Katherine asked Lori Rader-Day:

I just recently picked up The Black Hour (late to the party, I know). What made you decide to write a book centering a disabled character? What research did you do in order to write the novel?

Lori Rader-Day I'm so sorry I just saw this question, Katherine! You know, I didn't make that decision from the outset but as I wrote and discovered more about my protagonist, I realized she was still very fragile. Bad news for my story, until I realized she didn't have to "run around" investigating. Her story is more about coming to peace with what had happened to her and how she would continue to live as she had before the attack. I did some research about sociology to be able to have my professor stand up in front of her class for the first time and start teaching—a big moment for her. As far as her injuries, I used personal experience—a surgery with bad complications—to imagine her pain. I did hear from a reader afterward with chronic pain who said I got it right, and that meant a lot to me. Hope you enjoyed the book!

flag