Tuesday, January 31, 2012

Time Travel is not for the Faint of Heart

When writing a time travel book, be prepared to research, research and do more research.  Then when you think you have it all ready, prepare to find yourself having to check just a few more facts.  Which in fact involves even more research.  So when you think you know enough about the turn of last century, be ready to admit there are some things that didn't spring to mind.

This last day of writing has been so intense.  Worthwhile but very intense.  When you read the book, I think you will know what I was writing about on these most intense days.  Mildred has been put through the wringer today and I hope to bring her to a more pleasant place next chapter.

I hope you find Mildred as unforgettable as I do.
Thank you for coming down this path with me.
Sojourner

Monday, January 30, 2012

Wagon's ho!

Today was one of the days where the words flowed quickly.  The wagon was loaded and the family began the trip west.  The noises from the back of the wagon were as timeless as a sunrise.  The path to Amy's sister's house was littered with crying children, arguing teens and frustrated adults.

This is the hardest section to write. I am saddened by this portion of Mildred's story.  All I can repeat is that it is for the greater good.

The path that we were on today was one of pain and bonding.  It seems, at least for Mildred Miller that without one there is not the other.

Thanks for joining me on this journey.

Sojourner

Saturday, January 28, 2012

Weekend Researching While Everyone Else Naps

While most everyone sleeps I begin down the path to turn of last century research. I want the book to be authentic and not be filled with little inaccuracies. I am seeking out dates for Polio vaccine discovery and automobile production in the 1900s.  With the story-line worked out in my mind, I want to make sure that the ages are correct as to when certain events happened.  With a certain path inked out for this family, I want to make sure that the era Mildred wants to portray is accurate.  Mildred is a strong character and has made sure that things are written her way.  There are other strong characters in this second book, but they are willing to let me decide how best to tell their story.  Gemma came to me in the night so I had a good grasp on her, but Mildred made sure I told her story in her way. You might notice when the book comes out that her story-line is a little different than Gemma's.
So now that everyone is awake and active, there is no more writing for me tonight.  So thanks again for coming down this path with me and reading along throughout the process.

Have a great weekend.
Sojourner

Friday, January 27, 2012

This Weekend is a Time for Research

Heading out for the weekend and while I am away, I will have my trusty laptop surfing Google and all things cars.  I am working on a plot line that calls for reliable and accurate information on the types of travel families used in the early 1900's.

This second book has plenty of detail work for me to sink my research teeth into.  I love when a path takes me into the past.  To me there is nothing better than going through old journals, diaries and pictures to find a story.  Mildred will be either a passenger on a wagon or in a car with her family as they prepare to relocate.  Will her family be able to afford a family t-model or will they have the old team take them just as their ancestors arrived before them.  I will know after this weekend.  Perhaps I will share the answer, or maybe I will leave it for when  you read the book.
Thanks for traveling down this path with me.

Thursday, January 26, 2012

Formatting and Conversion Training Today

This morning the path opened up and before me was a list of read me files. Learning how to format this book in a Kindle friendly form is challenging. I am fortunate that I have a geek squad living in the same house as me so that I can rely on them to explain these terms.

Taking a break from the format talk and PDF details, I turned to the second book which is a little different from the first book. Keeping two books active at the same time sometimes can be a little confusing.

It seems one of my second book characters decided to name their child a name I do not like. I have been wrestling with a name change and the character is pretty adamant that she likes her daughters name. As of right now the name stays the same. I may have more to say to this character about choosing a name that I do not like later. For now, I will let it stay. At least it is a pretty short name. Sometimes these long names befuddle me.

The Path of the Child has its own ISBN now and things are progressing as we move toward publication.

Thanks for dropping in and seeing how it is going.

 Right now it is time for me to go back to writing on the second book for a bit before tackling the PDF files again. Geek squad hurry home. I have questions.

Wednesday, January 25, 2012

Welcome to the Path of the Writer

This is the blog that will mark the progress of becoming a published author.  This path is small and narrow, like the veins on a leaf. 

The publication of my first book titled The Path of the Child, is less than one month away.  This book has been writing its self for almost a year.  Just as any path there will be vines and roots that may threaten to trip me or tickle me as I venture down.  I will try to include all the dear readers that want to travel with me into the great unknown known as publishing on E-books.

To give a little information on my first novel, The title is The Path of the Child and it is the story of seventeen year old Melanie.  Melanie is a girl that has been alone most of her life. Accustomed to her solitude, she is surprised when a boy from school named Robert offers her a ride. After being befriended by this schoolmate, she discovers that there are reasons for her strange home life and she and Robert set about to discover the secrets of her life and family.   

I hope you will join me in this journey and become as excited about Mealnie Easton as I am.