Laying the Foundation of a New Historical Novel
Photos Canva
My new historical novel is starting to take shape. I have been away from writing for a few weeks because I first needed to edit a new cozy mystery novel, Model Wave - Book 2, for T.K. Sheffield (due out at the end of this month), then filled up the last three weekends with tree clean up from spring storms, and now have started weeding my perennial beds that should have been weeded last summer but was too busy writing Ghost Horse at Oak Lane Stable-Book 4 to find the time to do it. I need to weed those flowerbeds if I want to actually see the plants. Besides, being outside after working on a story helps to bring in new clarity and ideas for the next writing session (and I can get in some exercise).
I have been envious of my other writer friends who are coming out with new books this spring. Why haven’t I been working on something new too? Besides the other work that had to be completed first, I feel there is a gestation period for story ideas. Even though I have had this idea for 13 years now, it is starting to move in a whole new direction, one I was not aware of when the initial idea presented itself to me. After doing some initial research last winter, I discovered things about the early American art landscape that I had not studied while in art school, something intriguing and useful to add another layer to the story. I originally understood that most women artists were prevented from life in the arts but that was, in fact, not entirely true. I will have to see how I can use this information within the story.
Being a visual artist, I have decided to start a sketchbook of sorts to compile my findings for architecture details, clothing, landscapes, etc. for this time period. It can be a pretty “notebook” of sorts to keep my ideas all in one place. I have a small, lined notebook I used for writing the Oak Lane Stable series. I would have been lost without it, especially since the novels were written a few years apart. I needed to remember who everyone was, mostly their last names and what stables they belonged to if they rode for a different barn. The details had to be consistent in all four of the books. I will have far more details in this historical novel that I will have to pay attention to.
Writing for children has been a lot of fun, but I feel it is time to move onto the trials of an adult novel. I am looking forward to writing with more colorful descriptions and adult subject matter, namely women’s history in art. This is going to be a challenge but one I am ready for. I keep waiting to start because I feel I need more information before I put words to the page, except there is this great tool called editing that is at my disposal. I can always add extra details as I learn more about the time period, which I will share with you as I go along.
Now, I am off to do more reading!
MHWF Website.
I donate regularly to the Midwest Horse Welfare Foundation. I have followed them for years and send a portion of the book sales to them quarterly and for their annual fall hay drive. They always need donations for the rescued horses they have in their care.
Author Kerri Lukasavitz and the middle grade Oak Lane Stable Novel Series: Books written for young readers, but enjoyed by horse lovers of all ages.
