ABSTRACT
Summary of the chapter
Introduction. Definition and characteristics of historical fiction. Touching on the idea that the mysticism in the exemplar story ‘The Dreamstones’ means it overlaps with fantasy. Mention of alternative histories as a subgenre of historical fiction.
Background to the exemplar story. The tale can be found in the chapter on ‘Modelling the Writing’, page 189.
Decision-making in writing. Types of comprehension questions and ‘interrogating’ the text.
Some tips on research. Using timelines as a research/planning tool.
Planning a story in terms of age range and therefore language level and story length. Activity: comparing two opening scenes from ‘The Dreamstones’ written for two different ages of reader.
Thinking about the time span of a story and further tips on handling time.
Anachronisms. Using a ‘spot the mistakes’ image to introduce the idea.
Point of view/first and third person writing.
Some tips on writing style. Looking at overwriting. Asking children to look at the story with a critical eye and suggesting ideas for improving it.
Planning sheet for writing historical fiction.
Editing and proofreading – some tips and a practice piece.
Activity: Celtic story grid.
Story suggestions using characters from ‘The Dreamstones’.
