Pat Wahler's Blog
September 18, 2023
Behind the Book – Give Women the Vote!
For me, one of the most fun parts of researching a book is when I discover fascinating tidbits from history. For example, the early stages of my peeks at the life of Rose O’Neill as I worked on my novel showed me she supported suffrage. Rose was, after all, a working woman living in Greenwich Village, a hotbed of political activism. However, I had no idea about the extent of her involvement until I took a deeper dive into her story.

As Rose’s Kewpies became a phenomenon, her interest in the movement grew along with her active participation. She marched in suffrage parades held in New York City. During one parade Rose had the honor of leading the contingent of women who made their living as illustrators. Although she wasn’t always at ease speaking in front of groups, Rose stepped outside her comfort zone and agreed to take center stage on behalf of the cause. I can almost imagine how she must have felt when facing a sometimes hostile crowd. For there were plenty of men, and some women too, who were vehemently opposed to giving women the right to vote.
Anti-suffrage materials were printed and widely distributed, often using derogatory images. They typically portrayed suffragists as ugly bitter spinsters who were only doing this because they couldn’t find a husband.

Another popular device was showing suffragists as unreasonable tyrants who would most certainly emasculate men if they were given the opportunity to vote. The obvious intention of this strategy was to find every way possible of striking fear into the hearts of the men who would vote on the issue.
As you can see in this comic (circa 1910), the man of the house has been relegated to doing the laundry and (gasp!) caring for the baby. His wife is nowhere to be found. The framed sign hanging on the wall says: “Everybody Works But Mother. She’s a Suffragette.” Another comic showed a frazzled father holding a crying baby as his wife stomps out the door on election day. Presumed implication? Mother will be at the polls to cast her ballot, but Father will be at home tending to the household duties.
To help combat these types of tactics, Rose took the leap of harnessing the popularity of her own creation. The Kewpies, by this time well-known as cute, lovable, humorous, and kind beings, were perfectly suited to combat the negative anti-suffragist strategy. They got people to thinking. What could be wrong with the idea of a woman voting? After all, the Kewpies represented all thing good, and they certainly seemed to approve of the measure.
This was, however, a decidedly risky move since Rose could easily alienate the people who were essentially her readers as well as her customers by involving the beloved character in a somewhat controversial political movement. This could pose a potential hazard to her income. Yet it appears Rose didn’t hesitate to unleash the power and popularity of her Kewpies.

She created designs for postcards, flyers, and posters that were widely distributed. Many of them featured Kewpies. Others were images of babies or young girls passionately advocating to “Give Mother the Vote”. A popular poster of Rose’s used in 1915 and again in 1917 showed a man and a woman confidently walking side-by-side captioned “Together for Home and Family.”
While there were almost certainly those who did not approve of Rose using her Kewpies in this fashion, I believe many, particularly those men who were on the fence regarding the issue, saw the endorsement as another reason to ponder the question, “Why not?”.
There is much more about Rose and the events that shaped her into the woman she became in The Rose of Washington Square. I’m excited to say that Rose’s story is now also available in audio format performed by the fabulous actress and narrator Elisabeth Rodgers!
May 31, 2023
Behind the Book – Cabin in the Woods
https://www.history.com/history-this-weekWhen William Patrick O’Neill, Rose O’Neill’s father, moved his family to homestead a property near Branson, Missouri, they took up residence in a dogtrot cabin that stood in the midst of thick woods near a crystal clear stream.
Dogtrot cabin? An odd name I’d never heard before, which sent me on a quest to find out the details. I soon discovered that dogtrot cabins (also known as dogtrot houses, possum-run or breezeway houses) usually consisted of two single story log cabins connected by a breezeway.

One cabin was typically used as an eating/kitchen area, with the other used as a sleeping/sitting area. Cabin windows, doors, and the breezeway connecting the two cabins created a nice flow of air to keep occupants cool during the heat of summer. The breezeway also became a comfortable place to sit and do chores like food preparation, mending, or maybe even reading. I can imagine it would also be an attractive spot for the family dog to slumber during a hot summer afternoon. Other critters might sneak in too. Could that be what prompted the possum-run name? It’s certainly possible.

Here’s a sketch done by Rose that shows part of the interior of the eating/kitchen cabin that her family used. Since no images exist of the cabins (they were torn down to build a lovely home designed primarily by Rose’s mother and funded by Rose), I thought this sketch was a wonderful peek into the past.
Interestingly, the breezeway feature is found in other historical homes built on a larger scale. For example, many plantation-era homes I’ve toured featured a breezeway to create cooling air currents for occupants.
One can even find modern homes with a breezeway, often built between the main home and the garage or the main home and an outbuilding. Same concept: great air flow along with protection from sun or rain.

I can imagine what pleasure it gave Rose to build for her family a house that went from a dogtrot-style cabin to a beautiful three-story home that featured modern conveniences such as the first indoor plumbing and toilet in all of Taney County. According to Rose, neighbors came from miles around just to look at their amazing bathroom. Talk about a conversation piece!
Yet in spite of how fascinated people were by a new-fangled flush toilet, the neighbors were apparently far too courteous to consider using it.
Even though the O’Neills never failed to extend the invitation.
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Please watch for my short interview about Rose O’Neill on the History Channel’s This Week in History podcast. Not sure when it will air, but we’re recording on June 1. Here’s a link to their podcast library.
I’ll also be talking about The Rose of Washington Square and I am Mrs. Jesse James on Rendezvous with a Writer – LA Radio, June 15 at 8pm Central Time. Hope you tune in!
February 21, 2023
Behind the Book – Actress or Artist?
Rose O’Neill had a fascinating childhood. There were many things I’d have loved to put in The Rose of Washington Square: A Novel of Rose O’Neill, the Creator of the Kewpie Doll, but the novel would have been far too long. Events from Rose O’Neill’s fascinating childhood didn’t make it into the story, but I can share some of them here.
Rose’s irrepressible father, William Patrick O’Neill, was convinced that his children would achieve great things. His initial plan for Rose was that she should become an actress. Since his little prodigy did well at home reciting Shakespeare during evenings where the family would put on dramatic performances, he decided to advance her career.

Edwin Booth via Wikipedia.
O’Neill took his eleven-year-old daughter to meet the famed Shakespearian actor, Edwin Booth (brother to John Wilkes Booth). Rose was so tongue-tied with awe over meeting the man, that when her father prompted her to recite some bits of Ophelia, she responded by bursting into tears. Edwin Booth, eager to be relieved of hearing a child in meltdown mode, beat a hasty retreat.
According to Rose’s account of the meeting, at this turn of events she finally summoned enough courage to curtsy and call out, “Good-night sweet Prince!” to the actor as he retreated.
Booth turned to give Rose a startled glance and a brief smile before hurrying away.

Madame Modjeska via Wikipedia.
Papa O’Neill, his disappointment slightly mollified by his young daughter’s ability to redeem herself, was already plotting his next endeavor: To introduce Rose to the famed Polish actress who often played tragic Shakespearean heroines: Madame Helena Modjeska. Sadly for Papa O’Neill, this meeting fared not much better than the other.
Yet in spite of Rose continuing to recite and take small roles in theatre productions, her love of art and enjoyment in copying images from her father’s books clearly began to exert a stronger pull.
If you’re intrigued and want to know more about the fascinating Rose O’Neill, I’d like to ask a favor. The book is available now, but we’re hoping to boost it to #1 on the Amazon new release list. To do this, we need as many purchases as possible to happen on one particular day, and that day is Wednesday, February 22.
If you, a friend, family member, co-worker, or even some random person you met who loves to read, might be interested in buying the ebook or paperback, please consider doing so on February 22 to help Rose’s story make it to #1. Here’s a link to the book.
I believe you’ll love The Rose of Washington Square, and I’m very grateful for any assistance you can give to help us introduce her to the world.
Thank you, thank you, thank you for your support!
Pat Wahler is the author of Western Fictioneers’ Best First Novel of 2018, I am Mrs. Jesse James; and her newest release The Rose of Washington Square: A Novel of Rose O’Neill, Creator of the Kewpie Doll. She has also authored a contemporary romance series and two holiday-themed books.
February 16, 2023
Behind the Book – A Russian Thriller
Do you love thrillers? Then you don’t want to miss this behind-the-book post on a brand new release set in Russia by the fabulous Nina Romano. Nina, welcome!
Thank you, Pat for allowing me to share space on your wonderful blog! It’s lovely to have this opportunity of giving a quick account of what inspirations were gifted to me when writing Dark Eyes.
Travelling is insightful and inspirational, especially for a writer. I was able to travel twice to Russia and became enthralled and enchanted with the city of St. Petersburg.
On my second trip, I had the good fortune to take a cruise on the Volga River from Moscow to St. Petersburg. On the boat, I met PH. D. Assistant Professor Vladimir Kalmykov of Dobrolyubov State Linguistic University, Nizhiny, Novogrod, Russia. I interviewed him and later discussed my plans and ideas for writing my novel, Dark Eyes, which I intended to set in St. Petersburg. I had never written a thriller before and what better place than setting one in Russia? My conversations with the Professor became a gift, encouraging me to dive right into formulating the story.
Upon returning home, I found that I’d written some pieces, a short story, and various scattered scenes of what I thought was going to be a strictly Russian historical novel. However, after meeting with Professor Kalmykov, I began to think of the aftermath of Stalin’s persecutions and the geopolitical situation in Soviet Russia after WWII. I decided the book could be both historical and suspenseful, and I could use the many things I’ve always wanted to research about the Russian culture as a backdrop.
Culture can be summed up in a single word: lifestyle, but it encompasses so much more. It comprises social mores, conduct, manners, dress, language, religion, rituals, customs, laws, dress, architecture, social standards, traditions, superstitions, religion, and art. Basically, culture incorporates all the modes in which societal boundaries are formed, a population’s beliefs and institutions that are passed from generation unto generation.
And then I was faced with writing the mystery part of plotting the novel. Mysteries move faster so pacing would be a big consideration. I don’t know and never studied the conventions for writing mystery, thriller, or suspense. I basically flew by the seat of my pants and did whatever I thought was necessary to complete the storyline. Being a “panster,” I never plan. The narrative develops as I write. The characters take on lives and personalities of their own—sometimes it’s difficult for this author to control them! I don’t make outlines and what’s of prime importance to me are the characters. Like a horse knowing its way, I give them full rein. They appear fully formed in my mind. Then, because I’m a poet first and foremost, images and scenes with action and dialogue play a great deal of importance in what I’m writing. I visualize the scenes as if I’m the cameraman merely filming what happens as the story develops.
BIO
Nina Romano earned a B.S. from Ithaca College, an M.A. from Adelphi University and a B.A. and an M.F.A. in Creative Writing from FIU. A world traveler and lover of history, she lived in Rome, Italy, for twenty years, and is fluent in Italian and Spanish. She has taught English and Literature as an Adjunct Professor at St. Thomas University, Miami, and has facilitated numerous Creative Writing and Poetry Workshops at Writing Conferences throughout the States.
Romano has authored a short story collection, The Other Side of the Gates, and has had five poetry collections and two poetry chapbooks published traditionally with independent publishers. She co-authored a nonfiction book: Writing in a Changing World, and she has been nominated twice for the Pushcart Prize in Poetry.
Her historical Wayfarer Trilogy has been published from Turner Publishing. The Secret Language of Women, Book #1, was a Foreword Reviews Book Award Finalist and Gold Medal winner of the Independent Publisher’s 2016 IPPY Book Award. Lemon Blossoms, Book #2, was a Foreword Reviews Book Award Finalist, and In America, Book #3, was a finalist in Chanticleer Media’s Chatelaine Book Awards.
Romano’s Western Historical Romance, The Girl Who Loved Cayo Bradley, was a semifinalist in the Laramie Book Awards, and has been published by Speaking Volumes, LLC. Her historical Russian thriller, Dark Eyes, releases February 24, 2023 from the same publisher.
Follow Nina on:
January 26, 2023
Behind the Book – A Remarkable Woman

Rose relaxing near the stream at her beloved Missouri home, Bonniebrook. (photo circa early 1900’s)
After two long years of research, writing, edits, and more edits, my novel about a remarkable woman from history is on the way! Meet The Rose of Washington Square. Yes, she created the iconic Kewpie doll, but she did so much more.
Rose O’Neill started out as a self-taught artist living in the Midwest. In 1893, her impoverished family supports her dream to become an illustrator by selling the family cow. Nineteen-year-old Rose uses the proceeds to boldly set off for New York City.
Despite the obstacles of competing in a man’s world, she excels at her craft, eventually designing a new character, the Kewpie. Her creation explodes into a phenomenon, but Rose’s disenchantment with the status quo fosters new ambitions. She must decide whether to remain within the boundaries dictated for her, or risk everything she’s gained to pursue the creative and personal passions that ignite her soul.

I’m so proud of this cover. Isn’t it gorgeous?
I’m so excited to share this story, but I need your help. We’re forming a launch team to spread the word. If you’re active on Facebook (or are willing to be), please consider joining us. You’ll have access to an exclusive private Facebook group where there will be activities offered, a Q & A with me, free book swag, and a chance to win prizes; including a Grand Prize of a $75 Amazon gift card. Recruitment is going on now, and the fun will begin on February 13. (Note: you don’t need to be in the group at any certain times. You can pop in and out as suits your schedule.)
If you’d like to join, OR if you need more information, here’s a link to the team application. Hurry! Applications close on February 7.
Thanks for your support. I hope to chat with you soon in our group!
Pat Wahler is author of the new release, The Rose of Washington Square. She is also the author of Western Fictioneers’ Best First Novel of 2018, I am Mrs. Jesse James, a three-book contemporary romance series, and two Christmas-themed books.
For the latest news and book giveaways, sign up for Pat’s monthly newsletter. (Form in upper right hand column.)
November 15, 2022
Behind the Book – A Christmas Short Story
How can this much time have passed since my last post? In my defense, I’ve been swamped with work on two books, a few articles and essays, and keeping up with my monthly newsletter, plus a few non-writerly real life tasks. My (early) New Year resolution is to be a bit more organized, and a LOT more efficient.
Today I’d like to give you a Behind the Book snippet on my newest release, The Christmas Keepsake, a holiday short story eBook.
The story grew out of a few events my grandmother shared many years ago that related to her own youth. She told the sad details of her mother’s failing health and surprised me by mentioning her mother’s final hopes for her daughter. I won’t give any spoilers, but the things she told me stayed in my mind over the years. Yet there were gaps in her story, and I wanted to know what lay behind a decision Grandma made. I set out to fill in the blanks and make sense of what could have prompted events to unfold as they did. To do this, I created a fictional world, and the result is a dual timeline short story, The Christmas Keepsake. Pictured here is Grandma as a teenaged girl. Isn’t she lovely?
A big part of Grandma’s life and her story was a small Methodist church in the town where she was born and grew up. Here’s an image of the sanctuary during Christmas Eve services (circa the 1940’s). Don’t you love the kids turning around to spy on the photographer?
I come from a family of singers. Grandma often sang at her church as did my mother and my aunt. Not similarly talented, I do most of my singing in the shower, LOL!
I hope I’ve piqued your interest in a story that carries a little piece of my heart. If you’re looking for a quick read to help get you in the holiday spirit, please check out The Christmas Keepsake.
I’d love to know what you think!
Meanwhile, I’d like to be the first to send you all my best for this holiday season. May it be everything you wished for and much, much more.
I’ll be back soon with Behind the Book snippets, most notably from my next novel, The Rose of Washington Square, which will release in February 2023. You’re going to love Rose. I can’t wait to share more details with you.
Remember to subscribe to my monthly newsletter. (See upper right hand corner of this page to sign up.) Almost every issue features a contest where you can win a free book that I’ve read and recommend. Other fun stuff ahead for subscribers too, so don’t miss out!
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Pat Wahler is the author of Western Fictioneers’ Best First Novel of 2018 and Walter Williams Award winner, I am Mrs. Jesse James. She has also authored a three-book contemporary romance series, The Becker Family Novels, and a holiday-themed collection, Let Your Heart Be Light: A Celebration of Christmas. Her latest release is a holiday short-story, The Christmas Keepsake.
Coming February 2023 – The Rose of Washington Square: A Novel of Rose O’Neill, Creator of the Kewpie Doll
March 8, 2022
Behind the Book – An Outlaw’s Sister
There are many things I never fail to do. Eat. Sleep. Read.
Unfortunately, I haven’t been nearly as faithful at attending to my blog. My last post was in December! Shockingly, no one showed up to bang on my door and find out what happened , which got me to thinking. Should I continue writing posts or simply cross blogging off my list? You know, one less thing to do, and all…
After weeks of angsty soul-searching, I finally decided I don’t want to abandon it entirely. Instead, I plan to change the direction of my posts. How?
When doing research for a story, I often find tons of interesting tidbits that never make it into the final work. I thought blogging might be a fun way to share photos and snippets of information I’ve found; a sort of “behind-the-book” kind of thing.
Don’t worry. I won’t overwhelm you. Every month or so, I’ll put up a short piece about a past project or a work-in-progress that I hope you’ll find entertaining. Something thought-provoking or fun.
In the meantime, to stay up to date on what’s happening in my writing world, I have a favor to ask. If you haven’t already done so, please sign up for my newsletter. It’s a definite privilege to be invited into someone’s inbox, so be assured I won’t slam you with mailings. My plan is to send no more than one newsletter each month. You’ll be the first to get news on books, chances to win prizes, bonus goodies, and much more. Speaking of newsletters, have you ever wondered why they’re important?
Several of my friends recently discovered the hard way that there are only two things that belong to an author – their website and their mailing list. If I should disappear tomorrow off Facebook or Twitter or Instagram, there’d be no way for us to connect. Yikes! I don’t want that to happen. I hope you don’t want it to happen either. So, once again, here’s the link to sign up with my sincere thanks.
Now on to the first Behind the Book post.
The wife of Jesse James wasn’t the only person who intrigued me while researching I am Mrs. Jesse James. Susan Lavenia James was sister to Frank and Jesse, and she remained close to her infamous brothers throughout her life. Since Susan was only a few months old when their father died, I rather suspect her older brothers took on the responsibility of looking out for their baby sister.
In 1870, Susan married one of Frank’s and Jesse’s comrades-in-arms, Alan Parmer, who’d been a teen-aged member of the Quantrill Regiment. Alan allegedly rode for a while with Frank and Jesse once the Civil War ended.
After they were wed, Susan and Alan settled in Texas, where he took up farming and she taught school. Frank and Jesse were frequent visitors. In 1874, Jesse and Zee spent time during their honeymoon in Texas with the Parmers.
Susan was apparently well-respected by her neighbors, who remarked on her intelligence and kindness. I ran across an interesting anecdote involving a young neighbor woman named Minnie Gryder who once stayed with Susan to help out while Alan was away.
The James brothers and a few other men showed up unexpectedly at the Parmer home. Minnie and Susan prepared a meal for them, and Minnie reports the men were kind to her. Still, she must have been shaken to the core when one man stood guard at the door holding a shotgun while the others ate, their weapons lying casually on the table next to their plates. Later that evening, before the gang rode off, they gave Minnie a few coins and left money for Susan as well.
Minnie had acquired a fascinating story to tell.
Yet as anyone who studies history knows, years ago life wasn’t easy, especially for women or children. Without the medical care we now often take for granted, one only needs to stroll through an old cemetery and count the number of tombstones for mothers and their little ones to understand.
Susan Parmer suffered the sad fate of many women of her era. The day after giving birth to a stillborn son, she died in 1889 at the age of forty from childbirth complications. Susan is buried in Wichita Falls, Texas, next to three of the young children who preceded her in death.
I have no doubt Susan witnessed many things during her lifetime, but as far as I know, she never kept a diary. If she had, wouldn’t you just love to peek inside it?
#############################################################Pat Wahler is the author of Western Fictioneers’ Best First Novel of 2018 and Walter Williams Award-Winning novel, I am Mrs. Jesse James. She is also author of a three-book contemporary romance series, The Becker Family Novels, and Let Your Heart Be Light, a collection of holiday-themed stories. Stay tuned for more on her next historical novel!
December 9, 2021
Tradition?
December is marbled with tradition. Probably more so than any other time of year. Now, I’m as much a sucker for sentiment as anyone, but perhaps we ought to rethink the notion.
According to Merriam-Webster, tradition is the handing down of information, beliefs, and customs by word of mouth or by example from one generation to another. This is a fancy way of saying we tend to do what we’ve always done over and over. Don’t get me wrong, family traditions are important. They create bonds and gives us a sense of connection and comfort.
We all have our own special customs. My aunt and uncle owned a Christmas tree farm. Every year, our family would troop there to buy a fresh-cut pine tree (Dad couldn’t abide the idea of anything but a “real” tree). For decades, my grandmother celebrated the season with the entire extended family at her home on Christmas Eve – the only time I ever saw my cousins. For almost as long, my mother hosted a not-to-be-missed Christmas Day breakfast.
But time sneaks in. People move away. Loved ones die. Life happens.
In due time, the Christmas tree farm was sold. Dad passed on, followed years later by Grandma and Mom. My kids grew up and needed to split time between their original family and the one they’d married into.
As each change happened, the first Decembers felt oddly uncomfortable. Scratchy as a wool sweater on bare skin. We had to learn the skill of adapting. I succumbed to the lure of an artificial tree. My sister took over Christmas breakfast. A schedule was worked out so the kids could share the cheer without feeling guilty. Our holiday time had to be reimagined.
In 2020, COVID brought new challenges and changes. Last year we went to a drive-through light show (something we’d never done before), because it was about the only festive activity available. Turns out, we liked it so much we did it again this year. A new tradition? I suspect so.
No matter how treasured your traditions have been, the ability to revamp is critical to well-being. Much as I love memories from past holidays, it isn’t possible to replicate them, so the blessed flexibility of adjusting to current times and situations has made all the difference.
One thing is for sure, a Red Ryder Carbine Action 200-shot Range Model air rifle could shoot your eye out… or maybe it won’t.
Our lives are guaranteed to change, so we can’t let fear or disappointment prevent us from taking a chance on a fresh idea.
You may just find a brand-new tradition can become as valid and special and fulfilling as an old one.
Sending my warmest wishes to you all!
I’d love to know. How have your traditions modified over the years?
#####################################################Pat Wahler is the author of Western Fictioneers’ Best First Novel of 2018, I am Mrs. Jesse James. She is also the author of a contemporary romance series, The Becker Family Novels, and a collection of holiday-themed stories, Let Your Heart be Light: A Celebration of Christmas.
Pat is a frequent contributor to the Chicken Soup for the Soul series.
October 20, 2021
One Step Closer and Author Angst Sets In
The gestational period of a book is enough to make an author cry. Between research and writing, I’ve been working on my current historical novel for well over a year. I felt pretty confident about the manuscript until the moment I sent it to my editor. Now I’m biting my nails with worry. Will she like it? Will she suggest a complete rewrite? Will she ask if I’ve lost my mind for tackling this particular person? I’ll know about two weeks from now.
While I second-guess myself, I thought I’d offer a few more photos from my research trip last spring.
The house of the woman I chose to write about is definitely off the beaten path. This is one of the allures the property held for the fascinating person who inspired my story. Of the many (both American and European) places she lived throughout her life, this is the one she loved most. I can understand why.
Here’s a glimpse of the little side-entrance to the house. Doesn’t it look like a place where you’d find a ton of fascinating and mysterious things inside? Let me tell you, I certainly did.
Using this particular entrance takes you into the dining area. The dining area sits adjacent to a kitchen/laundry area, a living room, music room, library, and a small water closet. As you may have surmised, the house is large (three stories), and able to accommodate a fair number of people. Hey, when you’re in the middle of nowhere, if guests take the trouble to visit they usually stay a while.
This lovely room is my protagonist’s bedroom. It’s simple and uncluttered with what appears to be a white wrought iron bedstead. I can imagine her sitting in front of those windows dreaming up ideas that would wow the world.
Windows abound in the home. Bringing in plenty of natural light didn’t only provide her with inspiration. It was important to her profession.
The second floor of the home has the designated sleeping areas, although I imagine when visitors showed up accommodations were modified to make sure everyone had a place to sleep.
I think one of the most comfortable rooms in the house is the library. And why not? The family spent a good deal of time there.
The library has a beautiful stone fireplace, desks, plenty of seating and exactly what you might expect. Books, books, and more books.
See what I mean about windows?
How I’d love to read a good story while lounging on that window seat. The view is pretty darn awesome too.
My final image from this mini-tour is a very special place on the property. At the end of a gravel path, a walkway crosses a stream taking you to a tiny but beautiful cemetery. It’s where my protagonist is buried, along with several of her family members. I’m standing near the burial site and the image is taken toward the opposite side.
There’d been a lot of rain, and the stream had risen enough to cover the concrete walkway. I can imagine how loud the stream roars during heavy storms.
It is, however, a most peaceful spot, and one I know she and her family held close to their hearts.
At tour’s end, I can only say I hope to stop being cagey soon and fill you in on the name of my mysterious protagonist and title of her book. For now, suffice it to say, the better I got to know her, the more I grew to love her.
I daresay this was an impact she had on many people she met throughout her life.
#########################################Pat Wahler is the author of Western Fictioneers’ Best First Novel of 2018 and Walter Williams Award-Winning I am Mrs. Jesse James. She is also the author of The Becker Family Novels, an award-winning contemporary romance trilogy; and a Readers’ Favorite Christmas anthology, Let Your Heart Be Light-A Celebration of Christmas.
September 15, 2021
Author Spotlight – Ruth Hull Chatlien
#authorinterview #authorspotlight #newrelease
It’s my pleasure to welcome author Ruth Hull Chatlien to talk about her upcoming release, Katie, Bar the Door. I had the honor of being an advance reader of this novel, and found the story quite compelling.
Welcome, Ruth, and thank you for joining us. Let’s dive right into your latest novel. What inspired the idea?
Years ago, I wrote a story about a young woman named Katie who decides to leave her husband, not because their loved failed but because they’re both under intense job stress and she decides they should focus on their careers separately for a while. The story consists of a single scene (now in the novel) in which she meets her old boss for lunch to ask for help finding a job. I couldn’t make the story work, so I decided to spend time exploring the characters’ histories and personalities. The more I learned about Katie, the more obsessed I became with telling her whole story.
It’s fascinating how some stories simply don’t let us go. How long did it take you to write the book?
Most of my adult life. I started when I was 24, and after many years, my first draft ended up being an 1,187-page family saga—I’d majored in literature and taken several writing courses, but none of that really prepares you to draft an entire novel, so I was learning as I went. I chopped the next draft down to 750 pages and then cut that almost in half by axing the previous generation’s story, but when the novel was done, I couldn’t get anyone to accept it. I put it away and kept writing, publishing a few stories and poems and eventually two historical novels. Then one night a friend invited my husband and me to a Carrie Newcomer concert. She’s a Quaker folksinger whose music speaks to me deeply. During one song, I suddenly felt awash with grief that I had let Katie down by giving up on her story. I pulled the manuscript out of the filing cabinet, retyped and revised it, sent it out to beta readers, and used their responses to revise again. When I submitted it to my publisher, they accepted it with enthusiasm.
Your title is unique. How did you come up with it?
It came to me in a dream. As I was working on the original, I dreamed about a storm in which I heard a man with an Irish accent say, “Whist, it’s Katie, bar the door.” I woke up knowing that I’d heard the expression somewhere, but I didn’t know what it meant. I literally spent a couple of years trying to find the answer. This was in the 1980s, long before the Internet, so I looked in every book of idiomatic expressions our library had but without success. Eventually, I found it in a book in a local bookstore. The phrase means, “Look out. Trouble’s coming,” which really fits Katie’s story. As for the dream about the storm, my main character ended up having that recurring nightmare.
Writing a novel is challenging. Do you have any advice for a writer working on their first book?
Listen to your characters. At one point, the whole story just stopped working. I was trying to make Katie’s husband Peter do something he didn’t want to do, and my writing process ground to a halt. I finally realized that I had to let him be angry at the things his wife had done or he’d never speak to me again. Once I let him act out the way he needed to, the work flowed again.
Characters and their opinions, LOL! What was your hardest scene to write, and why?
Late in the story, Katie and her husband Peter are exploring whether they can restore their marriage, so they start dating. After one evening out, Katie tells him something that angers him so that he storms out of her apartment. The hardest thing in the entire book was getting Peter to stop, turn around, walk back in there, and try again. It’s very difficult to get the emotional beats right in a scene like that, and I played it out in my mind obsessively for weeks before actually writing it.
Are there characters in your book similar to you or to people you know?
Katie’s dad Joe is based on my older brother Keith. They’re both cynical but charming mavericks who love history and buck authority. My brother was a model railroader; Joe builds a model of a Civil War battlefield. Keith moved and lost touch with my family when I was in my late teens; it took nine years for my mom to track him down. By then, I was working on this book, so I funneled all the pain of those lost years into what happens with Katie and her dad. I lost Keith again this last December—he died from COVID-19—so I dedicated the book to him.
I’m sure your brother would be proud of what you’ve accomplished. Would you share something about yourself that your readers don’t know (yet)?
My husband (Michael Chatlien, author of Northern Lights, a contemporary adventure romance) and I met in a writers’ critique group, and we were platonic friends for 3.5 years before we became a couple. On our second date, I made him critique something I’d written so we wouldn’t lose the habit of being honest. We still critique each other’s work, and we’ve been married for 31 years.
How lovely to have a built-in writing partner. What do you hope readers will take away from your book?
Emotional healing is possible if you’re willing to get help and do the hard work.
Thank you so much, Ruth, for discussing Katie, Bar the Door. Learn more about Ruth by checking out her bio and social media links below. Ruth is also offering a FREE first chapter download.
Readers, talk to us. We’d love to hear your questions or comments!
About the Author
Ruth Hull Chatlien has been a writer and editor of educational materials for nearly thirty years, specializing in U.S. and world history. She is the author of Modern American Indian Leaders for middle-grade readers. Her first novel, The Ambitious Madame Bonaparte, portrays the tumultuous life of Elizabeth “Betsy” Patterson Bonaparte. Her second novel, Blood Moon: A Captive’s Tale, retells Sarah Wakefield’s ordeal as a captive during the Dakota War of 1862. Her most recent novel, Katie, Bar the Door, explores a young woman’s emotional journey from loss and abuse toward healing. She lives in northeastern Illinois with her husband, Michael. When she’s not writing, she can usually be found gardening, knitting, or spoiling her dog Coco.
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#########################Pat Wahler is author of Western Fictioneers’ Best First Novel of 2018 and Walter Williams Award-winning novel, I am Mrs. Jesse James. She is also author of a Readers’ Favorite three-book contemporary romance series and a Readers’ Favorite Christmas-themed anthology.