I'm frequently asked about the writing projects in which I become involved; Views From My Schoolroom Window is no exception! With extensive travel I've found that airplane travelers are as 'captive audience' very engaged in the behind-the-scenes making-of-the-story aspects of a book. I thought by sharing some of those questions I've had in recent conversations, I might answer some of your questions too! Here goes:

1. Is this fiction or nonfiction?


Nonfiction! This is a true story researched extensively and based upon actual diary, letters, writings (e.g., poems) and published articles by the subject, Mary Laurentine Martin.


2. Do you specialize in women's history?


No, or at least, I haven't so far! I welcome opportunities to learn more myself while investigating characters and epochs of history. Miss Martin, the main character in this case, provided me with a wonderful learning opportunity. Because of her, I will seek other true accounts of women's history with relish!


3. How did this story come to your attention?


This is somewhat referenced in the Laurentine page. In summary, my previous research on a Civil War subject led me to the University of Kansas where I had the wonderful opportunity of meeting a retired faculty couple who over the course of our friendship invited me to research and publish this account.


4. Why did you work on this project?


Truthfully, I had other projects in line when I came across Laurentine's story. I needed to determine if I would set them aside; which would come next? However, I was so taken with the deep devotion of Laurentine's granddaughter, Professor (Dr.) Cora Lee Beers Price to her grandmother's history that I, too, became engaged in the story. Perhaps initially I permitted our friendship to push Views From My Schoolroom Window to the top of the list of projects, but that soon sorted itself out once I began researching the work. Laurentine's material truly was just that captivating and I knew I could be a part of bringing important American history to open, readable pages for others. That's a powerful incentive, a seductive feeling for a writer, so I happily succumbed to the power of logical choice and I'm glad I did.


5. How long did it take from conception to completion?


In all, this project took approximately four years although in fairness during the first year or so I was finishing a Civil War book and conducting a book tour so I couldn't give it my full attention.


6. What were the sources for the photographs and other artwork?


Family records were invaluable and thankfully they were in excellent condition given their age. The Wisconsin State Historical Society has a first-class collection of images and maps; importantly, their archivists are outstanding in helping researchers target their search for visual resources. In addition, I'm always grateful to friends who have a wonderful business, Prints Old and Rare, where I find extraordinary peeks into the past that often serve my purposes very well! And finally, I've been fortunate to have fine experiences with top-ranked auction dealers who specialize in historical views, postal cards, and other ephemera which help round out a fuller picture of place history or an era. ALL of these were used for this book.


7. What's the difference between an Editor and an Author?


This is fundamentally important to understand! In the case of this book, Laurentine was the "author," because she, after all, wrote her own words, right? I came along years later and have tried to further expand upon her account for clarity, context, and expanded significance to the reader. My words are my own and so I am the "author" of the passages that I wrote in this book. However, there's no easy way for the two of us to be co-authors because we're not! She lived in the 1800's and I'm planted in the 21st century. Further, the preponderance of unique writing is Hers, not mine. To be fair, a documentary editor, as I consider myself, is one who writes at least 10-15 times as much as ever makes it into the book. Why? Because, as an editor, one takes on the responsibility of giving voice to the original author and not taking the spotlight away from her, in this case. You've heard the expression, "Listen twice as much as you speak." Well, it's something like that with editors. We're busy 'listening' to the voice of the author and insuring that when we do 'speak' our words are measured and meaningful to help amplify the author's or guide the reader but not to be obtrusive to the intent of the relationship between the author and the reader. A good source for this form of work online is the Association for Documentary Editing.


8. You published with academic presses previously; why did you go with AuthorHouse?


I was very motivated by time. It was a deep personal goal that the book in finished form be seen by the Price family who gave me the opportunity to work on this collection of materials. However, Dr. Cora Lee Beers Price was in frail health all along and passed away in 2004. I was very determined that her surviving widower, Dr. G. Baley Price (nearing 101 years old!) would have a copy presented to him for both of them. Only AuthorHouse could give me that peace of mind combined with the quality of finished work that I required. This is not to speak against the merits of other publishing, conventional presses or academic presses! Not at all; I'll surely try to work with them again too. In this particular case, I wanted to do this for the greater good of seeing it handed back to the people who made it possible.


9. Were you satisfied with your experience with AuthorHouse?


Yes! In fact, a holler-from-the-rafters "YES!" I had a great 'team' of experts in-house (Jenifer & Ryan among others) who made it efficient, friendly, honest, straight-forward, with quality-control checks, and always concerned that I was satisfied. They listened to my needs and helped me accomplish a fantastic book as a result. One needs to be deeply invested in their own book project, that's a given, but since I always am anyway, that wasn't new behavior for me to learn!


10. What are you working on next?


While I have another Civil War project that had to 'sit on the bench' while I completed this book, I also have another woman's story and an evolving (and intriguing if I say so myself!) art history book that are chomping at the bit -- talk about mixing metaphors in a run-on sentence! You will continue to find me in Genre: History and as always, Nonfiction!


11. Do you talk to students or community groups?


Yes! Over recent years I've addressed many different kinds of audiences: state historical societies, libraries, professional associations, museum members, colleges, active adult retirement learning centers, and Civil War Round Tables are some examples. If you're interested in such a possibility, please use the form on Contact page.


12. Any advice for other writers?


Don't stop. Write daily for yourself even if you don't write for others; stay in the habit of writing. Stay true to you! If you know you are lost in science fiction, then get out of it; someone else can shine in some lost galaxy. Find your voice, where you best belong and hug it tightly. Don't compromise your integrity, ever.


13. Ask me a question.


If you would like to ask me a question about how to become an author, Views From My Schoolroom Window, or one of the other books I have written, please fill out the contact form.