Lindz
Lindz asked Ellyn Weaver:

What was your research process for writing your historical fiction novel? How much of the background was based on personal experience?

Ellyn Weaver Hi Lindsey, When I started my research, it wasn't with the intention of writing a book, rather for more information into my own heritage. I began with research into the Iroquois Confederacy in the Great Lakes Region of NY State. When I zeroed in on the Seneca/Iroquois Nation of Indians from which I am descended on my Maternal side, I began to have flashbacks of Seneca women at chores and later, early settlers in relationships with native people. I heard the voices. And it was scary at first.
Each time I moved to a different time frame, there were similar flashbacks influenced by the culture and history I read. That's how the writing began.
As I have had a long life, yes, life experience played a part, though the characters speak for themselves. If you are a writer of fiction, you have probably experienced this phenomenon. Let the characters tell their stories in their own words.
Hope this has been helpful. Thanks for your interest in my work and the writing process.

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