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On The Table Read Magazine, “the best entertainment eBook magazine UK“, Sharon Virts discusses how her new book, The Grays Of Truth, was inspired by true events involving one of Reconstruction-era Baltimore’s most powerful families. in which a series of mysterious deaths plague the city’s elite.
Written by JJ Barnes
I interviewed Sharon Virts about her life and career, the story of her new book, The Grays Of Truth, and her creative writing process.
Tell me a bit about who you are
I spent most of my career in the ultra-competitive government contracting industry, an industry where women don’t have much of a presence. I entered that world when I was 29 and started my own business; it was my creativity and competitive nature that helped me succeed. In 2017, I sold my company to a private equity firm and then focused my energy on my passions – serving my community, art, and writing historical fiction.
I grew up in Virginia, a state rich in history. But I credit my interest in history to my father and grandmother who told me countless stories about the history of the people and homes – sometimes spooky – in our area. I became fascinated by those stories and the mysteries of the people who had lived in them. Eight years ago, my husband and I bought an abandoned historic home designated for demolition. As we painstakingly restored the property to make it our home, I found myself drawn to the people who had lived (and died) in the house.
Unwinding those mysteries, and the love of history that was instilled in me as a child, gave rise to writing my first historical fiction novel— and to bringing the secrets that live behind the walls of old places, to life.
When did you first WANT to write a book?
I have loved to write for as long as I can remember. When I was in first grade, I would write about my animal drawings or autumn leaves I collected and pasted onto paper. I’d bind those pages together with yarn into little “story” booklets. I first thought seriously about writing and publishing a book when I was working in sales in the government sector. Later I considered writing about how I launched and built my business in an industry dominated by men. It was only recently that I decided to fulfill my dream of writing a book, but instead of non-fiction, I settled on writing historical fiction
When did you take a step about writing?
I have been journaling since I was in the first grade and still journal daily. My first serious (adult) step to writing fiction was prompted by a screenwriter friend who encouraged me to write the story of the man who built my historical home. I took on the challenge and bought a copy of Dan Maass’s book Writing the Breakout Novel to help guide my efforts.
How long did it take you to complete your first book from the first idea to release?
Four years.
How long did it take you to complete your latest book from the first idea to release?
Three years
Focusing on your latest release, what made you want to write The Grays Of Truth?
I first learned about this story while researching nineteenth-century forensic science for my second book, Veil of Doubt. As I delved into the work of forensic chemist Professor William Tonry, I stumbled upon the trial of Baltimore socialite Ellen Wharton. When I read the court transcripts of her trial, I realized the case had many elements that I look for in a writing project: wealth, power and politics coupled with multiple unexplained deaths, high society drama, a thwarted/botched investigation, early forensic science, and unsavory/unstable real-life characters—each with motive for murder. What more could one want in a great story?
What were your biggest challenges with writing The Grays Of Truth?
Story structure is my greatest challenge. Because there was so much historical context that I could have included in The Grays of Truth, I needed to be careful not to bog the story down with too many distracting details. I also had the challenge of keeping the book from becoming too much of a romance. Yes, there is a romantic component to the story, and it could have easily become a major driver. But I wanted the focus to be on “whodunnit”, so I was mindful to keep the romance light—just enough for the reader to understand a deepening of the relationship between two characters, but not enough to overwhelm the plot.
Who or what inspired you when creating your protagonist?
The protagonist, Jane Gray Wharton, is a composite character based on two real-life people. When I learned the real Jane Wharton had spent time in a mental institution, I was reminded of my aunt who suffered with schizophrenia. My aunt was delusional, heard voices, and talked to herself, spending much of her life in institutions. I also have a son with mental health issues. Integrating their struggles into the protagonist’s arc was important to me and was a motivating factor in my development of Jane’s fictional character.
Who or what inspired you when creating your antagonist?
I had a family member who was quite skilled at gaslighting others at family gatherings. When I learned about Ellen Wharton’s passive-aggressive behavior in real-life, I realized that I had the perfect role model for creating my antagonist.
What is the inciting incident of The Grays Of Truth?
In Chapter 1, Jane’s friend Rebecca dies unexpectedly. Her death, and the motive behind it, are at the heart of the story.
What is the main conflict of The Grays Of Truth?
Jane Wharton and Ellen Wharton are sisters-in-law and have a long, tenuous history. When they were in their early twenties, they both were in love with the same man. Ellen married him; Jane married his brother. The conflict arises from Jane’s latent feelings for Ellen’s husband (feelings that he shares) and Ellen is jealous/resentful because of it. Jane is also resentful, blaming Ellen for stealing her man and for the hardship in her life that has resulted. As Jane’s misfortune grows and Ellen becomes more desperate, their rift turns ugly and members of the Wharton family start dying.
Did you plot The Grays Of Truth in advance or fly by the seat of your pants and write freely?
I use a combination of “plotting” and “writing freely” to develop a manuscript. After I complete my initial research on a writing project, I create a timeline to mark significant incidents in the story and the real-life character’s lives. This timeline helps to identify clusters of events, allowing me to see where major plot points ought to be in the book. From there, I establish an overall plot structure and make any necessary adjustments to improve pacing. Once that scaffolding is built, I develop an annotated outline for the book. Only then do I begin to write freely. I may or may not write chapters in sequence, and often the outline will change a bit. It all depends on what scene is playing in my head.
Did you get support with editing, and how much editing did The Grays Of Truth need?
When writing my first two books, I used independent editors for development support and some line editing before turning the manuscript over to the publisher. On The Grays of Truth, I did not engage an independent editor. The Grays manuscript went through the normal edit process at the publishing house—development edit, line edit, copy edit, proofread, etc. My writing is fairly clean, and I think my publisher will agree that my manuscript was in good shape when they received it.
What is the first piece of writing advice you would give to anyone inspired to write a story?
Make your mind up to do it and see it through to the end! So many aspiring authors have a great concept for a story but never seem to get it out of their head and on to paper. The hardest part is to just start. Write that first chapter (for me it’s often a prologue). And remember that it’s not a sprint but a journey.
Writing a book is neither quick nor easy, but when you type those words “The End” on that last page, it is so very worth it!
Can you give me a hint about any further books you are planning to write?
I have several writing projects underway, but my next book is the one consuming most of my time now. Based on a true event, the story is set in 1902 and is centered on the lynching of a Black man accused of murder. The protagonist is the newly-appointed Virginia prosecutor who takes on the lynch mob and its vigilante leaders—some of the county’s most upstanding citizens. It’s a story of two men born in the same town but into two different worlds, each rejecting their fathers’ oppression in a life-and-death struggle against a town’s prejudice.
And finally, are you proud of your accomplishment? Was it worth the effort?
I am very proud of The Grays of Truth and how my writing improves with each manuscript I pen. But there is so much more that I want to write and so many stories I want to tell. It’s just a matter of having enough time!
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