Who Writes This Substack on Historical Research and Storytelling?
Guten Tag, it's Dr. Barbara 🇩🇪 🇪🇺
When I was at university, my journey as a historian started to take shape in ways I hadn’t anticipated. My professors would often tell me, “Your writing’s too gripping for academia.” They wanted me to focus more on pure facts and analysis, but instead, I leaned into my love for storytelling.
Rather than following the well-trodden path of academic writing, I spent my days weaving history into captivating narratives that could breathe life into the past.
Instead of staying confined to the lecture halls, I travelled across Europe, visiting castles, museums and archaeological sites. My passion for history couldn’t be contained by books alone—I needed to see these places and absorb their stories firsthand.
That was when I realised that history wasn’t just about knowing dates and names; it was about understanding the lives and emotions of the people who lived through these moments.
After university, I turned this passion into a career, helping actors, filmmakers, scriptwriters and authors bring their characters and stories to life. For former clients, I’ve delved into periods as diverse as ancient Rome and 20th-century Europe. Instead of providing generic historical summaries, I immerse myself in the specifics—researching how people spoke, what they wore, and even how they thought. This helps actors portray a character with authenticity or allows a scriptwriter to create a setting so vivid that the past feels present.
When I conduct research, I go beyond surface-level information. I comb through primary sources, rare books, and archives, looking for the small, telling details that can make a scene or a character truly believable. Instead of just delivering data, I offer stories and human experiences that can enrich your creative work.
The reason I love my work as a historical consultant is that I see history as a toolkit for storytelling. Whether you’re building a character for a biopic, developing the background for a novel, or setting the scene for a period film, having a solid historical foundation is crucial. It’s not just about accuracy—it’s about depth. My job is to make sure you have all the tools to dive deep into your chosen time period and bring out the humanity that resonates with today’s audiences.
If you’re working on a creative project that’s set in the past, consider how much richer it could be with expert historical insight. From helping you discover the right resources to ensuring your portrayals are nuanced and authentic, I’m here to help you craft something that stands the test of time. Let’s bring history to life together.
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~ Barbara