I think empathy is your gift. I spent about 2 1/2 years researching slavery, in particular during the early and mid 1700s on SC rice plantations. I wrote my novel in honour of my 6th great grandfather and after 4 or 5 months, I am still exhausted. Not kidding. I am worn out. I can't write anything of substance. I have other stories about other enslaved ancestors, but I can't go there right no. So yeah, I get it.