Many of us talk about ‘going down the rabbit hole’ or ‘doom-scrolling’ when on social media. There’s a similar effect when one is researching topics. Each bit of information leads to another bit, until you are spinning away in different directions, researching different threads, each one making your research richer.
The research for this book has me head over heels entrenched in 18th-century history, medicine, domestic life, and politics in 18th-century Scotland and America. The more I research, the more I realize (as is often the case with research), the less I know. I could certainly devote a lifetime to learning about the 18th century. Each bit of knowledge adds to the richness of the book.
In researching the 18th century, I’ve been researching what my character Elen would have worn in 1746 Scotland and 1777 America. It’s been an interesting journey. I’ve come to wonder how it would feel to wear the period clothing.
Writing has always been magical for me. I don’t question where the stories come from, but I am extremely grateful they chose me to be their vessel and to write them down. One of my favorite authors, Alice Hoffman, states, “Books may well be the only true magic.”
Rob and I had the opportunity to visit Ephrata Cloister in Ephrata, PA. They had a special tour devoted to the happenings and history at the Cloister during the Revolutionary War. I learned Ephrata was one of the fifteen field hospitals established by General Washington for wounded and ill troops while he was encamped at…
