His books are non-fiction, but they read deliciously like fiction. Those things I mostly learn online, though some books are wonderful for those details-anything by Pierre Berton is incredible. I need to know all about the little things that would affect my characters, like politics, fashion, food, religion, language, anything that might show up along the way. The second step is for me to learn about the people and culture of the time period I’m studying. So, to learn the basics, I always start at the library-they know what I’m working on before anyone else ever does-and I start to browse online.

The truth is, I have never been a historian, so when I write I am teaching myself at the same time as I’m creating the story. When I started, I didn’t even know that monumental event had happened in Canada. For example, I needed to know what the Klondike Gold Rush was and where it had taken place.

The first thing I do is teach myself the basics of the time period and the event on which I’m focusing. In order for me to write real, compelling historical fiction, I research and write in three steps. I need to see the story through my eyes and not be influenced by anyone else’s perspective. The only thing I don’t do is read other people’s historical fiction novels set in that time period. My research is always done using all different input, from books to websites to videos and movies, and though it sometimes seems pretty scattered, it makes sense to me. What period is your new book At the Mountain’s Edge set in?Īt the Mountain’s Edge stretches between 18, not including back stories! The book is about the Klondike Gold Rush, correct? How did you do the majority of your research? Have you visited Dawson City?

Tides of honour by genevieve graham