When Fiction Meets Tragedy: Jennifer L. Wright on Being Inspired by a Natural Disaster

Jennifer L. Wright’s latest historical novel, Last Light Over Galveston, is set during the Great Galveston Hurricane of 1900, but as she details in this guest post, writing about a historical natural disaster isn’t as easy as some might think.

In the story, Kathleen thinks she has found sanctuary from her former life at an orphanage on Galveston Island. But when her past starts to creep into the new life she’s created for herself and a storm starts brewing, Kathleen must reach for a strength beyond her own if she—and those she loves—are to survive.

Keep reading to hear about Jennifer’s research, how she came up with the idea, and how real stories helped shape the novel.