Delaware Authors Forum Presents: Using Family History to Write a Novel

Are you considering writing a historical fiction story but don’t know where to start? Connie Matsumoto was, too—until she wasn’t. With no MFA, no background in creative writing, not even a journal to her name, she wrote Of White Ashes, an award-winning novel inspired by her family’s remarkable World War II stories.

In this presentation, Connie will share how she embraced novel writing by learning craft, creating helpful tools, making mistakes, and asking repeatedly, “Wait, how do you do that?”

Blending personal storytelling with practical guidance, this two-hour interactive program invites participants to consider the foundations of writing a historical novel, focusing on what to write and why. Connie will offer participants techniques for clarifying their story ideas and goals and the encouragement to move forward even when they fear getting it wrong.

Constance Hays Matsumoto Bio:

Former corporate executive and interior design devotee, Connie Matsumoto embraced creative writing to create her award-winning, debut historical novel, Of White Ashes (Loyola University MD, 2023). Connie earned her B.A. from Notre Dame of MD University and M.S. from Johns Hopkins University. She is an engaged literary citizen, serving as the President of the Women’s National Book Association Mid-Atlantic Chapter and a member of the Authors Guild, Eastern Shore Writers' Association, and Historical Novel Society. Previously, she served on the Board of Directors of the Maryland Writers' Association and as President of the Baltimore Chapter. Her new non-fiction book, How to Write a Novel Inspired by Family and History (How2Conquer Press), will be released in 2026.