How it Was at the Beginning of my Writing Career (#1)




This month I was asked to give a talk to a writer's group about what it was like way back when I began writing. I've always written, but I'm going to start here what it was like when I began the first book of mine that finally got published, Two Ways West. 

The idea came when my sister did our family's history. That was long before the computer and the Internet. She researched the census and talked to old family members who were still around. She composed a booklet for all of us with what she'd discovered. It fascinated me, and made me curious about why the family did what they did--especially all the moving from one place to the other.

I began writing in longhand and doing my own research. As I learned more about these people I researched the history of the places they'd been by using the library.. I also had the opportunity to actually visit and chat with some of these old-timers.

One big help came from the historical society of Brownsville, \ Texas. When I wrote asking them questions about a certain period of time, they mailed me a copy of a beautiful illustrated book about the history of Brownsville. It was filled with information I could use in the book. (When I was through, I mailed it back.)

Each little bit of information I learned, I put on a 3x5 cards. When I finally started writing, I put the cards in order by their dates. Of course, in most cases, I had to imagine what people looked like and their conversations. 

What I did know about their travels, I used and of course embellished the facts with what I imagined happened, or could have happened.

I wrote in longhand first, then typed the pages usaing a portable typewriter my mother gave me. To have copies, I had to insert a sheet of carbon paper between two sheets of typing paper. I don't remember how many times I retyped page after page. 

I didn't belong to a writing group, but my sister did and she took chapters and read them there. Oh, my, did they have a lot of criticisms for me--but I learned from them.

When I thought it was ready, I started sending it out to publishers. What that entailed, I'll write about next time.

(And of course the talk was cancelled.)

Marilyn

Comments

Thonie Hevron said…
This is a great example of re-purposing researched material! Good to know this stuff in our light-speed paced day. Well, maybe today isn't so speedy...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
It was very time-consuming back in the day--and you had to wait forever for any kind of response.
Susan Oleksiw said…
Marilyn, yes, carbon paper ironing the finished ms after others had read and curled the pages; erasing marks left on pages by other readers; waiting for a snail mail reply from research libraries. Life was certainly different. Thanks for the trip into the past.
It sure was different, Susan! I think it's quite remarkable I never gave up.
When I think back on many fronts, life/things are so much different now. Looking back is a good thing to do...
Hi, Madeline, many things are easier now, but we still have some hurdles.

Popular posts from this blog

Need to Catch Up With My Blog Tour?

Meet Morgen Bailey from the UK

The Alvarez Family Murder Mysteries By Heather Haven