When Your Writing includes Ancestors
I just finished writing a bubble (article) about my book Dead Eye Will and its hero William Riddle.
One of the more interesting challenges in writing Dead Eye Will was involving William Riddle. Generally I have no qualms about writing about people who lived before my time, but this was a little different. William Riddle not only was real, but he was the brother of my ancestor James Riddle.
The Riddles were a Presbyterian family living in Mercer,Pennsylvania. They lived on land given them as a result of Edward Riddle's Revolutionary War service. Edward was the father of both James and William.
Farmers, they worked the land and played a role in their community. In fact, William Riddle eventually married and became a school teacher.
Using relatives, current or past, has built-in problems. One, of course, is the possibility that some relative living now and who knows family history will read the book. And if upon reading it they find an error, they will not stop until they have informed me.
So, in writing about Will and the rest of the family I was careful to do my research first. This resulted in some real interesting facts being included in the story. But it also taught me some family history. And it both enhanced the story and the character.
Although I had to be careful, I found the whole experience very educational. Not only did I learn about my family, but I learned about the War of 1812, and so much more! There were a number of facts that made their way into the story, thus making the story stronger.
One intriguing figure who demanded inclusion and more coverage than originally planned was the Rev. John McMillan. Called The Apostle of Presbyterianism in the West, he carried the gospel wherever he went. Moreover he founded schools, one of which was the forerunner of the University of Pittsburgh. Perhaps someday I will write a story about him.
That is one of the great reasons I love writing. Not only do I get to tell a good story, but my supporting research almost always informs me of new facts. And I become a better person for it.
One of the more interesting challenges in writing Dead Eye Will was involving William Riddle. Generally I have no qualms about writing about people who lived before my time, but this was a little different. William Riddle not only was real, but he was the brother of my ancestor James Riddle.
The Riddles were a Presbyterian family living in Mercer,Pennsylvania. They lived on land given them as a result of Edward Riddle's Revolutionary War service. Edward was the father of both James and William.
Farmers, they worked the land and played a role in their community. In fact, William Riddle eventually married and became a school teacher.
Using relatives, current or past, has built-in problems. One, of course, is the possibility that some relative living now and who knows family history will read the book. And if upon reading it they find an error, they will not stop until they have informed me.
So, in writing about Will and the rest of the family I was careful to do my research first. This resulted in some real interesting facts being included in the story. But it also taught me some family history. And it both enhanced the story and the character.
Although I had to be careful, I found the whole experience very educational. Not only did I learn about my family, but I learned about the War of 1812, and so much more! There were a number of facts that made their way into the story, thus making the story stronger.
One intriguing figure who demanded inclusion and more coverage than originally planned was the Rev. John McMillan. Called The Apostle of Presbyterianism in the West, he carried the gospel wherever he went. Moreover he founded schools, one of which was the forerunner of the University of Pittsburgh. Perhaps someday I will write a story about him.
That is one of the great reasons I love writing. Not only do I get to tell a good story, but my supporting research almost always informs me of new facts. And I become a better person for it.
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