I've occasionally featured writers, but I'm very happy to have as my first in this new endeavor:
by my friend, Darlene Beck Jacobsen, fellow Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators member, and a hardworking writer.
Darlene loved writing
since she was a girl. She wrote letters to everyone she knew and made up
stories in her head. Although she never
wrote to a president, she sent many letters to pop stars of the day asking for
photos and autographs. She loves
bringing the past to life in stories such as WHEELS OF CHANGE, her debut novel.
Darlene’s stories have appeared in
CICADA, CRICKET, and other magazines. When not writing, Darlene enjoys baking,
sewing and tea parties. She also likes
hanging around forges watching the blacksmith work magic. She’s never ridden in
a carriage like the one in the story, but hopes to one day. Her blog features recipes,
activities, crafts and interviews with children’s book authors and
illustrators. She still loves writing and getting letters. Check out her website here:
I asked Darlene a few questions so that you could get to know her book better:
What was the most surprising thing you learned in your research?
The biggest surprise was discovering how Washington DC looked at the turn of the Twentieth Century. Even though it was the nation’s capital and center of government, it was very rural. With the exception of Pennsylvania Avenue and a few streets bordering 7th Street – the main street of commerce - there was only gas lighting and no electricity. Indoor plumbing was still a novelty. Many roads were unpaved or had cobblestones. There were farms and wooded areas surrounding the government buildings. Most people still rode in horse-drawn wagons, carriages, or buggies. Many goods were still made by hand. Those facts were instrumental in helping me set the scene and render an accurate time and place.
I don’t envision a sequel to Emily’s story. Her tale has been told. It might be fun to find out what happens to Emily’s nemesis, Beatrice Peabody and her family. How does Mrs. P survive the changes coming to her family as Beatrice discovers a different life at boarding school – a life away from her domineering mother.
There was so much change that took place in such
a short time. From 1900 to WWI, people
witnessed the birth of automobiles, airplanes, electricity, factory made goods,
train travel across the continent, telephones, and modern conveniences such as
canned foods, vacuum cleaners, washers and dryers and the like. Some of the changes were exciting as well as
frightening. I tried to convey that
ambivalence in the story.
Life was very difficult for girls and women 100 years ago. So much time and energy was spent in completing everyday tasks such as cooking, cleaning, laundry, and childcare. Women kept households running, but had little or no say in how they spent their own lives. It took two world wars for women to test their own courage and break away from the strict confines of home and out into the working world. Thanks to our grandmothers and great-grandmothers, our choices are unlimited.
What sources did you use in your research?
Primary sources included an invitation my
grandmother received to a reception held by Teddy Roosevelt, a letter from the National
Archives confirming that she met the President. I
read his personal letters, visited a working buggy museum
and forge, read numerous books on American culture at the turn of the century,
corresponded via e-mail to experts at the Smithsonian, Sagamore Hill,
Historical Society of DC and others whenever I had questions. I also perused old cookbooks, maps, Sears
Catalogs, and newspapers to get a feel for the era.
So stop by and say hello to Darlene and check out her book.
Char
