Mike Weedall's Blog

The saying “Every day is Black History Month” is one I’ve heard many times over the years. Who wouldn’t feel demeaned when the contributions of a significant portion of America’s heritage are consigned to one month? As an Anglo, I can only seek to empathize with people who struggle with discrimination and marginalization. As someone who has benefited from opportunities unavailable to many minorities, can I truly understand enough to write about the Maroons’ experience?

Gaining an understanding and empathy for the subject matter and characters is the challenge for every historical fiction author. Writing a book about the most odious chapter in American history, I’ve questioned myself about how I could represent what people forced into slavery truly experienced or felt. Doing so for another racial group brings special challenges. (I do seem to have a track record of taking on subjects far from my personal experience since I’ve written about Japanese American Iva Toguri, who was falsely accused of being Tokyo Rose, and the US Army Nurses who selflessly served in the Korean War.)

I decided to write this story to share the Maroon residents’ determination to achieve freedom with a wider audience. Non-fiction histories reach a limited readership. Historical fiction has a wider audience, allowing more to learn about this little-known chapter in American history. I’ve enjoyed historical fiction because it presents the drama of history through the eyes of those who lived it. It also provides context for the present, preserves our cultural heritage, and empowers critical thinking. Essentially, history is the stories of people struggling with many of the same issues every generation faces.

Consider the events we are living in today. How will future generations understand how and what is happening? Shouldn’t our lessons and mistakes inform decisions future generations make? Down the road, I feel sure there will be more than one historical fiction writer salivating to write about these years.

As I reflect upon the many forms of feedback I’ve received about “Escape To The Maroons,” I can only say I did my best. The reviews I’ve received have been positive, and I hope more readers discover the amazing story of the Maroons in North America. The courage of the Maroons in refusing bondage must remind us of how we must stand up to events that threaten our freedoms today.