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Emma Fraser

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July 2013

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You mentioned that the lady in When the Dawn Breaks who set up the field hospital in Russia was based on a real character - how did you find out about her and how did you research this part of the story?

Emma Fraser Hi Penny

Firstly, apologies for not getting back to you sooner- but I have been away and without internet access. Now, to answer your question, I assum…moreHi Penny

Firstly, apologies for not getting back to you sooner- but I have been away and without internet access. Now, to answer your question, I assume you are talking about Dr Elsie Inglis who appears as herself in my book? I came across her when I was researching the first women doctors in Scotland. The name was familiar to me from my time in Edinburgh when I was training as a nurse - there was a hospital named after her- but I knew nothing about the woman herself. As soon as I read about her involvement with the Scottish Women's Hospitals, I knew I had my story. I was stunned that I knew nothing about these women and their work during the first world war. I used both the National library in Edinburgh and the Mitchell in Glasgow to research the stories of the Scottish Women's Hospitals, finding several books written not long after the war finished about their experiences in France, Serbia and Greece during the war. I also discovered they were far from the only group of women who offered their services although they were one of the units with the highest reputation. As part of my research I visited the library of the Royal College of Surgeons in Edinburgh (the site of many a stand off between the first women medical students and their male counterparts btw) and while there came across the diaries of Ishabel Ross from Skye (hence part of the reason for using Skye and the name Isabel!) who was with the Scottish Women's Hospital when they established a unit in Macedonia. Ishabel Ross kept a fabulous diary - which was part of the college's collection and even included a detailed drawing of the camp where she worked. There was so much actual material about these women and women like them (I mention one of the other units in When the Dawn Breaks) and I really had to keep my focus. I would loved to have used every bit of what I found out in my story, but then I would have been writing non- fiction! One last point - believe me when I say nothing in my book about the courage and resourcefulness of these women is exaggerated. Dr Elsie Inglis at the very least, deserves to be far better known than she is. (less)

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As the island of Skye is so dramatically featured in your book, did you spend much time there doing research? Or was it a favourite place to visit? You describe it wonderfully; makes me want to visit! Also, the two women characters really spring to life as strong and ambitious, yet very feminine. Are they based on women you know, or have known, personally?

Emma Fraser Hi Orna

My parents were island born and bred so I have very strong ties to the Scottish Islands. When I left SA to return to Uist I found very little h…moreHi Orna

My parents were island born and bred so I have very strong ties to the Scottish Islands. When I left SA to return to Uist I found very little had changed from how I remembered it as a child so it was easy for me to imagine what island life would have been like on Skye at the end of the 19th century. I also worked there for a few months and like Isabel was taken salmon fishing. I too was expected to bash the salmon over the head with a thick stick! When I decided to set art of the book in Skye I rented a cottage with a writing friend. I wanted to find the exact spots where my characters lived and worked. There was also a fantastic community museum nearby with lots of photos and first hand accounts of life on Skye in the 19th Century. When I was editing the book I took the same cottage again to check up on facts. Sadly the museum had closed but luckily I had the info I needed. Skye also has blockhouses furnished exactly as they would have been at the time I was writing. If you ever get the chance to visit, you must go. It is a beautiful, dramatic island, full of history. To answer your last question, I had my great aunts in mind when I wrote about Jessie. They were tough, determined women. Isabel came to be through diaries and letters written by the women who went out with the Scottish Women's Hospitals. I don't think strong, amazing women are given enough prominence in history, yet there were so many living heroic lives, quietly.(less)

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Emma Fraser’s books

Average rating: 4.38 · 1,756 ratings · 189 reviews · 10 distinct works • Similar authors

	Greyfriars House 4.28 avg rating — 600 ratings — published 2018 — 9 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	We Shall Remember: The choices she made under fire changed everything . . . 4.50 avg rating — 474 ratings — published 2014 — 11 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	When the Dawn Breaks 4.31 avg rating — 295 ratings — published 2013 — 19 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Valley of the Fireflies 4.48 avg rating — 191 ratings — 3 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	The Shipbuilder's Daughter: A beautifully written, satisfying and touching saga novel 4.42 avg rating — 184 ratings — 9 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	The Magnificent, Magical, Marvelous Mrs. Maisel: The Authorized Companion to the Making of the Iconic Series by Emma Fraser (Goodreads Author), Jennifer Armstrong (contributor), Sophie Brookover (contributor) 4.45 avg rating — 11 ratings — 2 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Practising Place: Creative and Critical Reflections on Place by Elaine Speight (Editor), In Certain Places, David Cooper liked it 3.00 avg rating — 1 rating — published 2019 — 2 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Whiskers & Wonders : A Manga & Anime Cat Art Collection: If You're Obsessed with Cats then You will Be Obsessed with This Book! Pages of Manga & Anime Style Cats 0.00 avg rating — 0 ratings	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Inspirational Word Search: 50 Mindful Word Search Puzzles. For Calmness and Peace of Mind. Unwind with these Calming Word Search Puzzles. 0.00 avg rating — 0 ratings	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Mindfulness Word Search: 50 Inspirational Word Search Puzzles. For Calmness and Peace of Mind. Unwind with these Calming Word Search Puzzles. 0.00 avg rating — 0 ratings	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars

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Quotes by Emma Fraser (?)

“Katherine turned back to Irena. ‘He’s”
― Emma Fraser, We Shall Remember: The choices she made under fire changed everything . . .

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Emma’s Quotes

“I like living. I have sometimes been wildly, despairingly, acutely miserable, racked with sorrow; but through it all I still know quite certainly that just to be alive is a grand thing.”
― Agatha Christie

tags: inspirational

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