What makes a story worth telling? For bestselling author Kristin Hannah, sometimes the right story takes decades to find its way onto the page.

During a lively conversation with host Dean Nelson at Point Loma Nazarene University’s Writers Symposium by the Sea, Hannah discusses the inspiration behind The Women, her 2024 historical novel about female nurses serving during the Vietnam War.

The idea had been with her since the 1990s, but an editor initially discouraged her from pursuing it, telling her she wasn’t old enough or good enough. Hannah set the project aside, returning to the idea periodically over the years.

Then came the COVID-19 pandemic. Watching the country’s political divisions and the challenges facing medical professionals reminded Hannah of the Vietnam era. Suddenly, the story became clear.

“That’s when I just woke up one day and said, it’s time. It’s time for me to write, and the nurses are the story.”

Hannah also reflects on a recurring theme in her novels: women finding their voices in a world that doesn’t always recognize their contributions. Through Frankie, the central character in The Women, she examines the personal costs of challenging expectations and the importance of friendship, belonging, and self-acceptance.

For Hannah, historical fiction is about more than recreating the past. It’s about helping readers connect with people whose experiences may be different from their own.

“I feel like my job is to create empathy and understanding,” she explains.

The conversation offers a thoughtful look at Hannah’s creative process, the stories that stay with us, and why some voices deserve to be heard.

Watch: A Conversation with Kristin Hannah.

Explore more great conversations from Writer’s Symposium By The Sea.