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What drew you to historical fiction?
History is full of forgotten voices and unsolved mysteries. I like peeling back layers and imagining what might’ve been happening just out of sight.
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What’s your latest book about?
The Ashes of Valemont is set in 17th-century England during the plague. It follows a physician torn between duty and survival, and the secrets buried beneath a quarantined manor.
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How much research do you do?
A lot. I spend weeks immersed in historical texts and archives before even outlining. Accuracy gives fiction its backbone.
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What challenges do you face writing in this genre?
Balancing historical detail with compelling narrative. Too much accuracy can drag the story, but too little loses credibility.
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What do you hope readers take away?
That the past echoes in the present. Our struggles, triumphs, and fears are more timeless than we think.
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How do you balance fiction with historical facts?
I let facts shape the world, but the characters drive the plot. It’s about emotional truth, even if dialogue is imagined.
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Do you visit historical locations for research?
Yes, whenever I can. Walking the same ground as my characters adds an irreplaceable layer of authenticity.
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What era do you most enjoy writing about?
The 16th to 19th centuries fascinate me. So much transformation—culturally, scientifically, socially. A goldmine for stories.
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Have you ever included real historical figures in your books?
Occasionally, but in minor roles. I prefer creating fictional characters that orbit true events—it gives me more creative freedom.
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What’s one thing readers misunderstand about history?
That it’s fixed. History is often shaped by who tells it. Fiction lets us imagine what was left unsaid.
