Maya and Eirean travel back in time to win Historical Fiction Competition.
Two of our Year 11 pupils have just received the news that they are winners of a Historical Fiction competition run by the Historical Association. Eirean Hickey has won the Character category and Maya Hegarty the Story category
Head of History, Mrs Julie Gault, explained “We are delighted by the success of both these very talented Year 11 girls in Write your own Historical Fiction competition-especially since it is the first time that we have entered this competition. Maya set her story in the intriguing and deadly era of the Tudor period while Eirean’s story is set in the eve of The Russian Revolution. Both girls are GCSE History students and their creative writing was deeply rooted in their understanding of periods they have studied here in school. Both girls are avid readers and we are absolutely delighted by their success”
Eirean Hickey won the Character category for her entry The lost letters of Alexandra Feodorovna– a tragic tale set in the turbulent period of 1917.
The judge, Barbara Henderson had this to say about Eirean’s story:
“I loved the insight into the character of Alexandra, a young woman thrown into extraordinary circumstances in this story. What a world: the Russian court with its power play – and in the midst of it all, a new arrival: the outsider and the new Tsarina, uncertain, eager to succeed and humbly seeking advice. Most writing I have seen about this family has focused on their brutal end – it is both refreshing and intriguing to read about their beginning here. Well done!”
Eirean’s story can be read on the link below:
https://www.history.org.uk/primary/news/4228/write-your-own-historical-fiction-competition-2023
Eirean Hickey – The Lost Letters of Alexandra Feodorovna
Maya Hegarty won the Story category for their entry The beginning of the end, a first person monologue set during the short lived reign of the nine day queen Lady Jane Grey.
The judge had this to say about Maya’s entry:
“Maya’s story is accessible whilst retaining a vivid portrayal of the world Lady Jane Grey inhabited. Most of all, though, she is skilled writer, manipulating language in a variety of ways. I was particularly impressed with the repetition of Swoosh at the end – endings are hard to write, and this is a masterclass.”
Maya’s story can be read on the link below
https://www.history.org.uk/primary/news/4228/write-your-own-historical-fiction-competition-2023
Maya Hegarty – The Beginning of the End
Both girls will receive a notebook, published book from a Young Quills shortlist, a book voucher and a Historical Association goodie bag.
Maya and Eirean are pictured here with Mrs Gault, Head of History.
Well done girls from all here in DCP.
