Hidden Stories

Hi everyone, I’m back after finishing writing my new book! More details soon on that project.

For now, I want to share my guide and inspiration for writing my historical fiction– author Ruta Sepetys! The first book of hers I read was Salt to the Sea. This book is a story of her Lithuanian ancestors. It is a little-known story of World War II refugees trying to escape Soviet occupation. It is told from different character perspectives as they all converge upon the Wilhelm Gustloff, a ship that was supposed to take them to safety. It was an amazing story. At the end of the book, she gives a challenge that pierced my soul.

“When the survivors are gone, we must not let the truth disappear with them. Please, give them a voice.”

This began my journey of giving a voice to the stories of my Waldensian ancestors from Italy. A story that has been with me my whole life and one that I felt needed to be shared. I tell their story from different perspectives because I think history always has contrasting points of view depending on who is telling it.

As we learn more about history, we can make better choices, be thankful, and truly understand each other.

Photo by Ian Schneider on Unsplash