Historical Fiction Author
It’s time to meet Historical Fiction author, Lisajoy Sachs. I’m excited to talk to Lisajoy about how her family history inspired her book.
Helen: Welcome, LisaJoy. It’s great to have the opportunity to talk to you about writing journey. Thank you for joining me today. Tell us about your latest book.
Lisajoy: Bright One is a historical novel based on true events, following a mother and daughter in Romania during a time of rising uncertainty and danger. At its heart, it is the story of Jetti and her young daughter, Berta, whose bond is tested as the world around them begins to shift. Set against the backdrop of pre-war Eastern Europe, the novel explores love, resilience, identity, and the quiet strength it takes to protect one’s child when everything familiar begins to unravel.
Helen: With such deep emotional themes, how did you come up with the cover design?
Lisajoy : The cover features my great-grandmother, Jetti Finkelthal, and her daughter Berta, my grandmother, standing at the end of the driveway of the mansion where they once lived. They are turned toward the house, not facing the viewer, which makes the moment feel both intimate and distant.
This image captures a pivotal emotional truth at the center of the story: the moment before departure. It symbolizes Berta leaving behind the only home she has ever known, along with the safety, innocence, and stability it once represented. The mansion stands not just as a place, but as a memory, something already beginning to slip into the past.
Helen: And how did you come up with the title?
Lisajoy: The title Bright One came to me during the research process, while I was translating family letters and historical documents. In that work, I discovered that the name Berta, in High German, translates to “Bright One.”
That moment felt significant. It wasn’t just a linguistic detail, it captured something essential about her spirit and her role within the story. The title reflects both who she is and what she represents: light, resilience, and endurance in the face of darkness. From that point on, I knew it wasn’t just the title of one book, but the foundation for the entire series.
Helen: I know the characters are based on members of your family, but why did you decide to write this book?
Lisajoy: I wrote Bright One because it is part of my legacy. I don’t have children, and my sister doesn’t either, so I felt a deep responsibility to preserve my family’s story in a meaningful, lasting way.
This book is how I carry their voices forward. It ensures that the lives, struggles, and resilience of those who came before me are not forgotten. In many ways, it is something I am leaving behind, and a way for future readers to connect with their history, and for my family’s story to continue long after I’m gone.
Helen: That is a wonderful way to preserve your family history. Can you tell us a little more about your main protagonist?
Lisajoy: In Bright One, Jetti is the central protagonist in the first part of the story, with her daughter Berta following closely behind in the second half. As the series continues into Golden Flight, Berta becomes the primary protagonist.
I chose both of them because they are the voices through which my family’s story in Romania before the outbreak of World War II needed to be told. Each of them carries a different perspective, and together they create a fuller, more intimate understanding of what that time was like.
As for the rest of the series, the focus will continue to evolve…but you’ll have to wait to discover whose voices come forward next.
Helen: I love the fact that there is the next episode of your family history coming. Why did you choose to write historical fiction?
Lisajoy: I write historical fiction because it allows me to honor real people and real events while also giving me the space to tell a complete story. Much of my work is rooted in the lives of family members who are no longer living. I only have fragments, like stories, letters, memories that were passed down to me, but not every detail.
Historical fiction gives me the ability to bridge those gaps thoughtfully, creatively, and respectfully. It allows me to stay true to the emotional and historical reality of their experiences, while imagining the moments that were never recorded, so their stories can be fully realized and shared.
Helen: You mentioned that you were writing the second book in the series, can you tell us more about it?
Lisajoy: I’m currently preparing Golden Flight, the second book in the Bright One series, for release this July. I’m in the final editing stage now, where the manuscript feels nearly ready for publication.
At the same time, I’m close to completing Aliyah Rising, the third book in the series, which I plan to publish in mid-2027. Beyond that, the full arc of the story is already taking shape. I have three additional manuscripts completed—Folding Light, Restoring Hope, and Fading Night—that will follow, finalizing the six-book saga.
It’s incredibly meaningful for me to see the entire series unfolding, from the early stages of discovery to a fully realized, multi-book journey.
Helen: How did the idea for writing this series start?
Lisajoy: The ideas for my books began with something deeply personal. When my grandmother died in 2004, I inherited boxes of ephemera from her home. Inside, I found letters, documents, and photographs that revealed a story I had never known.
Through translating those materials, studying DNA records, and conducting historical research, I was able to piece together what happened to my great-grandmother and her siblings. She was one of nine children. As that story came into focus, the fragments I had learned over the years from living family members suddenly made sense.
What started as discovery became narrative. My books grow from the process of uncovering hidden histories and bringing them to life in a way that connects the past to the present.
Helen: You mentioned you had to translate a lot of material and records, but as your books are based on real life history, you must do a lot of research. How much time did you spend researching?
Lisajoy: That’s such a loaded question…because writing historical fiction requires an enormous amount of research. I spend a great deal of time reading, studying, and cross-referencing other sources to make sure I truly understand the world I’m writing about.
My process may not be traditional, since I don’t come from a formal writing background, but accuracy is incredibly important to me. I pay close attention to the details, everything from clothing and food to hairstyles and the social atmosphere of the time.
For me, those specifics are what bring the story to life and make it feel authentic. If the details are right, the reader can fully step into that world.
Helen: It must be so interesting finding out about your own history. Once you start, I imagine it can like going down a rabbit hole. What do you find is the most challenging part of writing?
Lisajoy: Editing without a question is the most challenging part of the process for me. It requires reading the manuscript over and over again, sometimes ten times or more before the final galley is due, and that can be incredibly grueling.
There’s a mental and emotional toll to that level of repetition. The more I read it, the more I begin to question it…every sentence, every choice…until I start to doubt whether it’s any good at all. It’s a difficult phase because it demands both precision and resilience. But once the book is finally published, there’s a sense of clarity and confidence that makes the entire process worthwhile.
Helen: Are you a Pantser or a Planner? Do you write free form, or do you have a framework you stick to?
Lisajoy: For most of the Bright One series—Bright One, Golden Flight, Aliyah Rising, Folding Light, and Fading Night—I was very much a Pantser. I start with an idea and let the story unfold naturally, writing intuitively and following where the narrative lead. My focus in those early drafts is to tell the story as honestly and vividly as possible.
Then, during the editing and proofreading stages, I shift gears. That’s when I go back and refine the work ensuring that the historical details are accurate and strengthening the emotional, cinematic quality of my storytelling.
Restoring Hope was different. Because I had the opportunity to interview the protagonist in person, I worked from a loose outline. It required a more structured approach to stay true to the real-life events while still capturing the sense of adventure and depth the story deserved.
Helen: How do you fit your writing into your day job?
Lisajoy: For me, it comes down to consistency and making writing a daily priority. I dedicate a small part of each day just for writing, even 15 minutes, which ultimately turns into more once I start writing, and I stick to it.
Even when life gets busy, having that set time keeps me connected to the work and ensures steady progress. It doesn’t have to be hours at a time; what matters most is showing up every day and committing to the process.
Helen: There are many hidden joys in the writing journey. What is the best thing that has happened to you since you began writing?
Lisajoy: The most meaningful part of this journey has been how much closer I’ve become to my family. Through writing, I’ve uncovered stories about my parents and their past that I might never have known otherwise. It’s deepened my understanding of where I come from in a very personal way.
At the same time, I’ve been incredibly moved by how readers connect to my work. Many have reached out to share their own family histories and experiences, and in some cases, I’ve been able to weave elements of those stories into my books. That exchange, between past and present, between my story and theirs, has been one of the most rewarding aspects of writing.
Helen: What is the most useful piece of writing advice you’ve received, and by whom?
Lisajoy: The most valuable advice I received came from a ghostwriter named Marilyn, whom I met at an art opening a few years ago, when I had only completed a few chapters. She told me to write 600 words every morning, first thing, for three months, promising that I would have a finished manuscript by the end of it.
I took her advice seriously, and it worked. At the time, I wasn’t working, which allowed me to dedicate several hours each day to writing. What started as a disciplined daily routine quickly became something much bigger. I ended up completing the first four books in just three months.
That experience was transformative. It showed me the power of consistency and immersion, and how giving yourself the time and structure to write can unlock far more than you expect.
Helen: Writing everyday is a great habit to cultivate. Most authors are also great readers. What is your favourite book?
Lisajoy: My favorite book is The Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follett. I’ve read it at least six times, and each time I find something new to appreciate.
I’m drawn to the characters, the richness of the story, and the incredible level of detail. It introduced me to a period of history I knew very little about, and I love how fully immersive it is. I’ve always been captivated by epic novels. There’s something deeply satisfying about getting lost in a world that unfolds inside a thousand page novel.
In fact, I’m always a little sad when I reach the final chapter of a book like that. I even own a first edition copy from 1989, which makes it feel even more special to me.
Helen: Do you have any advice to share with aspiring writers?
Lisajoy: First, I would pass along the same advice Marilyn gave me: write consistently. Set a daily goal, something manageable, like 600 words, and commit to it. That kind of discipline builds momentum and turns an idea into a finished manuscript.
Second, don’t give up on your dream. So many people want to write a book, but very few actually follow through and see it published. The difference often comes down to persistence.
Third, there will be moments when it feels hard, and times when you question yourself or feel like an imposter. That’s completely normal, because it is part of the process. Writing isn’t easy, but it is deeply rewarding when you finally hold your finished work in your hands.
Helen: Thank you so much for joining me today. It’s been so interesting to hear about your books and your writing process. I wish you every success with your series. Just to finish, is there anything else you would like to share?
Lisajoy: One of the most unexpected and meaningful parts of this journey has been how the past seems to reveal itself when you’re ready to listen. What began as a few boxes of old letters and photographs turned into a much larger story, one that had been waiting to be uncovered.
There were moments during my research when small details such as names, places, and fragments of family stories suddenly connected in ways that felt almost serendipitous. It was as if my ancestors were guiding me, piece by piece, toward understanding.
And now, what started as something deeply personal has become something shared. Hearing from readers who see their own families reflected in these pages has been incredibly moving. It reminds me that while the details of our histories may differ, the emotions of love, loss, and resilience are universal.
About the Author – LisaJ=joy Sachs
Inspired by true events, family letters, photographs, and oral histories, the Bright One series follows the lives of the author’s great-grandmother and grandmother as they struggle to survive the rising dangers of antisemitism in prewar Europe.
Beginning in Czernowitz, Romania, Bright One tells the story of Jetti Finkelthal, a young Jewish mother determined to protect her daughter as the world around them begins to unravel. Golden Flight continues the journey through the eyes of fifteen-year-old Berta, whose forced marriage and desperate migration across Europe and Istanbul become a haunting coming-of-age story shaped by exile, identity loss, and survival.
Rich in historical detail and emotional depth, the series explores resilience, family bonds, generational trauma, and the quiet courage required to endure history’s darkest moments.
Book 3 Aliyah is scheduled to release in 2027
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If you enjoy epic fantasy then check out my award winning Sentinal series, which is now complete. If you like fantasy books with a touch of romance then you will love my SoulMist series, start with SoulBreather. Prefer Dystopian Science Fantasy? Then try Harmony. Start the adventure and stay for the journey.
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