Category Archives: Alaska Flying Expedition

Spring Break-up

There are many little signs that spring is here. The crocuses and daffodils unfurl. Thunder storms resume, along with tornado warnings. Elementary kids get their third quarter report cards. Easter approaching. A sharp uptick in gardening books being checked out at the library. An itch to get outside on just about any day above 50Continue reading “Spring Break-up”

Moonlight Springs

There are many gripes about Millennial. We’re snowflakes, we can’t take criticism, with don’t work hard, we expect everything on a silver platter… I’ll refrain from the politics and economics of such statements, and I won’t reference the book “Ok, Boomer,” (a well thought out book solidly based on facts). No matter what others say,Continue reading “Moonlight Springs”

Elizabeth Robins

Drawing and editing are fun, but I am excited to be researching again. In a run of luck, I found THREE first hand accounts of the Alaskan Frontier. I randomly chose one to start reading. Allow me to introduce to you Elizabeth Robins (1862-1952): actress, playwright, and author. She booked passaged to Nome, Alaska inContinue reading “Elizabeth Robins”

Mother, Mommy, Mom: mini linguistic peek

From the day I first started writing my Alaskan novel, I knew I wanted to make it historically accurate. It’s about a historic flight, set in 1920, so I needed to capture the period as best I could. You’ve heard a lot about that with posts on wood stoves, racism in Alaska, clothing, schools, andContinue reading “Mother, Mommy, Mom: mini linguistic peek”

My Secret Love Affair

Sometime this past spring, right before I started writing my Alaskan novel, I got hooked on “Dr. Oakley: Yukon Vet.” I’ve always enjoyed a good vet show, but Yukon Vet is so much more. She seems to be an amazing veterinarian who does it all: reindeer/caribou, bears, lynx, eagles, owls, ferrets, dogs, moose, cats, chickens,Continue reading “My Secret Love Affair”

Caribou Fences

My OhioLink books arrived this past week! Now in addition to my writing I have some serious reading to get done. The first book I read was The Alaska Flying Expedition by Stan Cohen. It provided me with a time-line for my story since it begins with the announcement of the expedition and ends whenContinue reading “Caribou Fences”

Character Ideas: Mary Wilson

In my previous post, “Be the Other,” I wrote about my dedication to getting the voice and actions of my half Inupiaq character, Mary, as real as possible. I should note that I have never taken a creative writing course that taught me about voice, so I’m learning as I go. So far I’ve foundContinue reading “Character Ideas: Mary Wilson”

Being the Other

1920 Alaska is fascinating. The country as a whole was on the cups of modernization. Edison started his electric company back in the 1880s, and by 1925 50% of the United States had residential electricity. The 1908 Model T were rapidly replacing carriages and carts. There are plenty of pictures taken in Nome that showContinue reading “Being the Other”

When Google Fails (Part 1): Go Local

For those of you who have been reading along, my frustration with finding sources that specifically talk about lifestyle of 1920 Nome is known to you. Since I am trying to write a story about that specific time/place, and not having that first hand knowledge, I need to find it from somewhere. I’ve never hadContinue reading “When Google Fails (Part 1): Go Local”