Ask the Author: Helen Lundström Erwin
Answered Questions (13)
Helen Lundström Erwin
Dear History Reader,
Thank you! That's very nice to hear.
Yes, The Foremothers Cafe is a public space and open to everyone. It's on Altspace now, but as you might know, Altspace is shutting down and I'll be moving to a different platform soon.
Please check my website for info on how to get there and for updates https://helenerwin.com/helen-erwin/th...
Thank you! That's very nice to hear.
Yes, The Foremothers Cafe is a public space and open to everyone. It's on Altspace now, but as you might know, Altspace is shutting down and I'll be moving to a different platform soon.
Please check my website for info on how to get there and for updates https://helenerwin.com/helen-erwin/th...
Helen Lundström Erwin
Space. Without question. I would go to any world where the characters have made contact with aliens.
Helen Lundström Erwin
Thank you for your question Peter.
Yes it happens quite often. I usually do historical research at the same time as I write and my characters have to change a bit as I learn things about my time period. It´s more often smaller details that changes things but not always. In James´ Journey for example I learned about Virginia Slave Laws as I wrote and it complicated James and Katherine´s circumstances quite dramatically.
Right now I´m writing a novel set in the 17th and 18th Century and I learned that farming was done very, very differently than I expected.
It requires a lot of rewriting but it will make for a very interesting historical detail once my novel is done and bring to light something that I think will be a surprise to most people.
Yes it happens quite often. I usually do historical research at the same time as I write and my characters have to change a bit as I learn things about my time period. It´s more often smaller details that changes things but not always. In James´ Journey for example I learned about Virginia Slave Laws as I wrote and it complicated James and Katherine´s circumstances quite dramatically.
Right now I´m writing a novel set in the 17th and 18th Century and I learned that farming was done very, very differently than I expected.
It requires a lot of rewriting but it will make for a very interesting historical detail once my novel is done and bring to light something that I think will be a surprise to most people.
Helen Lundström Erwin
Good question!
My current book James´ Journey IS inspired by what I found out about husband´s relatives. It´s not exactly a mystery but there are a lot of unanswered questions.
My current book James´ Journey IS inspired by what I found out about husband´s relatives. It´s not exactly a mystery but there are a lot of unanswered questions.
Helen Lundström Erwin
In my own work I have to say James and Katherine since they are my main characters. When they met they could easily have dismissed each other since they had completely different political views, still they saw something in each other and they tried to find ways to talk.
That isn't always easy to do.
As for my other favorite couple Ellen and Pap comes in as a close second. They had loved each other for a long time, long before they could be open about it to even each other, still they remained friends and worked tirelessly on the Underground Railroad for many years even though they themselves were not free.
That isn't always easy to do.
As for my other favorite couple Ellen and Pap comes in as a close second. They had loved each other for a long time, long before they could be open about it to even each other, still they remained friends and worked tirelessly on the Underground Railroad for many years even though they themselves were not free.
Helen Lundström Erwin
I have been away a while too, I'm currently on a road trip with my husband. We are in Yellowstone right now, absolutely stunning.
I agree about the historical role playing thread, it is a great way to conquer writers block, but it's ok everyone gets busy in the summer.
I agree about the historical role playing thread, it is a great way to conquer writers block, but it's ok everyone gets busy in the summer.
Helen Lundström Erwin
Buenos Dias Jonathan,
Thank you for contacting me, I would be glad to be your friend on Goodreads, I will send you a friend request. Where in Europe do you live?
Thank you for contacting me, I would be glad to be your friend on Goodreads, I will send you a friend request. Where in Europe do you live?
Helen Lundström Erwin
By reading about Harriet Tubman and the Underground Railroad.
By thinking of people who have the strength to question their own views and to challenge the views of their own community and society.
It can be dangerous business, but some have the strength to follow through for other peoples sakes, even if it would be easier to just pretend to agree.
By thinking of people who have the strength to question their own views and to challenge the views of their own community and society.
It can be dangerous business, but some have the strength to follow through for other peoples sakes, even if it would be easier to just pretend to agree.
Helen Lundström Erwin
My inspiration comes from History.
I love when I can write something that makes us realize how much have changed, and how something that seemed strange a couple of generations ago is mainstream now.
I have a scene in the book I´m working on now that illustrates this.
My protagonist is trying to tell her husband that they don´t need a telephone, she doesn´t understand the need for it.
Who would they call? Why would they? They could easily just go calling (as they called visiting back then).
And here we are a little over a hundred years later and people are constantly on their smart phones.
I love when I can write something that makes us realize how much have changed, and how something that seemed strange a couple of generations ago is mainstream now.
I have a scene in the book I´m working on now that illustrates this.
My protagonist is trying to tell her husband that they don´t need a telephone, she doesn´t understand the need for it.
Who would they call? Why would they? They could easily just go calling (as they called visiting back then).
And here we are a little over a hundred years later and people are constantly on their smart phones.
Helen Lundström Erwin
I´m working on a book about Swedish women in the 19th Century and early 20th Century. About poor rural women and about suffragists trying to make life better for all women.
Helen Lundström Erwin
Don´t give up. Never. Don´t let anyone tell you that you cannot write.
Even if you get 500 rejection letters, keep writing.
Don´t be afraid to ask for help from friends. Hire editors.
Even if you get 500 rejection letters, keep writing.
Don´t be afraid to ask for help from friends. Hire editors.
Helen Lundström Erwin
The best for me is when I feel that the story is coming to me from another place, as if I´m just writing down what needs to be written.
Then it feels as if I didn´t actually write it, I just took dictation. It is an amazing feeling.
Then it feels as if I didn´t actually write it, I just took dictation. It is an amazing feeling.
Helen Lundström Erwin
I let it be, I personally cannot force it. I do something else for a while.
It often helps to read a book or two, or ten. Writers block can take a while, but once you get the flow back it has been worth the wait.
It often helps to read a book or two, or ten. Writers block can take a while, but once you get the flow back it has been worth the wait.
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