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UID:10005079-1779127200-1779134400@litwire.org
SUMMARY:What's Past is Prologue: Writing Historical Fiction
DESCRIPTION:Third Lantern Lit in partnership with New Orleans Writers Workshop \nPanel guests: Elisa Speranza & Allison Alsup \n\n\n\n\nThoughts of penning an historical narrative can overwhelm. Where to begin? How to research? When to stop researching and start writing? \nJoin New Orleans Writers Workshop co-founder and developmental editor Allison Alsup (author of Foreign Seed)\, and book publicity consultant Elisa M. Speranza (author of Triage and The Italian Prisoner) as they share the good\, the bad\, and the ugly  of their journeys writing historical novels. They’ll dive into the most common challenges historical fiction writers face—as well as strategies for overcoming them.\nThis session is designed for new and experienced writers alike as well as curious fans of historical fiction. \nCopies of Allison’s and Elisa’s novels will be available for purchase and signing. \nThis event is free and open to the community. No RSVP required.
URL:https://litwire.org/event/whats-past-is-prologue-writing-historical-fiction/
LOCATION:Garden District Book Shop\, 2727 Prytania St Suite 14\, New Orleans\, LA\, 70130\, United States
CATEGORIES:Conversation,Fiction,Talk
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://litwire.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Foreign-Seed-Triage.png
ORGANIZER;CN="New Orleans Writers Workshop":MAILTO:jessica@neworleanswriters.com
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LAST-MODIFIED:20260508T002528Z
UID:10005102-1779127200-1779134400@litwire.org
SUMMARY:What's Past is Prologue: Writing Historical Fiction-in Partnership with New Orleans Writers Workshop
DESCRIPTION:In partnership with New Orleans Writers Workshop \nPanel guests: Elisa Speranza & Allison Alsup \nThoughts of penning an historical narrative can overwhelm. Where to begin? How to research? When to stop researching and start writing? \nJoin New Orleans Writers Workshop co-founder and developmental editor Allison Alsup (author of Foreign Seed)\, and book publicity consultant Elisa M. Speranza (author of Triage and The Italian Prisoner) as they share the good\, the bad\, and the ugly  of their journeys writing historical novels. They’ll dive into the most common challenges historical fiction writers face—as well as strategies for overcoming them. \nThis session is designed for new and experienced writers alike as well as curious fans of historical fiction. \nCopies of Allison’s and Elisa’s novels will be available for purchase and signing. \nThis event is free and open to the community. No RSVP required.
URL:https://litwire.org/event/whats-past-is-prologue-writing-historical-fiction-in-partnership-with-new-orleans-writers-workshop/
LOCATION:Garden District Book Shop\, 2727 Prytania St Suite 14\, New Orleans\, LA\, 70130\, United States
CATEGORIES:Conversation,Fiction,In-Person,Panel,Q&A
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://litwire.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/ThirdLanternLit_Logo-2-1.jpg
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DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260530T100000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260530T130000
DTSTAMP:20260513T164040
CREATED:20260421T223158Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260421T223158Z
UID:10005077-1780135200-1780146000@litwire.org
SUMMARY:Creating Characters Who Read As Real
DESCRIPTION:Stories hinge on credible\, compelling characters. It doesn’t matter the genre—most contemporary narratives demand character-driven storylines. And for those writing personal essays\, there’s no escaping the “I” on the page. Whether based in the writer’s real-life experience or completely invented\, intimacy and psychological depth are what modern readers crave. The rub is not all details are created equal. Knowing every tidbit of your character’s life doesn’t necessarily advance the story and may end up obscuring it. \nThis workshop’s goal is to hone in on those character essentials that make the people on our pages feel real and true. We’ll explore the kinds of targeted questions writers can—and should–ask long before reaching the end of a draft. Through discussion\, short excerpts and hands on exercises\, we’ll explore key aspects of character development\, including: the core relationship between character and conflict\, what makes for a “telling” detail\,” and the fundamental role of backstory and secondary characters. \nWriters can expect to leave with character-building strategies applicable to any future narrative as well as a deeply rendered character profile for their current project. (They can also expect to learn a heck of a lot by hearing the ideas of other participants.) \nAll levels\, from absolute newbie to experienced writers\, and all prose genres welcome. Participants with either works in progress or well-considered ideas for narratives will most benefit from our session.
URL:https://litwire.org/event/creating-characters-who-read-as-real/
LOCATION:Burnt Canoe Studios\, 4820 Banks Street\, New Orleans\, 70119
CATEGORIES:Workshop
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://litwire.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Character-Class.png
ORGANIZER;CN="New Orleans Writers Workshop":MAILTO:jessica@neworleanswriters.com
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