Behind the Scenes of My Research

Every book begins with a question. For me, that question is often, “What was life really like back then?”

When writing about the American Revolution and its people, I spend just as much time digging through archives, libraries, and primary documents as I do putting words on the page. My goal is always to bring forgotten voices and overlooked details back into the light.

Where I Start

Much of my research begins with letters, diaries, and firsthand accounts. These are the threads of everyday life—someone writing home about a son at war, a widow recording the price of bread, or a sailor describing a storm at sea. Each small detail adds texture to the larger picture of history.

The Hunt for Primary Sources

Sometimes, it feels like detective work. I follow clues from one archive to another, cross-reference names in old newspapers, and compare versions of the same event from different perspectives. The excitement comes when a single letter, tucked away in a collection, reveals a very human moment that history books overlook.

Bringing the Past Forward

Once I gather sources, the challenge is weaving them into stories that are accurate but also engaging. I often imagine: How would this feel if you were living it? That helps me translate brittle handwriting and faded ink into something modern readers can connect with.

Why It Matters

I believe stories from the past carry lessons for today—about resilience, hope, sacrifice, and community. By sharing the behind-the-scenes of my research, I hope you’ll see that history isn’t just dusty dates and battles; it’s real people whose lives still echo in ours.

This journey of discovery is what fuels my writing, and I’m excited to keep bringing you along as I uncover more hidden voices from history.