More Real People in My Historical Novels
by Karma Kitaj | Blogging | Jan 16, 2022
"Migrant Mother" by Dorothea Lange, 1936. Library of Congress.
In addition to the 3 luminaries I mentioned in my last post: Hallie Flanagan, Frank Shay and Romany Marie Marchand — there are a number of others that might intrigue you.
In my recently published story, Becoming a Woman of Substance, I include a scene about a woman named Dorothea Lange, who was a famous documentary photographer during the Great Depression. She is best known for her photograph "Migrant Mother," which became an iconic image of the era.
Another real person who appears in the novel is Eleanor Roosevelt, who was a champion of the Federal Theatre Project and the arts in general. Her support for the WPA programs helped keep thousands of artists employed during the Depression.
Writing about real historical figures requires careful research to ensure accuracy while still allowing the story to breathe and the fictional characters to interact naturally with these luminaries. I hope readers enjoy discovering these connections between history and fiction.