Readers often ask where I get ideas for my books. The answer is as varied as the titles I’ve published. But here’s an insight into the inspiration for a book I have already begun to research.
My husband Rich is a genealogy enthusiast, and during a family search, discovered that his 9th great-grandmother had been accused of witchcraft in Quebec, Canada.
Oh, man, when Rich told me about her, his great, great… grandmother’s story started spinning in my brain. I wanted to write a book based on her life.
In my preliminary research, I found his grandmother had come
to French Canada with her family in 1660 at age 15. During the voyage, she
had been hounded by a man who wanted to marry her, but he was considered
unsuitable by her father. After arriving in Quebec, she started to experience
supernatural phenomenon and visitations of spirits.
After learning about all this, we both wanted to visit Quebec, Rich for
genealogy research, me in search of a witch. As it turned out, Rich found a super
deal on a cruise to New England and—you guessed it—Quebec. We jumped at the
chance. Did I mention, we love to cruise?? This was a win/win/win!
French Canadians took a much kinder tack toward people who were accused of being witches than the British Puritans in Salem had. The French didn’t hang or crush to death their witches—they healed them. So Grandma was neither imprisoned nor sentenced to death. Instead, she was kindly cared for by the Augustinian nuns who established a hospital in Quebec.
We visited the Augustinian monastery, which still houses some of the ancient stone structure today, and toured their museum. Though I found no information specific to Grandma, I learned about the compassion with which these nuns had treated the poor and suffering.
As we walked the cobbled streets of Old Quebec within the walled city, my mind was alive with images of Grandma, a young girl of 15, walking theses same streets. We had lunch at the oldest surviving house in Quebec built in 1677. Had Rich’s Grandmother seen this house when it was first built? Had she visited it?
Whenever I visit a place that serves as a setting in one of my novels, I can almost see and hear my characters moving and speaking there. This happened in Williamsburg when I was researching Love’s Courage, and was even a stronger sensation when I stopped to visit the real Cavanaugh House.
So I will continue to listen as Boris and Grandmother whisper in my ear. She is calling to me to tell her story.
I like Evanora. That could be a good witch or a bad witch. It might even be French.
I like the sound of Evanora, Deb. It has an ethereal ring and, oui, it does sound French.
Analeia is the name I would name a witch.
Oooh, that’s an unusual name, Teresa. We didn’t find it in the Quebec records, do you know if it is French? Yes, that would be a good name for a witch.
Sounds like such a fun trip. I’ve been to Toronto and Winnipeg, both such interesting cities. So different from anyplace we’ve been in the States. I’m looking forward to your new book.
Yes, Lucy, it’s wonderful to visit different cities and get a different take on life. We plan to take a road trip in the future and drive to Montreal and again to Quebec so we can spend more time researching. I’ve been to Toronto, but not Winnipeg.
How cool is that! Can’t wait for the book.
I’m envious of the long genealogy Rich has found. My ancestors apparently did nothing but live under the radar…makes genealogy difficult.
Happy cruising. 🙂
Jenny, he’s been working on his family tree for a long time. He has another ancestor – male – whose story is also compelling, but I can only handle one ancestor at a time LOL. Our cruise was great!
I love this! First, I like hearing about how ideas for books germinate, but mostly I adore for the family history part! Keep us in the loop if (WHEN) a book starts to form. We want to know more!
Thanks for your kind words, Trisha! I will definitely keep you in the loop. I’ve already started research, and I hope to finish writing my current book soon. Then I can focus on great-Grandmother’s story 🙂
Oh, wow! Your story about finding this woman is fantastic. I have a 9th great-grandmother whose story I would love to write about, too. Finding women in history to write about is so much fun! Not to mention the fun we have in the research. 😉
You are so right, Diana. I love stories about women who are strong through adversity…and Rich’s grandmother must have been to get through these experiences. I hope you’ll write your great-grandmother’s story someday.
That is fascinating, Betty. Hubs and I have been doing our genealogy for years and found family history so interesting. I love cruises, too. Someday (soon, I hope) I’d like to take one like yours. Best wishes on your writing and inspirations.
Thanks, Diane. I’m anxious to delve into more research about Grandmother. We loved Old Quebec. It was as picturesque as any European village. I hope you get a chance to cruise- we love it!