I am so delighted to be finished with a rough draft of my
next novel. After several months of scattered writing, I did the “math” this
February and realized I needed a determined focus to complete a first draft of
my novel before the beautiful days of summer were upon me. Frankly, I usually
don’t write extensively in the summer...way too many other things to
enjoy...visits with family, time with friends, hiking awesome trails, pulling
weeds (it can be therapeutic) and watching a campfire late at night.
So I embarked on a single-minded creative venture for late
winter and early spring, choosing to skip other writing such as short stories,
extensive journaling or blogging, and other likewise pursuits, and diving into
“being written” by a story. I also allowed myself the luxury of reading several
books, mostly by local authors. For me, I consider “local” to be both Bozeman
and Wolf Point authors...now here are two very different “cultures.” There are
things and people I enjoy about both locales, and also there are some things
that bite about each.
My new novel at this time is titled, “Brittle Silver.” When
I say rough draft, I do mean ROUGH. It feels a bit like a sieve, lots of holes,
but still an exciting storyline and characters. I’m never sure how much I
should talk about a work in progress. Does talking upset the muses? Or is
talking a way of sharing the excitement? I’m not really sure.
“Brittle Silver” was spawned several years ago when I cajoled
my teenage son, his girlfriend, young adult daughter and my husband to walk the steep, twisty road toward the
ghost town of Granite, high in the Flint Creek Range outside of Philipsburg. I
never have liked narrow mountain roads that provide few places wide enough for
two vehicles to pass. The sign that read: “Road Not Maintained, Travel at Your
Own Risk” was also a bit of a deterrent to my desire to drive the washed out
road.
After several miles of walking, the teens had their fill of
the steady climb and lagged far behind Jerry, Maria and I. I goaded them on another
mile, knowing we were so close, but my persistence did not outweigh their
resistance, we turned around and enjoyed the easy trip downhill.
It was several years later before we made our assault on the
mountain again. Not sure who was the main instigator this time, maybe the
history major in the group...Anyway, this time it was with vehicles. We did
make it to the top...I was a bit of a wreck with the narrow, cliff-hanging
road...more adrenalin than I knew what to do with. When my knees quit knocking,
I was finally able to enjoy the experience.
Once there, the rugged mountaintop was fascinating. Although
almost all the buildings were gone, the stonework of the mills and history of
the town of Granite that perched 7,000 feet on the side of a mountain was
amazing. That day initiated a several
year search into the history and stories of the town of Granite. Including days
spent at the Granite County Museum looking at photos and mementos, at the
Philipsburg Mail perusing old newspapers from 1892 and 1893, and at the Montana
Historical Society in Helena looking at mining reports and maps.
Out of my research and reflections grew some very special
characters, some fictional, some historical, all unique. These individuals and
stories have captivated my imagination and seem as real as the breezes on the
high mountain. And where are they going?
The wonderful books I was able to read between writing...these
I must rave about. Two of the books were middle grade novels packed with great
action and mystery by Bozeman authors, Janet
Fox’s The Charmed Children of Rookskill
Castle and Kent
Davis’ A Riddle in Ruby. Wolf Point co-author, Jeremy
Watterson’s and Skylar Browning’s book, Montana
Baseball History reminded me of those wonderful warm evenings watching
American Legion Baseball in the 1970’s at Cobb Field. The talented players,
Coach Eddie Bayne and the ever-dedicated Catholic nuns cheering behind the
dugout made the experience timeless. Wolf Point author, Joe McGeschick’s,
Howard’s Dream, is a tribute to a
man, an invention, the business of Wood’s Power Grip and a special family.
Two other novels I read this winter are included in my
“local reads.” One, In Open Spaces by Russell Rowland of
Billings, is a tale of family strength and turmoil in the wide rolling prairie
of southeastern Montana in the early nineteen hundreds. I grew up on stories of
my dad’s younger years in the 30s and 40s driving mail and freight on the back
roads of southeast Montana. I remember the look of pride and excitement in my
father’s eyes when he told of being sent to Detroit at the age of eighteen in
1936 to pick up a new truck for his dad. The seemingly endless dry years also brought me back to my move to Wolf Point during the drought of the 80's, when pockets
were tight, tempers short, yet hope for the rains to come and better days,
always on the horizon. I look forward to reading Russell’s newest book, Fifty-Six
Counties, on one of my long plane rides this spring.
Second, I had the opportunity to read Spokane’s Kris
Dinnison’s (my delightful co-panelist at the 2015 Montana Book Festival) young
adult novel, You and Me and Him. This is a tale that portrays the angst
of young love within the arc of friendship and loyalty. Lastly, I finally read the
multi-faceted story of A
Tree Grows in Brooklyn by Betty Smith, definitely an engaging tale.
Enough for now. Happy reading and creating. Have a
delightful start to summer...By the way it is snowing right now...a tree
snapping snow for May 10th...but...just wait...there are better days ahead...
