BRIDGET WHELAN writer

for writers and readers….

Writing History in a Regency Kitchen

Join me in a three week course for fiction writers, historians and absolute beginners Designed for beginners, emerging writers and authors wanting to explore a new field, you will be … Continue reading

February 9, 2025 · 2 Comments

Historical Fiction Should Reflect the Things that Concern Us Today – Tim Weed QUOTES FOR WRITERS

As a reader of historical fiction, I’m looking for something bigger than a simple reconstruction of history. I’m looking to experience a new world, to enter a new and de-familiarized … Continue reading

August 20, 2023 · 2 Comments

We Make Sense of our Lives through Stories – Heather Webb QUOTES FOR WRITERS

History isn’t just a series of bygone eras, littered with a mélange of fascinating and horrific events and people. It’s a detailed map of who we are and what we … Continue reading

August 13, 2023 · Leave a comment

Historical Fiction – think of it as a painting rather than a faithful photograph – Hilary Mantel QUOTES FOR WRITERS

Hilary Mantel on what readers should expect from a historical novel “…you are buying a painting with the brush strokes left in…”

August 6, 2023 · Leave a comment

What You Can’t Do in Historical Fiction – Frederick Forsyth QUOTES FOR WRITERS

You can say that Hitler won the Second World War, but you can’t say that Green Park* is on the Northern line.Frederick Forsyth*For non Londoners, it is on the Piccadilly … Continue reading

September 18, 2022 · 3 Comments

Meet the bestselling authors of two amazing books set in Brighton SUNDAY SALON AT THE REGENCY TOWN HOUSE

Picture the drawing room at The Regency Town House in Brunswick Square. You come on your own (The Sunday Salon is definitely the kind of event that welcomes solo visitors) … Continue reading

May 24, 2019 · Leave a comment

Writing Exercise from the archives: Historical Fiction

This is straightforward lucky dip. Choose two numbers – both have to be between one and ten. The first number gives you a personal event and the second a historical … Continue reading

August 25, 2015 · 2 Comments

Hilary Mantel on the dangers of writing historical fiction — Quotes for Writers (and people who like quotes)

A relation of past events brings you up against events and mentalities that, should you choose to describe them, would bring you to the borders of what your readers could … Continue reading

December 7, 2014 · 1 Comment

Questions, Questions, Questions…. a novelist has to have a lot of answers before putting pen to paper, says guest writer Helen Carey

I’m delighted that I’m handing over my blog today to novelist Helen Carey. She is best known for her bestselling World War Two novels Lavender Road, Some Sunny Day and … Continue reading

September 3, 2014 · 2 Comments

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