The Journey to Writing What Was Lost: Researching Scammers and Traffickers in Ancient Settings

Writing a novel set in ancient times can be a thrilling adventure, especially when it explores dark and complex themes that still resonate today. My fifth book, What Was Lost, dives into the aftermath of the Babylonian invasion of Jerusalem in 586 BC. This story was a labor of love, born from a deep fascination with history and a desire to shed light on the painful consequences of bad decisions. What made this project unique was the extensive research I conducted on scammers and traffickers, which shaped the primary plot and added layers of realism to the historical setting.

The ancient world offers a safe distance for readers to engage with difficult topics, yet the themes in What Was Lost remain relevant and close to home. This post shares my journey of writing this book, the research process, and how I wove historical facts with the dark realities of deception and exploitation crowned with the grace only God can give.

Ancient Babylonian city ruins reflecting the setting of What Was Lost

Exploring the Historical Backdrop

The Babylonian invasion of Jerusalem in 586 BC was a turning point in history. It marked the destruction of the First Temple and the exile of many Judeans. This event created a backdrop of loss, displacement, and uncertainty that shaped the lives of countless individuals giving me options for whose eyes through which to experience it.

To write authentically, I immersed myself in historical and biblical texts, along with scholarly interpretations of life in that era. Understanding the political, agricultural, and social climate helped me create a vivid world where my primary character could live and struggle. The ancient setting allowed me to explore themes of loss, mental trauma, and betrayal without the constraints of modern settings.

Researching Scammers and Traffickers for the Plot

One of the most challenging and rewarding parts of writing What Was Lost was researching the tactics used by scammers and traffickers. These individuals exploit trust and vulnerability, often leaving lasting damage on their victims. While the book is set thousands of years ago, the methods of deception have eerie similarities to those used today.

I studied modern cases and reports on human trafficking and romance scams, focusing on how perpetrators lure or dupe their victims. This research informed the primary plot line, where the central character faces manipulation and exploitation in a city supposedly safe from war and loss.

Some key insights included:

• Building trust through false promises: Scammers often gain victims’ confidence by offering hope, affection, or a sense of security.

• Exploiting desperation: Traffickers target those in vulnerable situations, such as the lonely, young, or desperate people.

• Using deception and addiction: Lies, coercion, and illegal substances are some of the ways traffickers keep victims trapped in horrible situations.

  
  

By integrating these elements into an ancient context, I aimed to show that these dark behaviors are not new but have existed throughout human history.

Balancing Historical Accuracy and Storytelling

Writing historical fiction requires a careful balance between accuracy and narrative flow. I wanted What Was Lost to be plausible within the period while still engaging readers with a compelling story.

To achieve this, I:

• Verified historical details with multiple sources to build an accurate timeline

• Used the ancient setting to highlight universal human experiences

• Allowed the plot to unfold naturally, even when it led to unexpected places beyond the inspiration of Ezekiel 16

  
  

This approach helped me create a story that feels both informational and emotionally powerful.

Learning from the Writing Process

Writing What Was Lost was a journey through a dark valley of bad decisions, but it also brought moments of joy and discovery. Some lessons I took away include:

• Research enriches storytelling: Deep knowledge of history and human behavior adds depth to characters and plot lines.

• Complex themes require sensitivity: Handling topics like forced prostitution demands respect and care.

• Unexpected plot twists can emerge from research: Learning about real-world tactics inspired new directions in the story.

• Ancient settings can illuminate modern issues: Distance in time helps readers engage with difficult subjects.

  
  

Writing this book has been a rewarding challenge, blending history with the harsh realities of human nature then crowning it with the saving grace only Jesus can give. I hope What Was Lost offers readers a meaningful experience that connects our failure to Christ's restoration.

If you are interested in historical fiction or want to understand how research shapes storytelling, I encourage you to explore the book and share your thoughts. The journey of writing is never truly over, and every story has the power to open new doors.

Thank you for joining me on this journey.