Exploring History, Love, And Resilience
Soraya Lane discusses her journey as a bestselling author, her passion for WWII historical fiction, balancing motherhood and writing, and the inspiration behind her internationally acclaimed Lost Daughters series.
Soraya Lane is a literary force whose storytelling prowess has captivated readers across the globe. With over a million copies of her WWII historical novels sold and her internationally acclaimed Lost Daughters series translated into 22 languages, Soraya has cemented her place as a master of historical fiction. Her ability to weave intricate narratives of love, resilience, and legacy against the backdrop of pivotal moments in history is nothing short of extraordinary. From the sunlit vineyards of Italy to the bustling streets of Paris, her novels transport readers to richly imagined worlds, offering both escapism and emotional depth. Soraya’s dedication to historical accuracy and her talent for creating unforgettable characters make her a standout voice in contemporary fiction.
In this exclusive interview with Reader’s House Magazine, Soraya Lane opens up about her journey as an author, the inspiration behind her bestselling novels, and the delicate balance of writing while raising a family. She shares insights into her creative process, her passion for exploring themes of love and legacy, and the meticulous research that brings her stories to life. Join us as we delve into the mind of this remarkable storyteller and discover the heart and history behind her beloved works.
What inspired you to write historical novels, particularly set during WWII, and how do you conduct research to ensure the authenticity of your stories?
I’ve always loved historical novels, especially those set during WWII, but it took me years as a writer to develop the confidence to write in that genre. I ended up writing my first WWII novel as my thesis for my MFA (Creative Writing) degree in 2010, and I swore I would never write another as the research took so long! But it ended up being my bestselling title, and I’ve continued writing WWII fiction ever since. Because I’ve been setting books within this time period for so long now, I feel like I have a good general knowledge of WWII, but I always have to spend a significant amount of time researching the particulars of my book. For instance, right now I’m on a deep-dive into Portugal during the 1940s, so I’m reading and listening to everything I can find. It’s very important to me that my novels are as historically accurate as possible.
As a mother and a full-time author, how do you balance your writing career with family life, and what advice would you give to aspiring authors who also have other responsibilities?
When I sold my first book, I was four months pregnant with my first child and worked full-time as a freelance journalist. Needless to say it was an almost impossible juggle to be a mum, work during the day and then write books at night. But I was determined to turn being an author into a full-time job, and by the time my second child was born, I was able to fulfil that dream. Now, I’m very fortunate that my children are older so I don’t have to juggle writing between nap times, but I’ve always treated writing as a full-time job. That means treating my time as valuable and always prioritizing writing over things like housework!
What themes of love and legacy did you want to explore in The Italian Daughter, and how do you think they resonate with readers today?
I wrote The Italian Daughter during the first Covid outbreak, and all I could think about was writing something that made me forget about what was happening in the world. I wanted to transport my readers to a beautiful country, to show them a touching love story, and to explore family secrets. I think it’s the reason my readers have loved the series so far – it’s escapist fiction that lets them fall in love and travel without leaving home.
How did your own experiences or research about Italy influence the setting and characters in The Italian Daughter, particularly in terms of the culture and history portrayed in the novel?
I think Italy is one of those places so many people dream of traveling to, and I wanted my readers to truly feel as if they were there – feeling the sunshine on their shoulders, tasting the wine, eating the food, and falling in love. I think it’s such a beautiful country and culture, and I can only hope I portrayed it as such.
What inspired you to intertwine the stories of Evelina and Blake, and how do you see their experiences reflecting the challenges and triumphs faced by women across generations?
When I first came up with the idea for The Lost Daughters series, I knew that I wanted each story to be a dual timeline, travelling between past and present. The tricky part was figuring out how to intertwine those stories! The more books I write in the series, the easier this becomes, but it took me some time to balance both storylines in this first novel in the series. I think the experiences of Blake and Evelina are very much reflected in the stories of women all over the world – the love, losses and decisions they face feel universal to me.
In The Paris Daughter, fashion plays a significant role in the narrative. How did you approach the research process for Evelina’s character as a designer, and what do you hope readers take away from her story in the context of the fashion industry during that era?
I loved Paris as a setting for this novel – the city felt more like a main character than simply a place – and it was so much fun to research and write. I immersed myself in reading about fashion from the 1930s and 1940s, with a particular interest in Coco Chanel. I think the most important part of the historical aspect of this novel, was to show how hard it was for a woman to succeed in the world of fashion pre-WWII. I really wanted to portray the reality of working in fashion during that time – it was so glamorous, but it was very much a man’s world.
