Historical fiction is a brand new world, especially in regards to a time period I previously knew little about - and still far beyond what I would call knowledgeable. I have some good friends assisting with the accuracy of what I am writing and supplementing that with a great amount of research on my own.
I wrote a chapter which will appear toward the end of Shadow Catchers in which it is revealed one of the characters was a member of a certain Christian denomination. I researched the details of specific aspects of this denomination, including liturgy used in worship services. I thought I had picked one which would have been prevalent in the colonies at the time of my story. WRONG !
After more research on the subject, I discovered this denomination barely had representatives in the colonies and due to its loyalty to the crown, it recalled all ministers and missionaries to England at the beginning of the Revolution. SO, time to select a different denomination.
Such is the curse of a historian writing a historical fiction. Though the story itself is fictional, it is set during a specific time in American history. Therefore, I insist that I get all the factual details surrounding my characters correct.
This is bad for one small detail. It slows my writing down considerably and creates more editing for myself as I discover things which need to be tweaked. However, in the long run, those who read it will appreciate this accuracy and learn something from it. In addition, those who already know about the period will appreciate the time put into research to make it historically accurate.
Monday, April 1, 2013
Sunday, March 31, 2013
Easter 2013
We rose early this morning to make the sunrise service at our church followed by a wonderful time of fellowship, a church breakfast, and an egg hunt on the church lawn. It was truly a blessing. As I contemplate the meaning of this day, my thoughts turn to another group of people who, a couple of thousand years ago, began this day with a much more somber outlook.
To take a bit from our pastor’s sermon this morning, Jesus’ followers, disciples, and family still mourned the horrific torture and death they had witnessed a couple days before. Jesus had been scourged, hung from a cross and pierced with a spear. He had been taken down from the cross dead. His spirit was gone. Only the torn shell of his body was left. Their hopes had been shattered and His words forgotten. “In three days, I will rise from the dead.”
Women arrived at the tomb to wash the body of the man they had all loved. Imagine their distraught state being amplified by not finding him there. His body was gone. Things could not have gotten worse but suddenly they had.
“Why do you look for the living among the dead ?”
The sudden realization and joy they experienced is hard to fathom, but it must have been beyond exuberant. I am sure tears flowed, but this time filled with elation. God had moved again and Jesus was alive. They raced back to tell the others.
We serve a living God. He died on the cross for all, Jew and Gentile. His resurrection is an event worthy of celebrations beyond our capability, but this is what Easter is about. We should feel as those women did that morning so long ago as they ran breathless back to share the news.
He is risen, He is risen indeed !
To take a bit from our pastor’s sermon this morning, Jesus’ followers, disciples, and family still mourned the horrific torture and death they had witnessed a couple days before. Jesus had been scourged, hung from a cross and pierced with a spear. He had been taken down from the cross dead. His spirit was gone. Only the torn shell of his body was left. Their hopes had been shattered and His words forgotten. “In three days, I will rise from the dead.”
Women arrived at the tomb to wash the body of the man they had all loved. Imagine their distraught state being amplified by not finding him there. His body was gone. Things could not have gotten worse but suddenly they had.
“Why do you look for the living among the dead ?”
The sudden realization and joy they experienced is hard to fathom, but it must have been beyond exuberant. I am sure tears flowed, but this time filled with elation. God had moved again and Jesus was alive. They raced back to tell the others.
We serve a living God. He died on the cross for all, Jew and Gentile. His resurrection is an event worthy of celebrations beyond our capability, but this is what Easter is about. We should feel as those women did that morning so long ago as they ran breathless back to share the news.
He is risen, He is risen indeed !
Saturday, March 30, 2013
Life and Friends
It has been way too long since I added anything here but thanks to the inspiration of a recently located dear friend from the past and her blog, I aim to be much more regular in posting. Thank you EV.
Speaking of friends in your life, it amazes me how they seem to come and go OR stay throughout your life OR disappear for decades and then suddenly speak like not a day has passed. Social media, especially Facebook, has enabled reconnection with people and friends I long ago lost contact with, but making contact is the easy part. It is the friendships made, either previously or now, which make these reunions memorable and special.
There was a girl in high school I rarely talked to because she "ran" with a different crowd. I never gave her a chance to show me who she really was. After finding her on FB a few years ago, she has become a very dear friend and we have both helped each other immensely - helped through rough spots and issues. According to her, it was my fault I did not get to know her better in school. You know, she is right. We should not judge others by someone else they may be "hanging" with. Avoid stereotypical opinions of others. You just might be passing up and an opportunity for a great friend.
A couple of days ago, a name came across my radar on both LinkedIn and Facebook. I had thought about this person often through the years and to be truthful after all this time, I cannot remember why this person and I had drifted apart. Taking that proverbial "shot-in-the-dark", I sent her messages on both sites and WHAM - reconnected. We are both happy and shared brief glimpses of our life's adventures, surprising in some ways and reminiscent in others. In talking and giving each other the Reader's Digest 30-year synopsis' of our lives, it was as if no time had passed at all - well, except for maybe some slight differences. :-)
I intend to hold on dearly to these two friends, as well as the others in my circle. Friends are too dear for them to slip away. Count your blessings and hold them close to your heart. When all else fails, it will be these special people who are there for you, blood or not.......
Speaking of friends in your life, it amazes me how they seem to come and go OR stay throughout your life OR disappear for decades and then suddenly speak like not a day has passed. Social media, especially Facebook, has enabled reconnection with people and friends I long ago lost contact with, but making contact is the easy part. It is the friendships made, either previously or now, which make these reunions memorable and special.
There was a girl in high school I rarely talked to because she "ran" with a different crowd. I never gave her a chance to show me who she really was. After finding her on FB a few years ago, she has become a very dear friend and we have both helped each other immensely - helped through rough spots and issues. According to her, it was my fault I did not get to know her better in school. You know, she is right. We should not judge others by someone else they may be "hanging" with. Avoid stereotypical opinions of others. You just might be passing up and an opportunity for a great friend.
A couple of days ago, a name came across my radar on both LinkedIn and Facebook. I had thought about this person often through the years and to be truthful after all this time, I cannot remember why this person and I had drifted apart. Taking that proverbial "shot-in-the-dark", I sent her messages on both sites and WHAM - reconnected. We are both happy and shared brief glimpses of our life's adventures, surprising in some ways and reminiscent in others. In talking and giving each other the Reader's Digest 30-year synopsis' of our lives, it was as if no time had passed at all - well, except for maybe some slight differences. :-)
I intend to hold on dearly to these two friends, as well as the others in my circle. Friends are too dear for them to slip away. Count your blessings and hold them close to your heart. When all else fails, it will be these special people who are there for you, blood or not.......
Tuesday, June 12, 2012
Tuesday, May 8, 2012
IT'S PUBLISHED !!
Yes, you are reading that correctly !! Under the Smoke has been published and is available online at Lulu.com and will be found on Amazon within 6 weeks !!
Follow the link to purchase Under the Smoke.
http://www.lulu.com/shop/gene-harmon/under-the-smoke/paperback/product-20097562.html
Follow the link to purchase Under the Smoke.
http://www.lulu.com/shop/gene-harmon/under-the-smoke/paperback/product-20097562.html
Sunday, February 26, 2012
Daily Exercise
Must write, must write, must write - every day. Its an exercise in improvement and perseverance. It will increase my ability to write and form cohesive thought. Now, to write about what.
I guess the best way is to just write what comes to mind. If you have read any of my excerpts from Under the Smoke, you know what that future book intends to share. I am experimenting with fiction and at war within myself on the time frame. I myself enjoy historical fiction strongly based on fact. My problem is with my own writing, I want to ensure all of my facts are straight. The historian within me insists on this. Is it a help or a hindrance ? Actually it is both.
My main knowledge base is on the American Civil War and World War II. The problem here is that so many stories already exist based on these time frames. The next to intrigue me would be the French & Indian Wars, but I am severely lacking in the aspects of this time. However, my knowledge of the Appalachian area helps in the scenic and geographical descriptions, as do the ties with my Muscogee or Cherokee ancestry. Just dive right in ? Yes and no. Much research is needed to get the history surrounding my story right. I want those who like history to enjoy it as much as those with limited knowledge. I want them to come away from the book nodding their head and saying, "Great story and the history was right too."
Is this important ? It is to me !
More travel memoirs like Under the Smoke are on the far horizon as well, but right now life intervenes and keeps us from expanding those outdoor stories to record. They are in my constant thoughts and definitely part of my dreams.
Tune in for more. As I stated above, I must write everyday.
Sunday, February 19, 2012
Mental exercise
I have now been working again since December. The new job is going well and I do enjoy it. However, writing is still my passion and desire for making a living.
I am still taking college courses and am now listed as a "sophomore" on my college data - YEAH !! Its going to take awhile attending part-time, but I WILL do it.
The webpage has been up for awhile and has over 500 hits. There are more excerpts from my book, Under the Smoke, found there.
I am getting back in the habit of writing something every day. It is imperative for me to do this for myself ! I enjoy writing about what I see in the natural world around us. This can be the pair of red-tail hawks I see every day coming from work to the barn owl that flew silently overhead one evening while walking the dogs.
Fiction is also a new frontier I am delving into. Due to my historical interest, I am attracted to historical fiction. This is a good and a bad thing. I have great ideas but seem to question myself regarding the accuracy of my "plots". What I need to do is just write and then fine-tune the historical aspects during edits. One that I have started on concerns western North Carolina and the early years of the French & Indian War.
We will see how it plays out.....
I am still taking college courses and am now listed as a "sophomore" on my college data - YEAH !! Its going to take awhile attending part-time, but I WILL do it.
The webpage has been up for awhile and has over 500 hits. There are more excerpts from my book, Under the Smoke, found there.
I am getting back in the habit of writing something every day. It is imperative for me to do this for myself ! I enjoy writing about what I see in the natural world around us. This can be the pair of red-tail hawks I see every day coming from work to the barn owl that flew silently overhead one evening while walking the dogs.
Fiction is also a new frontier I am delving into. Due to my historical interest, I am attracted to historical fiction. This is a good and a bad thing. I have great ideas but seem to question myself regarding the accuracy of my "plots". What I need to do is just write and then fine-tune the historical aspects during edits. One that I have started on concerns western North Carolina and the early years of the French & Indian War.
We will see how it plays out.....
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