Anne Fortier discusses her newest novel, The Lost Sisterhood, which switches back and forth between the travails of Diana Morgan, a contemporary scholar at Oxford, and Myrina, the legendary warrior who would become the first ruler of the Amazons. It's a page-turning thriller that is also packed with ideas about history, gender, self-determination, and the desire for true freedom. Fortier also discusses the ongoing popularity of deeply researched historical...

In this program, Claire Messud, Jennifer Johnston, Tom Petsinis, Roger McDonald, Hilary Mantel, and other skilled authors talk about the personal qualities that writers depend on to cope with the creative, emotional, and psychological demands of writing. They also offer advice on how to develop the language skills that writers need, explain the importance of doing research, and stress the value of reading. "I think we need to have this passion for...