I was on my way to the coke machine this afternoon at work, and I was thinking about Polly. I think a lot about her these days. I wonder if her chestnut hair was unruly. I think about her pale, hazel eyes. I imagine how her clothes would fit me - if her shoes would be uncomfortable - walking in the woods on a humid, Kentucky day.
Polly Wright is my 4th great grandmother, and here's what I do know about her. In Springfield, Kentucky, 1798, she married John Thompson McNeff. In 1804, she was awarded a legislative divorce from him. It's not much to go on.
I've always wanted to know her. So, a few months ago, I decided I'd write an historic novel about John T and Polly. Actually, it's probably more accurate to say I decided I'd research an historic novel about John T and Polly. I've been reading books, taking furious notes and doing a lot of day-dreaming.
But it was on the trip to the coke machine that it struck me. I have to start writing about the McNeffs regularly. And so, another blog is born.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
Wahoo! 1st comment! :)
ReplyDeleteA blog novel? Is that called a blogel?
Ok, love the idea...but what's all this "an historical" stuff? are we not pronouncing the h? Has this become accepted parlance in the hallowed halls of my alma mater?
ReplyDeleteI'm only asking in friendship and solidarity as a history major and fellow novelist hopeful.
You know Christy - at first I thought I'd concede to the published author. Feedback is, after all, one of the major points of this exercise. After walking up and down the hall repeating "a historic" "an historic" to myself (I hope nobody heard me), I've decided to disagree. I should be working, so this is going to be short - for now. Grammar Girl agrees with you, but she acknowledges that there is a debate: http://grammar.quickanddirtytips.com/a-versus-an.aspx
ReplyDelete