Fiction as Autobiography: Chapter One
When trying to imagine the experiences of dead and imaginary individuals from times long past, reference books can go only so far. I have to get off the academic bus and strike out into my own malpais of memories. That isn’t as far fetched as it...
Irreverent Sir-Reverence
“Irreverence is the champion of liberty and its only sure defense.” Mark Twain (1835-1910) American history is taught in our schools. Historical sound bites are repeated on Washington’s birthday, Lincoln’s birthday, the Fourth of July, and Thanksgiving. Like most...
Shock and Ew-w-w-w
In 1979, Ballantine Books gave me a contract to write a novel about the Comanches, a culture and tradition completely unknown to this Anglo-American East Coast native. That first venture into historical research raised an unexpected question. In 1836 what made the...
Shooting the Puppy
Thanks to Vivian Waters for taking this photo at the National Military Cemetery at the Presidio outside of San Francisco. Sarah Bowman is honored there for her courage under fire at the Battle of Ft. Brown in March of 1846, and for her bravery in caring for the...
Cocktail Karate
My guy, Brian, knew what to buy for a girl. While I was writing The Tokaido Road he did some research of his own, and found Mr. Kiyota’s martial arts store on Charles Street in Baltimore. http://www.kiyotacompany.com/ For Christmas that year this...
Coincidence? You Be the Judge
Several years ago I decided to stop at the McDonald’s in the Annapolis district called Parole (a name which, given the resulting Devilish plot line, is a coincidence in itself). As I was savoring the egg-and-cheese McMuffin, two guys got into an argument...
Florence St. Clair Savage, aka Gram
This is/was my grandmother, born 1894, died 1974. While researching Tiana Rogers’ story for Walk in My Soul, I learned that among the Cherokee people, “Grandmother” was a respectful way to address a woman. They even referred to the sun as "Grandmother." In one of...
Alligator Allegories
Light a Distant Fire is set in my home state of Florida. Writing the story of Osceola gave me a chance to learn more about my favorite reptile, the alligator. While driving around the state doing research, I also heard stories of people’s encounters with them. An...