Way back in December 2019 when we launched our PLW website, I started a weekly PLW Q&A post. I thought it’d be a good way for the historical fiction community to get to know us (back then there were only five of us—Kathryn, C.V., Edie, Linda, & me) and also for us to get to know each other better.

We’ve now grown to fifteen Lanterns, and the PLW Q&A is a monthly blog feature, with multiple organizers. We’ve approached each Q&A with honestly and open-heartedness, which makes the Q&A one of my favorite PLW website features. I had to make some hard choices in putting this post together, but here are my five favorite Q&A posts:

What is the most surprising thing you learned while writing your book? (February 28, 2020)—Surprise! Although sometimes the work of writing is about our works-in-progress, sometimes our writing is really about learning more about ourselves or our families. Kathy, Katie, Linda, C.V. and I respond.

Reflections on a Year of Pandemic (June 18, 2021)—I thought I knew how all of my fellow Lanterns felt about the pandemic, but it took this Q&A to know what everyone really felt. Of course, we’ve always been honest in our Q&As, but in this blog we were exceptionally honest.

Photo by Joanna Kosinska on Unsplash

Most Difficult Scene to Write (September 17, 2021)—Every novelist has at least one…that scene they know they need to include in the novel but they also dread writing. Mari, Linda, Kathryn, Rebecca, Edie, C.V., and I admit to ours.

What is Your Love Language? (February 18, 2022)—Love makes the world go ‘round, but how we show that love to family, friends, and others differs greatly. Mari, Linda, Edie, Michal, and Anne chime in.

What is the Spark that Prompted Your Book? (June 16, 2023)—Every novel has some type of origin story. These are the sparks that inspired Pamela, Mari, Vanitha, and me to get writing.

So that’s my list of favorite Q&A blogs. Got your own favorite Q&A blog post to share?