What inspired you to write "Hatfield 1677"?
In my early 30s, I became interested in genealogical research and spent many Saturdays at the Carlsbad Genealogical Library in Carlsbad, CA. While researching the surname “Waite” in my maternal line, I found an account of the 1677 Raid on Hatfield, MA by Algonquian Native Americans. The story of love, conflict and courage resonated with me, and I began a first draft of the novel, which I set aside and didn’t resume until I retired in 2020.
Can you tell us a bit about the historical context of Hatfield in 1677 and how it influenced your story?
King Philip’s War, led by the Algonquian sachem Metacomet, son of Massasoit, was the first true “war” between colonists and Native people, and I sought to portray both sides of the conflict, the complex motivations and tragic violence.
How did your background in psychology and history shape the characters and plot of your novel?
My background in psychology helps me develop my characters and adds to my understanding of what might have motivated people, and my background in history ensures that I diligently research my work to make it as authentic as possible.
What was the most challenging aspect of writing historical fiction for you?
Hatfield 1677 is my first novel, so all of it was challenging. The trickiest aspect is to reconcile my present day understanding of human emotion and thought with that of the past, so that my characters seem both relatable and historic, and to keep the prose true to the period but also accessible to modern readers.
Can you describe your research process for the novel?
I spent probably six months researching before I began to write, first using microfiche of primary and secondary sources about the raid on Hatfield and the captives’ trek north to Canada, then more recently, the internet. I researched everything that had any mention in my novel: the town, the Native American tribes, King Philip’s War, colonial government, Puritan beliefs, topography, vegetation, wildlife, foods, traps, hunting, weapons, etc. I also did additional research as I wrote.
Were there any surprising discoveries you made during your research that influenced the story?
One of the most surprising was the large variety of Native Americans in New England and Canada at the time, their interactions, alliances and enmities. The other was the lack of unification among the early colonies and the bureaucracy at even the most provincial governmental level.
How did your experience as an English and history teacher inform your writing?
Teaching a subject is one of the best ways to learn it, in my opinion. I developed my understanding of American history and my strengths as a writer and editor over the course of my career.
What do you hope readers will take away from "Hatfield 1677"?
That in the early days of colonial America, colonists and Native Americans often lived peacefully and even cooperatively together, and how tragic it is that efforts to maintain that alliance failed. Also, the power of love and courage displayed by Benjamin Waite in his search for his wife and children; the strength of Martha Waite’s convictions that allowed her to survive and protect her children; and the desperate need for freedom that drove the sachem Ashpelon to take captives as hostages as he fled with his people to Canada.
How do you balance historical accuracy with creative storytelling in your novel?
I do as much research as possible, so that the events, dates, places, names, customs, social constructs and word choice is accurate, but I use my creativity and understanding of human nature to flesh out and develop my characters, write sensory descriptions, and create believable dialog.
Can you share any particular scenes or characters that are especially meaningful to you?
I most enjoyed writing the following scenes: Martha and her children during the attack on their town; Martha’s experiences on the mountain in Putney, Vermont; Ben and Stephen and their guide Asseri on the way to Lake George; the reunion scene; and all of the sachem Ashpelon’s chapters.
How has moving from southern California to North Carolina influenced your writing or your life in general?
I have a much more accurate understanding of the four seasons and the lush growth of the forests here in the east compared to the much milder weather in California and the largely oak and pine forests there that lack the seasonal changes in vegetation.
What role do your hobbies, like genealogy research and cooking, play in your writing process?
Genealogical research plays a huge part in the research I do for my novels. I research each character on ancestry.com. My enjoyment of cooking ensures that characters do a lot of it, and a lot of eating, in my books.
How do your pets, your rough collie and cat, fit into your writing routine?
I love animals, and made sure to feature horses in Hatfield 1677. My dog and cat are both with me when I write—the dog asleep at my feet and the cat often disrupting my writing by sitting on my keyboard.
What are you working on next? Do you have plans for another novel or a continuation of "Hatfield 1677"?
I am querying a historical biographical novel set during the Gilded Age in Chicago and New York, about the life of a pianist and composer, and writing a historical romance about the sculptor of the Statue of Liberty and the model who became his wife.
How has your experience of working with AllAuthor been?
I really appreciate the value of being an AllAuthor member. I take full advantage of the weekly mockups, gifs, and tweets and consider AllAuthor one of my strongest marketing tools.
