Sarah MacTavish's Blog, page 2

Texas Panic of 1860 part 2

If you missed my post last week, I started discussing some of the historical background for my novel, the Texas Panic of 1860. Mysterious fires broke out in July of that year, creating a frenzy that killed many and pushed the state further toward secession from the United States.

Today I wanted to share some excerpts and clippings from The Navarro Express, a weekly newspaper from Corsicana (south of Dallas), to show an example of how this escalated to such a vicious attacks on slaves and susp...

Texas Panic of 1860

For these next few posts I want to share a little of the historical backdrop in which the events of my novel take place, both in the north and south.

As I mentioned last week, my idea to write about the Civil War–and the notion of a southern abolitionist–came many years ago. But it wasn’t until a more recent draft that I decided to place my protagonist in Texas. North Texas, to be precise, where I hail from.And while researching the extent of abolitionist thought and influence here in this are...

William Lloyd Garrison

To meetthe theme of modern-day abolition with my writing and research, I’m reblogging a post from a few years back. Since my novel centers around two teenage abolitionists in 1860, I wanted to know more about the ideas and practices of some of the major players in the movement, and the popular reception of those ideas.

William Lloyd Garrison has become one of my heroes, and as we fight slavery today, we can learn from and be inspired his passion and conviction, and of others like him.

*Updated:...

My favorite reads of 2014

End of the year, end of my reading goal for 2014. I had an overly ambitious goal to read 52 books, one per week. Of course life gets in the way, as usual. That, and any time I had to spare I spent it writing, if I could. But I did improve from last year!

Here are my results:

2014 Reading Challenge

Sarah has

read 27 books toward her goal of 52 books.

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27 of 52 (51%)
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There are still a coupledays left of the year…. maybe I can get that number up to 30!

And of course, I have to share my Top...

A rainy day of research

So it finally rained, as my weather app has been threatening it would all week, so I’m very glad I got the footwork done yesterday. Also, this week has exhausted me more than I anticipated, so it’s probably very good that I’ve forced myself to rest.

I thought about going back up to see Harper’s Ferry, or Brandy Station, or even out to Williamsburg, but instead I found myself tucked away at the Central RappahannokRegional Library for a few hours, pouring over my notes, researching Pennsylvania...

Fredericksburg

So… I unintentionally fit two-days’ worth of battlefield sightseeing into a single day. Oops.

I visited the sites of Marye’s Heights, Salem Church, Chancellorsville, and the Wilderness. I’d planned to space them out and see some tomorrow, but I was afraid weather would keep me from viewing everything I needed to. In hindsight, I should’ve given myself more time at Gettysburg, and just a day or so here. Anyhow.

My first stop after the visitor center was Marye’s Heights, and the monument to Humph...

Antietam

Today was a full day! Started the morning listening to another historian at the bed and breakfast where I was staying. Loved his presentation. Had a great breakfast and made a couple new friends (it appears I can socialize after all!) before heading out towards Antietam.

First, I just have to say, part of what has made this trip so amazing is just the driving. I love getting out on the road, especially when I’m not familiar with an area, so long as it’s daylight. The drive into Maryland was am...

Gettysburg

Back in my room at the B&B, and asking myselfif I shouldn’t be so anti-social while I’m here. But then I remind myself that I’m an introvert, I have a ton of work to do, and I really don’t want to mingle anyway. Maybe I’ll go down for tea, later. Maybe. (Edit: Socialized this morning with some lovely people and enjoyed myself! 10 points to Hufflepuff?)

Today was exhausting, but great! Information overload, to be sure. I had a CD for a self-guided auto tour. I’m proud that I stuck with it as l...

Going on an adventure

I think I’m going to be starting every single one of these posts with “Well it’s been a while…”Of course summers as a public librarian are always super busy, so let’s just sum up by saying I’m very happy it’s September, for many reasons.

Biggest of those is that I’m on vacation!

Well, it’s still “work.” I’m on a road-trip to do research for the rest of the books in my YA historical fiction series, Firebrand. Still waiting on anagent for the first, but it’s time to look ahead to the next book. A...