YORK, Pa. — Historical fiction author Sherry V. Ostroff has made it her mission to bring forgotten stories to life.
The FOX43 Book Club’s September read, award-winning “Caledonia,” took the Lititz-based writer all the way back to 17th century Scotland.
Ostroff might have spent 35 years teaching before becoming an author, but her love of reading started much earlier. The Philadelphia-born writer lived less than a block from her local library as a kid, and with her parents often at work...
“The library became my home. The librarians were my friends. Books were my companions and authors were my heroes. And what kid doesn't wanna be like their hero?” she said.
Ostroff went on to study history, but she quickly discovered that not every event makes it into the textbooks—like Scotland's 17th century attempt to establish a colony in Central America, referred to as the Darien Scheme.
“And they did so where Panama is today, and I had never heard of this," Ostroff said. "I have a degree in history. I've taught history. So I started asking around other history teachers and other people who love reading history, and nobody knew about this. So I thought, 'wow, that's great. This is just what I'm looking for, the topic that nobody knows.'”
The author credits her teaching background as one of the main reasons she got into writing. She says she never took a class where she learned how to write, which prompted her to develop a program to teach her and other teachers' students how to craft a coherent narrative. Part of the program involves students correcting their peers' work.
“It's not only important for you to have other writers critique your work, but it is important for you to critique others, because as you are correcting others, you will learn for yourself,” she proclaimed.
Another key piece of writing a compelling story is conducting accurate research. Ostroff cites Google Earth and the internet as valuable tools, but her preferred method is to travel to the setting she's writing about. While there, she takes lots of photos and tries local delicacies to reference later while she is writing. When the author was across the pond to learn about the Darien Scheme, she tasted Scottish specialties like tablet fudge and Cullen skink soup.
“I can tell you exactly what they taste like," Ostroff said. "And that's one of the things I try to do when I'm writing is to bring out the senses. So it's not only what my characters are smelling or seeing or hearing, but it's also what they're tasting, and I try to bring—I can authentically bring that out. I want my characters to be fully immersed because when I read historical novels, I want the same.”
That immersion can sometimes be disrupted when details about the setting change after the author's visit—a frustrating experience she had to laugh about after "Caledonia" came out. Ostroff included a description of an alleyway she had seen in her travels that was painted pink. The next time she was in Scotland a few years later, the walls had been repainted gray.
Even though characteristics about the setting can change, it's still valuable to visit the place you are trying to emulate in your writing.
“And I went to those places that I was including in my book because I wanted to get it right," Ostroff said. "And I've had people from Scotland who have read my book and they say, 'oh, we know you've been here.'”
Sometimes Ostroff takes a trip after being inspired by a certain part of the world, but other times traveling is what does the inspiring.
“While I'm traveling around like this, I'm always wondering, is there a story someplace if I go to a museum or, or I go someplace?" Ostroff mused. "Maybe I'll hear about some interesting character, because I'm always looking for the story that most people don't know about. And how can I tell that story? Maybe that's the teacher in me. I wanna teach that story to everybody.”
Ostroff tells "Caledonia's" story through Anna and Hanna, two women living hundreds of years apart who share a mysterious connection.
“So between the two, you learn about the Darien Scheme,” Ostroff explained.
Music helps the author bring each character to life.
“I usually will latch on—I like classical music, especially opera, and since the opera is in Italian, it doesn't bother me. It's not, you know, distracting what I'm writing, but I'll latch on to one or two operas and I will play them over and over again while I'm writing," Ostroff said. "It's almost like Pavlov's dogs. It's like a, you know, I turn the music on and immediately my characters come to life and so does the story.
“Writing is about finding your groove.”
Ostroff says new authors who are still trying to find their groove can often find help from fellow writers.
“I belong to a couple of Facebook groups for authors, and often a new author will write in and say, 'well, how can I become a better author or a better writer?' And everybody responds, ‘read!’ That is so important,” she said.
Even as a published author, Ostroff still knows the value of learning from other writers.
“I'm a huge reader of historical novels," she said. "So I put into my books what I've learned from other authors and their techniques.”
Those interested in meeting the author can do so at the following upcoming events:
- Sept. 23: Book review and discussion of "The Wall at the Sugar Factory" on Zoom hosted by Hadassah Greater Philadelphia Region at 7 p.m. Register here.
- Oct. 19: Appearance at the Plymouth Meeting Mall Book Expo from 11 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Ostroff is also available to give free presentations that delve into the background behind her novels and attend book club gatherings to offer deeper insight into her writing decisions.
“When I’m there, I will tell all,” she said.
Those who want to keep up with Ostroff online can follow along on her website and Facebook. The author talks more about her books, writing process, life and advice for up-and-coming authors in the full interview below:
The author has plans for future books. She is currently working on her sixth, a historical fiction novel about a young woman who was executed in Morocco in 1834 because of her religious beliefs.
Next month, the FOX43 Book Club will read “New Avalon” by Robert Swartwood.