We'll start with a status update. I'm just over 600 words into Chapter 20 of my Civil War drummer story right now. With a little luck, I'll finish my first draft by the middle of June. My plan is to have it done before I head to the Historical Novel Society conference on June 17th. I've got a lot of writing to do between now and then--but it's manageable.
And speaking of writing: today I signed up for a challenge. The Domino Project, a new publishing venture headed by Seth Godin, one of the world's greatest Internet marketers, sent me the link to a 30-day writing challenge: #trust30. Each day, a new writing prompt will be posted on the challenge web site; participants are to write something based on that prompt and Tweet about it using the #trust30 hashtag when they're finished.
To be honest, this is quite a stretch for me. But it's by stretching, forcing ourselves past the boundaries we think constrain us, that we grow. A tree's roots can shatter a sidewalk or the foundation of a house if the tree is allowed to grow as its nature directs--why do we constrain ourselves to do only those things at which we're sure we won't fail? How much more could we accomplish if we could see past our own fear?
Well, I'm going to try to find out. I'll be responding to as many prompts as I can and posting the responses here.
Stand by for the first. I'll be posting it tonight.
HN
Tuesday, May 31, 2011
Monday, May 30, 2011
What Is Memorial Day For?
For most of us, today is the unofficial first day of summer. It's a day for barbecue and beer and hanging out at the lake, or by the pool, or watching the kids run through the backyard sprinklers. Maybe it's the extra day you needed to get some stuff done around the house. Or maybe it's just a day to relax and be glad you don't have to go to work.
All those are fine things. But they are not what Memorial Day is about.
The world has changed since my childhood. But we are still a long way from a world without war.
As long as there are people and organizations and governments who would impose their will and whims on others by force, others must be willing to resist. By force.
And where force resists force, people die. Violently. Often horribly. Such is the way of war.
We honor those who come home with medals and parades. We meet them at the airport, cheer them, shake their hands. When we learn someone has served, we thank them.
Memorial Day is for those who don't come home. It's our way of remembering our country's sons and daughters who have died violently, often horribly, in our wars. Those for whom love of country, or freedom, or home, or their friends demanded the highest price they could pay. Those who died exhausted, filthy, terrified, and far, far from home.
Those whose blood has purchased our freedom, extended our lease on this dream of a better life, a better world for a little while longer.
Spend a moment today remembering someone you knew who went to war and didn't come back. If you can't think of a name, ask your parents. If they can't, ask your grandparents. If you still can't come up with a name--remember Tommy Folks. Or find another name online. Or go to a military cemetery near you and spend fifteen minutes walking among the gravestones. Plant a flag at one. Let our war dead know, let their families know, that we honor their sacrifice.
It's worth a few minutes of your time.
You can learn more about Memorial Day at this site: http://www.usmemorialday.org/.
HN
All those are fine things. But they are not what Memorial Day is about.
The world has changed since my childhood. But we are still a long way from a world without war.
As long as there are people and organizations and governments who would impose their will and whims on others by force, others must be willing to resist. By force.
And where force resists force, people die. Violently. Often horribly. Such is the way of war.
We honor those who come home with medals and parades. We meet them at the airport, cheer them, shake their hands. When we learn someone has served, we thank them.
Memorial Day is for those who don't come home. It's our way of remembering our country's sons and daughters who have died violently, often horribly, in our wars. Those for whom love of country, or freedom, or home, or their friends demanded the highest price they could pay. Those who died exhausted, filthy, terrified, and far, far from home.
Those whose blood has purchased our freedom, extended our lease on this dream of a better life, a better world for a little while longer.
Spend a moment today remembering someone you knew who went to war and didn't come back. If you can't think of a name, ask your parents. If they can't, ask your grandparents. If you still can't come up with a name--remember Tommy Folks. Or find another name online. Or go to a military cemetery near you and spend fifteen minutes walking among the gravestones. Plant a flag at one. Let our war dead know, let their families know, that we honor their sacrifice.
It's worth a few minutes of your time.
You can learn more about Memorial Day at this site: http://www.usmemorialday.org/.
HN
Saturday, May 28, 2011
Checking In
I've been out of touch for a few weeks.
My first excuse: I'm trying to finish the first draft of my new novel in the next two weeks, before I head to the Historical Novel Society conference in California. It's going well...but I've got some work to do. Finished Chapter 19 (of probably 25 to 28) on Thursday night.
My second excuse: my day job has had me traveling to Jacksonville, Florida for the last three weeks--and I'm going back for the next two. Busy days, getting a lot done, but it really cuts into the writing time.
That said, I'll try to get back on before the end of the weekend to do an entry for Memorial Day. Last year I blogged about Tommy Folks. This year's entry will be a little broader in scope, and not quite so personal.
In the meantime, here's a cool Civil War link: Civil War 150. Like everything else from the History Channel, it's pretty basic information--but there's some good stuff there, in a format that's easy to digest quickly. You could call it a Civil War snack, one that might inspire you to go back for a meal later. Be sure to look at the other topics and vote for your favorites!
That's all I've got for now. Now go get your nerd on!
HN
My first excuse: I'm trying to finish the first draft of my new novel in the next two weeks, before I head to the Historical Novel Society conference in California. It's going well...but I've got some work to do. Finished Chapter 19 (of probably 25 to 28) on Thursday night.
My second excuse: my day job has had me traveling to Jacksonville, Florida for the last three weeks--and I'm going back for the next two. Busy days, getting a lot done, but it really cuts into the writing time.
That said, I'll try to get back on before the end of the weekend to do an entry for Memorial Day. Last year I blogged about Tommy Folks. This year's entry will be a little broader in scope, and not quite so personal.
In the meantime, here's a cool Civil War link: Civil War 150. Like everything else from the History Channel, it's pretty basic information--but there's some good stuff there, in a format that's easy to digest quickly. You could call it a Civil War snack, one that might inspire you to go back for a meal later. Be sure to look at the other topics and vote for your favorites!
That's all I've got for now. Now go get your nerd on!
HN
Tuesday, May 3, 2011
A Great Map
One of the dangers of writing historical fiction is that sometimes you can get distracted by research when you should be writing. Wondering where the railroad junction in Washington, D.C., was in 1861, I typed "map washington dc 1861" into my Google search bar--and found a map of Washington in 1861 overlaid on a map of the city today. I promptly got lost exploring the map.
But I still can't find the railroad junction. Argh!
You can check out the map here and get your nerd on!
http://rumsey.geogarage.com/maps/gcw0678500a.html
HN
But I still can't find the railroad junction. Argh!
You can check out the map here and get your nerd on!
http://rumsey.geogarage.com/maps/gcw0678500a.html
HN
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