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Iron Horse Claim tells Lizzy’s story

Medicine Creek Claim told the story of two sisters who left war-torn Missouri during the Civil War to start new lives in Dakota Territory. Except it didn’t tell both sisters’ stories. I had written three-quarters of the novel when I realized I had told Charlotte’s story. What about Lizzy?

I had two choices. I could rewrite the novel to include Lizzy’s story. Or, I could write a sequel that focused on Lizzy. I chose door #2. I loved Lizzy Ward in Medicine Creek Claim. She was gutsy and sassy – she had attitude. Clearly, she deserved her own book. It also allowed me to further explore who Lizzy was and what her story would be. This was the beginning of the fourth book in the On the Dakota Frontier series.

Iron Horse Claim is set in an exciting time in America’s history. The railroads are connecting people across the country, from coast to coast. Manufacturing innovations like windmills allow farmers and ranchers to better utilize water. Newspapers in cities and small towns provide an information infrastructure that builds cohesiveness in the country.

Lizzy’s story is set seven years in the future. She’s a single mother, raising the orphaned Max on her farm outside Shady Bluffs in Dakota Territory. In this book, Lizzy and Charlotte have proven their claims — just like 42% of all women homesteaders did. Charlotte and her family live in Shady Bluffs, where she is the town doctor.

Lizzy manages both farms. But she also cultivates relationships. Lizzy believes that people on the frontier need to watch out for each other. In my SD Humanities Council talk, “Women Tamed the Frontier,” there are examples of how women impacted the “wild and wooly” frontier, as one woman homesteader called it. Women established schools and churches and nurtured friendships with neighbors.

Lizzy Ward is one of those pioneers who builds community.

I hope you enjoy reading Iron Horse Claim as much as I enjoyed writing it.

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Chapter epilogues

Epilogues – those summaries at the end of the book – are intended to provide closure to the story or offer a glimpse into what happens after the main narrative ends.

Readers of the On the Dakota Frontier series are familiar with some sort of “chapter ender” element in all the books.

Proving Her Claim used letters home and letters from home to tell more of Anna’s story. My historical research showed that letters home were a common way to stay in touch with family “back East.” It also allowed me to include Anna’s inner thoughts and struggles.

Lone Tree Claim took that element further with Katie Rose’s journal entries. The journal entries at the end of each chapter allowed my character to explore what was happening in her life and determine how to deal with these challenges.

Medicine Creek Claim took a different direction with After Action Reports. These were battle summaries filed by officers during the Civil War. I found this intriguing and researched it further. Since Medicine Creek Claim takes place during the war, these After Action Reports provided contemporaneous accounts of military actions. The War impacted every aspect of life for combatants as well as civilians.

The latest book in the series, Iron Horse Claim, utilizes newspaper articles to further tell the story. The newspaper articles, found in Library of Congress archives, give readers a sense of what is happening in the country during the post-war years: the rise of railroads, the adoption of inventions, and, of course, the weather. Each of those topics is closely tied to Iron Horse Claim’s storyline.

The chapter epilogues receive mixed reviews from readers. As an author, I feel the chapter epilogues provide a broader perspective of the plot and of history.

How will the next book in the On the Dakota Frontier series treat chapter epilogues? That’s artistic license. (In other words, who knows?)

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The tyranny of deadlines

I was ruled by deadlines throughout my professional career in advertising and marketing. Most of them were not self-imposed deadlines; rather, I had to finish my portion of the project in order for someone else to begin their contributions.

Early in my career, I was a copywriter, writing scripts for television commercials. I had to finish writing the script so that videographers and announcers could do their work. The goal was to get it to the traffic or media department on schedule.

Later in my career, the scope of projects changed, and my contributions to the projects broadened. But there was still a deadline looming in the future.

Now that I’m retired, my former business partner assures me that I am no longer a slave to deadlines.

He couldn’t be more wrong.

I just finished writing my fifth book. But I’m far from the finish line. After typing “The End,” I proofread, edited, and re-wrote portions of the story to prep it for my developmental editor. You guessed it – I had to meet a deadline so that someone else could start their portion of the project. After she’s completed the editing, the formatters are “standing by” to start that phase of the book release process.

Sure, I could have asked for an extension. But that might have disrupted my editor’s schedule – and on down the line. So, I gave myself a deadline – which I was able to meet.

Whew.

Look for Iron Horse Claim: On the Dakota Frontier this May.

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Naming characters: what I’ve learned

While writing my current novel, I realized I was re-using names for new characters. That’s confusing for readers. It’s also a violation of the Author Rule (I made that up), but it should be avoided.

There are guidelines for naming characters. In a blog I wrote several years ago, naming characters, I referred to ’s rules for naming characters:

Check the meaning of names. Lucifer, for instance, certainly makes a statement.Get your era right. A 21st-century name like Heather wouldn’t be appropriate for a character in the 1800s.Say the names aloud. A good name on paper might be confusing to the ear.Use different initials and a variety of syllables for the cast of characters.Consider alliteration. Severus Snape from the Harry Potter books is a good example. (I love this rule.)Don’t be too specific with names. Writers’ Digest cautions that can lead to lawsuits by “real life” people.Double-check to ensure the names are ethnically correct. I researched “common Irish names” for Lone Tree Claim and “common Norwegian names” for Proving Her Claim.

 

So, how do authors keep track of names? (insert shrug here). In Medicine Creek Claim, I named the Claims Agent Mike Morgan. Because it sounded familiar, I did some back-tracking. Yes, there was a character named Joe Morgan in Proving Her Claim. Before Medicine Creek Claim went to print the claims agent was re-christened Mike Mathews.

That’s when I realized I should be tracking the characters’ names and including a brief note about who they were. Often, I describe the horse they ride (insert another shrug here).

It happened again in my current work in progress when I named one of Charlotte’s children “Betsy.” I wanted to name the little girl after her Aunt Lizzy, using a nickname for Elizabeth, and “Betsy” sounded playful. But there’s already a character with that name. Betsy Tomlinson owns the best and only diner in Shady Bluffs. Charlotte’s daughter is now Eliza.

I did intentionally name Lizzy’s son Max after Lizzy and Charlotte’s deceased brother Max. It’s a common practice to use the names of deceased family members as a way to honor and remember them. I didn’t think it would be too confusing in this instance.

On the subject of honoring deceased family members, several of my characters are named after my ancestors. Charlotte Blanche Ward is named for my paternal grandmother, Blanche Ward. Elizabeth Ruby Ward was named for my grandmother’s sister, Ruby. I switched to the other side of the family tree in Iron Horse Claim. William Bartholomew is the town’s mayor. He also owns and operates the town’s grist mill, “Bart’s Mill.” I’m not likely to duplicate those names for new characters in future books.

As I continue writing about the characters in On the Dakota Frontier, my cast of characters continues to grow. I tell friends that I write books because “all these people are living in my head.”

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TikTok whiplash

I’ll admit I have dragged my feet regarding TikTok. Oh, I have an account thanks to the urging of certain millennial influencers who insist that BookTok is where I NEED to be. (You know who you are…)

I’m not “fluent” in TikTok. I struggle to create engaging TikToks. But, given the speed at which TikTok users scroll, I’m probably safe from scrutiny.

BookTok is where I need to be to reach readers. According to Google, the hashtag #BookTok has been viewed more than 200 billion times on TikTok. That’s a lot.

BookTok is where readers share their favorite books, reviews, and recommendations. It’s where authors go to share info on upcoming work. It helps adult fiction writers sell more books. It helps self-published authors succeed.

The recent TikTok whiplash – it’s on apps for download, it’s not on apps for download, it’s back again – has been a bit confusing. But it seems to be back for now. That means I’ll continue my “TikTok Lessons.”

If you’re on TikTok, you can follow me here: @ck_vandam_books

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Hello 2025! It’s time for New Year’s resolutions

It’s a new year. And, like many people, I’ve made New Year’s resolutions.

Last year I was two for three:

I resolved to set up a Free Sharing Library. √I resolved to become a Master Gardener. √ (Editor’s note: I’m an Intern until I complete 40 volunteer hours.)I resolved to learn how to play pickleball. Nope. I was “this close” to signing up for classes, and then I saw all the players with sports injuries. Nope.

This year I have only two resolutions:

Take a pottery class.Take up ice skating again.

Why ice skating? It’s an activity I can do outdoors. I live in a climate where winter takes up a chunk of the year. Why not enjoy the season? Besides, there’s a huge “rink” (lake) in front of my house. I can also skate indoors at a nice indoor rink that’s just a half hour away. I tried out my skating legs over the holidays on a synthetic rink. Eventually, I was able to solo without support.  A family member winced when I told her that ice skating was one of my resolutions. She had visions of me breaking a wrist. Admittedly, I’m not a great athlete, but I ice-skated and roller-skated as a girl and actually took Ice Skating as a Physical Education class in college. I passed.

Why pottery? Well, it combines art and skill. And who doesn’t need more plant pots – especially when you’re a Master Gardener?

As for a third resolution? Maybe I’ll reconsider pickleball.

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Historical Research for Iron Horse Claim

Historical novels rely on research for background, historical accuracy, and plot lines. Each “On the Dakota Frontier” book has required research before and during the writing.

The fourth book in the series, Iron Horse Claim, is set in 1872. Unlike the other books, this is a sequel to Medicine Creek Claim – a continuation of the Ward sisters’ adventures in Dakota Territory. Iron Horse Claim tells the story of Lizzy Ward, who wanted a better life for herself and her son. It’s also the story of one woman’s determination to build a resilient community of neighbors who would support each other in times of need.

The Civil War is in the past. The future is about railroads and windmills. Financier and railroad magnate Jay Cooke was larger than life during this period. I learned about Cooke in the book Jay Cooke’s Gamble: The Northern Pacific Railroad, The Sioux, and the Panic of 1873.

From the River to the Sea told the story of the railroads that connected the East with the West and Railroading in the Land of Infinite Variety gave me local insights into the impact of trains in South Dakota.

But Workin’ on the Railroad: Reminiscences from the Age of Steam told the stories of real railroad men – from the survey teams and the engineers to the brakemen and the men who laid track. This became my bible for roadroad information.

Grit, Not Glamour profiled the lives of twenty-five women in the American West, from South Dakota’s own Laura Alderman, dubbed “the Queen of Orchardists,” to Jennie Goodwin, the first female livestock commission merchant in Kansas City. These women were more than pioneers – they were trailblazers. I read about women who used agricultural advancements and technology to improve farming, ranching, and even wine-making. Lizzy’s enthusiasm for windmills was born from this book.

And that brings us to windmills. For that, I relied on Windmills of the West: Rural America’s Most Important Invention. David Stoecklin’s photography is breathtaking. Jack Goddard’s text provides historical insights into these giants of the plains.

And now? Now, I’m using that research to write Lizzy Ward’s story. Look for Iron Horse Claim to be released in spring 2025.

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Best Books of 2024

After the holiday paper and ribbons have been scooped up, it’s time for the “Best of” lists to appear. Here’s my “Best Reads of 2024” list.

I track my reading through GoodReads, more so that I don’t repeat books (sometimes I still do…), so it’s fairly accurate. This year’s list includes lots of fiction and several non-fiction books.

The year started strong with two of my top three reads.

The Frozen River is based on journals kept by New England midwife Martha Ballard just after the Revolutionary War. Loved it. I will read more books by Ariel Lawhon.

Next up was The Wedding Dress Sewing Circle by Jennifer Ryan. It follows three women in World War II England when rationing meant “make do and mend.” The strength and support these women give each other is breathtaking.

And the third book in my top ten is, of course, The Women by Kristin Hannah. This book has received awards across the literary landscape: #1 New York Times Bestseller, #1 USA Today Bestseller, GoodReads Best Historical Fiction…the list goes on. And all the acclaim is well-deserved. This is an era I remember: when soldiers fought in Vietnam. But the story is about the forgotten soldiers – the women nurses who were in the field hospitals, holding the hands of dying men, and coming back to a country that did not acknowledge their service. It is an amazing read.

As I reviewed my top three selections, I saw a common thread running through all the books. These were stories about strong women who faced and overcame obstacles. 

I’ve been asked what I do as an author to hone my craft. The answer is “I read.” I read all sorts of genres from a variety of authors, including:

Rest of the top ten for 2024

Spirit Crossing by William Kent Krueger. This is the latest in the Cork O’Connor series.

Camino Ghosts by John Grisham. I recommend the audiobook so you can listen to Whoopi Goldberg’s character narration.

The Witness by Nora Roberts, along with her Guardians Trilogy. Roberts’ ability to write across multiple genres never ceases to amaze me.

Non-fiction picks

And there were several non-fiction books I read as part of my writing research:

Sioux Women: Traditionally Sacred by Virginia Driving Hawk Sneve paints a vivid picture of women’s contributions to Lakota culture.

Grit, Not Glamour by Cheryl Mullenback tells the life stories of a dozen women who made their marks in America’s West.

Cost of Free Land: Jews, Lakota and an American Inheritance by Rebecca Clarren is hard to read because it’s true. This is the story of the devastating cycle of loss of Indigenous land, culture, and resources that continues today.

2024 was a good year for good books. I’m planning to escape into more books in 2025.

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Christmas at Lone Tree Claim

Just like today, Christmas on the frontier of the 1860s was celebrated with homemade gifts for friends and family using the materials at hand to make those special gifts.

In Lone Tree Claim, sheepherder Katie Rose Kelly learned how to weave using the wool from her sheep.

Katie wrote about the Christmas gifts in her journal:

I finished a nice scarf for Nan. It’s a lovely shade of green and will be my Christmas gift to her. Now I just need to weave two more – one for Da and one for Ryan. Won’t they be surprised when handmade scarves arrive from Dakota Territory!

And for Katie’s special friends on the frontier, well, they received scarves, too.

Here’s a passage from Lone Tree Claim:
            After dinner, she brought out packages for the men. “These are both thank-you gifts and Christmas gifts.”

Sam opened his package first – a reel of fishing line. But along with the fishing line was a beautifully woven, soft gold scarf. He wrapped the scarf around his neck and said, “It fits! Thank you, Miss Katie.”

Jake opened his package. Along with a reel of fishing line, Jake found a deep blue colored scarf. He followed Sam’s lead and wrapped on his scarf. Katie was pleased that the blue scarf was the same shade as Jake’s eyes….

While Jake retrieved a bottle of whiskey from his pack to toast the holiday, Sam pulled a large, flat package out from under his bedroll. “This is for you, Miss Katie. I do some carving now and then.”

Katie unwrapped the heavy package. “It’s a…board?”

“Flip it over, Katie Rose,” Jake said with a laugh.

On the reverse side, Katie found a beautiful wooden sign with “Shamrock Sheep Ranch” meticulously carved into the pine board. Shamrocks anchored each corner of the sign.

Katie gasped. “Oh, Sam! It’s beautiful. Jake just said I needed a sign. I love it!”

“This spring we’ll post it on the road to your house,” Sam suggested.

“Here’s to Shamrock Sheep Ranch,” Jake said as he lifted his glass.

“Here’s to good friends,” Katie said.

“And Merry Christmas to all,” Sam joined in.

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Podcast questions: What’s your favorite book?

Part of marketing a book includes being a guest on podcasts. I must admit that it’s kinda fun. The podcast questions have also given me a new insight into myself. One of the questions that podcasters like to ask authors is “What’s your favorite book?”

The answer is easy: A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L’Engle

While there are a number of authors whom I enjoy reading — and even look forward to their upcoming books — there is one book that stands out. I was a bit surprised to realize that my favorite book is “A Wrinkle in Time” by Madeleine L’Engle. It’s categorized as a sci-fi fantasy novel for readers 9 to 12. But it’s so much more.

Yes, I first read A Wrinkle in Time when I was in elementary school. At the time, the book was a wonderful adventure story with a (wait for it…) strong, smart female protagonist. That’s one of the reasons I always loved the book. Meg Murry, her genius younger brother Charles Wallace and Calvin O’Keefe (a neighbor boy whom Meg has a huge crush on) embark on a journey to find the Murry children’s missing father.

I’ve since read A Wrinkle Time as an adult and found it just as engaging — perhaps more so. The story is like an onion with layer upon layer of themes and life lessons. As I re-read the book, I was in awe of how L’Engle structured the universal theme of good versus evil. The plot lines seemed so familiar in today’s splintered world.

In 1963 the book won the Newbery Medal for excellence in children’s literature — and the judges really got it right. A Wrinkle in Time has stood the “test of time” on so many levels.

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