For more than 70 years, Smokey Bear has been the face of the National Forest Service's wildfire prevention campaign. The cuddly, ranger-hatted bear appears in posters, commercials, and brochures, warning people about forest fires and their responsibilities when camping or hiking. Smokey even visits local schools, teaching children about the danger of playing with matches. … Continue reading Hotfoot Teddy
A World of Country to Settle
In the early 1820's, Stephen F. Austin led a group of approximately 300 families to an area that is now modern-day Texas. By 1836, after several bloody skirmishes, including the famous battle at the Alamo, the land had broken free from Mexican oppression, becoming the newly formed Republic of Texas. At the time, the countryside … Continue reading A World of Country to Settle
“This rusty car creaking along the highway to the west…”
In 1935, facing mounting pressure from Congress about the "Dust Bowl" problem, and thanks in part to Hugh Bennett's passionate plea to save the Plains, President Roosevelt created the Resettlement Administration. The main purpose of this entity was to give a buy-out, about seven hundred dollars per family, for people affected by the drought and … Continue reading “This rusty car creaking along the highway to the west…”
The Winged Plague
A black cloud on the horizon races towards your homestead. In the life of an Oklahoma farmer during the Dust Bowl, this was not an unusual sight. You'd herd what livestock remained into the barn and gather your family inside your house, stuffing wet sheets into the cracks to keep out the incoming dust. Then, … Continue reading The Winged Plague
#ShareYourRejections, Oz Style
The Wonderful Wizard of Oz. To me, the title alone stirs up images from my childhood, curled in bed as my mother made the story come alive or hiding my face behind the pillow every single time Margaret Hamilton's neon face came on screen during the classic film adaption. It's a tale universally known by … Continue reading #ShareYourRejections, Oz Style
The Man Who Saved The Plains
In the 1930s, as drought and dust ravaged the Great Plains, many came forward with solutions to the "Dust Bowl" problem. New Jersey's Barber Asphalt Company offered to pave over the area for a bargain price of just $5 an acre...for the entire 100 million acres. Similarly, a Pittsburgh steel manufacturer suggested installing some of … Continue reading The Man Who Saved The Plains
Boise City: The Town That Wasn’t…Then Was
Paved streets lined with beautiful, mature trees. An artesian well in the middle of town, gushing cold, clean, abundant water. Rows upon rows of quaint, sturdy houses with manicured lawns and picket fences. Blocks of booming businesses connected to the larger cities by railroad and, just beyond the city limits, hundreds of miles of rich … Continue reading Boise City: The Town That Wasn’t…Then Was
How I (finally) Got My Agent
I never thought I'd be able to write one of these posts. Four years, three manuscripts, hundreds of rejections...and today I can finally announce to the world that I am now represented by Natalie Grazian of Martin Literary Management. The road to this moment was long and twisty and not as much fun as I … Continue reading How I (finally) Got My Agent
Home (Or A Lackthereof)
I saw a post on Twitter recently that said "Retweet with the type of character you always write." Hmmm.....type of character I always write? Interesting. Out of the three novels I've written, I believe each protagonist to be remarkably different. In fact, even the stories themselves are pretty varied: I went from a contemporary new … Continue reading Home (Or A Lackthereof)
Livin’ On A Prayer
Well, I've done it. I've officially put another manuscript baby out into the world by submitting my first batch of queries. I've talked a lot about querying on this blog, about the pitfalls, the anxiety, the pain, and trying to stay positive throughout the whole heart-shattering process. But, can I be honest with you for … Continue reading Livin’ On A Prayer
