Writing History as Story: The Workbook
$24
You've found a story in the archive: a diary, a court file, a newspaper item that won't let go. But every draft reads like a textbook, and you're not sure where telling it well ends and making things up begins.
This complete, self-paced workbook by C. V. Wooster takes you from story seed to a researched, fact-checked opening chapter, without breaking faith with the record. Go one module a week and you'll have a finished chapter and the research file behind it in eight weeks.
What's inside
45 written lessons in 8 modules: a shared Core (research, reading sources, fact-checking, structure, character, setting, revision) plus a Fiction track and a True Events track
49 printable worksheets, one for every lesson: Source Log, Master Timeline, Source-Reading Worksheet, Truth Ledger, Liberties Checklist, Source-or-Disclose Checklist, Two-Strand Plot Map, Character File, Anachronism Checklist, Historical Note, Honest Blurb and more
A worked example: the Truth Ledger filled in for a real 1859 battle scene, showing exactly what's documented, inferred and invented
8 hands-on module exercises, a final project brief and a self-review rubric
A research toolkit of free archives (Chronicling America, National Archives, state newspaper programs, court records, maps)
Companion research spreadsheet for Excel or Google Sheets: source log, timeline, truth ledger, fact-check log, character file and image permissions log, with dropdowns and filters already set up
172 pages, instant download
Who it's for: Historical novelists, narrative nonfiction writers, family historians, local-history buffs and teachers. You don't need a history degree. If you can read an old newspaper and want to know what happened next, you're ready.
Get the workbook and start Module 1 tonight.