Why My Background Makes Me Your Ideal Historical Consultant
From Rare Documents To Set-Ready Insights — Fast
It All Began In A German University...
When I first started studying history, my professors asked me to “write less gripping”. Well, I didn’t. Instead, I honed my craft of making historical facts gripping and compelling. I understand that creative professionals need historical consulting that’s not just accurate, but engaging enough to inspire dynamic performances and storylines. My storytelling instincts are designed to fit seamlessly into your artistic vision.
A Unique Blend of History and Storytelling
Rather than settling into the confines of academic writing, I combined my two passions — history and storytelling — to create a service specifically designed for creatives. I offer more than dry research. I know how to structure historical material in a way that resonates with actors, scriptwriters, filmmakers and directors, allowing you to truly inhabit the world you’re creating.
Extensive Field Experience
Being on location is what I love: I've personally visited over 2,000 historical sites across Europe, Japan and the UK, from fortresses and castles to prehistoric huts. I’ve also worked in museums and archaeological depots.
This hands-on experience gives me an intimate understanding of history that goes beyond textbooks, providing your project with a level of detail only someone who is truly immersed in the physical remnants of the past can offer.
Mastering Complex Research
Thanks to my speed-reading skills and ability to rapidly process large volumes of information, I can dive into any historical period or character in record time. Whether you’re under time pressure or need last-minute changes, I can sift through hundreds of pages or web entries to bring you the most relevant and accurate historical details — fast.
Bridging Academic and Entertainment Worlds
I believe academic writing shouldn’t be boring, and that entertainment projects should always aim for historical accuracy.
My expertise lies in finding that balance. I can take deep, academic-level research and make it accessible and intriguing for actors, writers and filmmakers who are looking to bring history to life.
Tailored to Your Needs
Whether you need help with a fictional character based on real people or you’re working on a script set in a specific time period, I provide material that’s relevant.
Within days, I can deliver original sources, rare documents and rich details to enrich your creative process, ensuring your work feels grounded in the historical realities of your chosen setting.
Award-Winning Research, Made Accessible
I’ve been shortlisted for awards that recognise research made accessible to a broad audience. I simplify complex historical topics so they’re easy to understand, ensuring you’ll feel confident in your portrayal or script without sacrificing the nuances of historical accuracy.
»Dr Barbara combines a broad overview and vision with a precise eye for relevant details. Within a very short time, she is able to distil the information relevant to a specific task from dense, complex information flows. By categorising and structuring the sifted data, she turns a confusing flood of information into a handy body of knowledge, without the content being flattened by the reduction in complexity. This combination makes Dr Barbara a colleague with whom collaboration is high-calibre in terms of content and pleasant on an interpersonal level.«
— M.A.
Personal Experience with the Creative Process
So far, I’ve written 21 books — some ghostwritten, some fiction, and many historical — winning three literary awards in the process. I understand the highs and lows of creating. My experience with both the research side and the creative side of storytelling means I know exactly how to support you when you’re feeling stuck or overwhelmed.
Global Expertise Across Time Periods
While many historical consultants specialise in a single period, my range spans from 50 AD to 1990, covering regions as diverse as Greenland, Brazil and Japan. However, Nazi Germany, GDR Germany, Medieval Germany, France and Italy were the most common settings for research projects so far.
No matter the setting of your story — whether it’s a medieval castle or a 20th-century political landscape — I can provide the insight and context you need to make your project truly shine.
If you’re in need of a second pair of eyes, or you want to speed up your research, then contact me here.
Sooooooooooo, what’s on your desk right now? What period do you want to write about? What film or biopic are you preparing right now? Let me know in the comments. Cheers from sunny Germany,
~ Barbara
Historian with German precision. Unreasonably fast reader 📚. 800 pages before lunch ☕. Helps actors & writers prepare biopics 🎬 and historical roles using forgotten archives, letters, and diaries 📜. More at https://withdrbarbara.com/
PS: I am currently researching original photographs taken in British asylums during the 1870s and 1880s. Most of the portraits are of women who have been in there for a long time — it is poignant to see their faces and read about their fates as ‘inmates’, in a futile situation.
