slavery in Historical Fiction

By E.R. Ramzipoor, @ER_Ramzipoor

Part of the How They Do It Series

JH: With some topics, it's tough to strike a balance between approaching the subject authentically but not romantically, and being honest about it without normalizing it. Today, E.R. Ramzipoor visits the lecture hall to share some tips on how to write about slavery in historical fiction.

E.R. Ramzipoor is a writer and freelance editor represented by Kristin Nelson of NLA. She is based in Oakland, CA. Her novel The Ventriloquists, about a World War II newspaper heist, is coming out August 2019.

Website | Twitter | Tumblr

Take it away E.R...

How to Make "Write What You Know" Work for You

By Kristina Riggle, @krisriggle

Part of the How They Do It Series

JH: Some writing advice is so common it's practically a cliché, yet it still doesn't really tell us how to follow that advice. "Write what you know" is one such bit of writing wisdom. We've all heard it, all tried to follow it, but we often stumble over the best way to put what we know into practice. Kristina Riggle takes to the podium today to share some tips of using what you know (and could know) to your advantage.

Kristina lives and writes in West Michigan. Her debut novel, Real Life & Liars, was a Target “Breakout” pick and a “Great Lakes, Great Reads” selection by the Great Lakes Independent Booksellers Association. Her other novels have been honored by independent booksellers, including an IndieNext Notable designation for The Life You’ve Imagined.

Kristina has published short stories in the Cimarron Review, Literary Mama, Espresso Fiction, and elsewhere, and is a former co-editor for fiction at Literary Mama. Kristina was a full-time newspaper reporter before turning her attention to creative writing. She likes to run and read, though not at the same time.

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | iTunes | Indie Bound

Take it away Kristina...

Ten Reasons Why You Should Write Historical Fiction

By Stacey Lee, @staceyleeauthor

Part of the How They Do It Series

JH: Please join me in welcoming YA author Stacey Lee to the lecture hall today, to share some thoughts on writing historical fiction. Stacey is one of those people who is just a joy to be around and a delight to talk with (I highly recommend it if you ever get the chance). Her debut novel, Under a Painted Sky, released a few weeks ago and has already received two starred reviews (Publishers Weekly and Kirkus), as is creating a lot of buzz out there in the reading world.

Stacey is a fourth generation Chinese-American whose people came to California during the heydays of the cowboys. She believes she still has a bit of cowboy dust in her soul. A native of southern California, she graduated from UCLA then got her law degree at UC Davis King Hall. After practicing law in the Silicon Valley for several years, she finally took up the pen because she wanted the perks of being able to nap during the day, and it was easier than moving to Spain. She plays classical piano, raises children, and writes YA fiction.

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | iTunes | Indie Bound

Take it away Stacey...

Finding the Story in History

By Krista Russell

Part of the How They Do It Series

JH: I have several friends who write in historical settings, and they always awe me. I know how much work it takes to create a totally fictional world, so I can imagine getting all those facts right and still tell a great story has got to be twice the work. Today, author Krista Russell is here to share some tips on finding the story within the history.

Krista Russell is the author of two middle grade historical novels. Chasing the Nightbird (Peachtree, 2011), is winner of the 2012 Massachusetts Book Award for Children’s/Young Adult Literature, a 2012 Notable Social Studies Trade Book for Young People, and a Parents’ Choice Recommended award book, and The Other Side of Free, is a 2013 Parents' Choice Silver Honor Award book.

Website | Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Indie Bound

Take it away Krista...

Historical Imagination: Fact vs. Speculation

By Jennifer Laam, @JenLaam

JH: Heads up historical folks! Let's give a big welcome to Jennifer Laam, who's here to share some tips on writing historical fiction. I've always been curious how historical writers weave the truth with the fiction, and where to draw the line between what really happened and what makes a better story. Jennifer has fun take on using history without being a slave to it.

Jennifer earned her master’s degree in History from Oakland University in Michigan and her bachelor’s degree from the University of the Pacific in Stockton, CA. She has lived in Los Angeles and the suburbs of Detroit, traveled in Russia and Europe, and worked in education and non-profit development. She currently resides in Northern California. The Secret Daughter of the Tsar is her first novel.

Take it away Jennifer...

Making History Appealing to Teen Readers

By Katherine Longshore

Part of the How They Do It Series   

JH: I'd like to welcome Katherine Longshore to the blog today to chat about keeping teen readers hooked with history. Even if you don't write historicals for teens, the things she says really are applicable to all genres and all ages. Like you've heard me say a hundred times, it's all about the story. She shares tips on how to keep that in mind as you write.

Katherine earned a B.A. in Cross-Cultural Studies and Communications from Humboldt State University, planning to travel and write. Forever. Four years, six continents and countless pairs of shoes later, she went to England for two weeks, stayed five years and discovered history. She now writes novels for young adults in which the court of Henry VIII bears a strong resemblance to high school, only more dangerous. Her novel, Gilt, (out now), is the first in a series set in the court of Henry VIII, published by Viking/Penguin.

She's a member of the YA Muses, The Apocalypsies and the Class of 2k12. She tweets , babbles about history and writing on Facebook.

Take it away Katherine...