Author April White discusses blending historical accuracy with fantasy elements in writing, managing information overload, diversifying characters, and the quest for historical accuracy. She emphasizes the responsibility of accurately portraying different cultures and histories in an age of representation and diversity.

This episode picks up where Episode 193 left off. We suggest you listen to them in order.Blanche Molineux visited her husband while he was in prison for murder to keep up what she called the “ghastly pretense.” But eventually, she couldn’t keep it up anymore, and bought a train ticket to a place called "The Divorce Colony."April White’s book is The Divorce Colony: How Women Revolutionized Marriage and Found Freedom on the American Frontier.Take our survey: vox.com/podsurveySay hello on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. Sign up for our occasional newsletter, The Accomplice. Follow the show and review us on Apple Podcasts: iTunes.com/CriminalShow.We also make This is Love and Phoebe Reads a Mystery.Artwork by Julienne Alexander. Check out our online shop. Episode transcripts are posted on our website. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

April White, author of "The Divorce Colony," shares fascinating insights into a unique chapter of American history centered around Sioux Falls, South Dakota. She narrates the dramatic tale of Mary Nevins Blaine, a young woman battling societal norms to seek a divorce in the late 19th century. The rise of the Divorce Colony emerges as a pivotal movement for women's freedom, showcasing their challenges and triumphs amid public scrutiny. White's discussion highlights not just personal stories, but also the profound impact on marriage laws in America.