I've been writing a lot of the Secret Lives of Evelyn and still looking for the elusive data...
My new book, Apex, will be out next week and there is a good deal of promotion going on. The local paper, the Apex Herald ran a full front-page ad with photos!
Today I appeared on the local CBS affiliate, WRAL, to talk about the book.
Monday, November 9, 2009
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
November 4, 2009
I have been diligently working on The Secret Lives of Evelyn for the last few days. I have hit some road blocks, especially for the last two pieces of this crazy puzzle!
I had the pleasure of speaking with one of Evelyn's great granddaughters in London. She is just as sweet and funny as can be. It was such a neat feeling being able to talk with someone who actually knew Evelyn's first child! It was almost as if I was talking to Evelyn.
Elizabeth shared some very personal and interesting stories with me. There is no way to confirm them, but they have been passed down from family members. I still intend to share them because they are so crazy!
Today I am focusing on the writing part--it's very easy for me to get sucked into the research part.
The new Apex book is making a splash! A story in the local paper, Apex Herald featured it yesterday and I will be on the local CBS affiliate on Monday afternoon. I will post a link here after it airs. Here is the one for the Apex book http://www.theapexherald.com/pages/full_story/push?article-Local+author+writes+about+town-s+history%20&id=4278387-Local+author+writes+about+town-s+history&instance=home_news_lead
I had the pleasure of speaking with one of Evelyn's great granddaughters in London. She is just as sweet and funny as can be. It was such a neat feeling being able to talk with someone who actually knew Evelyn's first child! It was almost as if I was talking to Evelyn.
Elizabeth shared some very personal and interesting stories with me. There is no way to confirm them, but they have been passed down from family members. I still intend to share them because they are so crazy!
Today I am focusing on the writing part--it's very easy for me to get sucked into the research part.
The new Apex book is making a splash! A story in the local paper, Apex Herald featured it yesterday and I will be on the local CBS affiliate on Monday afternoon. I will post a link here after it airs. Here is the one for the Apex book http://www.theapexherald.com/pages/full_story/push?article-Local+author+writes+about+town-s+history%20&id=4278387-Local+author+writes+about+town-s+history&instance=home_news_lead
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
Working with Family
The Secret Lives of Evelyn continues to fill my days.
However, today I was in contact with a coroner in England to see if I can get the details of E's death. Since I am not family, they will not release it to me. On the bright side, E's GG granddaughter in England has agreed to email the coroner to see what she can find. I think she is equally curious to know more about her fascinating relative.
I now have an "accomplice" in my quest for the truth!
I forgot to mention that I found some other interesting details around E's husband the other day. Very exciting...
However, today I was in contact with a coroner in England to see if I can get the details of E's death. Since I am not family, they will not release it to me. On the bright side, E's GG granddaughter in England has agreed to email the coroner to see what she can find. I think she is equally curious to know more about her fascinating relative.
I now have an "accomplice" in my quest for the truth!
I forgot to mention that I found some other interesting details around E's husband the other day. Very exciting...
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
Not Very Often...
I got to do something yesterday that not many people can say they have done.
During my research for The Secret Lives of Evelyn, I have hit road blocks, discovered scandal, uncovered shocking details, and much more. I have also gotten in contact with E's direct descendants.
However, yesterday, I had the pleasure of introducing two of E's relatives to each other.
One is her GG granddaughter, who lives in England, and the other is her great granddaughter who lives in Montana. Neither new the other existed, so their reunion should be quite enlightening. It's so cool to think that E's relatives on two different continents are now connected!
It was one of those feel good days, and hey, today is still the same!!!
Well, I am just about done with most of my research, although I still have many unanswered questions. However, at some point, I have to start writing.
Today is that day...
During my research for The Secret Lives of Evelyn, I have hit road blocks, discovered scandal, uncovered shocking details, and much more. I have also gotten in contact with E's direct descendants.
However, yesterday, I had the pleasure of introducing two of E's relatives to each other.
One is her GG granddaughter, who lives in England, and the other is her great granddaughter who lives in Montana. Neither new the other existed, so their reunion should be quite enlightening. It's so cool to think that E's relatives on two different continents are now connected!
It was one of those feel good days, and hey, today is still the same!!!
Well, I am just about done with most of my research, although I still have many unanswered questions. However, at some point, I have to start writing.
Today is that day...
Thursday, October 1, 2009
Movie and More
I was just thinking about all the details and the journey I am on because of The Secret Lives of Evelyn.
Thank goodness I am documenting so much of the journey here, because in the book someone will see the day that Evelyn died. However, they will have no idea how long it took me to find that one fact, unless they are following this.
That got me to thinking that with all the attention on the Julie and Julia movie that I should get one! LOL
This journey has had some ups and downs, highs and lows, surprises, and much more. My publisher says my journey to find Evelyn's secrets is as interesting as Evelyn herself!
I found Ev's final resting place today. I feel a little sad...
Thank goodness I am documenting so much of the journey here, because in the book someone will see the day that Evelyn died. However, they will have no idea how long it took me to find that one fact, unless they are following this.
That got me to thinking that with all the attention on the Julie and Julia movie that I should get one! LOL
This journey has had some ups and downs, highs and lows, surprises, and much more. My publisher says my journey to find Evelyn's secrets is as interesting as Evelyn herself!
I found Ev's final resting place today. I feel a little sad...
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
Curiouser and Curiouser
It seems the more I learn about Evelyn the more questions I have. Just when I think I am ready to start writing The Secret Lives of Evelyn, I find another secret, which leads to another question!
I have found her obit, which was tricky and when you read the book you'll find out why.
I've been emailing with her GG granddaughter and and great granddaughter in England. Both have given me some pretty neat details about her life.
My Apex book came back with a few more edits. There is a neat story there, too. I had some photos from a guy in Apex which were wedding negatives to someone he did not know. I used them because they were cool. My editor wanted more info, so I started digging and found the groom alive at age 87! I was so neat to get his details for the photos.
The guy who has the negatives graciously agreed to let me give them to the groom--63 years later.
How cool is that?
I have found her obit, which was tricky and when you read the book you'll find out why.
I've been emailing with her GG granddaughter and and great granddaughter in England. Both have given me some pretty neat details about her life.
My Apex book came back with a few more edits. There is a neat story there, too. I had some photos from a guy in Apex which were wedding negatives to someone he did not know. I used them because they were cool. My editor wanted more info, so I started digging and found the groom alive at age 87! I was so neat to get his details for the photos.
The guy who has the negatives graciously agreed to let me give them to the groom--63 years later.
How cool is that?
Thursday, September 24, 2009
It's a good day!
I have been deep into research and hot on the trail of Evelyn's descendants this week and last.
So far, I have found more interesting tidbits and details, along with a direct descendant of Evelyn and George's!
She lives in the UK and seems really excited about me writing about her family. The other descendant that I already found here in the states is just thrilled.
It's so cool to be able to speak with people who are directly related to Evelyn. Right now, she is just a person in genealogy data banks, but speaking with and emailing her relatives make it all seem so more real.
I can't wait to see what the latest contact has for me...and to finally start writing her story.
This weekend it's a road trip with my cousin. We are staying with my Uncle Donald because I have a Western Writers of America event near his home. Should be a fun girl's weekend!
So far, I have found more interesting tidbits and details, along with a direct descendant of Evelyn and George's!
She lives in the UK and seems really excited about me writing about her family. The other descendant that I already found here in the states is just thrilled.
It's so cool to be able to speak with people who are directly related to Evelyn. Right now, she is just a person in genealogy data banks, but speaking with and emailing her relatives make it all seem so more real.
I can't wait to see what the latest contact has for me...and to finally start writing her story.
This weekend it's a road trip with my cousin. We are staying with my Uncle Donald because I have a Western Writers of America event near his home. Should be a fun girl's weekend!
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