“Drama in the Details: A Day in the Life in Historical Fiction” with Sherri L. Smith
February 4 2026 6:30 PM - 9:30 PM CST
$59.00 – $119.00
- This event has passed.
This Event is for Members only.
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$59 for Members
$119 for Non-Members
PLEASE NOTE: This class recording is now only available for purchase by our members from now until Tuesday, June 30 at 11:59 PM CT. The class recording will be made available to watch (and rewatch) until July 31, 2026. Become a member here.
Are you writing a World War II adventure novel? A Victorian romance? A 1950s noir? Answer one question: What did your protagonist have for breakfast, and where?
It’s the small details of everyday living that really bring historical fiction to life. They add veracity to the fiction, and turn stereotypical settings into three dimensional realities. Sometimes those details can be the dramatic lynchpin your plot needs to really sing. In this class, we will talk about historical worldbuilding, pitfalls and assumptions, and how to research the details. We will do a series of writing exercises to see what we know, and where we need to know more. And we’ll talk about dialogue—how to make it sound “of the period” but easy on the modern ear. Whether you’re new to historical fiction, or a seasoned time-traveler, bring your time period and your notebook. We’ll have fun digging around in the past together!
TAKE THIS CLASS IF:
- You’re writing or interested in writing historical fiction.
- You’ve gotten stuck writing your historical novel.
- You want your historical fiction to be believable.
The deadline to buy this class recording is Tuesday, June 30 at 11:59 PM CT.
CONTINUING YOUR WRITING JOURNEY
SCHOLARSHIP INFORMATION
The WLT is committed to making our online classes accessible to all writers including writers who do not have the financial means to pay for programming. Five (5) seats in this class have been set aside for scholarship recipients to attend free of charge. Please fill out this application no later than 2 days prior to the class to be considered for one of the scholarship seats. We do not ask for any corroborating documents; we only ask that you help us understand your situation. If you are selected for one of the available seats you will be notified via email (from wlt@writersleague.org) no later than 24 hours before the start of the class. Please note, each writer is limited to no more than four (4) total scholarship seats per catalog season.
Instructor
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Sherri L. Smith is the author award-winning fiction and nonfiction books for young people including the 2021 Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators Golden Kite Award winner The Blossom and the Firefly, and the California Book Awards Gold Medalist, Flygirl. Her novels appear on multiple state reading lists and have been named Amelia Bloomer, Junior Library Guild, Children's Book Council, and American Library Association Best Books for Young People selections. She also writes comics, including Wonder Woman, Bart Simpson Comics, and James Cameron's Avatar. Sherri holds certificates in the Art of Archetypal Fairy Tale Analysis, Enchantivism, and Applied Mythology. She currently teaches at Hamline University. Her latest nonfiction book with Elizabeth Wein is American Wings: Chicago’s Pioneering Aviators and the Race for Equality in the Sky (Putnam). Her graphic novel Pearl (Graphix/Scholastic), with art by Christine Norrie, received five starred reviews. Her upcoming novel, Candace, the Universe, and Everything, brings together three generations of Black girls in a story about friendship, wormholes, and interdimensional magpies. Learn more at www.sherrilsmith.com
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The Writers’ League of Texas is dedicated to providing harassment-free spaces for everyone, regardless of gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, physical appearance, race, age, or religion. We do not tolerate harassment in any form. Violating these rules may result in expulsion from WLT programs without a refund at the discretion of the WLT staff.
Harassment includes, but is not limited to:
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Reporting
If someone makes you or anyone else feel unsafe or unwelcome, please report it as soon as possible. Reports can also be made via email at wlt@writersleague.org. We’ll handle any and all reports as respectfully as possible. You won’t be asked to confront anyone, and we won’t tell anyone who you are.
Accessibility Policy
Closed captioning is available for all online classes and special events.
The WLT is committed to making its programs & services accessible to all writers. Please contact us at wlt@writersleague.org or at 512-499-8914 for more information or to discuss accommodations you may need.
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Writers’ League of Texas classes and workshops are also funded in part by the Texas Commission on the Arts – Investing in a Creative Texas. For more information, go to www.arts.texas.gov.