The Book is Published!

The book, Thou Shalt Not, has been published!
 Over one hundred years ago, an incident occurred
 in David, Iowa, that remained the talk of the county
 for decades. After reviewing scores of newsprint
from that period of time, the story evolved.

**********

I just happened to meet Ellen Elsbury, Mitchell County Historical Museum, recently.Within minutes, Ellen was planning a book signing. I was delighted! What a perfect place to have a book signing for a story that actually occurred in Mitchell County over 100 years ago.

If you're in Osage APRIL 28, 2- 4 p.m. 
please come to the 
Mitchell County Historical Museum for
book signing for Thou Shalt Not.
Refreshments will be served. 

 ******

Like any story, there are stories behind the story.
I'd like to share the process of this particular story-telling adventure.

Do I have a story for you!

A year ago, Penney Morse contacted me and said,  
Come to my house; I have a story for you.
I have all the news clippings.
 I came somewhat reluctantly
thinking I only write fiction.
I'm not sure about doing research.

If you know Penney, you know she loves
all things historical.  You also understand
that when she has an idea, she is persistent.

Here it is, she elaborated,  
pictures and all the court 
documents involving the trial.

Her mother, Frances, quietly agreed, and
her eyes lit up--in that,  
you won't want to miss this!

Penney handed me the large file folder.
Would it even fit in my car?

I plastered a smile on my face
 and walked out the door wondering
when I could get to this. Also thinking-- 
I'll be nice, look it over, and 
tell her I can't do this. 
I don't write historical fiction.
 I'm not capable.

However, after taking the notes home, 

spreading them across my living room floor,

 reading them, 

reading them again, 

 taking notes, 
and reading between the lines--

I felt the story come alive.

No it's not Pingry; it's Pingree.

I ventured outside my comfort level and contacted people about the event.Vivian DuShane, at over 100 years of age, remembered her father telling the story of what happened in David, her hometown. She had included a short telling of this story in her own booklet of David.

Her memory is excellent. She had a familiarity with family names and their spellings.

Using the newspaper reports from 1898-99, I started writing. A bare-bones account about what happened in David, Iowa, existed. And, then, the computer crashed!

I thought about saying forget it; this is too much work. And then decided that the story more than likely needed to be written in a different way. You know how we sometimes convince ourselves that there is a reason why things happen.

I re-wrote, saved, re-wrote, 

saved on both flashdrive and another computer--

not taking any chances this second time around.  

The story evolved as a different story.   

Flesh-on-bones as Sheriff Younker put it.

Thinking I was done, I turned it over to my first-readers for initial reactions.

You have a few typos...

Penney pointed out a few missing details.
Frances smiled--with a twinkle in her eyes.

I like your picture.  Will this be on the cover?

My friend, Dorcas, another history enthusiast, read it--carefully.

Dorcas is a fellow member of Alpha Writers.

And, Alpha Writers are not afraid to critique.
It's what we do....

You're not done yet, are you?

Several weeks later, Dorcas
handed it back to me with--
  
You're not done yet, right?

I thought I was!

Back to the writing drawing board.

With each re-write, 

I added details and 

fleshed out certain scenes and conversations. 

 Dorcas was right--

I wasn't done.

Retired Sheriff Curt Younker had always had an interest in the David, Iowa, incident as it was the only murder in Mitchell County for over 100 years.

There is even a desk made by the prisoner in his office--the desk made while the prisoner worked in wood shop at the penitentiary.

Somewhat hesitantly, I called him and asked if he would agree to read the manuscript.

I usually don't read fiction; --but, yes, I'd like to read this.

He returned it with highly favorable comments.

Margaret at work.

It was time to turn it over to my editor and friend, Margaret Smolik.

After working together on my last book, our working relationship was comfortable.

She tells me I use too many "ing" words.
I think I've improved.
She's doubtful?

********

David Community Church, 1890s

DeForest Fairbanks, Mary Meier, Henry Meier, George Robbins, Mr. and Mrs. Poorte, David McLaughlin and others are characters in the book.  So is the reverend of the David Community Church and its members. 

*******

This writing process all started after my youngest child left for college.

I have always loved to read, but often returned books to the library,

because I could not get interested in the first couple of chapters.

So, I decided to write a book.

After thirty pages, I hit a stone-wall, 

writer's block--call it what you like.

I said a prayer...

Dear God, If I am to write a book, I'm going to need some help.

Thou Shalt Not is the fourth book since the prayer.

Give God the glory!

It's an easy read.

I'll give you more details next week.

If you want to order, click on the amazon.com or 

    barnes and noble link in upper-right hand corner 

     of my blog.

Please, also, consider writing a review... also easy to do.

Questions? Email me at kathystauffer@hotmail.com with  

     Thou Shalt Not in subject line.

Have a great week giving God the glory....


He is risen! 
Happy Easter...