As I write historical fiction about the lives of my family in Roosevelt County, New Mexico, I’m continually researching the people, food, agricultural practices, and fashion of the time. As I pick up interesting bits, I’ll share them with you.
This year, I’m excited to tap into a new source. In a Julie and Julia sort of way, I’m going to work through Our Best Home Cooking: Roosevelt County 1997. Its contributors, members of the county’s homemakers’ clubs, are the basis for the characters I’m creating, or in cases like my grandma, they are the characters. The recipes are artifacts of their daily lives (Easy Wiener Dish) and special occasions (Mandarin and Maraschino Ham Sauce). Each post will come with reviews and, when possible, a brief biography of the contributor.
I’ll share my experiences as a writer: Habits that help or hinder; craft lessons; and what I learn about the business of publishing and marketing. I’ll also share connections between what I do as a writer and the possibilities for teaching students to write.
If there are topics you’d like me to explore, leave a comment below!