9/11

Remembering

The first thing I saw this this morning when I opened the blinds, was our flag flying at half-staff at the DPS office across the street.  9/11!!  

 I immediately broke out in chill bumps

 The magnitude of that attack was unbelievable; so was the fact that it was happening as I sat glued to the TV screen.

on piles of rubble

now a peaceful memorial

Until that day heroism was just a word—September 11 was filled with it: firefighters, police, medical personnel, and volunteers, all risking their lives to save the victims. Hundreds of others worked ‘til they dropped in support services.

Then there was a fourth plane—Flight 93.  Its passengers did not sit placidly waiting for death. They chose to fight. They lost their lives, but succeeded in

diverting the terrorists from their goal, and left us with young Todd Beamer’s rallying call: “Let’s roll.”

          

Todd Beamer

Those words, in modern slang, reflect our nation's attitude 

throughout it's history.  Today  memorials were held for those who lost their lives and to those who saved 

many others. It should also be a day to remember that we were slack in our diligence, waning signs were ignored, and we were not prepared. An old saying comes to mind:

"Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me."

"Never Forget."

Dannie

Get on Board

A Blog Tour

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 I opened my email last week and found an invitation to join a Blog Tour. Now, since I don’t get out much, I didn’t see how I could participate in any sort of a tour—then it hit me—a BLOG tour.  I can do that! Maybe.

So I went to http://gcsalamon@blogspot.com to see what this is all about.  

Well, I found my answer—it’s about writing, and that’s the main thing I’m doing these days. And it’s a blog post, which I may remember how to do—and there are only four questions!

Question 1:  What Are You Working on Now?

I’m nearing the end of editing The Burying Ground, a story of greed and chicanery involving an old cemetery and it’s secrets. Occasionally, I review a few chapters of Sarah, a historical novel that sets the stage for the happenings in The Burying Ground, 140 years later. Maggie, the third and final story in this series, is only a draft, and needs a great amount of thought. Occasionally, I try my hand at writing a query, a troublesome little one-page piece of writing that is the first step in submitting anything to publishers for consideration. Although I’ve been urged to self publish, I ‘m not sure I want all the responsibility that involves. August Heat, a third novel, has been has been sitting in a file for over a year, waiting for me to take time to take this final step.

Question 2:  How Does My Work Differ from Others of its Genre?

I find it difficult to fit The Burying Ground into any genre I’m familiar with. It moves between mystery, danger, romance and a fight to save a primeval forest, while touching the lives of people similar to those we all have known.  Today I found my niche—realistic fiction Sarah, set in the post-Civil war period, fits into the historical genre, but has an unexpected twist as our heroine struggles to break loose from the Victorian role for women. I had hoped August Heat would fall into a specific genre; after all, it’s setting is a Texas ranch, and that should mean “Western,” right? Well it seems that title belongs to stories of the Old West, and August Heat is thoroughly modern, although it does have a fair maiden in distress (actually, she’s a brunette).

Question 3:  Why Do I Write What I do?

I’ve written non-fiction for years, and enjoyed collecting information and creating articles about anything that caught my attention. Never, never did I plan to write fiction—but it happened, and I’m hooked. I enjoy weaving in memories of the places I’ve visited, and the people I’ve known. I enjoy the unplanned twists my stories take when my sub-conscious takes over and take me to unexpected places. And I love to write about Texas—its history, its people, and its scenery.

Question 4:  How Does My Writing Process Work?

 I start with an idea and one character. As I move on, more characters get on board, and all begin to work at carrying out my idea. At times they differ with me, and do as they wish, often leading me into predicaments I don’t know how to solve. Although I visualize the setting as clearly as if I were actually there, my characters’ personality and appearance develop as the story progresses.  

 I had reached the end of three novels before I faced the consequences of writing without an outline.  

Will I change? Probably not.

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That’s my stop-over on this Blog Tour. Be sure to visit  Gina at 

http://gcsalamon@blogspot.com  

It's a great spot for readers.

I hope to see you soon for a bit of  Rocking with Dannie, and  another visit to the farm.

 Dannie

                                                                                                                                                                         

Watch for next week’s Blog Tour contribution from my friend, blogger and  author, Kathryn Reid at

https://katereid5.wordpress.com