How My Real Life Enriched Becoming the Talbot Sisters
By Rachel Linden
I’m often asked where I get the
inspiration for my books and how much of my real life is in each one. The short
answer is: a lot comes from my personal experiences! I love creating stories
about hope, courage and connection with a hint of romance and a dash of whimsy.
I also enjoy setting each story in beautiful locations around the world that
are meaningful to me. Here are 5 ways my real life experiences enriched and
inspired Becoming the Talbot Sisters!
1. The main themes of the story – infertility, miscarriage, and the
exploitation of women are all deeply personal for me. While living in Budapest,
we lost our first baby through miscarriage, so I really connected on an
emotional level with Waverly’s struggle to have a baby and her loss of multiple
pregnancies.
2. Working with a faith based NGO in central Europe, I met and helped
many women in trauma. Some of them had endured trafficking and all had endured
sexual abuse of some kind. Hearing their stories gave me very authentic
insights for the plotline involving Charlie’s past trauma and her dilemma about
helping vulnerable women.
3. I set the story mainly in central Europe and Budapest where we lived
for 5 years. It’s a beautiful, somewhat undiscovered region of the world, rich
with history, culture and delicious food! It was a total delight to allow
Waverly and Charlie to experience so much of what I did in my years living and
traveling there! My love for the region and my wonderful memories of life there
definitely enhanced the story considerably.
4. I am passionate about helping women, and am so excited to be donating
10% of my author proceeds to help end the sexual exploitation and trafficking
of women in Europe! I am partnering with an amazing organization, Hope Dies
Last, which is based in Budapest and works all over Europe to help women who
are being sexually exploited. I have volunteered with this organization and
love the ways they help women!
5. The overarching theme of the story, women being “every day brave,” is
one I am deeply passionate about. As women we face so many challenges in life,
and I wanted to write a story that encouraged women everywhere to face each
challenge with hope, courage and strength! This theme of courage resonates
strongly with me, and I hope it will encourage all readers to be “every day
brave!”
Connect with Rachel
