writing as Angela Raines
The story's done. All the research you did can be put away. But how many really ever do that? For me research is never ending. Even tonight as I sat at the dinner table with friends, the subject of research and writing came up. I shared some of my favorite sites for finding information. I thought for this post I would share a few with you.
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| Photo property of the author |
Then of course there is Google Books: Colorado, New Mexico, Utah, Nevada, Wyoming and Arizona Business Directory 1884
Library of Congress: Dance instruction manuals from 1490-1920
National Archives: Main Research Page
Of course, I also use my local library's special collections section; which include magazines and books which focus on Colorado and the Pikes Peak Region. This includes the various digitized newspapers, from Colorado Historic Newspapers, Pikes Peak Newsfinder, 19th Century Newspapers and Newspaper Archives. There is nothing like finding those little tidbits that add to the authenticity and joy to a story.
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| Arkansas River, Canon City, Colorado Photo property of the author |
"The Outlaw's Letter" has more specific historic information than most of my previous works. Those tidbits made writing the story so much fun.
How do you use research in your stories? I would love to know.
Below is a short excerpt from the above mentioned book:
Grant rode toward Canon City, the town
he tried to avoid. He would just deal with whatever happened there.
Hetty was more important.
An hour later, he came to a small cabin. "Hello the house?"
Even when he called out, Hetty didn't respond. She was dead weight in
his arms. If it weren't for the rise and fall of her chest, he'd have
sworn she was dead.
A middle aged-looking woman came to the door. "What can I…"
She began, then seeing Hetty she hurried forward. "What
happened?"
"She fell from her horse and hit her head. She's still
breathing, but…" Grant stopped, he didn't want to continue,
didn't want to think what might happen. Taking a deep breath, Grant
continued, "If I could leave her here while I go for a doctor?"
"Who is she?"
"My wife."
The woman nodded, heading to the door of the cabin. "Come on in.
I'll have my boy go for the doctor, it'll be quicker."
Grant tried dismounting while he still held Hetty. He didn't want to
let her go.
"Let me help. Know you want to hold on to her, but if you drop
her..." the woman insisted.
Grant finally accepted the woman's help, but the minute his feet hit
the ground he took Hetty back into his arms.
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Doris
Gardner-McCraw -
