If someone was wanting to start crafting historical fiction such as your WHAT THE LADY WANTS where would you suggest starting? What is your process when it comes to turning your research into a somewhat fictional, but completely realistic story?

Renée Rosen Hi Amanda--I usually start with a basic google search of the subject just to see what's already out there and from there I go down the rabbit hole! I'll read any biographies or non-fiction that's out there and then I get a sense of my next step. Maybe there's a building I need to go see or track down a person or their relatives.

I've also found that once I "put it out there" and let people know what I'm writing about--help comes from the most unexpected places. For example, when I was researching for my new book WHITE COLLAR GIRL about the newspaper industry in the 1950s, out of the blue I was invited to "crash" a reunion party of ex-Tribune reporters from the 50s, 60s and 70s. Now that I'm telling people about my next on the Blues and Chess Records--people are "showing up" again to help connect me to the right people.

I'd say get a basic understanding of your subject and the people and then drill down and be open to anyone and everyone who can point you in the right direction. Hope this helps! Good luck!

flag