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It's the first Sunday in November after a Halloween that was filled with a time change, blue moon, full moon, and fairly warm temperatures for October. As I pondered what I would write about this month, I realized the year is close to finishing. It made me wonder what women thought about in the 1800-early 1900s. How was life different for those who lived in the cities on the Eastern seaboard from those who lived in the small towns or had made the journey cross-country to begin life anew? In answering those questions I find the stories I want to tell.
The very first story I had published, way back in 1997, was a short mystery about a couple who were out hiking. One falls off the side of the trail and is hanging on as the other ponders what their life was like and the abuse that was a part of that. While I never want to fall off the side of the trail, nor was there any abuse, the hikes I had taken with my ex-husband were the germ of that story. I was also had recently retired from working in juvenile lock-up. Yeah, there is a lot of fodder for stories from those years.
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I had always had an affinity for storytelling, and as an actor that need was filled in every show I performed in. Writing always seemed a natural expansion of that tendency, but I kept dragging my feet. I credit Cheryl Pierson for pushing me onward to fiction writing and Chris Nichols from the Pikes Peak Library District for the non-fiction writing.
Once I made the decision the rest was easy.
I can hear you now, 'Easy?". Yes, easy. No, putting myself in the chair and typing isn't easy, but finding stories is. My affinity for research and spending time in cemeteries leads me to some amazing pieces of information. As an example, there was a short article in the local paper from the 1880s, I believe, about a woman whose husband wanted her committed to an insane asylum because she wanted to rent a house she owned to a man. It was taken to court with the judge finding on her behalf. The judge said it was her home and she could do what she wanted with it. What would happen if she filed for divorce? Maybe she moved in with her renter? There are so many options and she owned property. Women back east might not have had the privilege. Maybe she had a friend back home she corresponded with?
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Another piece had a woman in black, with a covering over her face meeting a man under a light near the train station late at night. I never found anything else on the particular incident, but it has stayed with me for years. Someday I will find a way to tell this story, whatever it may be.
So, in answer to the question, what was life like, I find so many options and all those can and do lead to the stories I tell. What leads you to the stories you tell? I really would love to know.
Have a wonderful November and for those doing NaNoWriMo, good luck. For the rest, have a wonderful Thanksgiving here in the U.S. For everyone, happy writing and I can't wait to see the stories you had to tell.
Doris Gardner-McCraw -
Author, Speaker, Historian-specializing in
Colorado and Women's History
Colorado and Women's History
Angela Raines - author: Telling Stories Where Love & History Meet
A lovely post. 'What ifs' make up a lot of my stories. Like what would have happened if a certain person met a different kind of person than they actually had. When I do my research I'm often astounded by how close to real history my imaginings are. I hope you continue to be inspired to give us many more tales to enjoy.
ReplyDeleteI think working in the field you did gave you a huge insight into the working of the mind. I also find the same in a lot of my research.
DeleteLike you, I love the 'What ifs', it is so exciting to go down those paths.
I also thank you for the kind words and encouragement, it means a lot to me. Doris
Hi, Doris, your post touched on so many things I've been thinking about lately. Having some trouble writing these past months, I was remembering times I felt inspired to write something--often like something outside myself compelled to to tell a story. That's the best. But sometimes a small incident is enough to build a story around. Other times real people I learn about inspire characters.
ReplyDeleteI also have been thinking a lot about how we're able to live a way now with technology and how we can keep in touch with our friends and family and how that has shaped our experience compared to early immigrants, for instance.
I had a very interesting thing happen to me a couple of days ago. I found out I had an Irish immigrant great great grandfather who was a Civil War vet and that he's buried in my town. All news to me!!! My husband and I went right to the cemetery. Online I've been going down rabbit holes ever since and found out how much his experiences mirrored that fictional life of my fictional hero in my first HWR. I might talk about it in my next blog post! And that was one of the stories I felt I had outside help writing.
I love your story of the couple on the path, btw.
Patti, I am happy the post hit a chord with you and I look forward to the post about your great great grandfather and the story he mirrors.
DeleteRabbit holes are inspiring and frustrating, but I love how they bring the authors imagination to life.
Thank you for the kind words about the couple. I also wish you the best as you journey through this place called writing. Doris
Doris,
ReplyDeletePart of our writer-author challenge is deciding which story inspirations are worthy of development. We only have so much time to write, and we have to be choosy so we write the stories with 'heart'. And therein lies the rub. *wink* I hope you write a story about the woman in the black veil. That is an intriguing situation.
So true, Kaye, so true. But the journey is so much fun. Finding the heart, oh that journey can be fraught with so many obstacles, but what a trip.
DeleteThe 'black veil' story has been percolating for sometime but hasn't brewed up to full strength yet. (Grin). Doris
Really fascinating, Doris! I hope you tell your 'black veil' story sometime.
ReplyDeleteGlad you discovered your ancestor, Patti.
Historical facts can be really inspiring, I find. Those tiny clues to the past.
Thank you, Lindsay. That 'black veil' story has been hanging around the edges of my mind but doesn't want to be seen just yet.
DeleteLike you, those tibits of history are a lifeblood for me. Doris
I think the most magical words a writer can ever think or say is...what if.... That's what I thought the first time I heard the song, That Summer. What if he comes back? One story turned into a trilogy. So, never forget those moments that inspire you, Doris, and serve up some coffee to your Muse and get percolating on the lady with the black veil. Such a fascinating concept with so many intriguing possibilities. As always, I enjoy your posts and photographs.
ReplyDeleteI truly appreciage your kind words and encouragement. Good advice. Now if that 'black veil' piece would just cooperate. Doris
DeleteDang, Google gave me a runaround yesterday....I am not unknown lol...it's me, Elizabeth Clements. And I def encourage you to think of that black veil when you're out on your next walk. For further inspiration, check out the link for the song Johnny Cash sings about The Long Black Veil....it would be perfect to play it just before your walk and I know you enjoy cemeteries
DeleteDang, it's still not fixed so I give up. But I realize I forgot to click in the link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5pYA46dyKh4
ReplyDeleteWell Doris, this is a post I can really relate to. I liked the one you mentioned about the woman in the veil. Now that will be an interesting story when you get to it.
ReplyDeleteMuch like you, I draw my story ideas from my own experiences and the people I have met or with whom I have shared my life. I think a part of us goes into every fiction story we write.
I also keep a writer's journal. Whenever I see, hear, or read something odd I find I am compelled to write about it in my journal to keep and ponder for future use.
I suppose each of us has our own method for obtaining story ideas. I'm a cemetery fan, too. Some epitaphs are awesome, some are sad, and some are downright mysterious. Writers have a gift of imagination and empathy. We see story ideas everywhere.
I agree with Elizabeth Clemmons about the song "The Long Black Vail" although I like the rendition by the Rolling Stones.
This was a particularly intriguing post, Doris Thank you!
Sarah, what a beautiful response. I will follow up on the 'Long Black Veil" and let you know when the story happens.
DeleteI love your writer's journal. I'm afraid I have yet to take advantage of that idea.
As writers we do find our inspiration in the most interesting places. Here's to inspiration and writing. Doris
Interesting post. Story ideas come from so many places - family history, travel, conversations. The problem is usually too many stories, but not enough time to write them all. Look forward to hearing how you fashion your women in black story.
ReplyDeleteAnn, I'll let you know when the black veil gets written. In the meantime, you are right, so many ideas, so little time. (Smile) Doris
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