Early Oregon Series: The Book Begins

Hello Friends,

Sometimes when it is time for me to learn something new, I take a long time to get my feet wet.  For example, when Cary got me my new camera a couple of years ago, I didn't start using it for quite a while.  I was afraid of it.  I knew how to use my "easy" one, so I let the new one just sit there for the first few months.  I was thrilled that Cary had believed in me and had spent the money on it, but I just wasn't ready to get down and dirty with that camera.  I had to get used to the idea for a while.  But when I did start using it, man, look at what happened!  My amateur photography career took off, and my blog became a lot more interesting.  Now I can't stop taking pictures for the life of me.


Well, a similar thing is now beginning to happen with me again, but this time it has to do with writing instead of photography.  I am so excited!  I began the research for my book last night and feel that it is all falling into place.  At the very least, I am getting ready to take the plunge.
  

It was a case of one thing leading to another, as it usually is for me.  God has been helping me take my little baby steps and they are now becoming strides.  It is interesting how participating in Postcardy Friendship Friday and Sepia Saturday are propelling me forward with this thrilling project.  At least it is thrilling to me.
  

It has been close to a year since I got my idea for a historical novel based on the history of some of my favorite places in Oregon.  I have a rough outline in my head, and have written some of it down.  I've told a few receptive people about it.  They are usually strangers who are politely listening but are really thinking, how do I get away from her?  Because it is a long book. Once I get going, they are stuck with me for awhile.  For example, my girl Kari listened politely and then said, "Mom, that sounds like a mini-series that I would really like to watch on t.v."  It could easily cover a whole season.
  

I have had some doubts.  A few little self-confidence issues to overcome.  I have never even submitted a short story for publication, so what makes me think that I can write a book as long as Gone With The Wind and that people will want to buy it?  What makes me think that somebody who is afraid of a new camera can really even write a book?  All I can say is, there is a story inside of me that needs to be told, and because it covers quite a bit of the settling and growing up of Oregon, well, I think that other people will want to read it.  If I can do a good enough job pulling it together.  One thing that I am good at and do enjoy is research.  I am looking at this project like one huge term paper, and term papers were something that I really did enjoy about college.
  

When I first started to pull things together last year, I was going about it in an opposite direction than I am now.  I had my ideas and was trying to research the facts to back up my story.  Now, I am researching the early history of Oregon and in doing so am creating my story.  My new motto is, "Write about what you know, and research what you don't."
  

When I learn some interesting bit of history or trivia, I will put it on here to share with you.  Anything that I may want to use in the future for my book will begin with "Early Oregon" on the title.  That way, they will be easy to find all in one spot.  Just go up to the very top left hand corner of my blog to the search bar and type in "Early Oregon", and you should find all my posts on historical Oregon.  Another category that I am starting is "Vintage Oregon", which is a time period in my mind that comes after "Early Oregon".  You will just need to be flexible with me on timelines here, as I get this figured out.  By the way, you can use that search tool for anything else too.  Like, "Tyler Matthews".
  

So, that is my news.  Thank you so much for listening.  I am so excited about this project.  I hope that I can really get it underway with few roadblocks.
  
Take care, God bless and have a wonderful Sunday!

~ Kathy

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