Helen B. Henderson's Blog, page 102

Freedom Isn't Free

Even for writers who don't create historical fiction, significant events of the past find ways to creep their way into our works. Today is the eleventh day of the eleventh month--Veteran's Day.

Now you're asking what does this have to do with me as an author. Every character has a past. Just a quick glance at my family tree shows a long history of military service. From grandfathers to fathers to sons, soldiers to sailors, marines to air corps, members of my family have served from the fields of Europe in World War I through to the deserts of the Middle East.

How do we incorporate such a tradition into a story? The character might be a recently-returned veteran or someone dealing with a parent who was one and has now revealed a secret. Veteran's Day might trigger the remembrance of another event. Attending a Final Salute could trigger an action or release a variety of strong emotions.

But the character does not have to have served to be impacted by a veteran. Maybe its a salesman frustrated at missing an important meeting because he's sitting at a road block while a small group of uniformed old men walk behind a much younger colorguard or the picture in a paper of a flag-draped casket on a horse-drawn caisson starts a mystery.
 There is also the cultural past. Originally began to commemorate the Armistice that ended World War I, today the date is used to honor veterans who have made the ultimate sacrifice for their country. From a single cannon shot to mark two minutes of silence to celebrate the ending of a conflict, in the United States, Armistice Day evolved into Veterans Day. Communities big and small, across hold  ceremonies. In Canada, the day is commemorated as Remembrance Day. Just remember that as the names and ceremonies have changed from the past to the present, future acknowledgements of military service may also. Perhaps instead of tossing a wreath into a river in a contemporary novel, in a world of tomorrow, a symbolic unmanned craft is set on a path that takes it into a sun.
Just because Veteran's Day reflects a moment in time, it doesn't mean that it cannot also serve as a setting.  Walk through a cemetery and wonder what those lying beneath the headstones did to earn the small flags placed on their grave. While thoughts of supporting those in military service often fade with the sunset of a patriotic holiday, care packages, thoughts and prayers are needed all year round. If you don’t have a spouse, a son or grandson, or niece or granddaughter wearing the uniform, there are numerous organization and sites that allows connections to be made or personnel supported. Some like the Lt. Dennis Zilinski Foundation (www.runwithdennis.org/default.asp) are inspired by those who made the ultimate sacrifice. Others are local organizations whose members want to make life easier for men and women in the armed services. And remember, not all soldiers wear uniforms or walk on two feet. Working dogs also serve. Donations to the Sergeant Denny Project helps provide military working dogs with hard-to-obtain items.
Or  if you prefer something related to your work, donate a book to a charity auction. For myself, when I clean off my bookshelves I donate them to the local organizations who take them to the state veteran's home.Whatever you do, whether you nod to a veteran and say, "Thank you for your service," or watch a local parade, keep those who defend our freedoms in mind, even after the sunset of the official holiday passes.

To all the veterans and those who hold the homefront, thank you for your service. Helen

Superstorm Sandy -- A Reprise

Many boats left their slips and ended up on land
including atop a nearby bridge.
Storm surge also moved houses and
shifted them into each other. Stunned townspeople looked on the next morning
at the devastation of business and home alike. Many pitched in
to try to rescue what items they could from the local museum. Several high tides later, several feet of water still
flooded the road as onlookers checked out the
damage. Boats were piled atop each other
or pushed into buildings. It's been a year now. I admit I wasn't sure if I was ready to look back, so have used only a few images to set the stage and recycled a piece written shortly after the storm. Some areas still look like a war zone with abandoned homes. Other neighborhoods have returned to normal with only the news reports as a reminder of the horror of a year ago.

Advice often given to authors is to write what you know and to observe the world around you. No, despite the date this is not a comment on All Hallows Eve. For the past year, I've had a unique opportunity to take that second piece of authorly advice. Although I live more than ten miles inland from the ocean and Hurricane Sandy came ashore about 100 miles farther south, her storm surge still threw the boats in our local marinas around like jackstraws and ripped houses from their foundations.

At one point almost the entire state was without power. Some like myself had the luxuries of modern conveniences returned after a week, others took two. A year later, thousands of families are still awaiting restoration until after their home's are repaired and the wiring replaced.




You might ask what that has to do with writing what you know. First, do you write historicals? Try writing with paper and pencil by candlelight. The writing was easy once you tuned out the howl of the wind, but deciphering the cryptic notes the next day was damn near impossible.

I can definitely state that my observations of people, both during the storm and as we rebuild the tens of thousands of damaged homes and lives, will add to the depth of my future characters. The stoic expressions on a woman's face as we emptied her home in preparation for flood cutting (a nice name for gutting down to studs) or the warmth exuded by the hundreds of volunteers helping not only neighbors but strangers, builds one aspect of a character. And in contrast, those few who looted during or after the storm or those who although perfectly able never lift a finger to help themselves.

One thing that has changed over the past year. Rights have been returned, the novel Imprisoned in Stoneand several short works released. Now I’m working on the cover for the re-release of the first book of the Dragshi Chronicles, Dragon Destiny, and the introduction of the other three chronicles.

But for now, while I work on integrating what I've seen and learned, I invite you to join me on journeys through the stars or among fantasy worlds of the imagination. Until then, don't forget, a disaster can strike anywhere at almost anytime. Be sure to back up your current books as well as those in production--and your backlist. And don't use just one site or one kind of media. Redundancy can prevent the loss of years of work.

Till the next time. ~ Helen
  Water washed over the railing, but
the memorial to 9-11 stood firm.
Although buildings just a few yards away were destroyed,
when the waves retreated the metal from
the tower remained. 
  
 

History Comes Alive in Matawan

History Comes Alive in Matawan At
Rose Hill Cemetery

-- Called by some the
most haunted cemetery in
New Jersey.
 Saturday, October 19 at 10 A.M.                        ANDSunday, October 20 at 2:00 P.M.  Join Local historian Al Savolaine of the Matawan Historical Society and the Rose Hill Board at the third annual guided walking tour of Matawan’s Rose Hill Cemetery.   Where:   Rose Hill Cemetery, Ravine Drive, near the intersection of Ravine and Middlesex Road. (Parking in cemetery & in the school lot across street) $10 per adult; tickets available at event; proceeds to benefit the Burrowes Mansion Museum  and Rose Hill Cemetery


 This years tour includes exciting new stories  The GREAT Matawan fire of 1901; 1896 gruesome murder;Tragic 1916 shark attack victims; Lawmen of Matawan; Trouble at the Mausoleums;Strange death at the Matawan House Hotel; Rich man attacks the Church bellFuneral attended by two US presidents--who and why; the horrible 1918 Morgan explosion Civil War casualties, 1918 Spanish flu victims, train accidents, A sad trio of 1908 spring suicides   
Event Sponsored by the Matawan Historical Society and Rose Hill Cemetery                          For additional information contact: savolaine@hotmail.com And advance notice --   If you want to go on  a real ghost hunt. A limited number of tickets are available for a Saturday, Nov. 2, 2013 ghost hunt conducted by The Specter Inspectors Paranormal Investigations at the Burrowes Mansion from 6:30 PM to 1:00 AM.  Tickets are $50 and can be purchased at https://burrowesghosthunt.eventbrite.com/.
 
 

Made in Monmouth Reprise

A short note to recap the day. The grand prize hung out on the table until 3:00 but it went to a mother and daughter both of whom are avid readers. Among the items included were At Her Command by Marcia James.

Linda Rettstatt's tote bag was popular with the women. CDs with excerpts, including work by Jane Toombs and an ebook of Imprisoned in Stone rounded out the prizes. A t-shirt, needlepoint bookmark and a large chocolate bar were provided to set the mood for an evening of reading.

The MAC at Monmouth University is an interesting venue. Our tables lined the running rack overlooking the basketball court. At least one little girl knew what the rubberized coating was for and on the various marks dropped into the starting position, only to be recalled by her mother and told not to run. 



During the day, I watched any number of men who slowed to see the books until their wives pulled them along.

More amusing was the teen-age boy who slowed, saw a woman was behind the table, and then just before he passed the edge of the table snaked out a hand to get a business card for the fantasy, Imprisoned in Stone.





Because it was a sports venue, large screens hung over the middle of the basketball court. What normally displays the games ran a continuous loop of screen shots of the various products, and services at the event. So of course, everyone kept looking over their shoulder watching for when their name came up.



 As a personal thanks to all who participated, I've created a virtual goodie bag of those who participated.


Lorraine Bartlett   www.LorraineBartlett.com
The Booktown Mysteries
Victoria Square Mysteries
Tea Shop Mysteries




Linda Rettstatt  www.lindarettstatt.com
Mainstream Contemporary Romance
A Falling Star

Marcia James  http://marciajames.net/
At Her Command
Love Unleashed

Judy Gill  http://www.judyggill.com/
Gypsy Magic
A Father for Philip

----------

Joyce DeBacco  www.joycedebacco.com
Tomorrow Blossoms

Pippa Jay www.pippajay.blogspot.com
Keir

----------

Beth Caudill  http://www.bethcaudill.net/
the Paranormals of Arilase

Elaine Macko  http://www.elainemackobooks.com/
Armed  - An Alex Harris Mystery

Jill Hughey  http://jillhughey.bogspot.com/ 
The Evolution Series

----------

Lydia Hawk   http://www.lydiahawke.us/
Civil War novels
Raiders on the St. Johns
Exiles on the St. Johns
 
Don't miss the movies of Firetrail and Perfect Disguise.
Or her suspense novel, Silent Witness, as Lydia Filzen.

----------

Jane Toombs   http://www.janetoombs.com/
romance  mystery, fantasy and horror
Dragon Stone
Shared Whispers Anthology 
 Thanks for joining me. Until next time. ~Helen

Looking for locally crafted products and goods? Make your...

Looking for locally crafted products and goods? Make your plans now to attend the second annual Made in Monmouth Expo,  Free and Open to the Public. Come out and do your holiday shopping early with the talented craftsman, artists, and authors of Monmouth County.   

A Party at The Romance Studio

Like romance? Want to find a good book by skilled authors? The Romance Studio is celebrating the ten-year mark with a party from September 15th through the 21st.. Stop by http://trsparties.com. Prizes, excerpts, and more.

See you there. Helen

Dragons aren't always firebreathing demons

While working on the re-release of the first book in the Dragshi Chronicles, and preparing the next three, I had to escape my earthbound ties. The result was a sweet romance, the fantasy short story, Hatchling's Guardian. Unlike the dragshi, Trellier is a true dragon. The last of his kind, he longs for companionship. Even if it is only that of a human. However, the one he has chosen to spend eternity with has to overlook the fact Trellier is a dragon--and a sworn enemy. Follow the link, http://helenhenderson-author.blogspot.com/p/hatchlings-guardian_6.html to an excerpt and current distribution.

~Till the next time. Helen

Historical Snippit -- V-J Day

On August 14, 1945, it was announced that Japan had surrendered unconditionally to the Allies, effectively ending World War II. Since then, both August 14 and August 15 have been known as "Victory over Japan Day," or simply "V-J Day." The term has also been used for September 2, 1945, when Japan's formal surrender took place aboard the U.S.S. Missouri, anchored in Tokyo Bay. Coming several months after the surrender of Nazi Germany, Japan's capitulation in the Pacific brought six years of hostilities to a final and highly anticipated close.

Visit the History Channel at http://www.history.com/topics/v-j-day for more of the article.

To all, past and present, who have worn the uniform, thank you for your service.

~ Till the next time, Helen

New Release - Imprisoned in Stone

Imprisoned in Stone is now available at Amazon.com for the kindle. Additional distribution channels are coming.

Here's a teaser blurb. For buy links and a free read of the first chapter of this action- and romance-filled fantasy steer a course to (http://is.gd/imprisoned_in_stone_excerpt).

Till Next Time ~  Helen

Blurb:
For the crime of disobedience, the Brethren imprisoned Dylan’s soul in stone. After centuries, he felt the touch of another’s mind and hope for escape from his eternal prison soars. However, his potential savor’s is unaware of her latent magic--and her only knowledge of him comes from an eerie message on the wall and nightmarish dreams.

Cuhlwch, the current head of the Brethren plans to control any and all who have magic... and will do anything to achieve his goals. Displeased with his son, Colwynn, who has healed without payment, Cuhlwch wants a successor of his choosing, one who will follow his traditions. And he means to have one, including using magic to enforce his will. Only Colwynn wants to chose his own mate--an unknown woman whose magic calls him from afar.

A spell kept secret for generations.
A brotherhood thirsting for power.
Demands that cannot be obeyed.
And in the middle of it all-- a woman who stands to lose everything.

Celebrating National Book Lover's Day

To all my fellow authors and to their readers, Happy National Booklovers Day. Since there is some confusion as to whether the day is celebrated August 9th or the first Saturday in November, I’ve decided to do both. Part of my celebration today is the release of the fantasy short story, Hatchling’s Guardian. Then I’m getting ready for the release of a new novel, Imprisoned in Stone. And in between, snatching a read of Carol McPhee’s newest, Natural Obsession. To learn more about National Book Lovers Day stop by http://www.holidayinsights.com/moreholidays/August/bookloversday.htm.

Till Next Time, Helen