The joys and challenges of writing a historical novel that takes place 1000 BC in the Levant about a Philistine girl are endless! Every main character needs a place of origin and background:  language, name, family traditions, religion, favorite foods, etc. 

Little is known about the Philistines. Many scholarly theories exist as to their origin--from Crete, to Cyprus to southwestern Anatolia. The only thing these theories have in common is that they spoke an indo-European language...very different from the Semitic language of the Canaanites in which my protagonist, Cyprienna, finds herself.

From among the theories I chose to have Cyprienna's ancestors come from southwestern Anatolia among the Luwian people, not far from Troy--producing a wonderful twist to the story.

Which brings me to the endless joys of researching and writing a historical novel!