Christian Fiction Author

Companion Guide

for A Stray Drop of Blood

If you’ve already read Stray Drop, then you know I draw on a lot of history, a lot of literature, and a lot of stuff that might leave you going, “Huh? What in the world is that?” or else “Ha ha, she actually put that in there!” (depending on how much obscure literature you’ve read).

In an attempt to bring it all to life, direct you toward some interesting stuff, and give you lots of fodder for discussion among book clubs or small groups, I’ve put together this companion guide with pieces on some of the interesting things from which I drew the story. Most are by me, but a few pieces are written by expert friends of mine. Enjoy!

(If by chance anyone wants to use any of this for reference at a group discussion, feel free to print it out this PDF version: Stray Drop Companion Guide.)

HISTORY

Ancient Rome

Centurions

Cosmic Events

Fashion

     Hebrew

     Roman

Houses

     In Israel

     In Rome

Israel and Jerusalem

Miracles Surrounding Crucifixion

Mosaic law on

     Slavery

     Rape

The Roman Rule of Israel

Stoicism

LANGUAGE

Ancient Greek

Latin

How Language Works in Stray Drop

     My Way of Keeping It True

     Language as Insult

Psalms

REFERENCES

Some of the texts I refer to (yes, I’ve read ‘em all):

Homer: Iliad, Odyssey

Aritstotle: Nicomachaen Ethics, Politics

Plato: Republic, Meno, Protagorus, Crito, Gorgias

Virgil: Aeneid

Epictetus: Discourses

Aristophanes: Clouds

Plutarch: Cato the Younger

Tacitus: Annals

The Bible, both Old and New Testaments

BEHIND THE SCENES

Where the Idea Came From

How I Did My Research

Funny Stuff from the Head of Roseanna