Creating stories from history

Michelanne Forster, playwright and author, is the current University of Auckland/Michael King Writers' Centre Fellow.

As part of Auckland's Heritage Festival, she will talk about the issues and dilemmas involved in writing historical fiction. She will outline the steps she would take to write a story about the historic Signalman's House. 

Her talk will start at 2pm on Sunday 25 September, followed by afternoon tea hosted by the Friends of the MKWC and an open afternoon.

Visitors will be welcome to look through New Zealand's first literary centre, which is based in the Signalman's House. Enjoy the views and the collection of literary memorabilia. 

Michelanne's works range from drama and children’s theatre to comedy and musicals.

In 2010 she worked with actor and comedian Paul Barrett on Tic Tic, a solo play exploring Tourette’s syndrome, which played to rave reviews at the Auckland International Comedy Festival. She has written plays such as Don’t Mention Casablanca, about her family history, and Larnach Castle of Lies and Daughters of Heaven, based on episodes from New Zealand’s past.