Sue Michaels asked Heather Blanton:

How do you research your books? They all have so much "local color" (geographical, as well as historical) which makes them all the more enjoyable. So I was wondering if you travel to the (approximate) location, visit area museums, etc.

Heather Blanton Thanks, Sue, for asking. That's a fun question. First off, I love the West and have traveled in CO, ID, WY, Northern CA, and Nevada fairly extensively. I've explored the San Juan Mountains and towns like Ouray, Telluride, etc., as well as the ghost towns in those mountains! I've seen the Sweetwater Valley and Independence Rock in WY, to name a few historic places. Ghosts from the past have always whispered in my ears! They beg me to learn their stories, so I am an AVID reader of biographies, letters, diaries, etc. and yes, I visit ANY museum I can drag my family to!

I have stood on Independence Rock at the signature of a man who went west in 1849, and I've stood in the parlor where Robert E. Lee married Mary Custis. That kind of thing makes me giddy! Thank you so much for reading about Defiance!

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