Book Plots and Quilt Blocks

Design for Sophie Ann's Quilt

 I just finished my third novella in the Eastern Sierra Brides 1884 series. I think this was my all-time hardest story to write. It took me far longer to finish than I had hoped or anticipated. One reason was because life happens. But, the other reasons are far more subtle. They can probably best be described by comparing my writing to my quilting experiences.

This third book titled Her Independent Spirit starts with Beth Dodd giving a quilt she made to Sophie Ann, the two week old daughter of a prostitute whom Beth helped deliver. We first read about this quilt in the second book, A Resurrected Spirit.

Unlike some of the artistic quilt masterpieces we see today, this quilt was made from white flannel that Beth had originally bought to sew into a new nightgown, red flannel from some of her late husband's long-handle underwear, and blue and white striped cotton from one of her late husband's shirts that had been torn and stained. It was far from being a work of art. But stitched together neatly, it was serviceable. 

Primarily Blue

 Sometimes putting together story plots reminds me of what it is like trying to design and assemble a patchwork quilt top. 


I can keep it simple and serviceable. But, to be pleasing to the eye, it is necessary to have a good blend of color, dark, medium and light shades, compatible fabric design and piece shapes. It is also important that the fabric chosen be compatible with the overall theme of the quilt.

Some like Primarily Blue made mostly of the primary colors on the color wheel have a basic, straightforward plot.

Nascar Spin

 Fortunately for me, my first quilt with three basic colors turned out quite well in spite of my combining all cotton and cotton-polyester blend fabrics--a big no-no in the quilting world. The colors and designs balanced well. Likewise, my first completed novel turned out well even though it was not my most skillfully crafted writing effort.

Rock Star

Pugs In a Garden

Other quilt tops have a plethora of colors from all over the pallette. Some block pieces are bold and eye-catching and others are muted and restful to the eye.

I love writing parallel or entwined novel plots, sort of like the climbing rows of bold alternating orange and blue-green blocks in Rock Star. 

But, just like colorful quilts such as Rock Star require a lot of balance of all elements of the quilt design, it takes skill and often a lot of rewrites to piece entwining plots together so that the overall story moves forward smoothly. That was my challenge in writing Her Independent Spirit.

Some novel plots like Pugs In a Garden are soft and sweet. They provide a relaxing read, a get-away break for a few hours. I picked this floral fabric up in another quilter's yard sale. The design and color pallet was 10-15 years old--old-fashioned in the world of quilting fabric--but it suited my sister to a tee, so I snatched it up. Soft and sweet in an old-fashioned way is one reason many readers snatch up the historical romances we write.

Other quilts are gripping, intense and, like my veteran's quilt, Gung-Ho!, keep your mind moving hours after the reader has finished the book.

Gung-Ho!

If I'm not careful, I can find that my writing gets too chopped up, or too dark like this star-studded black sashing. To add balance and to lighten up this veteran's quilt, I added the red binding to draw out the red in the scrappy strip blocks. 

In my writing I find I sometimes have to change elements of my story or surround it with a coordinating, but uplifting theme, to add balance and not allow it to sink into darkness or distraction.

Like the colors in these scrappy blocks, it is important to keep them from becoming too choppy. Although each block is unique, there is balance. I did this by scattering the lesser colors of orange and white throughout the entire design. Same with parallel or entwined plot lines.

There is also the issue of being cautious about research sources in order to keep plots believable. The themed fabric to the left was purchased online. In the online images, the primary sea color appeared to be more turquoise than aqua, and the main design appeared to be more vibrant and well-defined. The actual fabric I received appeared much greener and washed out when sewn into the quilt.

That is why I try to balance my online browsing with other forms of research. Just as the color strips separating the blocks ended up providing the most vibrant, eye-catching color in this quilt, so can the book research and onsite locality research make the difference between my writing being ho-hum okay or a more accurate, believable story to be remembered long after the reader reaches "The End."

Floral Medley

Sometimes, in spite of my best efforts to blend compatible colors, balance the contrast of lights and darks and have a good mix of small, medium and large coordinating fabric designs, once it is all put together, I just don't like the overall effect. 

This floral large block quilt I intended from the start to donate to charity had all my favorite colors in it. But, when I was finished, I sincerely hoped whoever received it liked it better than I do. Novel plots are like that sometimes. They start out as a good idea. But, by a couple of chapters into the work, I'd just as soon abandon the project so I can move forward writing something else that excites and pleases me.

So, what made Her Independent Spirit so time-consuming? Unlike the first two books in this series, the storyline follows two women and their romances, not just one.

Beth, still engaged to Val, pursues her goal of getting her own house on her own land so she has a place to which she can bring her sister who is still back east. To do that she must get her late husband's estate settled and navigate the land laws and legal issues that applied to women in her day.

At the same time, Louisa Parmley, known at the Blue Feather as Lulu, decides to leave the brothel and start a new life for her and her baby, but needs Beth's help to do so. Both women realize as long as Louisa lives in the mining regions of the West, she will always be at risk of encountering people who recognize her and know her past. Louisa agrees with Beth that her best option for a decent life for her and her baby is to move back east and settle in a new city. She plans to travel with Beth when Beth goes for her sister. 

Noah's Arky-Arky

 But, a complication arises neither anticipated at the beginning. Of course, it involves a man. What man, you ask? To find out, you will just have to read the book and piece it together yourself.

Writing Her Independent Spirit was like designing this Noah's Arky-Arky quilt.

I started with the main blocks and several color coordinating fabrics that set off the colors in the blocks beautifully. Unfortunately, most of the patterns were just not right for a baby quilt. I needed fabrics that would complement each color in the main design AND each of the little animals in the two repeating baby themed blocks. And, bright colors for a baby quilt--yes. A lot of dark colors like navy and maroon? No.

In the novella Her Independent Spirit, the time frame starts in mid-April, touches on the the Independence Day holiday, and includes an actual event that took place in Lundy on August 21, 1884, an event that changes the course of both Beth's and Louisa's plans.

For the quilt, some of the fabrics I considered had designs that were too large or contained colors that were garish enough that they detracted from the Noah's Ark blocks in the quilt. 

Likewise, in Her Independent Spirit I couldn't afford to have a lot of extra fluff that did not move the plot forward through the months of April to September. In both cases, I had to stay focused. That meant, like a quilt top, I cut out the pieces, stitched them together, ripped them back out, shopped around for something that worked better and tried again. More than once.

For both this quilt and this book I felt forced to design each element connecting one section to the next scene only after I finished the one before. I could not picture the overall effect in advance.

For the quilt, it took me two trips to the fabric store and three fabric purchases just to come up with the right fabric design and the right shade of light blue with polka-dots for the outside latticework. For the plot, once I got the primary scenes written, I had to review my research, plus write and rewrite in order to connect each scene to the next and and keep the events in the proper order--calendar-wise and development of relationships-wise--so the action flowed.

Was it worth it? Yes. In spite of the extra time, aggravation and effort, I love how Noah's Arky-Arky turned out. 

Likewise, I'm pleased with the end result of Her Independent Spirit. It is almost ten thousand words longer than each of the first two novellas in the series. But, I was finally able to put it to bed as a story I enjoyed telling. To me, it was worth the effort.

I just hope my publishers agree.

The story behind "...knows how to swing a meat cleaver."

For Tidbit Tuesday, I thought I would share the story behind a segment I recently wrote in my upcoming novella, Her Independent Heart, part of my Eastern Sierra Brides 1884 series.

"Chub"

My dad didn't care for his given name, so he was known throughout most of his life by his nickname, "Chub." He grew up during the Great Depression and finished high school while World War II raged. With money tight, he learned early the practical skills that could earn him extra cash.

After a stint as a navigator on a B-24 towards the end of WWII, he returned home and began his career in building construction. He developed a reputation as an excellent finish carpenter. By the time he was in his late twenties, he was a general building contractor with his own business.

As he came up through the ranks in other companies, often working as a job foreman, he often found himself in the middle of disputes with other construction workers. Sometimes the discussions came to blows. Many of the men were taller than Chub and had a longer reach on their arms.

The house Chub built and where I lived most of my childhood

Dad told me he learned early on to always carry his hammer with him. That hammer was his equalizer. When the shouting matches grew heated, Dad hefted that hammer in his hand. He said that he knew there were times some of the men grew so angry they were tempted to take a swing at him. Then they glanced at that hammer and backed off.   

Because they all knew Chub knew how to swing a hammer.

The character Gus in my upcoming novella, Her Independent Spirit, like my father, is shorter than average, and possesses a stocky build with a lot of strength and coordination in his arms and shoulders. Here is this week's tidbit:     

     When the time had come to close the eatery, Louise had been further surprised. While she and Beth pinned their hats on and wrapped their shawls around their shoulders, her eyes had grown wide with apprehension as she  watched Gus grab his meat cleaver. He hefted it in his hand to get a good grip on the handle, then he motioned the two women out the back door of the kitchen. Beth followed his lead as if it were an everyday occurrence. Cautiously, clasping Sophie Ann tightly to her chest, Louisa tagged behind.

     Later that evening, Beth had explained that except for when Val was in town to walk with her, Gus had developed the habit of seeing her safely home. 

     “I done told him I got my Derringer and my pa’s huntin’ knife strapped to my leg, but he figured he wasn’t takin’ no chances of losin’ his cook. Gus don’t own no gun, but that don't matter none. Word done got around this town right quick Gus knows how to swing a meat cleaver."

Old North American meat cleaver

To learn more about the first two novellas in the Eastern Sierra Brides 1884 series, please visit the following links:

Zina Abbott Author Links:

Website  |  Blog     |  Pinterest  |  Facebook  |  Goodreads

Please visit the Zina Abbott’s Amazon Author Page by clicking HERE.

Purchase Links for Big Meadows Valentine:

Kindle  |  Nook  |  Smashwords

Purchase Links for A Resurrected Heart:

Kindle  |  Nook  |  Smashwords

New SWEET AMERICANA SWEETHEARTS Group Blog

I don't have enough to do with my time.

New SWEET AMERICANA SWEETHEARTS blog - click HERE

Correction!

Now that I am a published author, the reality of also needing to spend time getting the word out about my books that are already available has become part of my writing experience, whether or not I think I have the time.

One of the more effective ways to let readers know about the kinds of books they like to read is to attract them to sign up to follow a group blog. Group blogs feature several authors who band together and take responsibility for providing a post on a regular basis. Also, on a group blog, it is important to offer readers and subscribers information they may find interesting, informative and entertaining. I subscribe to several group blogs and enjoy reading the great posts by published authors.

Since most group blogs I enjoy already have a full slate of contributing writers, I created a new group blog, SWEET AMERICANA SWEETHEARTS. Rather than make it a duplicate of the historical western blogs already out there, I came up with a slightly different focus to appeal to a specific reading audience. SWEET AMERICANA SWEETHEARTS features sweet/clean writers of historical romance novels set in North America during the years of 1820 through 1920.

In a little over 24 hours since I started spreading the word about this new blog, I've had three published writers express an interest in becoming contributing authors. I'm just waiting for their author photo, bio and gmail address so I can get them assigned to a day each month and get them linked up. Read my inaugural post by clicking HERE and the guidelines by clicking HERE if you are a published sweet/clean romance writer interested in contributing to this blog.

SWEET AMERICANA SWEETHEARTS will also feature guest authors, blog tours and "Tidbit Tuesdays." Our first Tidbit Tuesday for works in progress (WIP) excerpts between 100-200 words in length is now active. You can see the post HERE. If you are a sweet/clean historical romance author who writes about North America during the century of 1820 through 1920, please consider leaving your WIP tidbit in the comments section.

At the group blog administrator, I'll get authors signed up and manage the guest authors, Tidbit Tuesdays and blog tours. However, once authors are assigned to a specific day of a specific week, the blog for that day is THEIRS. They add the post. They respond to the reader comments. They promote their blog post on their media sources.

If you are a READER who enjoys sweet/clean historical romance novels set in North America between 1820 and 1920, please sign up to subscribe to the SWEET AMERICANA SWEETHEARTS blog by clicking HERE.

Big Step - Zina Abbott's Facebook Account

I'm taking a big step, here. This may be one of the biggest since my decision to write historical fiction as Zina Abbott.

Zina Abbott is now on Facebook. Yes, I do have a Zina Abbott Books page under Robyn Echols. However, I am unable to link my Zina Abbott Pinterest and Goodreads accounts to Facebook the way things are currently set up.

Also, I am working on the assumption that most people who "Like" or "Follow" Zina Abbott Books are only interested in my books and experiences as a writer. They don't necessarily want to get in on my family and vacation pictures, political and religious views or be bombarded with the goofy sayings and jokes I like to forward on my other Facebook account. After checking around with other authors for their feedback, I decided now is the time to make this change.

So, please! I BEG YOU. If you have already "liked" or are following my existing Zina Abbott page, please send a friend request to me at: ZINA ABBOTT ON FACEBOOK.

And, if you haven't "liked" or "followed" me yet on Facebook, I invite you to do so. Click on the above link or on the banner below.

I will be putting a notice on my prior page stating that I am going to let it go inactive.

Zina Abbott Facebook banner - Keep in mind my portrait goes in the spot on the left.

 
Zina Abbott Author Links:

Website        Blog          Pinterest         Facebook        Goodreads

 

Purchase Links for Big Meadows Valentine:

Kindle                 Nook               Smashwords

Purchase Links for A Resurrected Heart:

Kindle                 Nook               Smashwords

The Sultana Disaster & Abilene Gamble

I found it interesting to read more about the Sultana disaster on my email I get from Fold3. Fold3 is an organization which provides historical documents (annual fee) that have been created since the Colonial times of North America. I have found it a valuable research resource.

Access the Fold3 blog post about the Sultana disaster by clicking HERE.

You can read my Trails & Rails blog post on this incident along with a little of how it relates to a work-in-progress that I have titled Abilene Gamble by clicking HERE.