Interview with the Author
Author D. L. Norris sits down with Mitchell Grumby of The Book Commentary to discuss Voyagers: Homeland to Heartland. In this interview, Norris reflects on the family stories and historical research that inspired the novel, shares insight into her writing process, and offers a closer look at the publishing journey behind the book.
On Storytelling & Heritage
“In your dedication and author’s note, you speak movingly about how storytelling was passed down from your grandfather to your father, who carried the torch into his 90s. How did growing up with this rich oral tradition shape the way you structured the book, and at what point did you realize these family tales needed to be preserved as a published novel?”
“I was genuinely blessed to grow up in a family of storytellers. From an early age, I listened closely as my relatives—especially the older generation—shared the details of their lives. By the time I was twelve, I had begun “interviewing” them and keeping careful notes. Even then, I sensed that these memories mattered, and that one day my early writings, along with their vivid stories, would find their way into print.”
On the Norway Pilgrimage & Research
“In 2018, you made a transformative trip to Norway, standing in the very log homes and stabburs where your ancestors lived, and leaving a strand of your father’s hair in Svene. How did physically walking in the footsteps of Marte Fønnerud and Kittil Dyrebu change or deepen the way you wrote their characters?”
“It was a humbling, life-changing journey. Standing in the places where Kittil and Marte’s lives began allowed me to see their story in a much deeper way—not simply as family history, but as a lived experience influenced by sacrifice, courage, and resilience. In Norway, I gained a fuller understanding of what they left behind; in imagining their arrival in America, I could better appreciate what they endured as they built a new life. I also learned a great deal from cousins who continue to honor and preserve the culture and traditions of our ancestors. Their stories added richness, authenticity, and another layer of realism to the characters I was trying to bring to life on the page.”
On Blending Fact with Fiction
“The book weaves real-life parish records, shipping logs (like the 1867 voyage of the bark Anna Delius), and actual family dates with imagined dialogue and scenes. What was your creative process for bridging historical facts with fictional narrative to bring your ancestors to life on the page?”
“I was especially fortunate to have preserved family documents, including handwritten journal entries that described the journey from Norway to America and the family’s eventual settlement in Nebraska. Those records became essential guideposts, grounding the story in real events while helping me shape a fuller, more authentic narrative. The facts gave me the framework, but the family stories gave me the people—their temperaments, values, strengths, and vulnerabilities. Because I had such a clear sense of Kittil and Marte through those inherited narratives, I could imagine dialogue and scenes that felt consistent with who they were, while still honoring the historical record.”
On Themes & Character Dynamics
“From ‘Melancholy Mattie’ finding her smile to young Otto’s deep empathy for animals, the novel balances major historical events—like the harrowing 1888 Schoolhouse Blizzard—with intimate, quiet family moments. How did you approach capturing the everyday emotional life of homesteaders on the Nebraska prairie?”
“I drew much of the everyday prairie life from the stories I heard throughout my childhood—especially the quiet, intimate family moments around Kittil and Marte’s stone fireplace. Listening to my grandfather describe life on the Nebraska homestead gave me a rare sense of closeness to that world, not just as history, but as lived memory. My father, who was also a gifted storyteller, was born in the very house described in Voyagers: Homeland to Heartland, which deepened my connection to the setting and helped me portray the emotional pace of homestead life with greater authenticity.”
On Symbolic Heirlooms
“Throughout the novel, heirlooms like the wooden rocking chair brought in a painted trunk, Uncle Hans’s carved rose brooch, and even the family dog Snip hold deep emotional meaning. Why was it important for you to highlight these tangible objects as anchors of memory and heritage?”
“Tangible objects have a remarkable way of carrying memory. In my own home, I am surrounded by family heirlooms—treasures that connect me to the people who came before me and help keep their stories close. Because those objects have always served as anchors to my ancestry, it felt natural to give similar meaning to the rocking chair, the carved rose brooch, and even Snip in the novel. They are more than possessions; they become silent observers to love, loss, resilience, and the heritage one generation passes to the next.”
On the Visuals & Modern Art Tools
“Your front matter notes that the book’s cover and interior illustrations were created in collaboration with OpenArt.ai. What was it like using generative AI tools to visualize scenes from 19th-century Norwegian and American prairie life, and how did you ensure the artwork matched the historic tone of the story?”
“The collaboration with generative AI allowed me to blend realism with imagination in a way that felt true to the spirit of the story. Many of the character images were inspired by actual family photographs, while the surrounding scenes were developed with the help of AI to evoke the textures, settings, and atmosphere of nineteenth-century Norway and the American prairie. That balance helped give the illustrations a sense of authenticity while still allowing room for artistic interpretation. I was exceptionally pleased with the result. Family members were captivated by the familiar faces and equally moved by the added sensory detail that brought those ancestral worlds more vividly to life.”
On the Publishing Journey
“You chose to publish Voyagers through Outskirts Press in both paperback and hardcover editions. What led you down this publishing path, and what advice would you give to writers looking to publish heavily researched historical or biographical fiction?”
“I opted to publish Voyagers: Homeland to Heartland in several formats so readers could experience the book in the way that felt most comfortable to them. Many of my older family members prefer the permanence and beauty of a hardcover edition, while others are drawn to the accessibility of paperback. Younger readers, meanwhile, often gravitate toward the convenience of an eBook. Offering multiple editions allowed the story to reach across generations, just as the family history itself has been passed from one generation to the next. For writers working in historical or biographical fiction, my advice is simple: do your homework. Small details matter. There will always be readers who care deeply about authenticity, so it is important to confirm the dates, events, settings, and cultural details that influence the world of the story. Careful research gives the narrative its foundation, and that foundation allows the emotional truth of the characters to come through more fully.”
On Legacy & Reader Impact
“The title Voyagers speaks to both the physical crossing of the Atlantic and the ongoing journey of building a life in a new land. What message do you hope readers take away from your ancestors’ story—especially those who are seeking to reconnect with their own roots?”
“I hope readers come away with a deeper appreciation for the sacrifices, hopes, and resilience of the people who came before us. We are here because of their courage and determination, and their legacy invites us to live with that same sense of purpose. During my trip to Norway, one of my cousins expressed it beautifully as we stood before the ancient stabbur that once served as home to our shared ancestor, Marte Fønnerud, and her family: “We stand here because of them.” That moment captured the heart of the book for me. Honoring our ancestors is not only about remembering where we came from; it is also about carrying their strength forward and creating a legacy of our own.”
D. L. Norris writes with warmth, pulling you into the dynamics of family relationships, capturing every throb of the characters’ hearts, and letting their humanity shine through the story.
the book commentary, mitchell grumby, 8/12/26
