Heather Gilbert asked Heather Day Gilbert:

I will actually ask myself a question! "Why did you use the word 'Vikings' in God's Daughter? Was that even a word in AD 1000?"

Heather Day Gilbert As with all the choices I made for this book, I researched extensively before deciding to incorporate this word. Experts disagree as to whether it was being used around that time, but I figured Vikings, who had been plundering for years and exploring as well, would have had SOME kind of word for what they were doing. I went with 'Viking' because it was easily recognizable to my READERS. I know Gudrid would have identified herself with her husband and crew who had taken this risky voyage to the new lands, looking for plunder.

Historical fiction is just that, fiction based around history. For me, I wanted to stick as closely to The Saga of Greenlanders and Eirik the Red's Saga as possible. If you read those sagas, you will see many parallels with the plot structure and events in God's Daughter (and eventually, in Forest Child).

Most of the time I tried to use Old Norse word choices (words they would have had for objects/actions), but sometimes, I could not. I knew Vikings would have HAD words for those things, but occasionally I had to use a word readers would understand (without sounding totally anachronistic, I hope).

Hoping this helps clarify some questions that might be raised. I want to offer readers the most historical experience I can, while sticking to the sagas as much as possible for my guideline in this series. Not to mention telling a compelling story about these Vikings who really lived, loved, and traveled so far.

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