Tag Archive | historical fiction

Giving Thanks to You and Kudos to Bloggers

Nov23

Before I get to today’s post, I’d like to take a minute to tell all my friends and family, all my writer acquaintances and all my readers…THANK YOU.

Thanks for your support, your intelligent and enthusiastic comments and your interest in what I have to offer you on my blog. Thank you for allowing me to appear on your computer screen and talk your ear off for a few minutes each time we meet.

This community of writers and readers is the most open, friendly, generous and giving group I’ve ever had the good fortune to know.

I wish you all a warm and loving Thanksgiving Holiday.

I will be back here bending your ear on Friday, as always.

Okay, back to the blog:

I was searching for other historical fiction writers and book bloggers, when I came across a terrific blog by a woman who is a book reviewer and an editor. It was fun to poke around her site and find all the treasures hidden there.

The site is It’s All in the Details, authored by Jenny Quinlan who likes to be called Jenny Q. Her welcome message made me feel like I was stepping into a friend’s home. What I love about this site is that Jenny Q understands what is required of a historical writer and the difficulties we sometimes have in writing about a particular era. She offers resources on writing and publishing historical fiction. But that’s not all. She also writes book reviews, interviews authors and posts articles about inspiring people of history. Check out her ‘Just For Fun’ page if you need a laugh.I Hear America Talking

When I happened on Jenny Q’s blog, I found a review on a book every writer would find entertaining and historical writers will find invaluable. I just purchased a used 1976 edition of this out-of-print book from Amazon.com for about $5. and I can’t wait to dig in! The title is I Hear America Talking, by Stuart Berg Flexner. This is what Jenny Q has to say about it:

Historical fiction writers face many challenges, including making sure they’re using words appropriate to their time period, and bringing the voices of the past to life in a smooth, engaging manner for today’s readers. Need to know if your Revolutionary War soldier can “take a piss” or if your Gilded Age socialite can refer to her derriere as her “fanny”?
 
In this book, you’ll find answers to those questions and many more, and in a fun presentation with entries accompanied by pictures, artwork, and memorabilia. (Your soldier can take a piss, by the way. Americans have officially been “pissing” since 1760, though it is believed they were pissing much earlier, but since that word didn’t get written down often, earlier records don’t exist. And yes, your socialite can have a “fanny”. That word dates back to the 1860s.)

Doesn’t that make you want to run out and grab that book? Well, that’s how I reacted. I’ll do my own review on it in a future post.

I found two other sites that I go back to time and again for the gorgeous photos and the author’s unique posts.

Naked in Eden, by Robin Easton, who loves adventure. Robin is a photographer, as well as a musician, writer and speaker. She has spent a great deal of time in wild, remote locations all over the world including Tasmania, and the tropical rainforest in Australia. Want to let your mind drift to places that immediately relax you? Take a trip to Eden to view Robin’s photographs and read her inspiring posts.

Micro mosaic flower arrangement

Micro-mosaic Photo courtesy of Pierotucci

We have Patricia Sands’ Blog where she transports us to France with her stories and beautiful photography. Now you can be virtually transported to Italy at Pierotucci. Pierotucci established a leather factory in Florence, Italy in 1972. The company has since grown to include a leather goods shop and an art & jewelry shop. You might think this would be just a retail site selling their wares. You’d be wrong. I’ve learned so much. A representative of the company commented on my blog last week and included their web address. I was surprised to find posts that taught me all about leather-dying and Murano glass made into miniatures. I love the posts about the city of Florence and find I get a peek into what it’s like to live in Italy. They do have posts showcasing their deliciously soft and gorgeously colored leather goods, but they’re tasteful and not the garish in-your-face type of marketing we see in the U.S.

And finally, just one more, very dear to my heart…My beautful, funny and brilliant daughter started a blog which chronicles her journey from newlywed to divorcee. Her posts help us see the humor and irony in such a life changing event. So many young women have told her how much they needed to know they weren’t alone in navigating a similar experience and are so inspired by her strength and courage. Her voice has been compared to NYTBS author, Jennifer Weiner. Please visit It’s Just Jen Again. Laugh, cry and pass the link along to anyone you know who would enjoy a twenty-something’s take on today’s life, love, children and mishaps. Here’s a teaser from her very first post last year and it only gets better from here:

Because Why?

Because I’m the only one out of my friends who does not take antidepressants, or (cough, cough) “self-medicates”.  Although spiritual, I do not conform to one specific religion, and I do not necessarily believe that there is a “God” who will hear me if I beg for answers.  

My therapy, per se, has always been some sort of art form.  Music, mostly.  And writing.  I have about 30 unfinished word documents on my computer on various subjects.  I always go back to writing.  I love the freedom of it.  Except when I see a green squiggly line under my sentences. 

 I never learned about “passive voice” in English and it really pisses me off when I’m corrected by a machine.  Most of the Declaration of Independence is written in passive voice.  Did anyone say to Benjamin Franklin – “Wait a minute, Ben, wait a minute.  You wrote that in passive voice.  How is anyone going to take us seriously?!  You are a failure, Benjamin Franklin!” ?  I think not.

I digress.  Anyway, I’m in trouble. 

So, I’m opening the floor for all of you to tell us about a blog you’ve found that moved you, inspired you, informed you, made you laugh or cry, had a beautifully artistic design, or any other category that comes to mind.

Those are my new discoveries. What are yours? I know each of you visits blogs I haven’t heard of, yet. So, come on…share! If you want to promote  your own awesome blog or that of a friend, I encourage you to do so.

You know I love hearing from you and anxiously await your comments!

Guest Post, Haley Whitehall

Oct5

I have a treat for all of you today! Haley Whitehall is guest posting on one of my favorite topics – COWBOYS. I’ve always thought a cowboy is a strong, sensitive man who can take of himself and his woman. He may be rough around the edges, but his woman knows how to reach his vulnerable, sensuous side.  And what a great job he has – riding his favorite horse in the beautiful, wild west! Isn’t that your image, too?

Haley tells us the truth about cowboys. I think I admire them even more knowing what a tough job they had. Of course, I’ll always daydream about them romantically!

Take it away, Haley!

The Double Lives Of Cowboys

 First of all, I would like to thank Marcia for inviting me to her wonderful blog. When asked to write a history post I pondered several topics before arriving on this one. While this may seem common knowledge to some, I am amazed every day when I come across someone surprised by the truth. Since, I like to shed light on history I hope you enjoy this fun comparison.

 Historically, cowboys have lived two lives. One of fact and one of fiction; one of romance and one of reality. The myth of the cowboy has been perpetuated through the years, first by stories such as dime novels, and more recently, by cowboys on the silver screen–my personal favorite being John Wayne.John Wayne

 The image of John Wayne: big, handsome, rugged, quiet, standing tall in the saddle on his favorite horse has captured the hearts of many. That is the romantic side of cowboys.

 In my opinion, the difference between a western and a historical fiction novel set in the cowboy era is the extent to which they adhere to readers’ romantic notions. Westerns are more for entertainment not historical truth.

 The heyday of the cowboy era began after the Civil War and lasted until the mid 1880s. Yet cowboy legends will last forever. One of my favorite movie quotes comes from The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance, “When the legend becomes fact, print the legend.”

 The historical reality of cowboys is much different from a John WayneCowboys movie. The cowboy life was not glamorous. It was very difficult working 18-hour days and the long trail rides were often lonely, boring and depending on factors such as weather, thieves and stampedes; they were often dangerous.

 Just for fun here is a glimpse comparing the double lives of cowboys.      

Romance Reality
Most cowboys were tall and large-framed. Most cowboys had small or medium frames. Large men were too heavy to ride mustangs.
A cowboy would ride his favorite horse all day.  Cowboys would ride a string of horses depending on what task was at hand. For example, a mild horse would be used at night and a quick horse would be used for cattle roping and tending.
Cowboys owned the horses they rode. Often cowboys would borrow horses from their bosses. They would pick the saddle horses they would use for the day from the remuda.
The job of “Cowboy” has U.S origins — usually Texas is cited. Actually, the “cowboy” profession came from the Mexican and Spanish “vaquero.” Many cowboy words and practices were adapted into the English language from the Spanish and Mexican culture. For example, chaps, corral, lasso, rancher, and lariat all have Mexican origins.
Most cowboys were older, experienced wranglers.  Most cowboys were young men who learned on the job. The long days and labor required of cowboys wore out a man’s body by their late twenties. If a man stayed on till an old age he was transferred to less strenuous work.
Worked for generous “hands on” bosses who were involved in the day-to-day business of the ranch. Think of Mr. Granger on The Virginian. More often than not, cowboys worked for a corporation or absentee owner who was back East or in Europe. They ran their ranches through their foremen.
Cowboys wore spotless, decorated shirts or fancy vests and traditional cowboy hats. Cowboys often wore “hand me down” clothing discarded by others. The clothing they did purchase was heavy duty, laborer wear, nothing fancy. It had to last through many hours of riding and working. They could have worn any hat that existed in the time period. Wide brim hats became popular because they kept the sun out of their eyes.
Cowboys always wore a Colt .45 on their hip. In many outfits, there were rules against carrying guns. Carrying a loaded gun while working cattle on horseback could be dangerous. Also, guns weighed a lot and often made it difficult to ride a horse and work. Guns were usually strapped onto a wagon rather than carried on the person.
Cowboys were often married or wanted to marry and settle down. While I’ve had a crush on many cowboy actors, most cowboys were single. The long hours and demand on their bodies made marrying difficult. If a cowboy did settle down it was usually after they gave up their job as a cowhand.

Haley Whitehall Haley Whitehall writes novels, set in the 19th century United States, exploring the depths of human nature. Her novels portray the past with sharp, straight-shooting truth, shedding light on history.

Check out her website: http://haleywhitehall.com/

Follow her on Twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/HaleyWhitehall

Haley, thank you for a fun and informative post!

So, what do you all think about cowboys now? This post gives you a new respect for how they helped shaped the west, doesn’t it?

Tomorrow I’ll be guest posting over at Haley’s blog. Please join me there for another revelation!

Don’t forget – The Life List Club Friday is coming up! As always, expect some fun and motivational posts from all of our writers. We’re welcoming a new addition, too – Gary Gauthier! Please come by and welcome him with some comment love!

Oooh, Sexy! Men

Aug15

What is it about a man that oozes sexiness for you? For me, it can be a look in his eyes, the way his hair falls over his forehead, his smile or the intimate way he regards me.

My husband winks at me and I melt…or he’ll stand close and look down at me with a smile in his blue eyes. My legs turn to jelly and I nearly swoon – out loud. If I’m washing dishes, he’ll sneak up behind me and put his arms around me. Mmmm…I totally forget what I was doing, despite the fact my hands are still soapy. Continue reading →

Play Manifesto

Aug5

This is the first edition of my From The Heart posts. I hope you enjoy it.

Close your eyes and imagine a world without play. It’s pretty bleak, glum. Our brains are hardwired for play. Without play we are less productive, less creative. We don’t work as well; we don’t learn as well. These are the precepts outlined in Steve Keil’s video, Play Manifesto.

Steve Keil is an entrepreneur from Bulgaria who is fed up with the seriousness in his country that had caused it to be ranked in last place in every conceivable comparison in Europe. Can you imagine? He tries to get through to the people of his country the importance of changing their backward thinking. If he can, his world can change for the better

Keil is concerned about his country but his message transcends all political borders. Every country, every business, every family can benefit from acting on his beliefs that are based in scientific fact.

Evolution is excellent at deselecting those traits that are not useful, and selecting for preservation those which are useful and necessary. It is a fact that we and the animal kingdom need play in order to properly develop.

Keil points out that among animals, we know that rats play, but we may not know that play causes their brains to grow larger. We know that bears play, but maybe we didn’t know that it isn’t just the ability to hunt and the access to sufficient food that provides them a long life span. Play helps them survive longer.

He goes on to explain how a less restrictive, less controlled atmosphere where employees can work without fear of being berated or fired, and where ‘play’ is incorporated, fosters high levels of creativity and productivity that benefit the company, as well as the people.

Simply, play improves work. Play creates openness to change. Play increases the ability to learn. In the workplace, play provides purpose and mastery.

Please watch the dynamic Steve Keil speak to hundreds about the concept of the goodness of play. The video runs about 18 minutes. If you don’t have time now, bookmark this page and, please, come back when you do have the few minutes to watch. You won’t be sorry. Keil is on a mission to change the way of life in his country and you’ll feel his passion and want to pass on his message in your world.

He credits the US, in that we play more than the people in his country. Many of us do play regularly and, I think we’ve seen the benefits of that way of life. But there is always room for improvement, there is always something to learn and a reminder is usually beneficial.

His message resonates so strongly with me, that I have taken on many of his phrases in speaking with others and in writing this post. I believe him.

Please enjoy Steve Keil’s Play Manifesto. Challenge yourself to find more ways to incorporate play into your life. Who wouldn’t want to increase his productivity, creativity and happiness?

You know I love hearing from you and anxiously await your comments.

Tell me…Do you play and what kind of play do you enjoy? Is any form of play allowed in your workplace? Have you seen the benefits of play? 

Don’t forget to stop in at the The Life List Club. To become a member and be eligible to win prizes at our Milestone parties, just subscribe to my blog or one of the other writers’ blogs. You’ll find a list of the other writers in the sidebar. Visit their blogs and read their lists as well. Feel free to share your own list with us. We’ll support you in achieving your goals, too.

Book Trailer Review: The Postmistress and Killer Pizza

Jul6

Happy Wednesday! I’m trying something new this week, Book Trailer Reviews. Let me know how you like it.

The first is a book I’ve read, The Postmistress, by Sarah Blake. I wanted to love this book, but I was terribly disappointed. I write 20th century historical fiction and felt this book would be a great example to follow. I loved the story line (the author outlines it in the trailer), but I wanted to know the characters better. We only get to know them superficially. How do you come to care about a character with only that to go on? Continue reading →