On November 1st, author Soraya M. Lane’s sixth historical fiction novel, The Last Correspondent was released. The storyline revolves around three very different women; Ella Franks who after being fired (for writing under a male pseudonym) takes a chance to become a correspondent in WWII France, Danni a feisty American photojournalist who is covering the events unfolding in Normandy, and Chloe a Vogue model who has followed her lover into the French Resistance.
In this interview, Soraya shares about what inspired the storyline of the novel, what she enjoyed the most about writing about such vastly different women, which of the characters she’d like to meet in real life and a sneak peek at her next novel coming out in 2021.
When did you first come up with the storyline for The Last Correspondent?
I was actually doing research for another book and I stumbled across a story about writer Martha Gellhorn. She was Ernest Hemingway’s third wife, and an acclaimed war correspondent in her own right, and from that moment I just knew I had to write a story about female war correspondents during WWII. I’m always looking to explore women in history, particularly during this time period, because I like to give a voice to the amazing women of the past.
What drew you to the historical fiction genre?
The Last Correspondent is my sixth historical women’s fiction novel, and I was drawn to the genre because it’s one of my favourite genres to read. I love the WWII period in particular, although as a reader I will read any time period. The more I write about women in history, the more passionate I become about telling their stories in a fictional setting.
How much research went into the women who worked as correspondents during WWII?
So much research! There is always a lot of research for every book, and I spend months researching before I start writing. Even once I’m writing the first draft, I’m checking facts and doing small amounts of research every single day.
The novel centers around three women: Ella, Danni and Chloe. What did you enjoy the most about developing these three very different characters?
I often write novels with three main characters, alternating between their points of view, so it’s always important to me to create very distinct, different characters. I like them being very different women, so I can fully explore a range of emotions, and so they can each react differently to certain situations. I loved Danni because she starts out so brave and confident, full of self belief, but then is deeply challenged in the second half of the novel; I loved creating Ella because she is so talented but was almost unaware of just how amazing she truly was; and Chloe was fun because she was completely different to the other two! Danni and Ella are so confident and talented, and I wanted Chloe to be that naive girl in the beginning who really doesn’t understand the complexities and reality of war. It meant that her growth within the story was much bigger than the others.
Where is your favorite place to write?
Hmm, it changes regularly! Sometimes my office, but by the time I’m half way through a draft I get bored and start to move around the house. In winter I love writing at our kitchen table in the sun (too hot there in summer) and I also love writing in bed on Friday mornings! I wave the kids off to school, then climb back into bed with a cup of tea and my laptop, and I usually write for a couple of hours. I try to turn my other devices off and I always end up having very productive Friday mornings!
Out of all of the chapters/scenes in the book, which one did you enjoy (or was the hardest) to write?
This is very easy to answer actually. Chapter 13 was the hardest to write, and for anyone who’s already read the book, what happens should come as a huge shock. It was very emotional to write. Chapters 26-30 are very short, fast-paced, heart-wrenching chapters and they too were very, very hard to write. I cried writing all of these emotional chapters! In terms of the ones I enjoyed the most, it would be when Ella arrives in London and meets Michael. I loved writing their dialogue, it was so much fun.
If you could meet Danni, Ella and Chloe, who would you want to meet in real life and what would you ask her?
Tough question! I think I’d meet Danni, and I’d want to listen to all her adventures that happened after the book ended! We’d sit and have a few drinks, and I’d be in awe of her career and her confidence.
Are you currently working on your next novel, and if so can we get a sneak peek?
Yes! I’ve just finished edits on my 2021 release, The Secrets We Left Behind. I’m so incredibly excited about this novel, it feels like my most emotional and fast-paced story yet. It’s set in Dunkirk, France during WWII, and I was inspired to write it after watching the movie Dunkirk. I loved the film, but I was dumbfounded that there were no women in it! So of course I went off and did some research, and the concept for The Secrets We Left Behind was born. It’s about a British nurse who was left behind during the evacuation, and two French sisters who hide both the nurse and two soldiers in their home, playing cat and mouse with a high-ranking Nazi Captain as they attempt to smuggle them to safety. The Secrets We Left Behind will be published May 20th, 2021.
Pick up a copy of The Last Correspondent.
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