080I – Crafting a Novel Around a Real Person: An Interview with Sydney Avey

Sydney Avey is the author of three historical fiction novels including The Sheep Walker's Daughter, The Lyre and the Lamb, and The Trials of Nellie Belle, a partially fictionalized tale of her great-grandmother's life as the first female traveling court reporter in the American West.

Today Sydney shares her story of how she came to read the real Nellie Belle's short stories and how it prompted her to write about this amazing woman's life. She tells us about talking to relatives to learn more about their common ancestor, and asking permission to mention other relatives from the still-living family members.

Sydney also encourages listeners to write for joy, to tell their family's stories and share them with the rest of the family. Writing for publication, in this case, may be secondary or a non-issue. It's worth it just to share these stories so they aren't forgotten forever.

In addition to historical fiction, Sydney has also published news articles, poetry, and short stories. Learn more about her and find her social media links on her website.