My son and I visiting Stonewall Jackson's headquarters in Winchester, Virginia. As an educator of children in elementary school remedial reading
and writing, I always give my youngest students writing prompts
with questions such as "What did you do over your break?" They
in turn brain storm in order to recall what they did, then tell one
classmate, after which they jot down their thoughts, then write
three or four complete sentences. It is important for all beginning
writers whether five or fifty, to write about what they know or what
they are interested in. Descriptions become easy to write when you are able to picture in your head, what you want to write before you write it.
In my case, I was interested in history, in particular, Civil War history. My mother stood in amazement during my recitation of The Gettysburg Address. 'That is easy', you may say: but for a 2nd grader? She had the same reaction when I recited Patrick Henry's famous speech: in 3rd grade.
Being raised in a family who lived in Winchester, Virginia one of the most historicially significant towns in Virginia, and whose family visited historical sites from Virginia to New York, I developed an undying interest in learning the history of each place we visited. As the events unfolded from the mouthes of the guides, I was mesmerized and formulated stories and pictures in my mind. I actually felt what the historical figures felt and saw what the historical figures saw. So much so that at times I would reenact my most recent adventure in my back yard. Much to my mother's distress, I might add, when she found a dress of hers clothes pinned to my hula hoop.
During my junior high and high school years, I read and studied whatever I could find, from historical fiction, to non-fiction and encyclopedias. I turned on any television show relating to history and watched movies and videos of historical events. With each book, movie or video, I developed an understanding of what the people felt and why they reacted to each situation that surrounded them.
It is from this love of history, love of research, and the undying need for studying the history of the places we visited, is how Storm Over Fauquier was born. The beauty of Fauquier County took my breath away and after meeting the wonderful people of the area, I began my research and study her history and her families, putting my knowledge into short stories. For years I hesitiated as my manuscript took shape. I was fearful who outside of the county woud read this book. And, could I really write a novel? Would it be good enough for anyone to read? How would I get it on the shelves? Do these excuses sound familiar to any of you. Finally after years of hesitation and procrastination, a lost manuscript and my son saying, "Do it Mom, it is a great story," I put my fears behind me, as you must. With each stroke of the pencil and typewriter at that time, a novel blossomed into Storm Over Fauquier.
It is my opinion that a writer will have more success in writing what they are familiar with and what is close to their hearts. I know you have something close to your heart. Put all of your fears behind you and begin as I mentioned above with my little ones. Keep a writing pad and pencil with you at all time;, for your best inspiration will hit you at 2:00 AM. Begin writing your thoughts. They in turn will become sentences. One sentence leads to another and before you know it, you will have your story. Don't do as I have done, and wait for 35 years to live your dream. Begin now. For you have a story in your heart and it is begging to be heard.
Being raised in a family who lived in Winchester, Virginia one of the most historicially significant towns in Virginia, and whose family visited historical sites from Virginia to New York, I developed an undying interest in learning the history of each place we visited. As the events unfolded from the mouthes of the guides, I was mesmerized and formulated stories and pictures in my mind. I actually felt what the historical figures felt and saw what the historical figures saw. So much so that at times I would reenact my most recent adventure in my back yard. Much to my mother's distress, I might add, when she found a dress of hers clothes pinned to my hula hoop.
During my junior high and high school years, I read and studied whatever I could find, from historical fiction, to non-fiction and encyclopedias. I turned on any television show relating to history and watched movies and videos of historical events. With each book, movie or video, I developed an understanding of what the people felt and why they reacted to each situation that surrounded them.
It is from this love of history, love of research, and the undying need for studying the history of the places we visited, is how Storm Over Fauquier was born. The beauty of Fauquier County took my breath away and after meeting the wonderful people of the area, I began my research and study her history and her families, putting my knowledge into short stories. For years I hesitiated as my manuscript took shape. I was fearful who outside of the county woud read this book. And, could I really write a novel? Would it be good enough for anyone to read? How would I get it on the shelves? Do these excuses sound familiar to any of you. Finally after years of hesitation and procrastination, a lost manuscript and my son saying, "Do it Mom, it is a great story," I put my fears behind me, as you must. With each stroke of the pencil and typewriter at that time, a novel blossomed into Storm Over Fauquier.
It is my opinion that a writer will have more success in writing what they are familiar with and what is close to their hearts. I know you have something close to your heart. Put all of your fears behind you and begin as I mentioned above with my little ones. Keep a writing pad and pencil with you at all time;, for your best inspiration will hit you at 2:00 AM. Begin writing your thoughts. They in turn will become sentences. One sentence leads to another and before you know it, you will have your story. Don't do as I have done, and wait for 35 years to live your dream. Begin now. For you have a story in your heart and it is begging to be heard.
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