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Approachable Founder

ellenparkerwrites

This year, due to the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, the prominent gentlemen of 1776 have received more press than usual.

Do you feel a little in awe? Afraid you’d be tongue-tied if you time travelled and ended up meeting one of them on the street?

Relax — odds of time travel to the days of the American Revolution are slim.

Do you have business at the courthouse? Are you a little nervous about it? Or is the matter over and you’ve mental sorting to do? Either way — have a seat with Ben.

Easy to find — outside the main entrance to the Franklin County Courthouse — Ben welcomes you to his bench. Perhaps more appealing on a fine day, he will share no matter the weather — raindrops and snowflakes do not hinder him from listening to your woes or joys.

The later-in-life romance, Fine Lines, features two characters familiar with courthouses. The defense attorney often has meetings or court appearances. Likewise, the police detective is called on for testimony. Can they keep a line between professional and personal lives? Check the book blurb at the link. https://bit.ly/49FtvjF

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Spanish Source

ellenparkerwrites

Are you familiar with the television show Finding your Roots? Following the paper trail and supplementing these facts with DNA analysis, ancestors of celebrities and people of renown are discovered.

Well, if you did the same for an animal breed associated with Texas, you’d end up in Spain.

This fine fellow, photographed a few years ago at a St. Louis County Park, is a modern adaptation of cattle brought from Spain to America during the 1500’s. Survival was the name of the game — and small changes from generation to generation resulted in this sturdy cattle breed. They are able to graze on plants other cattle (and humans) consider weeds. They have also developed resistance to several diseases.

Intelligent and gentle, humans must remember to make accommodation for the wide-spread horns. Typically four feet from tip-to-tip, they have been known to grow to double that distance.

Would you like to encounter one early in the morning?

A police detective in the later-in-life romance, Fine Lines, finds the incident memorable, but not pleasant. He’d prefer to interview human witnesses and inspect crime scenes. Click on the link to find the complete book blurb. https://bit.ly/49FtvjF

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Forecast: Winter Wind

ellenparkerwrites

A calendar isn’t necessary to feel the change in seasons. Mornings are cooler. Soon freezing temperatures will arrive — first in the early morning hours, then all night, and finally into the day. Exact timing and extent varies widely in the United States due to geographic differences.

Do you remember the wind? Often from the north or northwest, it brings cold polar air. Are you stepping outside? Time for an extra layer of clothing — that summer shirt leaves you with gooseflesh.

Have you considered one of these?

Cloaks are not as popular as coats these days. But they have a certain charm. They feel warm and cozy when you’re walking. The attached hood keeps the ears warm. One button or fastener in the front is usually sufficient. Have you ever owned a cloak?

In the historical romance, Stitching a Dream, the seamstress heroine sews herself a gray, wool cloak for winter. It was fashionable in 1851 Illinois. Can you imagine her taking her basket to the grocer on a winter day? Check out the book blurb at the link. https://amzn.to/3VwoeFh

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Where there’s Smoke

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You’ll find the artillery demonstration.

Yes, temporarily hidden by the smoke is the minimum crew of three, in British Colonial costume, demonstrating an 18th century cannon.

While the aim is not as accurate as later weapons — the sound gets your attention. Plus, many a sailing ship was damaged and infantry formation disrupted by cannon fire. After all, each time an eight pound flying object slams into the target, much damage results. A person is allowed to shutter when imaging sailing within range of a battery of six or eight of these.

No cannons are fired — in anger or demonstration — in the historical romance, Stitching a Dream. The residents of fictional Elm Ridge, Illinois have other concerns. This new arrival — the one speaking Deutsch while claiming to be American — is this possible?

Follow the link to the book blurb to learn more about a seamstress, her son, and the new neighbor. https://amzn.to/3VwoeFh

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Autumn Abundance

ellenparkerwrites

Autumn. Harvest time. In Northern places you need to work both hard and quick. You need to wait for the crop to be ripe. It is also necessary to get the harvest complete before the weather changes.

Looks like a good crop this year. Time to get the ladder and basket.

This particular apple tree is a remnant of an orchard. The grounds are used for another purpose now, but a few trees were granted grace.

If this was growing on your property you would want to gather as many ripe apples as possible. Quick, pick up the “windfalls” before animals and ground moisture ruin them. You can cut away the damaged portion and make applesauce or jelly.

Do you own a stepladder? Good — set it up in as level a place as possible, set your basket on the top, and pick as many as you can reach. Store them in a cool, dry place — perhaps in the root cellar near the potatoes, onions, carrots, squash and other produce. Enjoy the pies, cakes, and bedtime snacks all the way to the bottom of the basket.

In the historical romance, New Dreams, the baker makes and sells treats with apples all year long. Turnovers, pies, and cake topped with sweetened apple slices are consistently in demand by the residents of fictional Elm Ridge, Illinois. Follow the link to learn more about this 1851 American story. https://amzn.to/3vWydWE

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Team Work

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“Why did we stop here?”

“Because the driver pulled the reins?”

“Don’t get smart with me.” The off horse sighed before addressing the tourists on the sidewalk.

Every day is similar. Our hay buffet is interrupted, we’re given a minute or two at the watering trough, and then the human puts on our harness. Our first task is a walk to the dock. Then we wait while humans load our wagon with a variety of boxes and crates. Most of them are uninteresting to my teammate and I. However, some of the crates addressed to the grocery store or a restaurant have an appealing odor.

Next comes the deliveries. Our driver pulls us to a halt. Some of the freight is unloaded. Then we merge into traffic and walk to the next business.

Horses have been pulling all sorts of wagons and carriages for humans for generations. While most places have replaced the “hay burners” with mechanical “gasoline” or “diesel” motors, a few places stick with the old ways.

These horses would fit into the historical romance, New Dreams, in the blink of an eye. Perhaps their ancestors walked to the Mississippi River dock to meet the steamboats in 1851 and then delivered freight to businesses in town. New arrivals often arrived with a travel trunk which required their expert skills. Lucky horses had kind owners who kept the animals well fed, inspected hoofs and shoes, and brushed down their coats after hours of hard work.

You will find more book information at the link: https://amzn.to/3vWydWE

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Multinational Defenses

ellenparkerwrites

As Europeans explored and settled North America, certain pieces of real estate changed hands multiple times.

For example: This reconstructed building at Colonial Michilimackinac. (How many syllables is that?)

French explorers and priests arrived first. Native Americans already used the area for trade so it was a logical location for both trading post and fort.

Then the French and English had a war. The winner – English – raised their flag and installed their soldiers. Then another war – won by the United States (or maybe not exactly united at that point) – led to another flag and group of soldiers.

But the wars were not over. England and the United States fought again. The fort changed hands and England put in motion a move to a nearby island. However, the war ended in a draw and the United States again took possession. This time to the present day.

Take note of the vertical log construction. This is evidence of French influence. The site in the foreground, with plastic tarp and straw bales, indicates the archeological site closed for the season.

Missouri also changed hands multiple times. Depending upon the decade, the flag was French, Spanish, or United States. Among the many Missouri State Parks and Historic Sites are vertical log constructed structures — built by the French.

Check out the later-in-life romance, Morning Tryst, for a brief introduction to a few of these sites. The photographer heroine has an eye for sunrises — and gets a few surprises along the way. Here’s a link to the book blurb: https://amzn.to/35gH37S

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Hello Tourist

ellenparkerwrites

Welcome to my piece of shoreline. The fishing is good. Tourist snacks are appreciated. Eating chips? If you drop any I’ll clean up. Same for that last bite of sandwich.

My favorite activity? Well, it depends on many things. I enjoy flying. Following a boat — in hopes they toss a few edible bits off the stern — is great fun. Swimming is part of daily life, I can even work in a little fishing at the same time. Walk on land? Of course, webbed feet work just fine on rocks, sand, and grass. I’ll be social and participate in colony life. You may have heard us. When we gather by the hundreds humans complain of the noise. (As if they should talk. Have you heard some motorized vehicles?)

When you distill my wants and needs to the basics, I’m not that different from other birds or animals. I’m content if I have a meal, a mate, and a nest.

Early in the later-in-life romance, Morning Tryst, our hero launches into an informal lecture admiring gulls. Is it the topic or his voice that impresses the photographer most? Check out the book blurb at the link: https://amzn.to/35gH37S

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Payoff for Patience

ellenparkerwrites

All in good time.

Wait — don’t rush things.

Most likely, you’ve heard these or similar sayings all of your life. Patience is listed among the virtues, a trait we are urged to cultivate.

Sometimes it works. Recently, I was on vacation and one of our hotel rooms had a wonderful view of the Straits of Mackinac. The weather was clear our first evening and in our limited time before dark, we savored the view of water, gulls, ducks, and geese.

The next morning it was gloomy and rainy. We went about the business of the tour group without paying much attention to the view. The following morning was similar. And then…

on our third and final morning, this happened.

A good photographer is patient. They are also precise with choice of lens and light settings. In the later-in-life romance, Morning Tryst, you meet a freelance photographer working a contract with Missouri State Parks. She enjoys capturing sunrise — even better than sunset. Check out the book details at the link: https://amzn.to/35gH37S

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Recommended Reading

ellenparkerwrites

Have you ever wanted to write a novel? Or perhaps a shorter work of fiction?

If so…I hope you are a reader. The first step to be a good writer, is to read, read, read. Yes, you should read works in the same category (genre) as the one you want to write. But it is good to read a few others also.

Another recommended step before you put pen to paper (or fingers keyboard) is to do some research. Find some quality non-fiction about the area your story is set, the occupations of your characters, and other things which may (or may not) appear in your story.

The above photo are some of the books I consulted before and during the writing of my most recent romance, Fine Lines. As you may deduce from the titles, a police detective is one of my characters.

Oh — my book is fiction. Does it really need to have the facts and procedures accurate? Can’t I watch a few TV shows and movies?

Warning, fiction readers can tell the difference when you stray too far from reality. And some movies and TV programs are far from actual daily life. If you want the first readers to recommend your book to friends or want readers of your first book to purchase the second — get the major and basic facts straight. And be consistent — don’t change names or physical descriptions in the middle of your story.

OK. Class is over. Happy researching and writing.

Here’s a link to Fine Lines, the later-in-life romance which incorporates bits and pieces from the pictured books. https://bit.ly/49FtvjF