Something else that might give the reader pause is the fact that, as a younger son of a duke, Lord Rupert is known by his first name, and as the oldest son, Lord Hamlin, is known by a place name, as his title is the Earl of Hamlin until he becomes the duke. These were the social rules of the time, and also meant that the oldest son would not be called by his first name except by close family members. I considered bending the rules and letting him be known as Lord Wilhelm but decided against it, since this “rule” is fairly well-known among readers of historical fiction.
I am blessed to know some wonderful researchers in the European historical writers’ loop I’m a part of, and I asked them lots of questions in an effort to ensure I didn’t make any glaring mistakes, although there certainly may be some things that I missed. One problem I’ve run into is that there are so many contradictions in what historians believe about the Middle Ages. One so-called expert’s fact might be fiercely contested by another expert. New evidence has come to light in the last sixty years or so, refuting some earlier historians’ assertions. Besides that, there is little concrete evidence that has survived the period. Few writings, especially from the lower classes, have survived, and few articles from everyday life are available to us now; therefore much that is written about medieval times is actually just speculation. In spite of this, I tried my best to gather the most accurate information I could, and I pray to be given leniency by any medievalists reading this work of fiction.
Blessings, Melanie Dickerson
More to the Story
THE Healer’s APPRENTICE
Author interview
Discussion guide
INTERVIEW WITH MELANIE DICKERSON
When did you decide to be a writer, and what did you do before you started writing?
I wanted to be a writer when I was very young. I even wrote two novels when I was still in high school, but then I stopped writing when I started college. For fifteen years, I completely shoved my writing out the window while I graduated college, worked as a special education teacher, lived in Ukraine for a year, got married, and had two kids. Then I started writing again.
What kind of activities do you like to do that help you relax and step away from your deadlines for a bit?
I used to scrapbook, but when I started writing again, that hobby fell by the wayside. I like to watch movies with my husband, and I like to cook—to make recipes I’ve never tried before. I like to go to the gym (okay, I don’t like to go, but I like that I’ve been) and I like taking my kids places they love, like skating or going to the zoo or a museum. I love the ladies’ Bible studies at my church. We have some wonderful times.
Where did you get your inspiration for The Healer’s Apprentice?
I already had the beginning of an idea—I pictured a teen girl and her older woman mentor. At the time, my two girls were very young and they watched a lot of popular movies based on fairy tales. One day they were watching Sleeping Beauty, and I thought the prince’s reaction to meeting Rose was very unrealistic. Most men value other people’s respect, and I started thinking, What if someone wrote this story and made it more realistic? What if the prince believed strongly in duty and carrying out his responsibilities? What if he fell in love with a peasant girl when he was already betrothed? How would he deal with that? I decided it would be really fun to take the basic storyline of Sleeping Beauty and rewrite it and flesh it out. Of course, I added a lot of characters who weren’t in the original story or the popular movies, such as Rose’s best friend, Hildy, and Lord Hamlin’s brother, Rupert. I also made up a lot of plot twists and subplots and changed the story quite a bit.
I was also inspired by the town of Hildesheim, Germany. I spent six weeks in this town, which dates back from the 1100s. Many medieval buildings are still there, or were rebuilt after World War II, including the entire town square, or Marktplatz. So I put together my love of fairy tales, my love for the medieval time period, and my love for medieval German architecture for The Healer’s Apprentice.
Did you know how The Healer’s Apprentice would turn out? Were you surprised by any of the plot twists or characters?
I always knew the ending, but there were several plot twists that surprised me! One was the subplot involving Gunther and Hildy. When I started the story, I had no idea any of that was going to happen! The climax of their story came directly from research, an actual law from medieval times.
What is the main thing you hope readers remember from this story?
That God had a good plan for Rose all along, and she only needed to trust God. I believe the same is true for all of us.
Do you have any parting words of advice?
Don’t let anyone convince you to give up on your dreams. God is the God of the impossible. You can do anything He strengthens you to do.
THE HEALER’S APPRENTICE DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
At the beginning of the story, Rose expresses concern over not finding a man to marry. In the medieval time period, women had little choice other than to find a man to marry to take care of them financially. Do you think women today are under a similar type of pressure to get married? If so, where does this pressure stem from?