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”
Tag Archives: Alaska
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”
Words that Echo
At the beginning of today’s writing session I was continuing to read “Blond Indian” by Ernestine Hayes. It’s not very helpful for my 1920s setting, but it’s giving me much better insight to the living conditions of Native Alaskans. “Blond Indian” is literature with a capital L. It’s too heavy and abstract to be leisureContinue reading “Words that Echo”
No luck…
I was looking for information on a man named RWJ Reed of Nome when I found this article. RWJ Reed is mentioned briefly in it, but I didn’t learn much about him. However, the article’s story… my first thought afterward was, “You’ve no manner of luck, my friend,” from Pirates of the Caribbean. Don’t wantContinue reading “No luck…”
Water water everywhere…
I know I just posted a few hours ago, but… I was just writing a bit of the novel when something came up. Margaret was going to replenish the resivoir along side the stove when I realized I’m missing something. Something big. WHERE IS THE WATER COMING FROM?! So I turned to Google, and itContinue reading “Water water everywhere…”
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”
Northern Skies Publishing 