Inspiration for Writing Historical Fiction
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Lynn Welch: What inspired you to write Frozen Voices?
Lynn Welch: The Larchmont disaster, is this a well-known story in RI or was this something you ran across in search of a story?
Lynn Welch: What was it about the Larchmont sinking that made you decide THIS is THE STORY? I will write about their Frozen Voices!
The Writing Process For Historical Fiction
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Lynn Welch: How intense was the research process for Frozen Voices? Was the information readily available or did you have to do a lot of digging to ensure historical accuracy?
Lynn Welch: Surly Millard, Sadie, George had living descendants. Were you able to speak with them about your book and if so what was that like?

Lynn Welch: In Frozen Voices we meet the four main characters as well as auxiliary personalities such as children, spouses, and others. I’m impressed at how you told separate stories but merged characters and stories so seamlessly throughout the book. How did you do this?

Lynn Welch: When do you do the majority of your writing?
Lynn Welch: Do you have a favorite writing ritual to get in the groove?
Decision Making Aspects For Historical Fiction
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Character Development
Lynn Welch: With only historical documents to go by, how did you decide on a personality for the main players in Frozen Voices?

Lynn Welch: Each person had such a strong and distinct identity. When writing, how did you tap into your inner Sadie, George, Anna and Millard?
Stories Within Stories
Lynn Welch: While writing the Larchmont saga, you wove sub stories within FrozenVoices. For instance, this quote from Sadie’s brother: “No man will marry you,” he said. “You’d make him feel like half a man, since you don’t need him to support you.” Were you trying to make a social statement for women or did it work out that way?
Scene Selections
Lynn Welch: The New Year’s Eve party where Louise learns the truth…How did you decide that a party should be the revelation instead of a wedding announcement?
Lynn Welch: As a parent, the details of Anna and Louise on the top bunk really struck a blow. What plot line had the most impact on you?
Lynn Welch: In my mind’s eye while reading, I could see the posh surroundings of hotel suites, the weight of Millard’s lock bag, the cold bitter bite of winter. How did you develop your voice as a writer in order to make the details of your book so vivid?
Lessons of the Book
Lynn Welch: Millard, Sadie and Louise were teenagers in 1907. In present day, the characters should be in high school yet here they are working, learning a trade and becoming a mother. Do you feel our current teens are less prepared for the world than Millard and Sadie? Do you think teens were more mature and had a stronger work ethic than today’s youth?
Lynn Welch: What lessons did you learn while writing Frozen Voices that you apply to your life and writing today?
Comparing Book Writing Projects
Lynn Welch: Which is more fun to write, a single book like Frozen Voices or a series such as Rose Island Lighthouse?
Lynn Welch: As an architect, mother and writer, what have you learned over the years in terms of time management? There are only twenty-four hours in a day. How do you find time to fit life into your schedule?
Lynn Welch: Has your writing process changed over the years? If so, how?
Publishing Historical Fiction
Lynn Welch: Describe your process for finding a coach, agent and editor for FrozenVoices.

Promotion of Frozen Voices

Lynn Welch: What are some of the exciting opportunities that have come out of writing Frozen Voices?
Advice for Authors

Lynn Welch: What advice would you give to authors that have “day jobs” to stay with writing and make it work? How would you empower them to stick with it and get published?

Authors Nancy Thayer, Bill Harley and Lynne Heinzmann. SC Women’s Club Author Luncheon (July 10, 2019)
LYNNE HEINZMANN is a professor of writing and rhetoric at the University of Rhode Island and a professional author/book coach/editor. She has written two books: a historical novel Frozen Voices (New Rivers Press, 2016) and The Curious Childhood of Wanton Chase (Woodhall Press, 2019), a work of historical fiction for middle-grade readers (ages 8 to 12). Lynne lives in North Kingstown, Rhode Island.