One of the joys of writing historical fiction is doing the research behind the scenes. Immersing myself in books and articles, or listening to oral histories of those who lived during the time and what they experienced, is endless fascinating. It feels like detective work searching out relevant details that are important to writing a credible story.
I love researching the social history and particularly seeking out the small details that are overlooked, but which were a part of peoples’ lives. There’s always the question of what I might stumble across, a hidden gem which will inspire an idea in a book.
Author Michelle Rawlin’s research for her fantastic non-fiction book, Women of Steel, about the feisty women who helped the war effort working in Sheffield’s steel industry during the Second World War, went on to inspire her to write her debut historical fiction book – The Steel Girls which is out in on 1st April.
True stories of love and loss during WWII, from the tough Northern women who kept the foundry fires burning.
When war broke out, the young women of Sheffield had their carefree lives turned upside down. With their sweethearts being sent away to fight, they had no choice but to step into the men’s shoes and become the backbone of the city’s steel industry. Through hard toil and companionship, they vowed to keep the foundry fires burning and ensured that soldiers had the weapons, planes and ships needed to secure victory over Hitler.
When the men returned from the front in 1945, many of these women tragically found themselves discarded ‘like yesterday’s fish and chip wrappers’. But decades later, a grassroots campaign spearheaded by the elderly Women of Steel finally brought their remarkable story to light.
Michelle is kindly giving away a signed paperback copy of Women of Steel. If you’d like to be in with a chance of winning, send me an email to rosiehendrywriterbythesea@gmail.com by midnight Weds 3rd February and the winner will be drawn at random on Thursday 4th February. UK entrants only.
Good luck!