Ask the Author: Sara Fox
Answered Questions (3)
Sara Fox
Hi Inger, I'm thrilled that you loved A Legacy Forged and thank you for your question.
Without a doubt, the relationship that surprised me the most was Joe. I found his name in documents left by my father. All it said was that matthew received an apprenticeship from Joe Murdoch and they built the business in the back yard of their back-to-back house. I had nothing else to go on and I wondered how I'd work out a character for him.
As I have worked as a healer and communicator in my previous job, I used my skills to connect with Matthew and I asked him! Well, why not?
I was aghast at the depth of love that hit me the moment I asked the question. I received such a clear picture of a man with immense integrity, calmness and intelligence. As I started to create the part for Joe, which you can read in my blog about him here
https://www.sarafoxauthor.com/post/jo...
he began to write himself. It was my first experience as an author of writing a solid character. He had aspects of my father and my husband but over all of that, it was that feeling that Matthew gave me of Joe that helped to write his character. The relationship between Joe and Matthew was surprisingly easy to create, it felt so natural.
Joe's relationship with his future wife, also came out of nowhere. I didn't plan that either. It just happened!
I also loved how Florrie suddenly became the champion for William. That was beautiful. A delight to develop.
Thanks again for your question.
Without a doubt, the relationship that surprised me the most was Joe. I found his name in documents left by my father. All it said was that matthew received an apprenticeship from Joe Murdoch and they built the business in the back yard of their back-to-back house. I had nothing else to go on and I wondered how I'd work out a character for him.
As I have worked as a healer and communicator in my previous job, I used my skills to connect with Matthew and I asked him! Well, why not?
I was aghast at the depth of love that hit me the moment I asked the question. I received such a clear picture of a man with immense integrity, calmness and intelligence. As I started to create the part for Joe, which you can read in my blog about him here
https://www.sarafoxauthor.com/post/jo...
he began to write himself. It was my first experience as an author of writing a solid character. He had aspects of my father and my husband but over all of that, it was that feeling that Matthew gave me of Joe that helped to write his character. The relationship between Joe and Matthew was surprisingly easy to create, it felt so natural.
Joe's relationship with his future wife, also came out of nowhere. I didn't plan that either. It just happened!
I also loved how Florrie suddenly became the champion for William. That was beautiful. A delight to develop.
Thanks again for your question.
Sara Fox
Hi Kathy,
A Legacy Forged is based on a true story, written from notes left by my father. I also researched through Ancestry and the censuses to draw accurate information. However, to protect privacy, I changed the names and dates, including the company name.
To enhance reader enjoyment I added fictional characters, such as the Cahills and Florrie. The Irish family is relevant to the final book and I wanted to create an interesting and gripping storyline with them right from the start, but they'reall fictional. Florrie was created to bring Matthew to Joe and become a found mother for him. Florrie also needed to create the women leading from the shadows vibe. She became a loveable character, very Brummie, who impacted on Matthew and his family. You'll see elements of Florrie creeping into other characters as the saga progresses.
However, the grandfather's, their wives and children are all based on real people. As I'm writing book 2 now, I'm including real Birmingham companies too. It's quite a tapestry of fact and fiction. Fun to write!
Thank you for your question.
Sara x
A Legacy Forged is based on a true story, written from notes left by my father. I also researched through Ancestry and the censuses to draw accurate information. However, to protect privacy, I changed the names and dates, including the company name.
To enhance reader enjoyment I added fictional characters, such as the Cahills and Florrie. The Irish family is relevant to the final book and I wanted to create an interesting and gripping storyline with them right from the start, but they'reall fictional. Florrie was created to bring Matthew to Joe and become a found mother for him. Florrie also needed to create the women leading from the shadows vibe. She became a loveable character, very Brummie, who impacted on Matthew and his family. You'll see elements of Florrie creeping into other characters as the saga progresses.
However, the grandfather's, their wives and children are all based on real people. As I'm writing book 2 now, I'm including real Birmingham companies too. It's quite a tapestry of fact and fiction. Fun to write!
Thank you for your question.
Sara x
Sara Fox
Hi Isobel, The pleasure of writing ALF came from unexpected areas, such as the feeling of immersing myself into each character. It was magical dropping into how they would think and feel. Asking what their motivations might be and what, realistically, would they have thought and said.
Also, the research. I have loved discovering my home city and learning its history. Every time I write, this makes me smile.
Thanks for your question.
Sara x
Also, the research. I have loved discovering my home city and learning its history. Every time I write, this makes me smile.
Thanks for your question.
Sara x
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