In retospect, I think I wrote the historical novel West Across the Board because fiction was the only vehicle I could use to reach Cuba and the southern Florida Keys in the 1930s! I've been freelance writing and conducting archaeological research for quite some time, relying on visiting and exploring the subjects/settings of my articles. During a particular project in which I had to research and survey a wooden schooner that sank in Lake Superior, I came across a newspapaer article written in 1886. There was a line in that article that stuck with me: " Of the sufferings of that crew there will never be a written account, but in the unwritten annals which go to make up the history of individuals, there will undoubtedly be found tales of heroism and bravery in the meeting of deaths in the terrible manner which came to them." This really got me thinking about how untold stories of people's daily lives are such an important part of history. This also starting me thinking about writing historical fiction. By using characters set against historically accurate backdrops, I hoped to get the reader interested in a personal story while taching them something about the history and geography of the story's setting.
This is a great forum by the way! I've really enjoyed reading your posts. I will be ordering "Jacob's Courage" soon. Thanks everyone!
This is a great forum by the way! I've really enjoyed reading your posts. I will be ordering "Jacob's Courage" soon. Thanks everyone!
Andy Jalbert