Becoming Madam Secretary

I'm curious about whether real historical figures influenced the character or if it was entirely fictional. How did the author approach balancing fact and fiction?

The portrayal of balancing public service with personal life felt very real, but also heartbreaking at times. How did the author decide which sacrifices to highlight?

The shifting timelines kept me engaged, but I wonder if this was planned from the start or evolved during the writing process. What influenced this storytelling choice?